Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The compact Genetic Algorithm for likelihood estimator of first order moving average model

Recently Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have frequently been used for optimizing the solution of estimation problems. One of the main advantages of using these techniques is that they require no knowledge or gradient information about the response surface. The poor behavior of genetic algorithms in some problems, sometimes attributed to design operators, has led to the development of other types of algorithms. One such class of these algorithms is compact Genetic Algorithm (cGA), it dramatically reduces the number of bits reqyuired to store the poulation and has a faster convergence speed. In this paper compact Genetic Algorithm is used to optimize the maximum likelihood estimator of the first order moving avergae model MA(1). Simulation results based on MSE were compared with those obtained from the moments method and showed that the Canonical GA and compact GA can give good estimator of θ for the MA(1) model. Another comparison has been conducted to show that the cGA method has less number of function evaluations, minimum searched space percentage, faster convergence speed and has a higher optimal precision than that of the Canonical GA.
Prokaryotic Suppression Subtractive Hybridization PCR cDNA Subtraction, a Targeted Method To Identify Differentially Expressed Genes

ABSTRACT Molecular biology tools can be used to monitor and optimize biological treatment systems, but the application of nucleic acid-based tools has been hindered by the lack of available sequences for environmentally relevant biodegradation genes. The objective of our work was to extend an existing molecular method for eukaryotes to prokaryotes, allowing us to rapidly identify differentially expressed genes for subsequent sequencing. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) PCR cDNA subtraction is a technique that can be used to identify genes that are expressed under specific conditions (e.g., growth on a given pollutant). While excellent methods for eukaryotic SSH PCR cDNA subtraction are available, to our knowledge, no methods previously existed for prokaryotes. This work describes our methodology for prokaryotic SSH PCR cDNA subtraction, which we validated using a model system: Pseudomonas putida mt-2 degrading toluene. cDNA from P. putida mt-2 grown on toluene (model pollutant) or acetate (control substrate) was subjected to our prokaryotic SSH PCR cDNA subtraction protocol to generate subtraction clone libraries. Over 90% of the sequenced clones contained gene fragments encoding toluene-related enzymes, and 20 distinct toluene-related genes from three key operons were sequenced. Based on these results, prokaryotic SSH PCR cDNA subtraction shows promise as a targeted method for gene identification.
Motion Recognition based on Sparse Representation and 3D Spatial- Temporal Feature

The emergence of a large number of databases for capturing 3D human motions has made the efficient analysis and processing of human motion data to effectively use these databases a new challenge. To reduce high-dimension complexity, a dimensional feature based on the 3D spatial–temporal characteristic should be extracted from human motions. Moreover, the motion data should be re-expressed by sparse representation to realize the projection from high dimensional data to a low-dimensional subspace. The different motions should then be recognized and classified to obtain the automatic recognition and automatic retrieval of 3D human motions.
Escape From Return-Oriented Programming : Return-oriented Programming without Returns ( on the x 86 )

We show that on the x86 it is possible to mount a return-oriented programming attack without using any return instructions. Our new attack instead makes use of certain instruction sequences that behave like a return; we show that these sequences occur with sufficient frequency in large Linux libraries to allow creation of a Turing-complete gadget set. Because it does not make use of return instructions, our new attack has negative implications for two recently proposed classes of defense against return-oriented programming: those that detect the toofrequent use of returns in the instruction stream, and those that detect violations of the last-in, first-out invariant that is normally maintained for the return-address stack.
Supervised text analysis for ontology and terminology engineering

One of the means to reach a Semantic Web is to add some machine readable meta-data to documents (semantic annotations) and/or to improve the performance of information retrieval applications thanks to the use of semantic resources such as terminologies and ontologies. This position paper promotes the idea that these semantic resources cannot be universal but should rather be domain and even task specific in most cases. Moreover, we assert that their content is all the more relevant that it has been defined from document content analysis. And finally, we advocate in favor of a supervised learning process for their design from well selected texts. We shortly present two contributions, a method to build ontologies from texts and a tool for semantic relation identification, that illustrate these positions.
Towards design for self-healing

Self-healing mechanisms are increasingly attracting the interest of both industrial and research communities as a way of increasing reliability of software systems, while overcoming technical and cost limitations of classic analysis and testing techniques. Many recent studies focus on techniques for enabling self-healing mechanisms independently from software design. These approaches are effective, but often limited by early design decisions. In this position paper, we argue that a disciplined design approach can enable a wide and effective range of self-healing mechanisms, thus overcoming many limitations of the current approaches. We discuss the differences between design for testability and design for self-healing approaches, and we propose the foundation for a new design for self-healing methodology.
Color Processing in Synesthesia: What Synesthesia Can and Cannot Tell Us About Mechanisms of Color Processing

Synesthetic experiences of color have been traditionally conceptualized as a perceptual phenomenon. However, recent evidence suggests a role of higher order cognition in the formation of synesthetic experiences. Here, we discuss how synesthetic experiences of color differ from and influence veridical color processing, and how non-perceptual processes such as imagery and color memory might play a role in eliciting synesthetic color experience.
Sedimentology and ichnology of the Mafube dinosaur track site (Lower Jurassic, eastern Free State, South Africa): a report on footprint preservation and palaeoenvironment

Footprint morphology (e.g., outline shape, depth of impression) is one of the key diagnostic features used in the interpretation of ancient vertebrate tracks. Over 80 tridactyl tracks, confined to the same bedding surface in the Lower Jurassic Elliot Formation at Mafube (eastern Free State, South Africa), show large shape variability over the length of the study site. These morphological differences are considered here to be mainly due to variations in the substrate rheology as opposed to differences in the trackmaker’s foot anatomy, foot kinematics or recent weathering of the bedding surface. The sedimentary structures (e.g., desiccation cracks, ripple marks) preserved in association with and within some of the Mafube tracks suggest that the imprints were produced essentially contemporaneous and are true dinosaur tracks rather than undertracks or erosional remnants. They are therefore valuable not only for the interpretation of the ancient environment (i.e., seasonally dry river channels) but also for taxonomic assessments as some of them closely resemble the original anatomy of the trackmaker’s foot. The tracks are grouped, based on size, into two morphotypes that can be identified as Eubrontes-like and Grallator-like ichnogenera. The Mafube morphotypes are tentatively attributable to large and small tridactyl theropod trackmakers, possibly to Dracovenator and Coelophysis based on the following criteria: (a) lack of manus impressions indicative of obligate bipeds; (b) long, slender-digits that are asymmetrical and taper; (c) often end in a claw impression or point; and (d) the tracks that are longer than broad. To enable high-resolution preservation, curation and subsequent remote studying of the morphological variations of and the secondary features in the tracks, low viscosity silicone rubber was used to generate casts of the Mafube tracks.
Classification of musical patterns using variable duration hidden Markov models

This paper presents a new extension to the variable duration hidden Markov model (HMM), capable of classifying musical pattens that have been extracted from raw audio data into a set of predefined classes. Each musical pattern is converted into a sequence of music intervals by means of a fundamental frequency tracking procedure. This sequence is subsequently presented as input to a set of variable-duration HMMs. Each one of these models has been trained to recognize patterns of a corresponding predefined class. Classification is determined based on the highest recognition probability. The new type of variable-duration hidden Markov modeling proposed in this paper results in enhanced performance because 1) it deals effectively with errors that commonly originate during the feature extraction stage, and 2) it accounts for variations due to the individual expressive performance of different instrument players. To demonstrate its effectiveness, the novel classification scheme has been employed in the context of Greek traditional music, to monophonic musical patterns of a popular instrument, the Greek traditional clarinet. Although the method is also appropriate for western-style music, Greek traditional music poses extra difficulties and makes music pattern recognition a harder task. The classification results demonstrate that the new approach outperforms previous work based on conventional HMMs
Absence of All Components of the Flagellar Export and Synthesis Machinery Differentially Alters Virulence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium in Models of Typhoid Fever, Survival in Macrophages, Tissue Culture Invasiveness, and Calf Enterocolitis

ABSTRACT In this study, we constructed an flhD (the master flagellar regulator gene) mutant of Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium and compared the virulence of the strain to that of the wild-type strain in a series of assays that included the mouse model of typhoid fever, the mouse macrophage survival assay, an intestinal epithelial cell adherence and invasion assay, and the calf model of enterocolitis. We found that the flhD mutant was more virulent than its parent in the mouse and displayed slightly faster net growth between 4 and 24 h of infection in mouse macrophages. Conversely, the flhD mutant exhibited diminished invasiveness for human and mouse intestinal epithelial cells, as well as a reduced capacity to induce fluid secretion and evoke a polymorphonuclear leukocyte response in the calf ligated-loop assay. These findings, taken with the results from virulence assessment assays done on an fljB fliC mutant of serovar Typhimurium that does not produce flagellin but does synthesize the flagellar secretory apparatus, indicate that neither the presence of flagella (as previously reported) nor the synthesis of the flagellar export machinery are necessary for pathogenicity of the organism in the mouse. Conversely, the presence of flagella is required for the full invasive potential of the bacterium in tissue culture and for the influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the calf intestine, while the flagellar secretory components are also necessary for the induction of maximum fluid secretion in that enterocolitis model. A corollary to this conclusion is that, as has previously been surmised but not demonstrated in a comparative investigation of the same mutant strains, the mouse systemic infection and macrophage assays measure aspects of virulence different from those of the tissue culture invasion assay, and the latter is more predictive of findings in the calf enterocolitis model.
Role of PP2C-mediated ABA signaling in the moss Physcomitrella patens

Plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is found in a wide range of land plants, from mosses to angiosperms. However, our knowledge concerning the function of ABA is limited to some angiosperm plant species. We have shown that the basal land plant Physcomitrella patens and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana share a conserved abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway mediated through ABI1-related type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs). Ectopic expression of Arabidopsis abi1-1, a dominant allele of ABI1 that functions as a negative regulator of ABA signaling, or targeted disruption of Physcomitrella ABI1-related gene (PpABI1A) resulted in altered ABA sensitivity and abiotic stress tolerance of Physcomitrella, as demonstrated by osmostress and freezing stress. Moreover, transgenic Physcomitrella overexpressing abi1-1 showed altered morphogenesis. These trangenic plants had longer stem lengths compared to the wild type, and continuous growth of archegonia (female organ) with few sporohpytes under non-stress conditions. Our results suggest that PP2C-mediated ABA signaling is involved in both the abiotic stress responses and developmental regulation of Physcomitrella.
The impact of communicating genetic risks of disease on risk-reducing health behaviour: systematic review with meta-analysis

Objective To assess the impact of communicating DNA based disease risk estimates on risk-reducing health behaviours and motivation to engage in such behaviours. Design Systematic review with meta-analysis, using Cochrane methods. Data sources Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 25 February 2015. Backward and forward citation searches were also conducted. Study selection Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials involving adults in which one group received personalised DNA based estimates of disease risk for conditions where risk could be reduced by behaviour change. Eligible studies included a measure of risk-reducing behaviour. Results We examined 10 515 abstracts and included 18 studies that reported on seven behavioural outcomes, including smoking cessation (six studies; n=2663), diet (seven studies; n=1784), and physical activity (six studies; n=1704). Meta-analysis revealed no significant effects of communicating DNA based risk estimates on smoking cessation (odds ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.63 to 1.35, P=0.67), diet (standardised mean difference 0.12, 95% confidence interval −0.00 to 0.24, P=0.05), or physical activity (standardised mean difference −0.03, 95% confidence interval −0.13 to 0.08, P=0.62). There were also no effects on any other behaviours (alcohol use, medication use, sun protection behaviours, and attendance at screening or behavioural support programmes) or on motivation to change behaviour, and no adverse effects, such as depression and anxiety. Subgroup analyses provided no clear evidence that communication of a risk-conferring genotype affected behaviour more than communication of the absence of such a genotype. However, studies were predominantly at high or unclear risk of bias, and evidence was typically of low quality. Conclusions Expectations that communicating DNA based risk estimates changes behaviour is not supported by existing evidence. These results do not support use of genetic testing or the search for risk-conferring gene variants for common complex diseases on the basis that they motivate risk-reducing behaviour. Systematic review registration This is a revised and updated version of a Cochrane review from 2010, adding 11 studies to the seven previously identified.
Nigral and Cortical Lewy Bodies and Dystrophic Nigral Neurites in Parkinson's Disease and Cortical Lewy Body Disease Contain α-synuclein Immunoreactivity

A mutation in the α-synuclein gene has recently been linked to some cases of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). We characterized the expression of this presynaptic protein in the midbrain, striatum, and temporal cortex of control, PD, and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) brain. Control brain showed punctate pericellular immunostaining. PD brain demonstrated α-synuclein immunoreactivity in nigral Lewy bodies, pale bodies and abnormal aeurites. Rare neuronal soma in PD brain were immunoreactive for α-synuclein. DLB cases demonstrated these findings as well as α-synuclein immunoreactivity in cortical Lewy bodies and CA2-3 neurites. These results suggest that, even in sporadic cases, there is an early and direct role for α-synuclein in the pathogenesis of PD and the neuropathologically related disorder DLB.
Sterilization of Clothes Infected by Bacteria Using Chlorine-Containing Disinfectant Coupled with Heat Effect

Bacterial samples were prepared taking cloth strip as carriers infected by bacillus subtilis var. niger spores. Bacterial carriers were disinfected by spraying chlorine-containing disinfectant coupled with heat effect. Orthogonal experiments were carried out taking available chlorine concentration, spraying quantity of disinfectant, temperature and sterilizing time as influencing factors. The results showed that spraying quantity 0.12 g/cm2 of disinfectant containing 5000 mg/L available chlorine, bacillus subtilis var. niger spores on the carrier with 1×106 cfu per sample could be killed completely (100%) in 60°C thermostat for 15 min. At the same time, contrastive experiments indicated that there were still 1100 cfu of residual bacteria on the carrier which had been sprayed disinfectant containing 5000 mg/L available chlorine and put into 25°C (room temperature) thermostat for 30 min. While no killing efficiency was observed when putting bacterial carrier into 60°C thermostat for 30 min, if taking standard hard water instead of disinfectant.
Inverse Gaussian Modeling of Turbulence-Induced Fading in Free-Space Optical Systems

We propose the inverse Gaussian distribution, as a less complex alternative to the classical log-normal model, to describe turbulence-induced fading in free-space optical (FSO) systems operating in weak turbulence conditions and/or in the presence of aperture averaging effects. By conducting goodness of fit tests, we define the range of values of the scintillation index for various multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) FSO configurations, where the two distributions approximate each other with a certain significance level. Furthermore, the bit error rate performance of two typical MIMO FSO systems is investigated over the new turbulence model; an intensity-modulation/direct detection MIMO FSO system with Q-ary pulse position modulation that employs repetition coding at the transmitter and equal gain combining at the receiver, and a heterodyne MIMO FSO system with differential phase-shift keying and maximal ratio combining at the receiver. Finally, numerical results are presented that validate the theoretical analysis and provide useful insights into the implications of the model parameters on the overall system performance.
On the feasibility of checking temporal integrity constraints

We analyze the computational feasibility of checking temporal integrity constraints formulated in some sublanguages of first-order temporal logic. Our results illustrate the impact of the quantification on the complexity of this problem. The presence of a single quantifier in the scope of a temporal operator makes the problem undecidable. On the other hand, if no quantifiers are in the scope of a temporal operator and all the quantifiers are universal, temporal integrity checking can be done in exponential time.
THE CORROSION AND OXIDATION OF METALS (SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY VOLUME)

This volume is the third in a series on this subject, presenting especially new information published during the period 1968-75. The topics dealt with include simple oxidation, electrochemical, anodic, acid and crystalographic corrosion. A chapter contains information on soluble inhibitors and two chapters deal with protection against corrosion by paints, non-metallic coatings, metallic coatings and metal pigmented paints. A section is included on the corrosion of the motor car, with reference to corrosion due to salt on roads and precautions to combat this reaction. Information is also given concerning corrosion of exhaust systems, car interiors and brake-fluid lines. Brief reference is made to anti-corrosion treatment of steel bridges. /TRRL/
The Studio Ontology Framework

This paper introduces the Studio Ontology Framework for describing and sharing detailed information about music production. The primary aim of this ontology is to capture the nuances of record production by providing an explicit, application and situation independent conceptualisation of the studio environment. We may use the ontology to describe real-world recording scenarios involving physical hardware, or (post) production on a personal computer. It builds on Semantic Web technologies and previously published ontologies for knowledge representation and knowledge sharing.
WHAT , I SHOULDN ’ T HAVE DONE THAT ? : THE INFLUENCE OF TRAINING AND JUST-INTIME REMINDERS ON SECURE BEHAVIOR Completed Research Paper

Organizations often implement Security Education, Training, and Awareness (SETA) programs to help improve secure behavior. SETA programs can be multifaceted; however, organizations often take a “one-size-fits-all” approach to improve security, without understanding how different SETA components influence behavior. In this research, we explain how two common SETA program components—online training and reminders—influence behavior through discrete theoretical mechanisms. First, we hypothesize that online training influences behavior through improving beliefs and intentions. However, because of dual-task interference, the relationship between beliefs and intentions may be hindered. We then explain how just-in-time reminders can help overcome dual-task interference and influence behavior directly. We test our hypotheses in a realistic experiment that operationalizes secure behavior as sensitive information disclosure. Our results confirm that training influences beliefs and intentions, and reminders influence behavior directly. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed regarding the use of multi-faceted SETA programs to improve actual secure behavior.