Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing The Maturity Level Of Information Technology Management Process In A Romanian Company

Since the 1990s, organizations have gradually become involved in the transformation of their information technology (IT) management process. In order to determine the direction of IT development in correlation with business needs, a consolidated management approach is imposed. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the maturity level of IT management process in an organization. For this purpose, an empirical study in a Romanian public service company was done by using the benchmarking technique and Capability Maturity Model to describe the maturity level of IT management process. Four benchmarking classes, including a number of 24 benchmarks, were taken into account to focus on the main key issues - IT management strategy and IT planning; alignment of business strategy, IT strategy, organizational structure, and IT infrastructure; and information systems security management. The study reveals that the IT management process is mainly focused on technological dimension and less on the managerial one. It was observed that IT managers have a low awareness of managerial skills in planning, organizing, controlling, and leading the IT activities. Practical implication of the study presents two major issues: 1) on one hand, the need to approach a transversal vision in managing the IT process by aligning it to a complex set of choices, reflecting both a strategic and functional perspective and, 2) on the other hand, this study may be useful for managers looking to improve management of the IT department as well as the quality of their services. The study also indicates specific recommendations to refine the IT management process of Romanian companies.
Predicting the Spatial Dynamics of Wolbachia Infections in Aedes Aegypti Arbovirus Vector Populations in Heterogeneous Landscapes

A promising strategy for reducing the transmission of dengue and other arboviral human diseases by Aedes aegypti mosquito vector populations involves field introductions of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia. Wolbachia infections inhibit viral transmission by the mosquito, and can spread between mosquito hosts to reach high frequencies in the vector population. Wolbachia spreads by maternal transmission, and spread dynamics can be variable and highly dependent on natural mosquito population dynamics, population structure and fitness components. We develop a mathematical model of an Ae. aegypti metapopulation that incorporates empirically validated relationships describing density-dependent mosquito fitness components. We assume that density dependence relationships differ across subpopulations, and construct heterogeneous landscapes for which model-predicted patterns of variation in mosquito abundance and demography approximate those observed in field populations. We then simulate Wolbachia release strategies similar to that used in field trials. We show that our model can produce rates of spatial spread of Wolbachia similar to those observed following field releases. We then investigate how different types of spatio-temporal variation in mosquito habitat, as well as different fitness costs incurred by Wolbachia on the mosquito host, influence predicted spread rates. We find that fitness costs reduce spread rates more strongly when the habitat landscape varies temporally due to stochastic and seasonal processes. Our empirically based modelling approach represents effects of environmental heterogeneity on the spatial spread of Wolbachia. The models can assist in interpreting observed spread patterns following field releases and in designing suitable release strategies for targeting spatially heterogeneous vector populations.
On inherent in-place and in-order features of the prime factor algorithm

For the computation of the prime factor algorithm (PFA), an in-place and in-order approach is always desirable because it reduces the memory requirement for the storage of the temporary results, and the computation time which is required to unscramble the output sequence to a proper order. In fact, the processing time required for this unscrambling process can take up as much as 50% of the overall computation time. It is shown that the PFA has an intrinsic property that allows it to be easily realized in an in-place and in-order form. No extra operation is required as in the previous propositions. Nevertheless, the sequence length of the PFA computation must be carefully selected. The conditions under which a particular sequence length is possible for a natural in-place and in-order PFA computation are analyzed. The result is useful to both the hardware and software realization of the PFA. <<ETX>>
Microbiological Assessment of Secondary School Toilets Wall and Door Handles in Ondo, Ondo State

Toilet facilities among many other facilities ought to be present in secondary schools to promote hygiene and meet the physical and emotional needs of students. However, toilet wall and door handle could serve as fomite in the indirect transmission of infectious diseases, while toilet air microflora could enhance the direct transmission of infectious microorganisms. In this study, microbiological quality of secondary school toilets, types of microorganism and antibacterial susceptibility assay were carried out using standard microbiological methods. Swab sample were collected from toilet wall and door handles and agar plates were exposed to indoor and outdoor for the isolation of toilet air microflora. Total numbers of 160 samples were collected from six (6) secondary schools (A, B, C, D, E and F), A and B were boys school, C and D were girls only while E and F were co-educational schools. Microbiological assessment of toilet wall and door handle revealed zero staphylococcal and coliform counts in all the schools however, total bacterial counts of wall and door handle ranged from 1.03±0.11 to 4.06±0.02 and 1.04±0.06 to 7.04±0.05 cfu/10 cm 2 respectively. The highest fungal counts was observed in door handle, the total viable bacterial counts ranged from 0.00±0.0 to 12.51±0.03 and 1.24±0.03 x10 2 to 40.01±0.21 x10 2 cfu/m 3 in indoor and outdoor air microflora respectively. The fungal and staphylococcal counts of outdoor air microflora were significantly (p Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, B. polymyxa, B. alvei, B. cereus, S. epidemidis, Seratia sp. Aspergillus niger , A. flavus and Rhizopus stolonifer in which the most frequently occurred bacterial were Bacillus subtilis and B. alvei while that of fungus was Rhizopus stolonifer. Staphylococcus aureus were less susceptible to amoxicillin, augmentin, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin. The presence of these microorganisms could have impact on the health and well-being of secondary school students in Ondo, Ondo State.
High affinity interactions of Pb2+ with Synaptotagmin I

Lead (Pb) is a potent neurotoxin that disrupts synaptic neurotransmission. We report that Synaptotagmin I (SytI), a key regulator of Ca2+-evoked neurotransmitter release, has two high-affinity Pb2+ binding sites that belong to its cytosolic C2A and C2B domains. The crystal structures of Pb2+-complexed C2 domains revealed that protein-bound Pb2+ ions have holodirected coordination geometries and all-oxygen coordination spheres. The on-rate constants of Pb2+ binding to the C2 domains of SytI are comparable to those of Ca2+ and are diffusion-limited. In contrast, the off-rate constants are at least two orders of magnitude smaller, indicating that Pb2+ can serve as both thermodynamic and kinetic trap for the C2 domains. We demonstrate, using NMR spectroscopy, that population of these sites by Pb2+ ions inhibits further Ca2+ binding despite the existing coordination vacancies. Our work offers a unique insight into the bioinorganic chemistry of Pb(II) and suggests a mechanism by which low concentrations of Pb2+ ions can interfere with the Ca2+-dependent function of SytI in the cell.
Male and female preferences for nest characteristics under paternal care

Abstract Nests play a critical role for offspring development across the animal kingdom. Nest quality may contribute to the builder's extended phenotype and serve as an ornament during mate choice. We examined male and female nest choice in the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps), a benthic fish with male‐only parental care where females deposit eggs in male‐built nests. Using prebuilt nest models, we independently manipulated two candidate nest quality traits: (a) nest entrance width with a role in oxygen ventilation, and (b) extent of sand cover with a role in camouflage. In simultaneous choice trials, male gobies exhibited no preference for any nest model type. This suggests that initial characteristics of a nesting substrate have minor importance for males, which usually remodel the nest. Females were given a choice between two males occupying either entrance‐ or cover‐manipulated nests. The same pair of males was then exposed to a second female but now with alternated nest types assigned. Most females were consistent in choosing the same, typically the heavier male of the two regardless of nest properties. However, the females that chose the same nest regardless of the male preferred low over high sand coverage and narrow over wide nest entrance. Our results indicate that females base their mating decision on a combination of male phenotype and nest traits. While we found no indication that females are attracted to highly decorated nests, our study is the first in fishes to disentangle a preference for narrow (and thus more protective) nest entrances independent of nest coverage.
Perspectives on quality and quality assurance in learner support areas at three Southeast Asian open universities

While quality measures in higher education in general have gained significant and growing attention over the past 30 years, questions remain about quality in open universities. This research was an international comparative case study focusing on perceptions of quality and quality assurance (QA) in learner support areas at open universities. The goal of the study was to explore and understand the concept of quality and QA in three open universities in Southeast Asia from the perspectives of practitioners, instructors, and administrators serving in learner support areas. Results indicate that staff at all three institutions view satisfying students as the primary quality criterion in learner support areas, while their conceptualizations of QA focus on the importance of quality guidelines (standard operating procedures) as the roadmap to meeting individual quality criteria.
Isolation and Molecular Identification of Bacteria with Magnesite Enrichment Potential from Turanocak and Ortaocak Quarries in Kütahya-Turkey

Abstract In this study, bacteria were isolated from two different magnesite quarries in Turanocak and Ortaocak mine in Kütahya-Eskişehir region, one of the largest processed magnesite reserves in Turkey. The obtained isolates have a potential to solve important magnesite pollutant CaCO3 but incapable to solve magnesium that has the most crucial role in the industry. Thus, potential bacteria were identified to be used for magnesite enrichment studies. The obtained isolates were identified and characterized according to the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular techniques (16S rDNA PCR). According to the gene sequencing analysis Bacillus genus bacteria have the ability to solve CaCO3. The data of the 16S rDNA gene sequence showed that there were 13 active strains grouped in Bacillus. These active strains; Bacillus sp (3), Bacillus atrophaeus (2), Bacillus thuringiensis (1), Bacillus circulans (1), Bacillus simplex (3), Bacillus endophyticus (1) Bacillus drentensis (1) and Bacillus idriensis (1).
Do the time-wrap: continuous alignment of gene expression time-series data

Recent advances in DNA microarray technologies are enabling researchers to measure the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously, with time-series data offering particularly rich opportunities for understanding dynamic biological processes. Unfortunately, DNA microarray data is plagued by quality issues including noise and missing data points. Expression time-series data introduce additional complications, including sampling rate differences between experiments and variations in the timing of biological processes. In this thesis, a probabilistic framework is presented for making gene expression timeseries data from different experiments directly comparable. This method addresses the issues of DNAmicroarray data noise, missing values, different sampling rates between experiments, and variability in the timing of biological processes. Gene expression time-series data are represented as a set of continuous spline curves (piecewise polynomials) using a linear mixedeffects model, a statistical method that allows for a fixed or group effect as well as a random or individual effect. The model constrains a gene’s expression curve to be generally similar to those of co-expressed genes, while still allowing for gene specific variations. A continuous alignment algorithm is then introduced in which a search is performed for a function that transforms the time-scale of one gene expression process into that of another, while minimizing a measure of error between expression profiles in the two processes. Three applications are then presented of the continuous representation/alignment algorithm to DNA microarray expression data, which yield biologically meaningful results. First, it is shown that the linear mixed-effects spline model can effectively predict missing data values, achieving lower error for cases of one or two consecutive missing values than the best method previously reported in the literature. Second, it is demonstrated that the alignment algorithm can produce stable low-error alignments, allowing data from three different yeast cell cycle experiments (with period and phase differences) to be combined. Finally, it is shown that the alignment algorithm can be used to identify genes that behave differently in normal versus genetically modified cells. Thesis Supervisor: David K. Gifford Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Segregação de habitat por espécies de camarões em riachos de terra firme na Amazônia

Particao de recursos e um mecanismo estabilizante conhecido por manter a diversidade de especies em varios ambientes. Assembleias de camaroes de riachos sao estruturadas por caracteristicas do habitat e predacao. Portanto, a segregacao na dimensao do habitat poderia facilitar a coexistencia entre especies nessas assembleias, mesmo quando a segregacao e resultado de pressao de predacao por especies de peixes. Essas interacoes ecologicas ocorrem em um ambiente modulado por caracteristicas biogeograficas, como a conectividade entre drenagens. No entanto, essas generalizacoes sao baseadas principalmente em estudos realizados em regioes temperadas. Investigamos se a abundância de especies de camaroes de riachos de terra firme esta relacionada com as dimensoes do habitat e se as relacoes de abundância com o habitat podem ser mediadas pela estrutura da assembleia de peixes e pelo efeito das drenagens. Regressoes multiplas foram usadas para demonstrar possiveis relacoes entre a abundância de camaroes e o habitat, e tambem com a composicao dos peixes. Testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov foram realizados para evidenciar a especializacao e a segregacao de habitat entre as especies. Detectamos efeitos da variacao do habitat nas densidades das especies de camaroes, mas as magnitudes dos efeitos foram maiores para algumas especies que para outras. A composicao do predador tambem afetou as densidades dos camaroes. Duas das tres especies mostraram algum grau de especializacao de habitat, mas apenas ao longo dos gradientes de velocidade da correnteza, profundidade e pH. Segregacao de habitat entre as especies ocorreu ao longo dos gradientes de velocidade da correnteza e pH. As relacoes entre densidade e gradientes ambientais diferiram entre bacias apenas para uma especie e apenas ao longo do gradiente de pH. Nossas descobertas fornecem evidencias de que especies de camaroes de riachos tropicais respondem diferentemente aos gradientes ambientais e isso pode facilitar a coexistencia entre as especies. No entanto, a pressao de predacao parece ter um efeito mais forte sobre as densidades de especies e, consequentemente, a segregacao de especies, e tambem os efeitos diretos dos gradientes ambientais, resultam de competicao aparente por esses recursos
A sentence-level approach to opinion search and sentiment classification problems using natural language low-level features: models and applications

Opinion mining includes two active research directions; opinion search and sentiment classification. The former is the art of searching for subjective statements (peoples' expression of feelings) on any particular subject matter such as products, political decisions and news topics. The subjective expressions are then ranked according to their relevance. In the latter, preferential stances in the subjective expressions are classified into positive, negative, and sometimes neutral stances that can be used as a resourceful bank of intelligence for different applications. In this thesis, we investigate a sentence-level approach to both opinion search and sentiment classification problems. The approach uses different natural language processing techniques for selecting low-level and fine-grained subjective features in order to realize more accurate results. For the opinion search problem, we propose two sentence-level topic-opinion relevance models to investigate their performance on a standard blog data set. The first model uses predicate-argument structures of sentences to improve contextual and semantic relevance between natural language query topics and the retrieved documents. The second model uses discourse representation structures to detect sentence-level opinion dependencies between the key entities of a query topic and the opinion words. The results show that using these low-level linguistic and subjective features gives up to 15.6% improvement over the TREC baselines. Finally, for the sentiment classification problem, we adapt our sentence-level approach to classify sentiment polarity from the consumer products domain. We propose a Sentence Polarity Shift model that identifies sentiment shift patterns and captures only the consistent polarities from the patterns. The premise is that there are patterns in the way people often communicate their sentiments and these patterns can be predicted by capturing the sentiment shifts of each sentence. Our empirical evidence indicates that using sentences with consistent sentiment polarities combined with additional sentence-level and document-level features is likely to reduce sentiment classification loss and improve the performance of a sentiment classifier by 8.5%.
Comparative performance of two whole‐genome capture methodologies on ancient DNA Illumina libraries

Application of whole‐genome capture (WGC) methods to ancient DNA (aDNA) promises to increase efficiency of ancient genome sequencing. We compared the performance of two recent WGC methods in enriching human aDNA within Illumina libraries built using both double‐stranded and single‐stranded build protocols. Although both methods effectively enriched aDNA, we observed consistent differences between the methods, providing the opportunity to further explore parameters influencing WGC experiments. Our results suggest bait length has a potential influence on library enrichment. Moreover, we show WGC biases against shorter molecules that are enriched in single‐stranded libraries preparation protocols. Lastly, we document the effect of WGC on features including clonality, GC composition and repetitive DNA content. Our findings provide insights relevant to those planning WGC on aDNA and suggest future tests and optimization to improve WGC efficiency.
PENCIL Language Specification

Programming accelerators such as GPUs with low-level APIs and languages such as OpenCL and CUDA is difficult, error prone, and not performance-portable. Automatic parallelization and domain specific languages (DSLs) have been proposed to hide this complexity and to regain some performance portability. We present PENCIL, a rigorously-defined subset of GNU C99 with specific programming rules and few extensions. Adherence to this subset and the use of these extensions enable compilers to exploit parallelism and to better optimize code when targeting accelerators. We intend PENCIL both as a portable implementation language to facilitate the acceleration of applications, and as a tractable target language for DSL compilers.
Featuring a Simulink Blockset for Programming of Dynamixel Peripherals

Modelbased Design is a prominent paradigm in the area of embedded Systems. Models of the target system form the base from which each component of the system is successively derived. Embedded Systems developed this way are oten found where control engineering is a vital part like Industrial Automation, Automobile Industry, Aerospace or 8mobile9 Robotics. An important role have then graphical models of the dynamics and the control of the systems. From those models production code can be automatically generated, ideally with the beneit of improved eiciency, less errors and reduced cost. his work deals with graphical modeling and automatic code generation of the control sotware of a humanoid robot within the FUB-KIT project. Hereto, the popular MATLAB/Simulink simulation environment was extended as to support the functionality of the DYNAMIXEL actuators using Simulink blocks.
Genome-wide analysis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene family in five Rosaceae plants and expression analysis and functional identification of Chinese white pear

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) plays an important role in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites regulating plant growth response. To date, the evolutionary history of the PAL family in Rosaceae plants remains unclear. In this study, we identified 16 PAL homologous genes in five Rosaceae plants (Pyrus bretschneideri, Fragaria vesca, Prunus mume, Prunus persica, and Malus × domestica). We classified these PAL genes into three categories based on phylogenetic analysis，and all PAL genes were distributed on 13 chromosomes. Subsequently, we track gene replication events and perform sliding window analysis. These results revealed the evolution of PAL genes in five Rosaceae plants. We predicted the promoter of the PbPAL genes by PLANTR CARE online software, and found that the 5'regulatory region of both PbPAL1 and PbPAL3 has at least one AC element motif. The results of qRT-PCR analysis found that PbPAL1 and PbPAL2 were highly expressed in the stem and root , while expression level of PbPAL3 was relatively low in different tissues. The expression of PbPAL1 and PbPAL2 genes increased firstly and then decreased at different developmental periods of pear fruit. Among them, the expression of PbPAL1 reached the highest level 55 days after flower. Three PbPAL genes were induced by abiotic stress to varying degrees. We transfected PbPAL1 and PbPAL2 genes into Arabidopsis thaliana, resulting in lignin content increased significantly and thick cell wall of intervascular fibers and xylem cells. In summary, This study laid a foundation for better understanding the molecular evolution of PAL genes in five Rosaceae plants. Furthermore, the present study revealed the role of PbPAL genes in lignin synthesis, and provided basic data for regulating lignin synthesis and stone cell development of pear.