Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A quasi-randomized Runge-Kutta method

We analyze a quasi-Monte Carlo method to solve the initial-value problem for a system of differential equations y'(t) = f(t,y(t)). The function f is smooth in y and we suppose that f and D 1 y f are of bounded variation in t and that D 2 y f is bounded in a neighborhood of the graph of the solution. The method is akin to the second order Heun method of the Runge-Kutta family. It uses a quasi-Monte Carlo estimate of integrals. The error bound involves the square of the step size as well as the discrepancy of the point set used for quasi-Monte Carlo approximation. Numerical experiments show that the quasi-randomized method outperforms a recently proposed randomized numerical method.
The Child as Social Person

1. Introduction. 2. Beginning with the Child. 3. Qualities of Micro-Systems 1: Child and Parents. 4. Qualities of Microsystems 2: Child and Other Children. 5. Larger Social Settings. 6. Risk and Resilience. 7. Reflections.
Efficacy of the Novel Diamidine Compound 2,5-Bis(4-Amidinophenyl)- Furan-Bis-O-Methlylamidoxime (Pafuramidine, DB289) against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense Infection in Vervet Monkeys after Oral Administration

ABSTRACT Owing to the lack of oral drugs for human African trypanosomiasis, patients have to be hospitalized for 10 to 30 days to facilitate treatment with parenterally administered medicines. The efficacy of a novel orally administered prodrug, 2,5-bis(4-amidinophenyl)-furan-bis-O-methlylamidoxime (pafuramidine, DB289), was tested in the vervet monkey (Chlorocebus [Cercopithecus] aethiops) model of sleeping sickness. Five groups of three animals each were infected intravenously with 104Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense KETRI 2537 cells. On the seventh day postinfection (p.i.) in an early-stage infection, animals in groups 1, 2, and 3 were treated orally with pafuramidine at dose rates of 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg of body weight, respectively, for five consecutive days. The animals in groups 4 and 5 were treated with 10 mg/kg for 10 consecutive days starting on the 14th day p.i. (group 4) or on the 28th day p.i. (group 5), when these animals were in the late stage of the disease. In the groups treated in the early stage, 10 mg/kg of pafuramidine completely cured all three monkeys, whereas lower doses of 3 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg cured only one of three and zero of three monkeys, respectively. Treatment of late-stage infections resulted in cure rates of one of three (group 4) and zero of three (group 5) monkeys. These studies demonstrated that pafuramidine was orally active in monkeys with early-stage T. brucei rhodesiense infections at dose rates above 3 mg/kg for 5 days. It was also evident that the drug attained only minimal efficacy against late-stage infections, indicating the limited ability of the molecule to cross the blood-brain barrier. This study has shown that oral diamidines have potential for the treatment of early-stage sleeping sickness.
Statistic Models in Biological Network Analysis

In the post-genomic era, genome-wide experiments have become commonplace and methods to interrogate such datasets are becomingly increasingly important. One approach to analyzing these large datasets is to model the experimental observations using a network approach. In a process known as (re)construction, inference, identification or reverse engineering, model parameters are fit to the data yielding a defined network that can then be analyzed to gain higher level insights into the complex molecular biology. Network biology is an expansive field and there are many different methods that are employed. In this survey paper we briefly review the frameworks of several popular modeling methods including logical models, boolean networks, Bayesian networks, weighted correlation networks, differential equations, and some basic network analysis concepts.
Impact of Pointing Errors on the Performance of Mixed RF/FSO Dual-Hop Transmission Systems

In this work, the performance analysis of a dual-hop relay transmission system composed of asymmetric radio-frequency (RF)/free-space optical (FSO) links with pointing errors is presented. More specifically, we build on the system model presented in to derive new exact closed-form expressions for the cumulative distribution function, probability density function, moment generating function, and moments of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio in terms of the Meijer's G function. We then capitalize on these results to offer new exact closed-form expressions for the higher-order amount of fading, average error rate for binary and M-ary modulation schemes, and the ergodic capacity, all in terms of Meijer's G functions. Our new analytical results were also verified via computer-based Monte-Carlo simulation results.
An integrated neighborhood correlation and hierarchical clustering approach of functional MRI

Clustering analysis is a promising data-driven method for the analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) time series, however, the huge computation load makes it difficult for practical use. In this paper, neighborhood correlation (NC) and hierarchical clustering (HC) methods are integrated as a new approach where fMRI data are processed first by NC to get a preliminary image of brain activations, and then by HC to remove some noises. In HC, to better use spatial and temporal information in fMRI data, a new spatio-temporal measure is introduced. A simulation study and an application to visual fMRI data show that the brain activations can be effectively detected and that different response patterns can be discriminated. These results suggest that the proposed new integrated approach could be useful in detecting weak fMRI signals.
War and the State: The Theory of International Politics

This book exposes the deep logical contradictions of Realist political thought and counters it with a new, more robust theory of war. "War and the State" dismantles the fundamental workings of Realism and exposes its intrinsic flaws. Where Realists insist that any theory of international politics should focus on the interactions within a system of states, Wagner demonstrates that any understanding of international politics must instead be part of the more general study of the relationship between political order and organized violence - as it was in the intellectual tradition from which modern-day Realism was derived. In this, his first book, Harrison Wagner draws on the insights from his distinguished career of international relations scholarship to create an elegantly crafted essay accessible to both students and scholars.
Geographical variations in the prevalence and management of cardiovascular risk factors in outpatients with CAD: Data from the contemporary CLARIFY registry

Aim To determine the current prevalence and control of major cardiovascular risk factors in stable CAD outpatients worldwide. Methods We analysed variations in cardiovascular risk factors in stable CAD outpatients from CLARIFY, a 5-year observational longitudinal cohort study, in seven geographical zones (Western/Central Europe; Canada/South Africa/Australia/UK; Eastern Europe; Central/South America; Middle East; East Asia; and India). Results Patient presentation (N=32,954, mean age 64.2 years, 78% male) varied between zones, as did prevalence of risk factors (all p < 0.0001). Obesity ranged from 20% (East Asia) to 42% (Middle East), raised blood pressure from 28% (Central/South America and East Asia) to 48% (Eastern Europe), raised LDL cholesterol from 24% (Canada/South Africa/Australia/UK) to 65% (Eastern Europe), elevated heart rate (≥70 bpm) from 38% (Western/Central Europe) to 78% (India), diabetes from 17% (Eastern Europe) to 60% (Middle East), and smoking from 6% (Central/South America) to 19% (Eastern Europe). Aspirin and lipid-lowering drugs were widely used everywhere (≥84% and ≥88%, respectively). Rates of risk factor control varied geographically (all p < 0.0001). Rate of controlled blood pressure in hypertension varied from 47% (Eastern Europe) to 66% (Central/South America), glucose control in diabetes from 23% (India) to 51% (Western/Central Europe and East Asia), controlled LDL cholesterol and dyslipidaemia from 32% (Eastern Europe) to 75% (Canada/South Africa/Australia/UK), heart rate <70 bpm from 22% (India) to 62% (Western/Central Europe), and heart rate ≤60 bpm in angina patients from 2% (India) to 29% (Canada/South Africa/Australia/UK and Central/South America). Conclusion Prevalence and control of major cardiovascular risk factors in stable CAD vary markedly worldwide. Many stable CAD outpatients are being treated suboptimally.
Orthologs of Human Disease Associated Genes and RNAi Analysis of Silencing Insulin Receptor Gene in Bombyx mori

The silkworm, Bombyx mori L. , is an important economic insect that has been domesticated for thousands of years to produce silk. It is our great interest to investigate the possibility of developing the B. mori as human disease model. We searched the orthologs of human disease associated genes in the B. mori by bi-directional best hits of BLAST and confirmed by searching the OrthoDB. In total, 5006 genes corresponding to 1612 kinds of human diseases had orthologs in the B. mori, among which, there are 25 genes associated with diabetes mellitus. Of these, we selected the insulin receptor gene of the B. mori (Bm-INSR) to study its expression in different tissues and at different developmental stages and tissues. Quantitative PCR showed that Bm-INSR was highly expressed in the Malpighian tubules but expressed at low levels in the testis. It was highly expressed in the 3rd and 4th instar larvae, and adult. We knocked down Bm-INSR expression using RNA interference. The abundance of Bm-INSR transcripts were dramatically reduced to ~4% of the control level at 6 days after dsRNA injection and the RNAi-treated B. mori individuals showed apparent growth inhibition and malformation such as abnormal body color in black, which is the typical symptom of diabetic patients. Our results demonstrate that B. mori has potential use as an animal model for diabetic mellitus research.
A dynamical model of plasma turbulence in the solar wind

A dynamical approach, rather than the usual statistical approach, is taken to explore the physical mechanisms underlying the nonlinear transfer of energy, the damping of the turbulent fluctuations, and the development of coherent structures in kinetic plasma turbulence. It is argued that the linear and nonlinear dynamics of Alfvén waves are responsible, at a very fundamental level, for some of the key qualitative features of plasma turbulence that distinguish it from hydrodynamic turbulence, including the anisotropic cascade of energy and the development of current sheets at small scales. The first dynamical model of kinetic turbulence in the weakly collisional solar wind plasma that combines self-consistently the physics of Alfvén waves with the development of small-scale current sheets is presented and its physical implications are discussed. This model leads to a simplified perspective on the nature of turbulence in a weakly collisional plasma: the nonlinear interactions responsible for the turbulent cascade of energy and the formation of current sheets are essentially fluid in nature, while the collisionless damping of the turbulent fluctuations and the energy injection by kinetic instabilities are essentially kinetic in nature.
Mental models of robots among senior citizens: An interview study of interaction expectations and design implications

An emerging topic in robot design and scholarly research is socially assistive robots (SAR) for senior citizens. Compared to robots in other sectors, SARs can augment their assistive-utilitarian functions by offering social, emotional, and cognitive support to seniors. This study draws upon interviews with 45 senior citizens to understand this group’s expectations for human-robot interactions (HRI) and their anticipated needs for robots. Our grounded theory analysis suggests that senior citizens expect robots to meet three types of needs: physical, informational, and interactional. Furthermore, they seek assurances that they will have complete control over interactions with robots. Findings show that seniors’ mental models about robots are shaped by their recent experiences with advanced communications technologies and mediated representations of robots in popular culture. Findings are discussed in light of practical design considerations and two theoretical perspectives.
Nitrite inhibition of denitrification by Pseudomonas fluorescens

Using a pure culture of Pseudomonas fluorescens as a model system nitrite inhibition of denitrification was studies. A mineral media with acetate and nitrate as sole electron donor and acceptor, respectively, was used. Results obtained in continuous stirred‐tank reactors (CSTR) operated at pH values between 6.6 and 7.8 showed that growth inhibition depended only on the nitrite undissociated fraction concentration (nitrous acid). A mathematical model to describe this dependence is put forward. The maximum nitrous acid concentration compatible with cell growth and denitrification activity was found to be 66 μg N/L. Denitrification activity was partially associated with growth, as described by the Luedeking–Piret equation. However, when the freshly inoculated reactor was operated discontinuosly, nitrite accumulation caused growth uncoupling from denitrification activity. The authors suggest that these results can be interpreted considering that (a) nitrous acid acts as a proton uncoupler; and (b) cultures continuoulsy exposed to nitrous acid prevent the uncoupling effect but not the growth inhibition. Examination of the growth dependence on nitrite concentration at pH 7.0 showed that adapted cultures (grown on CSTR) are less sensitive to nitrous acid inhibition than the ones cultivated in batch. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comprehensibility of Heterogeneous Configuration Knowledge: A User Study

An essential part of configurable software systems is the configuration knowledge (CK), which is used by developers to derive customized products. Proper comprehension of the CK is key to achieve correct product customization. However, each configurable system is often built with heterogeneous software technologies, such as diverse types of frameworks. These technologies impose the use of additional concepts on the definition of the CK, thereby making it harder to comprehend. This paper presents a domain specific modeling technique aimed at improving the comprehensibility of the CK in framework-based configurable systems. We also present the results of a user study that compares domain-specific modeling with two other state-of-the-art CK techniques, namely annotation-based and general-purpose modeling. We analyzed the impact of these techniques on the CK comprehensibility across three configurable systems. The results strongly suggest that: (i) domain-specific models improve the CK comprehensibility; (ii) the use of general purpose models imposes significant obstacles to the CK comprehension; and (iii) participants who worked with domain-specific models rated the comprehension tasks as easier than those that worked without these models.
A Single Seizure Episode Leads to Rapid Functional Activation of KCC2 in the Neonatal Rat Hippocampus

Functional expression of the K-Cl cotransporter KCC2 in developing central neurons is crucial for the maturation of Cl−-dependent, GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory responses. In pyramidal neurons of the rodent hippocampus, GABAergic postsynaptic responses are typically depolarizing and often excitatory during the first postnatal week. Here, we show that a single neonatal seizure episode induced by kainate injection during postnatal days 5–7 results in a fast increase in the Cl− extrusion capacity of rat hippocampal CA1 neurons, with a consequent hyperpolarizing shift of the reversal potential of GABAA-mediated currents (EGABA). A significant increase in the surface expression of KCC2 as well as the α2 subunit of the Na-K-ATPase parallels the seizure-induced increase in the Cl− extrusion capacity. Exposing hippocampal slices to kainate resulted in a similar increase in the neuronal Cl− extrusion and in the surface expression of KCC2. Both effects were blocked by the kinase inhibitor K252a. Hence, in the neonatal hippocampus the overall KCC2 expression level is high enough to promote a rapid functional activation of K-Cl cotransport and a consequent negative shift in EGABA close to the adult level. The activity-dependent regulation of KCC2 function and its effect on GABAergic transmission may represent an intrinsic antiepileptogenic mechanism.
Detection of P2P Botnets Based on Support Vector Machine: Case Study

: Botnet is a general term referring to a group of automated software robots that run without human intervention (malware code). Nowadays, Botnets produces a major threat to the cyber security (Information Assurance) of computing assets. Therefore, you need to protect our huge confidential and personal information through the use of web interfaces such as online passwords, corporate secrets, online banking accounts, and social networking accounts like Facebook. Network traffic analysis is an important component in the management and security of current networks and in the design and planning on future networks. This study enables the researcher: (a) to study botnet topologies, behavior and lifecycle events and actions (b) to combine normal web traffic and normal P2P traffic for binary classification; (c) to produce simulated network flow data comparable to the activities of a botnet controller or "bots," and hosts under attack (testing samples); and (d) to detection and identifies P2P botnet framework using Support Vector Machine (SVM) based on statistical features.
Medical decision making in scarcity situations

The issue of the allocation of resources in health care is here to stay. The goal of this study was to explore the views of physicians on several topics that have arisen in the debate on the allocation of scarce resources and to compare these with the views of policy makers. We asked physicians (oncologists, cardiologists, and nursing home physicians) and policy makers to participate in an interview about their practices and opinions concerning factors playing a role in decision making for patients in different age groups. Both physicians and policy makers recognised allocation decisions as part of their reality. One of the strong general opinions of both physicians and policy makers was the rejection of age discrimination. Making allocation decisions as such seemed to be regarded as a foreign entity to the practice of medicine. In spite of the reluctance to make allocation decisions, physicians sometimes do. This would seem to be only acceptable if it is justified in terms of the best interests of the patient from whom treatment is withheld.
Making People Behave: Anti-Social Behaviour, Politics and Policy

1. Why 'Anti-social Behaviour'? 2. New Labour, New Ideas 3. A Short History of Behavioural Control 4. Engines of Bad Behaviour 5. The ASBO - Law and Practice 6. Expanding Behaviour Control 7. How Different is Scotland? 8. Enforcement and Problem Solving in the Local Context 9. Cultures of Control - a European Dimension 10. Conclusions
Voice and Self: A Handbook of Personal Voice Development Therapy

"Voice and Self" introduces specific vocal and physical techniques aimed at developing and healing the voice and establishing general physical and mental well-being. The authors believe that, not only is an optimal mental and physical state necessary for optimal vocal performance, but also that mental and physical health are necessary prerequisites for a person finding his or her own voice and that there is a reciprocal relationship between them. Having demonstrated this explicit link between the voice and physical and mental health, the authors present a thorough analysis of our vocal capabilities. supported with a fully illustrated description of the physiology of voice and breathing. The book goes on to develop a comprehensive description of many possible correctable voice defects. With detailed descriptions of numerous vocal and physical exercises developed by the authors in the course of their many years as practising counsellors and therapists, "Voice and Self" should be useful as a handbook both for professionals and for those who suffer from vocal ailments.
Examining the Conservation of Kinks in Alpha Helices

Kinks are a structural feature of alpha-helices and many are known to have functional roles. Kinks have previously tended to be defined in a binary fashion. In this paper we have deliberately moved towards defining them on a continuum, which given the unimodal distribution of kink angles is a better description. From this perspective, we examine the conservation of kinks in proteins. We find that kink angles are not generally a conserved property of homologs, pointing either to their not being functionally critical or to their function being related to conformational flexibility. In the latter case, the different structures of homologs are providing snapshots of different conformations. Sequence identity between homologous helices is informative in terms of kink conservation, but almost equally so is the sequence identity of residues in spatial proximity to the kink. In the specific case of proline, which is known to be prevalent in kinked helices, loss of a proline from a kinked helix often also results in the loss of a kink or reduction in its kink angle. We carried out a study of the seven transmembrane helices in the GPCR family and found that changes in kinks could be related both to subfamilies of GPCRs and also, in a particular subfamily, to the binding of agonists or antagonists. These results suggest conformational change upon receptor activation within the GPCR family. We also found correlation between kink angles in different helices, and the possibility of concerted motion could be investigated further by applying our method to molecular dynamics simulations. These observations reinforce the belief that helix kinks are key, functional, flexible points in structures.
Observing productivity: what it might mean to be productive when viewed through the lens of Complexity Theory

The paper tries to explore options and preconditions for a theoretically thoroughly grounded conception of productivity that is able to account for its observer-dependency and thereby meets the needs of a dynamic and highly differentiated modern society. It does so in respect to insights from Cybernetics and Complexity theory, thereby taking up charges about the contradiction of economic productivity and the Second Law of Thermodynamics. In respect to epistemological consequences of contemporary levels of productivity, a seemingly paradoxical constraint is put forward: the constraint that productivity is conditioned on being observed as such, with the observer in its turn being conditioned on productivity. The assumption is that this paradoxical constitution helps to keep productivity adaptive to the changes it itself incites in economy.