Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-Agent Instructional Resource Planning

This paper studies the research in the area of multi-agent, instructional resource planning and enterprise eLearning management system, which resulted in the development of the II-RPS. This paper also introduces how a multi-agent instructional resource planning process can be modeled, constructed, explored and explained. It is not only to promote the automatic learning process through a systematic framework of instructional resource planning, but also to increase the performance of courseware production and to highly benefit the pioneer who uses this approach
Expression of placenta growth factor, soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1, metal‐responsive transcription factor‐1, heme oxygenase 1 and hypoxia inducible factor‐1α mRNAs in pre‐eclampsia placenta and the effect of pre‐eclampsia sera on their expression of choriocarcinoma cells

We studied the effect of pre‐eclampsia sera on the expression of placenta growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1), metal‐responsive transcription factor‐1 (MTF‐1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) and hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) mRNAs in JEG‐3 cells (trophoblast‐derived cells) and placenta from pre‐eclampsia patients to investigate pre‐eclampsia pathophysiology.
Difpainter: Take image difference as paint in digital painting

To introduce real materials into digital painting, the interactive digital painting system “Difpainter” is proposed. The rudiment of this system is the calculation of difference between images captured from video camera. The system first captures two images from video camera, and then calculates the difference of the two and yields foreground image, finally paint target image with the foreground image by alpha blending technology. This process is executed iteratively; the parameters are configured through graphic user interface. The system enables using webcam to practice “Light Painting” and some other novel painting skills. This research enriches the skills of digital painting, improves the user experience, and presents novel visual effects.
Efficient combination of multiple word models for improved sequence comparison

MOTIVATION Studies of efficient and sensitive sequence comparison methods are driven by a need to find homologous regions of weak similarity between large genomes. RESULTS We describe an improved method for finding similar regions between two sets of DNA sequences. The new method generalizes existing methods by locating word matches between sequences under two or more word models and extending word matches into high-scoring segment pairs (HSPs). The method is implemented as a computer program named DDS2. Experimental results show that DDS2 can find more HSPs by using several word models than by using one word model. AVAILABILITY The DDS2 program is freely available for academic use in binary code form at http://bioinformatics.iastate. edu/aat/align/align.html and in source code form from the corresponding author.
Hierarchical landmarks - a means to reduce search effort in hybrid planning

Artificial Intelligence planning is a key problem solving technology currently being used in a variety of applications including military campaigns, robot navigation, airplane scheduling, and human computer interaction. The generation of plans courses of actions to achieve desired goals or perform specific tasks is a costly process, however. Developing methods to systematically reduce the search effort and increase (the) performance of planning systems is thus a central concern. In recent years, a number of approaches have been proposed to run a preliminary analysis of the artificial intelligence planning domain. They aim to extract and exploit knowledge from the domain model and problem description in order to reduce the planning effort. In general, pre-processing approaches can be done either ”off-line” analyzing the domain model before having access to a problemor ”on-line” analyzing the domain model and planning problem description together. We have developed a novel pre-processing technique to extract knowledge from a hierarchically structured planning domain and a current planning problem description which is used to significantly improve planning performance. This pre-processing technique enables pruning all branches which can be proven to never lead to a solution by identifying tasks that are not achievable from a certain initial situation. The efficiency of planning systems depends on the kind of planning search strategy which the planner uses. We developed novel domain independent strategies relying on the knowledge that is generated by pre-processing in order to guide the hierarchical planning processes more effectively towards a solution of a given planning problem. The complexity in real-world applications has led artificial intelligence planning researchers to develop algorithms and systems that more closely match realistic planning environments, in which planning activity is often distributed, and plan generation can happen concurrently with plan execution. Finally, our pre-processing technique in the context of hierarchical planning approach is integrated with a multi-agent based planning approach to decompose the original planning problem into a set of sub-problems each of which can then be solved separately. Our integration approach presents two different techniques to split the planning problem into a set of sub-problems: Dependent which constructs a set of dependent sub-problems and Independent which produces a set of independent sub-problems. Our empirical evaluation shows that the pre-processing technique improves performance because the dead ends can be detected much earlier than without pruning and that our search strategies outperform many other possible strategies. In addition, the integration between the pre-processing technique and a multi-agent based planning approach dramatically reduce computation effort. In general, our empirical evaluation proves that our approach improves the efficiency of planning systems on the tested domains.
Theoretical aspects of vertically invariant gray-level morphological operators and their application on adaptive signal and image filtering

We use vertically invariant morphological filters for time-varying or adaptive signal processing. The morphological filters adopted in this paper are vertically invariant openings and closings. Vertically invariant openings and closings have intuitive geometric interpretations and can provide different filtering scales with respect to different spatial positions. Hence, they are suitable for adaptive signal filtering. To adaptively assign structuring elements of the vertically invariant openings or closings, we develop the progressive umbra-filling (PUF) procedure. Experimental results have shown that our approach can successfully eliminate noise without oversmoothing the important features of a signal.
A Survey of Various Workflow Scheduling Algorithms in Cloud Environment

Cloud computing is a new benchmark towards enterprise application development that can effectively facilitate the execution of workflows in business process management system. The workflow technology can manage the business processes efficiently satisfying the requirements of modern enterprises. Moving workflows to a cloud computing environment enables the utilization of various cloud services to facilitate workflow execution. Workflow scheduling is one of the key issues in the management of workflow execution. In this paper we have surveyed different types of workflow scheduling algorithms and tabulated their various parameters along with tools, scheduling factors and so on. Existing workflow scheduling algorithms does not consider reliability and availability. Therefore there is a need to implement a workflow scheduling algorithm that can improve the availability and reliability in cloud environment.
Implementation of the Third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Survey Study in Western Europe

Background Diagnosing a postoperative myocardial infarction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting is challenging, as the normally used criteria are more difficult to interpret. The rate of implementation of the consensus‐based new diagnostic criteria for postoperative myocardial infarction proposed by the third universal definition of myocardial infarction is unknown. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to address the implementation of the third universal definition of postoperative myocardial infarction following coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods and Results We conducted a web‐based survey by sending 4 waves of invitations via e‐mail to cardiothoracic surgeons in 12 Western European countries. Of the 302 participating cardiothoracic specialists, from 182 different centers, 213 (71%) were aware that troponin is the preferred biomarker and 112 (37%) knew that using a cut‐off level of >10 times the 99th percentile is recommended. Overall, 90 (30%) participants (strongly) agreed with implementation of this cut‐off level in their clinical practice. Troponin was used in clinical practice by 149 (49%) of the participants. In total, 117 (89%) of the 131 participants with a local guideline confirmed ECG changes as a diagnostic criterion in that guideline. ST segmental changes (75, 64%) were used more often for diagnosing postoperative myocardial infarction than Q waves (64, 55%) or new left bundle branch blocks (34, 29%). Conclusions Cardiac biomarkers and ECG changes were not used in concordance with the third universal definition, and only a minority had a positive attitude toward implementation of the proposed cut‐off level for troponin in their clinical practice.
Incidence and Prognostic Value of Early Repolarization Pattern in the 12-Lead Electrocardiogram

Background— Early repolarization pattern is a common ECG finding characterized by J-point elevation and QRS notching or slurring in the inferior and/or lateral leads, yet little is known about its incidence and long-term prognosis in Asian populations. Methods and Results— We reviewed all the ECG records of the 5976 atomic-bomb survivors who were examined at least once during our biennial health examination in Nagasaki, Japan, between July 1958 and December 2004. We defined early repolarization pattern as ≥0.1-mV elevation of the J point or ST segment, with notching or slurring in at least 2 inferior and/or lateral leads. We assessed unexpected, cardiac, and all-cause death risk by Cox analysis. We identified 1429 early repolarization pattern cases (779 incident cases) during follow-up, yielding a positive rate of 23.9% and an incidence rate of 715 per 100 000 person-years. Early repolarization pattern had an elevated risk of unexpected death (hazard ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 2.97; P=0.02) and a decreased risk of cardiac (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.60 to 0.93; P<0.01) and all-cause (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 0.93; P<0.01) death. In addition, both slurring and notching were related to higher risk of unexpected death (hazard ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 4.12; P=0.03), as was early repolarization pattern manifestation in both inferior and lateral leads (hazard ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 4.83; P<0.01). Conclusions— Early repolarization pattern is associated with an elevated risk of unexpected death and a decreased risk of cardiac and all-cause death. Specific early repolarization pattern morphologies and location are associated with an adverse prognosis.
The Association of Social Status and Blood Pressure With Markers of Vascular Inflammation

Objective: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with low-grade inflammation. Vascular inflammation often accompanies high blood pressure (BP) and has clinical implications for future vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Elevated plasma levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are reliable indicators of vascular inflammation. We examined the associations among BP, social status, and sICAM-1 and ET-1 levels in 121 European American and African American men and women. Methods: Social status of the subjects was determined by using the Hollingshead Two Factor Index of Social Position scale, and plasma sICAM-1 and ET-1 levels were assessed using immunoassays. Results: Correlation analyses revealed positive correlations among plasma sICAM-1 levels, BP, and social status. Levels of ET-1 were also significantly correlated with BP (p < .01) and social status (p < .001). When subjects were categorized into three social classes, sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in the lowest social class as compared with the upper (p < .05) or middle (p < .01) class. The levels of ET-1 were higher in the low (p < .01) and middle (p < .05) social classes as compared with the upper class. Multiple hierarchic regression analyses revealed that even after controlling for demographic and health characteristics (gender, ethnicity, age, body mass index, and smoking) and systolic BP, social status accounted for additional variance of sICAM-1 or ET-1 levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that low-social-status individuals may incur risk for future vascular diseases through vascular inflammation. AA = African American; BMI = body mass index; BP = blood pressure; CRP = C-reactive protein; IL = interleukin; sICAM-1 = soluble intracellular adhesion molecule 1; EA = European American; ET-1 = endothelin-1; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SES = socioeconomic status; ICAM-1 = intercellular adhesion molecule 1.
Local Control Models of Cardiac Excitation–Contraction Coupling

In cardiac muscle, release of activator calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum occurs by calcium- induced calcium release through ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which are clustered in a dense, regular, two-dimensional lattice array at the diad junction. We simulated numerically the stochastic dynamics of RyRs and L-type sarcolemmal calcium channels interacting via calcium nano-domains in the junctional cleft. Four putative RyR gating schemes based on single-channel measurements in lipid bilayers all failed to give stable excitation–contraction coupling, due either to insufficiently strong inactivation to terminate locally regenerative calcium-induced calcium release or insufficient cooperativity to discriminate against RyR activation by background calcium. If the ryanodine receptor was represented, instead, by a phenomenological four-state gating scheme, with channel opening resulting from simultaneous binding of two Ca2+ ions, and either calcium-dependent or activation-linked inactivation, the simulations gave a good semiquantitative accounting for the macroscopic features of excitation–contraction coupling. It was possible to restore stability to a model based on a bilayer-derived gating scheme, by introducing allosteric interactions between nearest-neighbor RyRs so as to stabilize the inactivated state and produce cooperativity among calcium binding sites on different RyRs. Such allosteric coupling between RyRs may be a function of the foot process and lattice array, explaining their conservation during evolution.
Orbital lymphoid lesions: short series with cytohistological correlation

Orbit and ocular adnexae are common sites (10-15%) for developing lymphoid lesions but have diagnostic and staging difficulties similar to other extranodal sites. Out of 15 fine needle aspirates from orbital lesions received in last 5 years three female patients of age 56, 46 and 72 years presented to FNAC clinic with upper eyelid swellings of 2 years, 3 years and 3 months duration. Systemic examination was unremarkable. Hematological and Serum protein electrophoresis was normal. On MRI case 1 was suggestive of infective/neoplastic lesion. On CECT case 2 was suggestive of pseudotumor/lymphoma while case 3 was suggestive of pseudotumor. FNAC of case 1 showed polymorphous population of lymphoid cells, without any significant mitosis. FNAC of case 2 showed a monotonous population of lymphoid cells and Case 3 showed a relatively monotonous population in a background of lymphoglandular bodies. Case 1: Responded to steroids. Case 2: was advised a biopsy for confirmation, Case 3: Excision done in view of the recurrent nature with no response to steroids. Histopathology in Case 2 showed a non encapsulated mass with proliferation of lymphoid cells forming nodules, IHC showed a monoclonal pattern while Case 3 showed a nonencapsulated mass with nodular proliferation of lymphoid cells involving the surrounding adipose tissue with formation of primary and secondary follicles and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed a polyclonal population. Three cases are being discussed to highlight the diagnostic dilemmas in orbital lymphoid lesions and relevance of IHC in such cases.
MDCT of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas: a prospective study using contrast materials with different iodine concentrations.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of different iodine concentrations in contrast materials on the depiction of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) by MDCT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This prospective study involved 100 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease, including 27 patients with hypervascular HCCs. The first 50 patients received 100 mL of iopamidol at a concentration of 370 mg I/mL (group A) and the subsequent 50, 100 mL at 300 mg I/mL (group B); in both groups, the contrast material was administered at a rate of 3.0 mL/sec. Unenhanced scanning and four-phase enhanced scanning at 25, 40, 60, and 180 sec after the start of contrast injection were performed. The enhancement of the aorta, liver, and portal vein was measured during each phase. In addition, tumor-to-liver contrast was calculated for the 27 patients with hypervascular HCCs. Of the 27 patients with hypervascular HCCs, 15 were in group A and 12 were in group B. RESULTS During all phases, aortic enhancement was significantly greater in group A than group B (p < 0.01). Hepatic enhancement was significantly greater in group A than group B at 60 and 180 sec (both p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in hepatic enhancement between the two groups at 25 and 40 sec. Tumor-to-liver contrast was significantly greater in group A than group B during the late arterial phase (40 sec, p = 0.02), although there was no significant difference at 25, 60, and 180 sec. CONCLUSION Contrast materials with higher iodine concentration are more effective for depicting hypervascular HCCs on MDCT during the late arterial phase.
Copolymers at interfaces : Scaling and Monte Carlo studies

We investigate using scaling arguments and Monte Carlo simulations the adsorption properties of AB-copolymers at the interface between two selective solvents. For random copolymers adsorption is determined by a single scaling variable, which is the same both for ideal chains and for excluded volume chains; numerical simulations based on the bond fluctuation model support the scaling prediction very well. For alternating AB-copolymers adsorption can be described (through a one-step renormalization) as a homopolymer problem at a penetrable interface; scaling is again obeyed well, as we demonstrate through simulations.
Recognising Discourse Causality Triggers in the Biomedical Domain

Current domain-specific information extraction systems represent an important resource for biomedical researchers, who need to process vast amounts of knowledge in a short time. Automatic discourse causality recognition can further reduce their workload by suggesting possible causal connections and aiding in the curation of pathway models. We describe here an approach to the automatic identification of discourse causality triggers in the biomedical domain using machine learning. We create several baselines and experiment with and compare various parameter settings for three algorithms, i.e. Conditional Random Fields (CRF), Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forests (RF). We also evaluate the impact of lexical, syntactic, and semantic features on each of the algorithms, showing that semantics improves the performance in all cases. We test our comprehensive feature set on two corpora containing gold standard annotations of causal relations, and demonstrate the need for more gold standard data. The best performance of 79.35% F-score is achieved by CRFs when using all three feature types.
CD40 Gene Silencing Reduces the Progression of Experimental Lupus Nephritis Modulating Local Milieu and Systemic Mechanisms

Lupus nephritis (LN) is an autoimmune disorder in which co-stimulatory signals have been involved. Here we tested a cholesterol-conjugated-anti-CD40-siRNA in dendritic cells (DC) in vitro and in a model of LPS to check its potency and tissue distribution. Then, we report the effects of Chol-siRNA in an experimental model of mice with established lupus nephritis. Our in vitro studies in DC show a 100%intracellular delivery of Chol-siRNA, with a significant reduction in CD40 after LPS stimuli. In vivo in ICR mice, the CD40-mRNA suppressive effects of our Chol-siRNA on renal tissue were remarkably sustained over a 5 days after a single preliminary dose of Chol-siRNA. The intra-peritoneal administration of Chol-siRNA to NZB/WF1 mice resulted in a reduction of anti-DNA antibody titers, and histopathological renal scores as compared to untreated animals. The higher dose of Chol-siRNA prevented the progression of proteinuria as effectively as cyclophosphamide, whereas the lower dose was as effective as CTLA4. Chol-siRNA markedly reduced insterstitialCD3+ and plasma cell infiltrates as well as glomerular deposits of IgG and C3. Circulating soluble CD40 and activated splenic lymphocyte subsets were also strikingly reduced by Chol-siRNA. Our data show the potency of our compound for the therapeutic use of anti-CD40-siRNA in human LN and other autoimmune disorders.
Activated isoforms of MMP‐2 are induced in U87 human glioma cells in response to β‐amyloid peptide

Prior studies using rat primary hippocampal cultures indicated induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in response to β‐amyloid (Aβ). Hence, it was of interest to determine whether MMP activity in a human cell line is influenced by Aβ. Aβ, but not interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), stimulated an active form of MMP‐2 in human U87 glioblastoma cells, as well as increased the expression of the well‐known activator of MMP‐2, membrane‐type (MT)‐MMP. Activation experiments carried out with amino phenyl mercuric acetate (APMA), immunoprecipitation, as well as immunoblotting, suggest that the lower molecular weight, gelatin‐degrading activity was an activated form of MMP‐2. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that a synthetic furin convertase inhibitor, decanoyl‐Arg‐Val‐Lys‐Arg‐chloromethylketone, decreased the production of Aβ‐induced active MMP‐2 in U87 cells. The induction of MMP‐3 by cytokines, but not by Aβ, suggests that the effect of Aβ on MMP‐2 is selective. Although Aβ stimulated tissue inhibtor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1), there was no obvious effect of Aβ on TIMP‐2 production in U87 cells. These results demonstrate that Aβ induces an active form of MMP‐2 likely by increasing the expression of MT‐MMP in a human glioblastoma cell line. Active MMP‐2 may degrade Aβ or act on ECM components critical in neuronal survival mechanisms and possibly play a role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. J. Neurosci. Res. 55:44–53, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.