Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Graceful Signed Graphs on C

In [4], we have proved the necessary condition for sigraphs on union of k copies cycles of length three with one vertex in common denoted by C 3 to be graceful and sufficiency part of the theorem was discussed in certain special cases when all rim edges are negative and form a maximum matching. In this paper, we discuss the sufficiency part of the theorem on gracefulness of sigraphs on C 3 partially, in particularly, some of the rim edges are positive and others are negative.
Performance Evaluation of Multimedia Content Distribution Over Multi-Homed Wireless Networks

The growing availability of IP based heterogeneous wireless access technologies coupled with the increasing capabilities of mobile devices is creating opportunities for multimedia distribution. Through its multi-homing feature, the ability to support multiple network connections in a single end to end association, the transport layer Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) can enable seamless and transparent communication sessions over multiple heterogeneous networks. This paper analyzes the performance of multimedia distribution when making use of two multi-homing SCTP-based approaches: Single Path Transfer and Concurrent Multi-path Transfer, in which a single or all paths within an association are used simultaneously for data transmission. In this investigation various retransmission policies and different parameter sets are used in turn and recommendations are made for achieving best results during video delivery. In order to perform this study a novel realistic evaluation tool-set was proposed and is described, which can simulate video delivery over SCTP. Our simulation results and analysis show how to optimize the transmission of multimedia content over SCTP associations in both single and multipath scenarios.
A Comparison of Spatial Grouping Techniques on Interactive Surfaces

In this paper we report a comparative study investigating two interaction techniques for grouping items spatially on a tabletop interface. We compared a container technique with a proximity technique. The container concept was considered due to its familiarity with desktop systems, while the proximity technique is a novel organic concept based on spatial proximity. Our goal was to identify the characteristics of both techniques in regard to grouping and regrouping performance, grouping strategies as well as bimanual and multi-finger input. Our results indicate that the traditional container concept may not be an adequate fit for harnessing the benefits of interactive surfaces. Rather, our study shows that more informal spatial techniques based on proximity open up a promising design space for further investigations.
Do guidelines for the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus fulfill the criteria of evidence-based guideline development?

BACKGROUND Although the methodological quality of therapeutic guidelines (GLs) has been criticized, little is known regarding the quality of GLs that make diagnostic recommendations. Therefore, we assessed the methodological quality of GLs providing diagnostic recommendations for managing diabetes mellitus (DM) and explored several reasons for differences in quality across these GLs. METHODS After systematic searches of published and electronic resources dated between 1999 and 2007, 26 DM GLs, published in English, were selected and scored for methodological quality using the AGREE Instrument. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the source, scope, length, origin, and date and type of publication of GLs. Using a checklist, we collected laboratory-specific items within GLs thought to be important for interpretation of test results. RESULTS The 26 diagnostic GLs had significant shortcomings in methodological quality according to the AGREE criteria. GLs from agencies that had clear procedures for GL development, were longer than 50 pages, or were published in electronic databases were of higher quality. Diagnostic GLs contained more preanalytical or analytical information than combined (i.e., diagnostic and therapeutic) recommendations, but the overall quality was not significantly different. The quality of GLs did not show much improvement over the time period investigated. CONCLUSIONS The methodological shortcomings of diagnostic GLs in DM raise questions regarding the validity of recommendations in these documents that may affect their implementation in practice. Our results suggest the need for standardization of GL terminology and for higher-quality, systematically developed recommendations based on explicit guideline development and reporting standards in laboratory medicine.
Holistic distributed stream clustering for smart grids

Smart grids consist of millions of automated electronic meters that will be installed in electricity distribution networks and connected to servers that will manage grid supervision, billing and customer services. World sustainability regarding energy management will definitely rely on such grids, so smart grids need also to be sustainable themselves. This sustainability depends on several research problems that emerge from this new setting (from power balance to energy markets) requiring new approaches for knowledge discovery and decision support. This paper presents a holistic distributed stream clustering view of possible solutions for those problems, supported by previous research in related domains. The approach is based on two orthogonal clustering algorithms, combined for a holistic clustering of the grid. Experimental results are included to illustrate the benefits of each algorithm, while the proposal is discussed in terms of application to smart grid problems. This holistic approach could be used to help solving some of the smart grid intelligent layer research problems, thus improving global sustainability.
QoS control schemes for two-stage Ethernet passive optical access networks

Ethernet passive optical networks (EPONs) have emerged as the one of the most promising candidates for next-generation access networks. These new architectures couple low-cost optics with advanced edge electronics to offer vastly improved scalability over competing digital subscriber line and cable modem offerings. This paper proposes several novel architectural enhancements for EPON, which will help increase the viability of optical access over a broader range of subscriber access scenarios. Specifically, this paper proposes a two-stage EPON architecture that allows more end-users to share an optical line terminal link, and enables longer access reach/distances (beyond the usual 25 km distance). In addition, a new dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithm is proposed to effectively allocate bandwidths between end users. This DBA algorithm can support differentiated services in a network with heterogeneous traffic. We conduct detailed simulation experiments to study the performance and validate the effectiveness of the proposed architecture and algorithms.
[Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase activation in endometrium with polycystic ovary syndrome and its significance].

OBJECTIVE to investigate the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in the endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its effect and significance in the cause of hyperplasia and carcinoma; and investigate the factors which affect the activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. METHODS collected 52 patients diagnosed as PCOS who were taken dilation and curettage of uterus as study, while 32 non-PCOS patients matched as control group. Serum hormonal parameters, fasting blood glucose and insulin were measured in all patients. The PCOS patients were sub-group as insulin resistance group and non-insulin resistance group; all the patients were carried out pathology inspection of endometria, and the PCOS patients were sub-group as endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma group and normal endometrium group based on the outcome of pathology inspection. Western blot were performed to detect the expressions of ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), the activation of ERK1/2. RESULTS (1) the expression of p-ERK1/2 [(61 ± 13)%] in the endometrium in PCOS group was higher than that in the control [(44 ± 10)%, P < 0.01]. (2) The expression of p-ERK1/2 was significantly increased in group of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma [(70 ± 11)%] compared to that in group of normal endometrium [(55 ± 10)%, P < 0.01], while there were significant difference between group of insulin resistance [(63 ± 13)%] and group of non-insulin resistance [(55 ± 7)%, P < 0.01]. (3)Fasting insulin level, insulin area under the curve and body mass index were related to the expression of p-ERK1/2 in endometrium with PCOS, the correlation coefficient were 0.447, 0.456 and 0.381, respectively (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in endometrium with PCOS was overactivation, which was related to the endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma; while the activation of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway were effected by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia.
The relevance of salt bridges for the stability of the influenza virus hemagglutinin

Hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza virus undergoes an irreversible conformational change at acidic pH, mediating viral fusion with the host endosomal membrane. To unravel the molecular basis of the pH‐dependent stability of HA, we demonstrate by mu‐tagenesis of the prototype HA of virus strain X31 (H3 subtype) that salt bridges, especially a tetrad salt bridge within the monomers, are crucial for folding and stability of the trimeric ectodomain. This complex (tetrad) salt bridge is highly conserved among influenza virus subtypes. Introducing additional sites of electrostatic attraction between monomers in the distal region enhanced the stability of ectodomain at low pH mimicking the natural variant H2 subtype. We propose that distinct salt bridges in the distal domain may contribute to the enhanced stability of HA of natural virus vari‐ants. This hypothesis may provide clues to understanding adaptations of virus strains (for example, avian influenza viruses) in order to preserve stability of the protein in the host‐specific environment. —Rachakonda, P. S. , Veit, M. , Korte, T. , Ludwig, K. , Böttcher, C. , Huang, Q. , Schmidt, M. F. G. , Herrmann, A. The relevance of salt bridges for the stability of the influenza virus hemagglutinin. FASEB J. 21, 995–1002 (2007)
Optimizing the turn-taking behavior of task-oriented spoken dialog systems

Even as progress in speech technologies and task and dialog modeling has allowed the development of advanced spoken dialog systems, the low-level interaction behavior of those systems often remains rigid and inefficient. Based on an analysis of human-human and human-computer turn-taking in naturally occurring task-oriented dialogs, we define a set of features that can be automatically extracted and show that they can be used to inform efficient end-of-turn detection. We then frame turn-taking as decision making under uncertainty and describe the Finite-State Turn-Taking Machine (FSTTM), a decision-theoretic model that combines data-driven machine learning methods and a cost structure derived from Conversation Analysis to control the turn-taking behavior of dialog systems. Evaluation results on CMU Let's Go, a publicly deployed bus information system, confirm that the FSTTM significantly improves the responsiveness of the system compared to a standard threshold-based approach, as well as previous data-driven methods.
Term Structure Dynamics in Theory and Reality

This article is a critical survey of models designed for pricing fixed-income securities and their associated term structures of market yields. Our primary focus is on the interplay between the theoretical specification of dynamic term structure models and their empirical fit to historical changes in the shapes of yield curves. We begin by overviewing the dynamic term structure models that have been fit to treasury or swap yield curves and in which the risk factors follow diffusions, jump-diffusion, or have "switching regimes. " Then the goodness-of-fit of these models is assessed relative to their abilities to (i) match linear projections of changes in yields onto the slope of the yield curve; (ii) match the persistence of conditional volatilities, and the shapes of term structures of unconditional volatilities, of yields; and (iii) to reliably price caps, swaptions, and other fixed-income derivatives. For the case of defaultable securities we explore the relative fits to historical yield spreads. Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
A service flow management strategy for IEEE 802.16 broadband wireless access systems in TDD mode

A fair and efficient service flow management architecture for IEEE802.16 broadband wireless access (BWA) systems is proposed for TDD mode. Compared with the traditional fixed bandwidth allocation, the proposed architecture adjusts uplink and downlink bandwidth dynamically to achieve higher throughput for unbalanced traffic. A deficit fair priority queue scheduling algorithm is deployed to serve different types of service flows in both uplink and downlink, which provides more fairness to the system. Simulation results show the proposed architecture can meet the QoS requirement in terms of bandwidth and fairness for all types of traffic.
OP75 Validation of diet and urinary excretion derived estimates of sodium excretion against 24-hour urine excretion in a worksite sample

Background Current measurements of dietary and urinary sodium are fraught with methodological difficulties. Dietary methods tend to underestimate sodium consumption due to under-reporting of discretionary sources of salt (added at the table, or during cooking). The 24-hour urine collection method which is considered the ‘gold standard’ is burdensome and potentially limited by under-collection. Several methods have been used to predict 24-hour sodium excretion from spot urine samples, including arithmetic extrapolation and the application of predictive formulae based on spot sodium to creatinine ratios as a means of controlling for urinary concentration, including those of Tanaka and Kawasaki. However the use of these methods in analytical epidemiological research is controversial. The aim of this study was to validate diet and urinary excretion derived estimates of sodium intake against those derived from 24-hour urine collections in an Irish manufacturing workplace sample. Methods We have compared daily sodium (Na) excretion from PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid) validated 24-hour urine collections with estimated daily sodium excretion derived from the following methods: a standard Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), a modified 24-hour dietary recall method, arithmetic extrapolations from morning and evening spot urine samples, predicted sodium excretion from morning and evening spot urine samples using both Tanaka’s and Kawasaki’s formula. All were assessed using mean differences (SD), Bland-Altman plots, correlation coefficients and ROC Area under the Curve (AUC) with a cut off of ≥100 mmol of Na/day, used to define high salt intake. Results The Food Choice at Work study recruited 802 participants aged 18–64 years, 50 of whom formed the validation sample (provided a complete 24-hour urine collection). The mean dietary sodium intake was 138 mmol/day (8.1g salt) from the 24-hour urine collections. At the group level mean differences (mmol/day) were small for the 24-hour dietary recall method (3.8 (SD 69.4)), FFQ method (9.1 (SD 52.4)) and the arithmetic extrapolation from morning urine samples (3.8 (SD 77.4)). Biassed estimates of 24-hour sodium excretion were reported for Tanaka (10.9 (SD 54)), and Kawasaki (–47 (SD 61)) based estimates. The AUC findings for all methods ranged from 0.56 (arithmetic extrapolations evening spot) to 0.76 (FFQ). Conclusion Neither dietary nor spot urine sample methods provide adequate validity in the estimation of 24-hour sodium excretion at the individual level. At the group level the errors from dietary methods are small and random and compare favourably with those from spot urine samples in this population.
Segmenting Visual Narratives: Evidence for Constituent Structure in Comics

We have proposed that visual narratives in comics are organized with a hierarchic narrative “grammar. ” Inspired by classic “click” studies of syntax, we inserted blank “disruption” panels Before, At, or After the constituent boundaries of comic strips. In self-paced viewing, Experiment 1 found that blanks After the boundary were viewed slower than Before or At the boundary. Panels immediately following blanks were slower than corresponding panels in sequences without blank panels, but only when placed Before or After the boundary. Three ordinal panel positions following the boundary, panels following blanks At the boundary or with No-Blanks were viewed faster than panels following blanks After or Before the boundary. This supports constituency because disruptions had greater impact within, as opposed to between, constituents. Using ERPs, Experiment 2 found a larger anterior negativity to blanks within constituents (Before/After) than between constituents (At). This indicates disruptions of constituents are recognized before reaching a subsequent panel. A larger P600 appeared to blanks After the boundary than in the first constituent (Before/At). This positivity may reflect a reanalysis reflecting the inability to integrate all prior panels into a single constituent, since they are divided by the constituent boundary.
On the application of finite methods in time domain to anisotropic dielectric waveguides

This paper presents some general ideas for the construction of explicit finite algorithms to study wave propagation in dielectric anisotropic waveguides. The goal is to facilitate the development of different finite schemes through the extension of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to study anisotropic media. Some of these schemes are particularized and applied to the simulation of the propagation of electromagnetic waves through planar dielectric anisotropic waveguides.
Long-term viral enhancement of lung response to Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula.

The current study was done to look at the long-term enhancing effect of a single viral infection on repeated Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (SR) antigenic challenges in mice and at inflammatory cytokines in this enhancement. Four groups of C57BI/6 mice were studied: Group 1 received intranasal instillations of saline, 3 days per week; Group 2, intranasal instillations of saline plus one intranasal instillation of 80 hemagglutination units (HAU) of Sendai virus after 3 wk of saline; Group 3, instillations of SR, 3 days per week; and Group 4, instillations of SR, 3 days per week, plus one instillation of Sendai virus after 3 wk of SR. Bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were performed 15 and 30 wk after the virus inoculation in the appropriate groups. Each time, a two- to threefold increase in BAL cell counts was obtained from virus-infected animals challenged with SR compared with animals that received the SR alone. Animals infected with virus only showed values similar to those of control animals. A higher percentage of large foamy multinucleated cells were found in the BAL from the SR+Sendai group than the SR alone group (7.92 +/- 0.730% compared with 1.8 +/- 0.296%). These cells were not seen in the other groups. BAL levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha at 15 wk were much higher in SR+Sendai-treated (1,439 +/- 268 and 96 +/- 9 pg/ml, respectively) than SR alone-treated animals (361 +/- 100 and 23 +/- 4 pg/ml). BAL fluid of control animals and Sendai alone animals contained 64 +/- 24 and 65 +/- 15 pg/ml of TNF-alpha, but no IL-1 alpha was detected. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Prognostic and Predictive Markers for Treatment Decisions in Early Breast Cancer

Breast cancer clinically represents a heterogeneous disease. Over the last decades, the integration of prognostic and predictive markers in treatment decisions has led to a more individualized and optimized therapy. While prognosis describes the risk of disease recurrence and diseaserelated death after diagnosis without the influence of therapy, prediction illustrates the probability of efficacy or response of a specific therapeutic measure. The substantial decline in breast cancer mortality seen over the last 20 years is primarily due to the delivery of adjuvant systemic therapy. It is important that clinical decisions are made to minimize overtreatment, undertreatment, and incorrect treatment. Improved understanding of breast cancer biology together with the utilization of classical biomarkers and the identification of new markers or profiles is increasingly defining who should receive cancer therapy and what therapy offers the best efficacy. The molecular targets as the prerequisite for successful concepts of specific therapies like antiestrogens, antibodies, or small molecules, have therefore high clinical value in regards to prognosis as well as prediction.
Applications of Data Mining in Higher Education

Data analysis plays an important role for decision support irrespective of type of industry like any manufacturing unit and educations system. There are many domains in which data mining techniques plays an important role. This paper proposes the use of data mining techniques to improve the efficiency of higher education institution. If data mining techniques such as clustering, decision tree and association are applied to higher education processes, it would help to improve students performance, their life cycle management, selection of courses, to measure their retention rate and the grant fund management of an institution. This is an approach to examine the effect of using data mining techniques in higher education.
Identification of a Cyclin Subunit Required for the Function ofDrosophila P-TEFb*

P-TEFb is required for the transition from abortive elongation into productive elongation and is capable of phosphorylating the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. We cloned a cDNA encoding the large subunit of Drosophila P-TEFb and found the predicted protein contained a cyclin motif. We now name the large subunit cyclin T and the previously cloned small subunit (Zhu, Y. R., Peery, T., Peng, J. M., Ramanathan, Y., Marshall, N., Marshall, T., Amendt, B., Mathews, M. B., and Price, D. H. (1997) Genes Dev.11, 2622–2632) cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9). Recombinant P-TEFb produced in baculovirus-transfected Sf9 cells exhibited 5,6-dichloro-1-β-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole-sensitive kinase activity similar to native P-TEFb. Kc cell nuclear extract depleted of P-TEFb failed to generate long DRB-sensitive transcripts, but this activity was restored upon addition of either native or recombinant P-TEFb. Like other CDKs, CDK9 is essentially inactive in the absence of its cyclin partner. P-TEFb containing a CDK9 mutation that knocked out the kinase activity did not function in transcription. Deletion of the carboxyl-terminal domain of cyclin T in P-TEFb reduced both the kinase and transcription activity to about 10%. The CDK-activating kinase in TFIIH was unable to activate the CTD kinase activity of P-TEFb.