Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance study of mode-pursuing sampling method

Since the publication of the authors’ recently developed mode-pursing sampling method, questions have been asked about its performance as compared with traditional global optimization methods such as the genetic algorithm and when to use mode-pursing sampling as opposed to the genetic algorithm. This work aims to provide an answer to these questions. Similarities and distinctions between mode-pursing sampling and the genetic algorithm are presented. Then mode-pursing sampling and the genetic algorithm are compared via testing with benchmark functions and practical engineering design problems. These problems can be categorized from different perspectives such as dimensionality, continuous/discrete variables or the amount of computational time for evaluating the objective function. It is found that both mode-pursing sampling and the genetic algorithm demonstrate great effectiveness in identifying the global optimum. In general, mode-pursing sampling needs much fewer function evaluations and iterations than the genetic algorithm, which makes mode-pursing sampling suitable for expensive functions. However, the genetic algorithm is more efficient than mode-pursing sampling for inexpensive functions. In addition, mode-pursing sampling is limited by the computer memory when the total number of sample points reaches a certain extent. This work serves the purpose of positioning the new mode-pursing sampling method in the context of direct optimization and provides guidelines for users of mode-pursing sampling. It is also anticipated that the similarities in concepts, distinctions in philosophy and methodology and effectiveness as direct search methods for both mode-pursing sampling and the genetic algorithm will inspire the development of new direct optimization methods.
Regulated degradation of chromosome replication proteins DnaA and CtrA in Caulobacter crescentus

DnaA protein binds bacterial replication origins and it initiates chromosome replication. The Caulobacter crescentus DnaA also initiates chromosome replication and the C. crescentus response regulator CtrA represses chromosome replication. CtrA proteolysis by ClpXP helps restrict chromosome replication to the dividing cell type. We report that C. crescentus DnaA protein is also selectively targeted for proteolysis but DnaA proteolysis uses a different mechanism. DnaA protein is unstable during both growth and stationary phases. During growth phase, DnaA proteolysis ensures that primarily newly made DnaA protein is present at the start of each replication period. Upon entry into stationary phase, DnaA protein is completely removed while CtrA protein is retained. Cell cycle arrest by sudden carbon or nitrogen starvation is sufficient to increase DnaA proteolysis, and relieving starvation rapidly stabilizes DnaA protein. This starvation‐induced proteolysis completely removes DnaA protein even while DnaA synthesis continues. Apparently, C. crescentus relies on proteolysis to adjust DnaA in response to such rapid nutritional changes. Depleting the C. crescentus ClpP protease significantly stabilizes DnaA. However, a dominant‐negative clpX allele that blocks CtrA degradation, even when combined with a clpA null allele, did not decrease DnaA degradation. We suggest that either a novel chaperone presents DnaA to ClpP or that ClpX is used with exceptional efficiency so that when ClpX activity is limiting for CtrA degradation it is not limiting for DnaA degradation. This unexpected and finely tuned proteolysis system may be an important adaptation for a developmental bacterium that is often challenged by nutrient‐poor environments.
Introduction to twinning.

A twinned crystal is an aggregate in which different domains are joined together according to a specific symmetry operation: the twin law. The diffraction patterns derived from different domains are rotated, reflected or inverted with respect to each other, depending on the nature of the relationship between the different domains, and weighted according to the quantity of a particular domain present in the crystal. The diffraction pattern measured during data collection is a superposition of all of these. Reflections from different domains may overlap and twinned crystals fall broadly into two categories in which either all reflections or only certain zones of reflections are affected by overlap. The former occurs when a crystal lattice belongs to a higher point group than the crystal structure itself; the latter frequently occurs when the twin law is a symmetry operation belonging to a higher symmetry supercell.
Conceptual representation in bilingual memory: Effects of concreteness and cognate status in word association

A word association experiment examined conceptual representation in bilingual memory. Dutch-English bilinguals associated twice to nouns and verbs that varied on concreteness and cognate status, once in the language of the stimuli (within-language), and once in the other language (between-language). Within- and between-language associations for concrete words and for cognates were more often translations of one another than those for abstract words and noncognates, and nouns evoked more translations than verbs. In both within- and between-language association, retrieving an associate was easier to concrete than to abstract words, to cognates than to noncognates, and to nouns than to verbs. These findings suggest that conceptual representation in bilingual memory depends on word-type and grammatical class: concrete translations, cognates, and noun translations more often share, or share larger parts of, a conceptual representation than abstract translations, noncognates, and verb translations. The results are discussed within the framework of distributed memory representation.
Isoflurane Provides Long-term Protection against Focal Cerebral Ischemia in the Rat

Background:Long-term neuroprotection by isoflurane has been questioned. The authors examined factors in experimental models potentially critical to definition of enduring isoflurane neuroprotection. Methods:Rats were prepared for temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Pericranial normothermia was maintained. Neurologic deficits (range, 0–48; 0 = no deficit) and cerebral infarct volumes were measured. In experiment 1, rats underwent 50 or 80 min MCAO while awake or anesthetized with 1.8% isoflurane. Blood pressure was controlled with phenylephrine. Outcome was evaluated 2 weeks later. In experiment 2, rats underwent 50 min MCAO while awake or anesthetized with isoflurane, with outcome evaluated 8 weeks later. In experiment 3, rats underwent 50 min MCAO while awake or anesthetized with isoflurane and 2 weeks recovery. Effects of phenylephrine and the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate–sensitive K+ channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoate were studied. In experiment 4, isoflurane-anesthetized rats underwent 50 min MCAO with permanent or temporary common carotid artery occlusion, with outcome evaluated 2 weeks later. Results:In experiment 1, isoflurane reduced neurologic deficit (median ± interquartile range; awake vs. isoflurane: 11 ± 12 vs. 8 ± 6 for 80 min and 13 ± 4 vs. 3 ± 9 for 50 min; P = 0.0006) and infarct size (160 ± 97 vs. 84 ± 62 mm3 for 80 min and 169 ± 78 vs. 68 ± 61 mm3 for 50 min; P < 0.0001). In experiment 2, isoflurane protection persisted at 8 weeks after ischemia. In experiment 3, there was no effect of phenylephrine or 5-hydroxydecanoate. In experiment 4, permanent common carotid ligation increased infarct size threefold versus temporary occlusion. Conclusions:Isoflurane repeatedly improved long-term neurologic and histologic outcome from focal ischemia independent of ischemia duration, perfusion pressure, or pretreatment with 5-hydroxydecanoate.
Ventilatory responsiveness to carbon dioxide below the normal control point in conscious normoxic humans.

A recently developed CO2 pulse technique was used to test for ventilatory sensitivity to CO2 in four normal men following 2 min voluntary hyperventilation down to an end-tidal CO2 tension (PETCO2) of 20 mmHg (2.7 kPa). Pure CO2 was injected into the inspiratory limb of a breathing circuit at 0.4 l.min-1 for 30 s and any small ventilatory response was detected against background noise by ensemble-averaging of multiple runs. Following hyperventilation, ventilation was initially often above control and apnoea was not seen. In one subject, the ventilatory response to the CO2 pulse was barely detectable either before or after hyperventilation. In another subject, there was a response to pulses given before hyperventilation and 3 and 5.5 min after hyperventilation but not 30 s after hyperventilation when PETCO2 was about 25 mmHg (3.3 kPa) and rising. In the two remaining subjects ventilatory responses were seen to CO2 pulses started 30 s after hyperventilation, although PETCO2 following the pulse remained some 5 mmHg (0.7 kPa) below baseline. We conclude that in some subjects the PETCO2 threshold lies well below the normal PETCO2. The technique is tedious for the experimental subject because of the large number of repetitions required and, therefore, unsuitable for a study on a large number of subjects.
Inhibition of Protein Synthesis in Intact HeLa Cells

Polysome analysis has proved to be a sensitive probe for the mode of action of inhibitors of protein synthesis in intact HeLa cells. To classify the active compounds as inhibitors of initiation, elongation, or termination, their effects on the cellular polyribosome pattern were compared under three conditions. These conditions tested (i) their direct effect on the polyribosome profile; (ii) their effect on ribosome run-off produced by hypertonicity; and (iii) their effects on recovery from hypertonicity. Using this technique, diacetoxyscirpenol, 2-(4-methyl-2,6-dinitroanilino)-N-methylpropionamide, and three alkaloids, harringtonine, isoharringtonine, and homoharringtonine, were found to be inhibitors of initiation. Polysome analysis indicated that in HeLa cells 7.8 × 10−7 M pactamycin, which inhibited protein synthesis 94%, interfered with elongation as well as initiation under these conditions. Emetine, anisomycin, cycloheximide, and trichodermin each gave polysome patterns consistent with inhibition of elongation. Fusidic acid and aurintricarboxylic acid inhibited incorporation of [14C]leucine into intact HeLa cells, but polysome analysis did not localize any specific inhibitory effects to the initiation, elongation, or termination steps of protein synthesis. The use of specific inhibitors of initiation of protein synthesis has indicated that most, if not all, mammalian messenger ribonucleic acids contain a single initiation site.
Participatory Communication with Social Media

Abstract Major museums worldwide are starting to use social media such as blogs, podcasts and content shares to engage users via participatory communication. This marks a shift in how museums publicly communicate their role as custodians of cultural content and so presents debate around an institution's attitude towards cultural authority. It also signifies a new possible direction for museum learning. This article reports on a range of initiatives that demonstrate how participatory communication via social media can be integrated into museum practices. It argues that the social media space presents an ideal opportunity for museums to build online communities of interest around authentic cultural information, and concludes with some recent findings on and recommendations for social media implementation.
The Virtual Processor Interface : Linux Kernel Support for User-level Thread Systems

Despite an increasing need for thread support in language run-time systems and parallel libraries such as in Java and OpenMP, there is limited support for custom, multiprocessor capable, user-level thread systems in the Linux kernel. To address this lack of support we have developed the virtual processor interface (VPI) for Linux. Our VPI implementation consists of a small set of kernel modifications and new system calls combined with a small user-level library that provide an interface that can be used to build thread systems. VPI uses a form of scheduler activations so that user-level thread systems can have complete control over the amount of parallelism for an application and the scheduling of threads onto processors. In addition, VPI allows user-level thread systems to schedule new threads in the presence of blocking system calls and page faults. This paper describes VPI and our implementation. We have implemented a complete thread system using VPI, called VPIthreads, and compare its performance to that of current user-level and kernel-level thread systems. Our initial results show the VPI-based thread systems can perform better than current production thread systems.
Design Factors for Effective Science Simulations: Representation of Information

We propose that the effectiveness of simulations for science education depends on design features such as the type of representation chosen to depict key concepts. We hypothesize that the addition of iconic representations to simulations can help novice learners interpret the visual simulation interface and improve cognitive learning outcomes as well as learners’ self-efficacy. This hypothesis was tested in two experiments with high school chemistry students. The studies examined the effects of representation type (symbolic versus iconic), prior knowledge, and spatial ability on comprehension, transfer, and self-efficacy under low cognitive load (Study 1, N=80) and high cognitive load conditions (Study 2, N=91). Results supported our hypotheses that design features such as the addition of iconic representations can help scaffold students’ comprehension of science simulations, and that this effect was strongest for learners with low prior knowledge. Adding icons also improved learners’ general self-efficacy.
Betulin Complex in γ-Cyclodextrin Derivatives: Properties and Antineoplasic Activities in In Vitro and In Vivo Tumor Models

Given the present high incidence of melanoma and skin cancer, interest in potential drugs of plant origin has increased significantly. Pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenes are widely distributed in plants, offering numerous pharmacological benefits. Betulin is an important compound in the bark of Betula pendula Roth and has important therapeutic properties, including antitumor activities. Its biological effect is limited by its poor water solubility, which can be improved by cyclodextrin complexation. The best results have been obtained by using a novel cyclodextrin derivative, octakis-[6-deoxy-6-(2-sulfanyl ethanesulfonate)]-γ-CD. The complexes between betulin and the previously mentioned cyclodextrin were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and pharmacologically evaluated in vitro (MTT and immunocytochemistry tests) and in vivo in C57BL/6J mice. The solubility of betulin is improved by cyclodextrin complexation, which creates a stable complex that improves the in vitro and in vivo properties of the active compound.
Gene Expression Based Leukemia Sub-Classification Using Committee Neural Networks

Analysis of gene expression data provides an objective and efficient technique for sub-classification of leukemia. The purpose of the present study was to design a committee neural networks based classification systems to subcategorize leukemia gene expression data. In the study, a binary classification system was considered to differentiate acute lymphoblastic leukemia from acute myeloid leukemia. A ternary classification system which classifies leukemia expression data into three subclasses including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia was also developed. In each classification system gene expression profiles of leukemia patients were first subjected to a sequence of simple preprocessing steps. This resulted in filtering out approximately 95 percent of the non-informative genes. The remaining 5 percent of the informative genes were used to train a set of artificial neural networks with different parameters and architectures. The networks that gave the best results during initial testing were recruited into a committee. The committee decision was by majority voting. The committee neural network system was later evaluated using data not used in training. The binary classification system classified microarray gene expression profiles into two categories with 100 percent accuracy and the ternary system correctly predicted the three subclasses of leukemia in over 97 percent of the cases.
Importance of Perceived Personnel Selection System Fairness Determinants: Relations with Demographic, Personality, and Job Characteristics

This study explored the relative importance attached to various perceived personnel selection fairness determinants (e.g., selection system content-based variables, features of selection system administration). We investigated how demographic variables (ethnicity and gender), individual differences characteristics (the Big Five and cognitive ability) and job characteristics (job complexity and domestic/expatriate assignment status) relate to the importance of ratings of perceived personnel selection system determinants. The results, especially for race/ethnicity analyses indicated that there might be differences across demographic groups in importance placed on different aspects of selection system characteristics. The magnitudes of the relationships were small to moderate for Asian-White and Hispanic-White comparisons. Asian-Hispanic and gender differences in importance assessments were small. Few individual differences variables (i.e., personality and cognitive ability) were associated with importance placed on various aspects of selection system characteristics. Notable exceptions were moderate positive relationships between general mental ability and importance of content-based selection system characteristics, and moderate negative relationships between emotional stability, conscientiousness and cognitive ability, and importance of selection system context variables. The complexity levels of the jobs held by respondents did not appreciably affect the importance placed on the different selection system characteristics. There were few notable differences between importance assessments for domestic versus expatriate positions. Implications for practice, especially managing cultural diversity in organizations, and for theory development are discussed.
Species–specific interactions between algal endosymbionts and coral hosts define their bleaching response to heat and light stress

The impacts of warming seas on the frequency and severity of bleaching events are well documented, but the potential for different Symbiodinium types to enhance the physiological tolerance of reef corals is not well understood. Here we compare the functionality and physiological properties of juvenile corals when experimentally infected with one of two homologous Symbiodinium types and exposed to combined heat and light stress. A suite of physiological indicators including chlorophyll a fluorescence, oxygen production and respiration, as well as pigment concentration consistently demonstrated lower metabolic costs and enhanced physiological tolerance of Acropora tenuis juveniles when hosting Symbiodinium type C1 compared with type D. In other studies, the same D-type has been shown to confer higher thermal tolerance than both C2 in adults and C1 in juveniles of the closely related species Acropora millepora. Our results challenge speculations that associations with type D are universally most robust to thermal stress. Although the heat tolerance of corals may be contingent on the Symbiodinium strain in hospite, our results highlight the complexity of interactions between symbiotic partners and a potential role for host factors in determining the physiological performance of reef corals.
EFFECTS OF CYTOCHALASIN B ON EPIDERMAL CELLS IN VITRO

Summary. — Effects of cytochalasin B have been studied on organ cultures and dispersed cell cultures of adult guinea‐pig ear skin, using electron microscopy and time‐lapse cinephotomicrography. Cytochalasin B failed to inhibit epiboly at 1 ug/ml, caused slight inhibition at 2 ug/ml and total inhibition at 5 ug/ml. These concentrations did not appear to affect ruffling of membranes or internal cell movements. Some effect was demonstrated at 20 ug/ml. These concentrations, however, caused a general toxic effect on the cells. Ultrastructurally, there was possibly some reduction in the microfilament system, but this was far from dramatic. Abnormalities caused were increased numbers of Lysosomes and dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum.
Evaluation of admissible CAN bus load with weak synchronization mechanism

Scheduling frames with offsets has been shown in the literature to be very beneficial for reducing response times in real-time networks because it allows the workload to be better spread over time and thus to reduce peaks of load. In the specific case of CAN, the response time is mainly related to the priority assignment, but offsets can still improve the achievable bus load. When it exists a global clock, a good offsets assignment leads to a TDMA medium access. When each node have its own local clock the use of offsets still spreads the workload over time. However, on CAN, global clock is hardly implemented in practice since using a global clock often requires dedicated hardware and complicates the sharing of the bus with non-synchronized nodes. That is why, we previously introduce the notion of bounded phases, a tradeoff between global and local clocks. Bounded phases allows an affordable synchronization with standard CAN controllers and reduces delays with regard to local clocks. Through an experiment on 5,000 configurations, we have shown that the maximal bus load that can be reached is 80% in the case of bounded phases.
Overview of the IALP 2016 shared task on Dimensional Sentiment Analysis for Chinese Words

This paper presents the IALP 2016 shared task on Dimensional Sentiment Analysis for Chinese Words (DSAW) which seeks to identify a real-value sentiment score of Chinese words in the both valence and arousal dimensions. Valence represents the degree of pleasant and unpleasant (or positive and negative) feelings, and arousal represents the degree of excitement and calm. Of the 22 teams registered for this shared task for two-dimensional sentiment analysis, 16 submitted results. We expected that this evaluation campaign could produce more advanced dimensional sentiment analysis techniques, especially for Chinese affective computing. All data sets with gold standards and scoring script are made publicly available to researchers.