Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model-based engineering for dynamic reconfiguration in DRTES

An embedded software system is reconfigurable when it can modify its behavior or its architecture. The reconfigurations are launched according to the evolution of context requirements and the variation of execution environment constraints. In this paper we focus our attention on design model level with two-fold purposes. Firstly, building modeling tools to help specify and configure reconfigurability issues; and secondly validating our modeling by its integration in a Model-Based Development Approach. The contribution exhibits meta-model to deal with reconfiguration component based applications in DRTES at a model level. The elements of this meta-model will be used to describe software specifications and requirements, using component as a first class artifact to build such systems. To capture reconfiguration concepts, we introduce the notion of metamodes as a generic set of modes with a specific links between them. By doing so, the reconfiguration activities between metamodes are user-specified and the reconfiguration action between modes will be generated automatically. Within this development process, component application and reconfiguration properties are declaratively specified at model level and are transparent for the component implementation. An application is then described using UML and specialized extensions: MARTE profiles from the OMG and our proposal. As a proof of concept, we examine a test case that has reconfiguration requirements: a GPS.
Avascular jaw osteonecrosis in association with cancer chemotherapy: series of 10 cases.

BACKGROUND We present a series of 10 patients with osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) that appeared following cancer chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Of the 10 cases with ONJ, six had bone metastases from breast cancers and the other four had multiple myeloma. We analysed the location of bone metastases, as well as the characteristics of the ONJ, and the drugs with which they had been treated for their bone metastases. RESULTS Of the 10 patients, all had ONJ in the mandible; 50% also had maxillary involvement. The average number of areas of painful exposed was 2.1 per patient (range 1-5). In seven patients a tooth extraction preceded the onset of ONJ. Two patients developed oroantral communications and another a cutaneous fistula to the neck with suppuration. In all the 10 patients the histopatholological diagnosis was of chronic osteomyelitis without evidence of metastatic disease to the jaws. All the patients had received treatment for their malignant bone disease with bisphosphonates. These were the only drugs that all patients had received. CONCLUSION ONJ appears to have a relationship with the use of bisphosphonates.
Outcome of breast cancer in Iran: a study of Tehran Cancer Registry data.

BACKGROUND Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer among Iranian women. This study was conducted to define the outcome of breast cancer which had been registered by Tehran Cancer Registry. METHODS All Tehranian breast cancer which registered from 1998 to 2001 was selected; the repeated cases were excluded according to their common name, family name, and Father's name. A simple data collection form was used to complete the demographic and diagnostic time and survival situation of the cases by five educated technicians with using phone interviews with patients or their families. All data were entered in Access file and then exported to SPSS-11.5, for descriptive and analytic analysis, p value was significant under 0.05. Since there were some cases had not phone number or the phone numbers were not accessible; 360 cases were selected with Simple Random Sampling and their hospital files were reviewed to complete the demographic and location situations data. Kaplan- Meier regression model was used for computing the survival. RESULTS Of the 7098 records, 4416 records were interviewed by phone. This phone interviews were succeeded among 2358 cases; Tehranian and other cities were defined in 986 and 1372 records respectively. The Tehranian cases were estimated 36.9% (CI95%: 31.9%-41.8%). The mean age of patients was 51.3+/-12.5, 31.4% of them was under 40 years old, the incidence rate of breast cancer in 100,000 women was estimated 17.09 CI95% (15.67-18.50). Infiltrating duct carcinoma was the most morphology (68.4%). Right, left, and both breast involvement were seen in 48.6% CI95% (43.4%-53.8%), 46.1% CI95 %( 41.0%-51.2%), 0.3% CI95%(0.1%-0.5%) respectively. The tumor size over 2 centimeters was seen in 63.6% of cases at diagnostic time. Lymphadenopathy and metastasis were seen in 48.3% CI95% (43.1%-53.5%), and 19.7% CI95% (15.6%-23.8%) of cases. The median survival was 5.0 years CI95% (4.9 years-5.1 years). CONCLUSION This retrospective survival study was shown the seven years follow up from 1998 to 2005, women which were diagnosed in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001; 55.9%, 61.4%, 60.3%, 66% were alive respectively. Interventional projects for increasing the survival rate, early detection, and effective treatment of breast cancer were recommended.
The Detection of Parallel Arc Fault in Photovoltaic Systems Based on a Mixed Criterion

This paper presents the problem of parallel arc fault in the DC side of a photovoltaic (PV) system. First, an experimental platform for arc fault of a PV system was built to simulate the DC side parallel arc fault in the PV system. By extracting the current waveform at the exit of PV panels, a study was conducted on the characteristics of the current during parallel arc fault. The result of Fourier transform on the current suggests that the high-frequency component of the current mainly concentrates in the frequency range of 126–250 kHz. According to the analysis of arc fault characteristic in time domain and frequency domain, reversal current maximum, modulus maximum, and energy are chosen as the criteria to detect parallel arc fault. And finally, a mixed criterion is proposed to overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned criteria and its reliability is verified by experiments. It provides a theoretical basis for the detection of the parallel arc fault in the PV system.
Renal cell carcinoma in relation to cigarette smoking: Meta‐analysis of 24 studies

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 3% of adult deaths from cancer. The risk factors for its development are still under intense investigation. Although tobacco smoke is a risk factor, the data are inconsistent and the extent of the increased risk is unclear. Estimates from 19 case‐control and 5 cohort studies were used. The case‐control reports included 8,032 cases and 13,800 controls; the cohort estimates were based on 1,457,754 participants with 1,326 cases of RCC. The relative risk (RR) for RCC for ever smokers as compared to lifetime never smokers was 1.38 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27–1.50). The RR for male smokers was 1.54 (95% CI = 1.42–1.68) and for female smokers was 1.22 (95% CI = 1.09–1.36). For men and women there was a strong dose‐dependent increase in risk. Ever smoker men who had smoked 1–9, 10–20 or 21 or more cigarettes/day had a RR of 1.60 (95% CI = 1.21–2.12), 1.83 (95% CI = 1.30–2.57), or 2.03 (95% CI = 1.51–2.74), respectively. For women, the relative risks were 0.98 (95% CI = 0.71–1.35), 1.38 (95% CI = 0.90–2.11), or 1.58 (95% CI = 1.14–2.20), respectively. The advantages of smoking cessation were confirmed by a reduction in RR for those who had quit smoking for >10 years as compared to those who had quit for 1–10 years. Inhaled tobacco smoke is clearly implicated in the etiology of RCC, with a strong dose‐dependent increase in risk associated with numbers of cigarettes smoked per day and a substantial reduction in risk for long‐term former smokers. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Image texture classification using wavelet packet transform and probabilistic neural network

A new algorithm based on wavelet packet transform and singular value decomposition is proposed in this paper for classification of textures in the presence of noise. Lower singular values are affected more by noise than higher singular values, and hence only higher singular values are used to classify textures in the presence of noise. The probability density function of the selected singular values is then modeled as an exponential distribution, and the model parameter for the distribution is estimated using the maximum likelihood estimation technique. The model parameter, one for each subband is used as features for the classification. The classification is carried out using Weighted Probabilistic Neural Networks (WPNN). Compared to conventional probabilistic neural networks, WPNN includes weighting factors between pattern layer and summation layer of the conventional PNN. Performance of the algorithm is compared with `wavelet domain generalized Gaussian density based model' in terms of signal to noise ratio and classification rate. Experimental results prove that the proposed algorithm achieves better classification rate under noisy environment.
Protecting aquatic organisms from chemicals: the harsh realities

Tens of thousands of man-made chemicals are in everyday use in developed countries. A high proportion of these, or their transformation products, probably reach the aquatic environment. A considerable amount is known about the environmental concentrations of some of these chemicals (such as metals), especially the regulated ones, but little or nothing is known about the majority. In densely populated countries, most or all rivers will receive both diffuse (e.g. agricultural runoff) and point source (e.g. sewage treatment plant effluent) inputs, and hence be contaminated with complex, ill-defined mixtures of chemicals. Most freshwater organisms will be exposed, to varying degrees, to this contamination. The number of species exposed is in the thousands, and quite possibly tens of thousands. Little is known about whether or not these species are adversely affected by the chemicals present in their environment. Often it is not even known what species are present, let alone whether they are affected by the chemicals present. In a few high-profile cases (e.g. tributyl tin causing imposex in molluscs and oestrogens ‘feminizing’ male fish), chemicals have undoubtedly adversely affected aquatic species, occasionally leading to population crashes. Whether or not other chemicals are affecting less visible species (such as most invertebrates) is largely unknown. It is possible that only very few chemicals in the freshwater environment are adversely affecting wildlife, but it is equally possible that some effects of chemicals are, as yet, undiscovered (and may remain so). Nor it is clear which chemicals may pose the greatest risk to aquatic organisms. All these uncertainties leave much to chance, yet designing a regulatory system that would better protect aquatic organisms from chemicals is difficult. A more flexible and intelligent strategy may improve the current situation. Finally, the risk due to chemicals is put into context with the many other threats, such as alien species and new diseases that undoubtedly can pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems.
A systematic review of the influence of different titanium surfaces on proliferation, differentiation and protein synthesis of osteoblast-like MG63 cells.

OBJECTIVES Titanium is the standard material for dental and orthopaedical implants. The good biocompatibility has been proven in many experimental and clinical investigations. Different titanium topographies were tested in vitro using different cell culture models. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and summarize the medical/dental literature to assess on which kind of titanium surface structure the osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells MG63 show the best proliferation and differentiation rate, and the best protein synthesis. METHODS A systematic search was carried out using different on-line databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, International Poster Journal), supplemented by handsearch in selected journals and by examination of the bibliographies of the identified articles. Inclusion and exclusion criterias were applied when considering relevant articles. Studies which met the inclusion criteria were included and data extraction was undertaken by one reviewer. RESULTS The search yielded 348 references. Nine articles referring to nine different studies were relevant to our question. Additionally 8 less relevant articles were identified. It was found that regularly textured surfaces of pure titanium with R(a) values (average roughness) of around 4 mum are well-accepted by MG63 cells. CONCLUSIONS The surfaces and culture conditions vary widely. Therefore it is still difficult to recommend one particular surface. It seems that there are no differences in cell proliferation and differentiation on surfaces treated by blasting and etching. Standardization in fabrication and size of the different test surfaces as well as homogeneity in culture times and plating densities should be aspects for future research.
Dynamic transaction scheduling and reallocation in overloaded real-time database systems

We introduce a novel scheduling architecture with a new algorithm for dynamically resolving transient overloads, that is executed when a new transaction cannot be admitted to the system due to scarce resources. The resolver algorithm generates a cost effective overload resolution plan which, in order to admit the new transaction, finds the required time by de-allocating time among the previously admitted but not yet completed transactions. Considering the cost efficiency of executing the plan and the importance of the new transaction a decision is made whether to execute the plan and admit the new transaction, or to reject it. We consider a multi-class transaction workload consisting of hard critical and firm transactions, where critical transactions have contingency transactions that can be invoked during overloads. We present a performance analysis showing to what degree the overload resolver enforces predictability and ensures the timeliness of critical transactions when handling extreme overload scenarios in real-time database systems.
Cross-language transfer of phonological awareness.

A study investigated the factors influencing the English word identification performance of Spanish-speaking beginning readers. Beginning readers were administered tests of letter naming, Spanish phonological awareness, Spanish and English word recognition, and Spanish and English oral proficiency. Multiple-regression analyses revealed that the readers' performance on EngIish word and pseudoword recognition tests was predicted by the levels of both Spanish phonological awareness and Spanish word recognition, thus indicating cross-language transfer. In contrast, neither English nor Spanish oral proficiency affected word-identification performance. Results suggest a specific way in which first-language learning and experience can aid children in the beginning stages of reading
Dissolution Test for Silymarin Tablets and Capsules

Silybine (SBN), isosilybine (ISBN), silycristine (SCN), silydianine (SDN), and taxifoline (TXF) are the main active flavonoids commonly found in the dried fruits of Silybum marianum, Gaertner (Compositae). Concentrations of these compounds, except TXF, are usually expressed together as silymarin content. This paper describes a simple dissolution test developed to estimate silymarin (Sl) in pharmaceutical formulations. Five commercial products were tested using this new method (including tablets, sugar tablets, and capsules): two from Argentina, one from Brazil, one from Spain, and one from Italy. Results demonstrated that, provided the dosage form disintegrates, amounts dissolved range from 50 to 90% of the labeled value. Products were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV spectrophotometry.
Mechanisms That Regulate Epstein-Barr Virus EBNA-1 Gene Transcription during Restricted Latency Are Conserved among Lymphocryptoviruses of Old World Primates

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the only known human lymphocryptovirus (LCV), displays a remarkable degree of genetic and biologic identity to LCVs that infect Old World primates. Within their natural hosts, infection by these viruses recapitulates many key aspects of EBV infection, including the establishment of long-term latency within B lymphocytes, and is therefore a potentially valuable animal model of EBV infection. However, it is unclear whether these LCVs have adopted or maintained the same mechanisms used by EBV to express essential viral proteins, such as EBNA-1, in the face of cell-mediated repression of EBV gene expression that occurs upon establishment of the asymptomatic carrier state. To address this issue, we determined whether the endogenous LCVs of baboon (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 12) and rhesus macaque (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 15) have the functional equivalent of the EBV promoter Qp, which mediates exclusive expression of EBNA-1 during the restricted programs of EBV latency associated with the carrier state. Our results indicate that (i) both the baboon and rhesus macaque LCVs have a genomic locus that is highly homologous to the EBV Qp region, (ii) key cis-regulatory elements of Qp are conserved in these LCV genomes and compose promoters that are functionally indistinguishable from EBV Qp, and (iii) EBNA-1 transcripts identical in structure to EBV Qp-specific EBNA-1 mRNAs are present in nonhuman LCV-infected cells, demonstrating that these Qp homologs are indeed utilized as alternative EBNA-1 promoters. These observations indicate that the molecular mechanisms which regulate EBV gene expression during restricted latency have been conserved among the LCVs. The contribution of these mechanisms to viral persistence in vivo can now be experimentally tested in nonhuman primate models of LCV infection.
Lifespan Mental Activity Predicts Diminished Rate of Hippocampal Atrophy

Objective Epidemiological studies suggest that complex mental activity may reduce the risk for dementia, however an underlying mechanism remains unclear. Our objective was to determine whether individual differences in lifespan complex mental activity are linked to altered rates of hippocampal atrophy independent of global measures of neurodegeneration. Methods Thirty seven healthy older individuals had their complex mental activity levels estimated using the Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire (LEQ) and completed serial MRI investigations at baseline and three years follow-up. Hippocampal volume and semi-automatic quantitation of whole brain volume (WBV) and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) were compared at both time points. Results Higher LEQ scores were correlated with hippocampal volume independent of covariates at the three year follow-up stage (r = 0.43, p = 0.012). Moreover, those with higher LEQ scores experienced less hippocampal atrophy over the follow-up period (r = 0.41, p = 0.02). High LEQ individuals had less than half the hippocampal volume decline of low LEQ individuals in a multivariate analysis (F = 4.47, p = 0.042). No parallel changes were found in measures of WBV and WMHs. Conclusions High level of complex mental activity across the lifespan was correlated with a reduced rate of hippocampal atrophy. This finding could not be explained by general differences in intracranial volume, larger hippocampi at baseline, presence of hypertensive disease, gender or low mood. Our results suggest that neuroprotection in medial temporal lobe may be one mechanism underlying the link between mental activity and lower rates of dementia observed in population-based studies. Additional studies are required to further explore this novel finding.
Imaging OmpR localization in Escherichia coli

We have used a fusion of GFP to the response regulator OmpR to image the spatial distribution of OmpR in live cells of Escherichia coli. We observed foci of increased OmpR–GFP fluorescence that appear to be due to interactions with the histidine kinase EnvZ. We also observed colocalization of OmpR–GFP with clusters of plasmids carrying OmpR binding sites, which enabled us to develop a simple method for imaging the binding of OmpR to DNA in live cells. We used the peak fluorescence intensity within cells to quantify the extent of OmpR–GFP localization either due to interactions with EnvZ or due to binding DNA. With these assays we compared the effects of osmolarity and procaine, both of which are believed to modulate EnvZ activity. Our results suggest that, at least under our growth conditions, procaine activates EnvZ–OmpR signalling whereas osmolarity has, at best, a weak effect on the EnvZ–OmpR system.
Antiacetylcholinesterase and antioxidant ent -Kaurene diterpenoid, melissoidesin from Isodon wightii (Bentham) H. Hara

The ent kaurene diterpenoid, melissoidesin was isolated from the acetone extract of the leaves of Isodon wightii and the structure was designated as 3β, 11β, 15β-trihydroxy-6α-acetoxy-ent-kaur-16-ene based on spectral data and previous reports. Melissoidesin isolated from the acetone extract of leaves showed potent antiacetylcholinesterase activity and the IC50 value was observed as 215 µg mL−1. DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity of melissoidesin was significant and the IC50 value was 138 µg mL−1. The significant reducing property of the melissoidesin was stronger in high concentration. IC50 value of melissoidesin on hydroxyl radicals and metal chelation was observed as 99 and 143 µg mL−1, respectively. The 50% inhibitory concentration of melissoidesin on lipid peroxidation was calculated as 133 µg mL−1. These findings indicate that ent kaurene diterpenoid, melissoidesin was promising antiacetylcholinesterase and antioxidant which can be used as food and drug preparations.
Niche partitioning in the coevolution of 2 distinct RNA enzymes

Organisms that compete for limited resources within a common environment may evolve traits that allow them to exploit distinct ecological niches, thus enabling multiple species to coexist within the same habitat. The process of niche partitioning now has been captured at the molecular level, employing the method of continuous in vitro evolution. Mixed populations of 2 different “species” of RNA enzymes were made to compete for limited amounts of one or more substrates, with utilization of the substrate being necessary for amplification of the RNA. Evolution in the presence of a single substrate led to the extinction of one or the other enzyme, whereas evolution in the presence of 5 alternative substrates led to the accumulation of mutations that allowed each enzyme to exploit a different preferred resource. The evolved enzymes were capable of sustained coevolution within a common environment, exemplifying the emergence of stable ecological niche behavior in a model system. Biochemical characterization of the 2 evolved enzymes revealed marked differences in their kinetic properties and adaptive strategies. One enzyme reacted with its preferred substrate ≈100-fold faster than the other, but the slower-reacting species produced 2- to 3-fold more progeny per reacted parent molecule. The in vitro coevolution of 2 or more species of RNA enzymes will make possible further studies in molecular ecology, including the exploration of more complex behaviors, such as predation or cooperation, under controlled laboratory conditions.