Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Look who's talking: communication and quorum sensing in the bacterial world

For many years bacteria were considered primarily as autonomous unicellular organisms with little capacity for collective behaviour. However, we now appreciate that bacterial cells are in fact, highly communicative. The generic term ‘quorum sensing’ has been adopted to describe the bacterial cell-to-cell communication mechanisms which co-ordinate gene expression usually, but not always, when the population has reached a high cell density. Quorum sensing depends on the synthesis of small molecules (often referred to as pheromones or autoinducers) that diffuse in and out of bacterial cells. As the bacterial population density increases, so does the synthesis of quorum sensing signal molecules, and consequently, their concentration in the external environment rises. Once a critical threshold concentration has been reached, a target sensor kinase or response regulator is activated (or repressed) so facilitating the expression of quorum sensing-dependent genes. Quorum sensing enables a bacterial population to mount a co-operative response that improves access to nutrients or specific environmental niches, promotes collective defence against other competitor prokaryotes or eukaryotic defence mechanisms and facilitates survival through differentiation into morphological forms better able to combat environmental threats. Quorum sensing also crosses the prokaryotic–eukaryotic boundary since quorum sensing-dependent signalling can be exploited or inactivated by both plants and mammals.
Video-based feature extraction techniques for isolated arabic sign language recognition

This paper presents various spatio-temporal feature extraction techniques with applications to recognition of isolated Arabic sign language (ArSL) gestures. The temporal features of a video-based gesture are extracted through forward image predictions. The prediction errors are thresholded and accumulated into one image that represents the sequence motion. The motion representation is then followed by spatial domain feature extractions, namely; 2-D DCT followed by zonal coding or Radon transformation followed by ideal low pass filtering of the projected spatial features. The proposed feature extraction scheme was complemented by simple classification techniques, namely, KNN and Bayesian classifiers. Experimental results showed superior classification performance ranging from 97% to 100% recognition rates. To validate our proposed technique, we conducted a series of experiments using the classical way of classifying data with temporal dependencies. Namely, hidden Markov models (HMMs). Here, the features are the consecutive binarized image differences, each of which is followed by spatial domain feature extraction schemes. Experimental results revealed that the proposed feature extraction scheme combined with simple KNN or Bayesian classification yields comparable results to the classical HMM-based scheme.
Fate of the nuclear lamina during Caenorhabditis elegans apoptosis.

Invertebrates and in Drosophila, lamins and lamin-associated proteins are primary targets for cleavage by caspases. Eliminating mammalian lamins causes apoptosis, whereas expressing mutant lamins that cannot be cleaved by caspase-6 delay apoptosis. Caenorhabditis elegans has a single lamin protein, Ce-lamin, and a caspase, CED-3, that is responsible for most if not all somatic apoptosis. In this study we show that in C. elegans embryos induced to undergo apoptosis Ce-lamin is degraded surprisingly late. In such embryos CED-4 translocated to the nuclear envelope but the cytological localization of Ce-lamin remained similar to that in wild-type embryos. TUNEL labeling indicated that Ce-lamin was degraded only after DNA is fragmented. Ce-lamin, Ce-emerin, or Ce-MAN1 were not cleaved by recombinant CED-3, showing that these lamina proteins are not substrates for CED-3 cleavage. These results suggest that lamin cleavage probably is not essential for apoptosis in C. elegans.
Lag, drag, void and use—heap profiling and space-efficient compilation revisited

The context for this paper is functional computation by graph reduction. Our overall aim is more efficient use of memory. The specific topic is the detection of dormant cells in the live graph --- those retained in heap memory though not actually playing a useful role in computation. We describe a profiler that can identify heap consumption by such 'useless' cells. Unlike heap profilers based on traversals of the live heap, this profiler works by examining cells postmortem. The new profiler has revealed a surprisingly large proportion of 'useless' cells, even in some programs that previously seemed space-efficient such as the boot-strapping Haskell compiler nhc.
A System to Capture , Share and Access Personal Memories

This paper presents a system to access personal memories composed by digital pictures. The system consists of a retrieval engine, a desktop interface to share personal memories and a mobile user interface that allows capture and automatic annotation of images. The retrieval engine uses Global Positioning System (GPS) location data, low-level visual features and semantic concepts previously trained to retrieve images. With the mobile interface people can capture, share personal pictures and navigate in the physical space when visiting historical sites, museums and other touristic activities using their Personal Digital Assistants (PDA). The visitors can take photos and submit them to the system to receive contextually related photos taken by others or themselves. Experimental results are presented to show the performance of the retrieval mechanisms and the usefulness of the navigation system.
Oscillations in routing and chaos

The human brain is one of the most complex structures known to mankind, and arguably the most elaborate biological system that ever evolved. Studying such complex machinery whose precision and efficiency we witness in the simplest of acts, is a fascinating challenge. Neuroscience, as a historically rather young discipline, has adopted from the classical divisions of the natural sciences a wide array of experimental and theoretical approaches. A detailed account of the components, from the molecular level to the circuitry, is complemented by more abstract descriptions which aim to dissect the fundamental ingredients of neuronal dynamics. The large variety of approaches and complimentary levels of description add dimensions to the understanding of the brain and constantly reshape our view of the object of study. One among the possible perspectives, and that which was taken in this thesis, is to devote effort to studying classes of models that are broadly constrained by the statistics of the experimentally reported neuronal dynamics, and to investigate their implications on information transmission. Another possible perspective, which composes the last fraction of this work, is to dissect the elements that lead to the emergence of a certain dynamical behavior in models that allow one to make rigorous statements about their dynamics, in the hope that future research can push forward its frontiers.
Optical spectroscopy of high proper motion stars: new M dwarfs within 10 pc and the closest pair of subdwarfs

ABSTRACT We present spectra of 59 nearby stars candidates, M dwarfs and white dwarfs, pre-viously identiﬁed using high proper motion catalogues and the DENIS database. Wereview the existing spectral classiﬁcation schemes and spectroscopic parallax calibra-tions in the near-infrared J-band and derive spectral types and distances of the nearbycandidates. 42 stars have spectroscopic distances smaller than 25 pc, three of thembeing white dwarfs. Two targets lie within 10 pc, one M8 star at 10.0 pc (APMPMJ0103-3738), and one M4 star at 8.3 pc (LP 225-57). One star, LHS 73, is found to beamong the few subdwarfs lying within 20 pc. Furthermore, together with LHS 72, itprobably belongs to the closest pair of subdwarfs we know.Key words: Galaxy: solar neighbourhood – stars: late type – white dwarfs – subd-warfs 1 INTRODUCTIONRecent discoveries of cool objects, such as M stars orbrown dwarfs, closer than 5 parsecs show that even theimmediate solar neighbourhood sample is still incomplete(Delfosse et al. 2001; Scholz et al. 2003; Teegarden et al.2003; Hambly et al. 2004). Henry et al. (1997) estimated that about 130 systemsover 359 (36%) are missing within 10 pc. The missing frac-tion is even larger within 25 pc (63%) with a deﬁcit of about3500 systems over the 5500 expected ones (Henry et al.2002). Statistical comparisons from the local sample in thenorthern hemisphere led to a less pessimistic result, the cur-rent 10 pc sample being ∼75% complete (Reid et al. 2003a). New surveys in the near infrared such as DENIS(Epchtein et al. 1997) and 2MASS (Cutri et al. 2003) pro-vide unprecedented data for a systematic search for low lu-minosity cool dwarfs. The use of these data together withhigh proper motion catalogues is a powerful tool for discover-ing our neighbours. Hundreds of stars closer than 25 parsecshave been discovered this way (e.g. Phan-Bao et al. 2001,2003; Reid & Cruz 2002; Reid et al. 2002; Reyl´e et al. 2002;Reid et al. 2003b, 2004; Hambly et al. 2004; Reyl´e & Robin2004; Lodieu et al. 2005; Scholz et al. 2005). As spectroscopy provides much more information thanphotometry alone, spectroscopic observations were also car-ried out to identify and classify nearby stars. Recent studies
Agricultural Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Developing Countries : Policy Options for Innovation and Technology Diffusion

In 2008 the International Food & Agricultural Trade Policy Council (IPC) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) launched The ICTSD-IPC Platform on Climate Change, Agriculture and Trade. This interdisciplinary platform of climate change, agricultural and trade experts seeks to promote increased policy coherence to ensure effective climate change mitigation and adaptation, food security and a more open and equitable global food system. Publications include:
Poisson Developable Surfaces

Recurring to some excellent geometric and algebraic properties of Poisson curves, we present an algorithm that generates a developable Poisson surface through a Poisson curve of arbitrary degree. The technique is based on necessary and su‐cient conditions for a developable surface, degree elevation formula of a Poisson curve and linear independence of Poisson basis. Some common transcendental surfaces are represented as Poisson developable surfaces accurately.
An Association Rules and Sequential Rules Based Recommendation System

Nowadays, more and more researches focus on how to provide products for customers based on their interests. Recommendation system in electronic is one of the applications that are based on such mechanism.We designed and implemented an electronic commerce recommendation system used both association rules and sequential rules which is called ASRS(Association rules and Sequential rules based Recommendation System). Compared with conventional methods, more useful results can be found for using the ASRS.
A classification of argument types for product aesthetics

This paper focuses on the creative process of designing products with aesthetic qualities. Within this creative process, the paper focuses on the kinds of argumentation that designers use to justify aesthetic qualities of design objects. A distinctive feature of such arguments is the highly subjective nature of aesthetic preferences. Therefore, instead of actual observable phenomena, the focus is always on someone's subjective opinion. To address this issue, a basis is taken in established argumentation models, which are transformed into the described context. The proposed classification's fit with the reality of industrial designers was investigated through a series of interviews with industrial designers. The studies illustrated that all the eight developed argument types are, in fact, applied in practice.
Role for nitric oxide in the hyperpermeability and hemodynamic changes induced by intravenous VEGF.

PURPOSE To explore the effects of brief intravenous (IV) infusion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on vascular albumin permeability, blood flow, and vascular conductance (blood flow normalized to arterial blood pressure) in ocular tissues and brain and to assess the role of nitric oxide in mediating these changes. METHODS A quantitative, double-tracer, radiolabeled albumin permeation method was combined with radiolabeled microspheres for assessment of changes in vascular permeability and blood flow, respectively, induced in ocular tissues by IV infusion of recombinant human VEGF165 for 20 minutes (80-450 picomoles/kg body weight). An inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 50 micromoles/kg body weight infused simultaneously with VEGF), was used to explore the role of nitric oxide in mediating the vascular changes induced by VEGF. RESULTS Infusion of VEGF165 in thiopental-anesthetized rats dose-dependently increased 125I albumin permeation in the retina, anterior uvea, and choroid/sclera and in brain, aorta, lung, kidney, small intestine, and peripheral nerve. Mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and stroke volume were decreased only at the highest dose of VEGF, whereas heart rate remained unchanged. Blood flow was increased in the anterior uvea, and vascular conductance was increased in retina, anterior uvea, choroid/sclera, and brain at the highest dose of VEGF. The NOS inhibitor, L-NMMA, blocked VEGF-induced vascular hyperpermeability in all ocular and nonocular tissues, prevented the increase in vascular conductance in all ocular tissues, and blocked the decrease in mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and stroke volume. Infusion of L-NMMA alone decreased vascular conductance in choroid/sclera and kidney, slightly increased mean arterial blood pressure, and in general, did not affect 125I-albumin permeation. (L-NMMA slightly decreased albumin permeation in the retina and increased it in the brain.) CONCLUSIONS Intravenous infusion of VEGF can acutely impair endothelial cell barrier functional integrity and relax resistance arterioles in ocular tissues and brain through a mechanism involving activation of NOS.
Spectral curves, emergent geometry, and bubbling solutions for Wilson loops

We study the supersymmetric circular Wilson loops of = 4 super Yang-Mills in large representations of the gauge group. In particular, we obtain the spectral curves of the matrix model which captures the expectation value of the loops. These spectral curves are then proven to be precisely the hyperelliptic surfaces that characterize the bubbling solutions dual to the Wilson loops, thus yielding an example of a geometry emerging from an eigenvalue distribution. We finally discuss the Wilson loop expectation value from the matrix model and from supergravity.
School-Based Improvement--Are We Ready?.

S chool-based improv ement holds the promise of producing sub stantial positive change in our schools, yet it is a complex process involving new expectations and roles and the hazards present whenever we alter familiar practices. Being ready for . school-based improvement requires a reorientation in the way we think and operate in our schools and at the district level. It means moving many decisions about improvement out of the central office and into the schools. It also means changes in the roles of personnel in the district. But central office staff often find it difficult to visualize ways to manage site-based improvement without loss of accountability, diminished empha sis on district goals, and loss of con sistency throughout the system. We are fairly familiar with how each school can develop improvement goals and select improvement pro grams. We are less clear about what to do about district goals, what to require of all schools and what to make op tional; what specific procedures to use to develop school-based plans, and how the roles of the board of educa tion and all district personnel will change as the control of resources and decision making moves increasingly to the school A Proposed Process Based on extensive review of policies and procedures and on discussions and interviews with district adminis trators and staff development person nel in three urban school districts and one suburban district, 1 we have iden tified some procedures that have promise for managing school-based improvement within a district. The four districts had several factors in common. First, each superintendent was deeply committed to improving instruction in the schools Second, each district was moving toward par ticipatory management and decentral
The need for interactional scenarios in grounded language learning

This study addresses the experiential basis for grounded language learning experiments and the role interaction plays in such experiments; while recent studies concern the grounding of linguistic structure in sensorimotor experience and through dialogue games, no attention so far has been paid to interaction as a domain of experience, which constitutes the basis for constructions such as grammatical mood. The grounding of these constructions can however only take place in interactional learning scenarios.
A wearable folding display for self-expression

This paper proposes the design rationale of a wearable display that is able to convey the behavioral typology of its wearers by merging insights from wearable computing, aesthetic visualization, and electronic fashion. This display acts as an electronically enhanced and dynamically changing form of self-expression, which can be integrated with daily clothing. The data mapping approach is based on historical behavior data retrieved via built-in accelerometer, microphone and infrared sensors. By aesthetical encrypting this personal data, the actual meaning of the display can only be interpreted by people that are intrinsically motivated to learn it, and have had a long-term exposure to it. Conceptually, the display is based on the dynamic folding of consecutive layers of fabric, which creates emergent visual patterns that subtly change over time. A first prototype has been implemented which will ultimately lead to a deployment of several interconnected devices in a real social context, to evaluate its social acceptance and its effectiveness in augmenting human self-expression and promoting social networking.
Developing Attention and Decreasing Affective Bias: Towards a Cross-Cultural Cognitive Science of Mindfulness

The study of consciousness was banished from respectable science with the rise of behaviorism in the early 20th century. Beginning in the 1980s, however, researchers in cognitive science began to return to the topic (e.g., Baars, 1988; Chalmers, 1996; Crick & Koch, 1990; Dennett, 1991), In recent decades, there has been an explosion of research on the neurophysiological processes underlying conscious experience (Tononi & Koch, 2008), as well as the ways in which attention (Mole, Smithies, & Wu, 2011) and emotion (Barrett, Mesquita, Ochsner, & Gross, 2007) shape conscious experience. We think that this research climate is beneficial for understanding the nature and benefits of mindfulness meditation because advances in the cognitive science of consciousness provide an important but as yet underused resource for deepening our understanding of how contemplative attentiontraining practices function in traditional Buddhist and modern clinical contexts. Mindfulness meditation is traditionally said to be part of a process of “awakening” (bodhi). In keeping with this idea, many teachers characterize mindfulness as involving one’s becoming more conscious of subtle bodily stimuli and emotional C H A P T E R 3
Unexpected Behavior of Some Nitric Oxide Modulators under Cadmium Excess in Plant Tissue

Various nitric oxide modulators (NO donors - SNP, GSNO, DEA NONOate and scavengers – PTIO, cPTIO) were tested to highlight the role of NO under Cd excess in various ontogenetic stages of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Surprisingly, compared to Cd alone, SNP and PTIO elevated Cd uptake (confirmed also by PhenGreen staining) but depleted glutathione (partially ascorbic acid) and phytochelatins PC2 and PC3 in both older plants (cultured hydroponically) and seedlings (cultured in deionised water). Despite these anomalous impacts, fluorescence staining of NO and ROS confirmed predictable assumptions and revealed reciprocal changes (decrease in NO but increase in ROS after PTIO addition and the opposite after SNP application). Subsequent tests using alternative modulators and seedlings confirmed changes to NO and ROS after application of GSNO and DEA NONOate as mentioned above for SNP while cPTIO altered only NO level (depletion). On the contrary to SNP and PTIO, GSNO, DEA NONOate and cPTIO did not elevate Cd content and phytochelatins (PC2, PC3) were rather elevated. These data provide evidence that various NO modulators are useful in terms of NO and ROS manipulation but interactions with intact plants affect metal uptake and must therefore be used with caution. In this view, cPTIO and DEA NONOate revealed the less pronounced side impacts and are recommended as suitable NO scavenger/donor in plant physiological studies under Cd excess.
Coordination of Massively Concurrent Activities Coordination of Massively Concurrent Activities

Massively parallel and distributed systems open new horizons for large applications and present new challenges for software technology. Many applications already take advantage of the increased raw computational power provided by such parallel systems to yield significantly shorter turnaround times. However, the availability of so many processors to work on a single application presents a new challenge to software technology: coordination of the cooperation of large numbers of concurrent active entities. Classical views of concurrency in programming languages that are based on extensions of the sequential programming paradigm are ill-suited to meet this challenge. Exploiting the full potential of massively parallel systems requires programming models that explicitly deal with the concurrency of cooperation among very large numbers of active entities that comprise a single application. In practice, the concurrent applications of today essentially use a set of ad hoc templates to coordinate the cooperation of their active components. This shows the lack of proper coordination languages that can be used to explicitly describe complex cooperation protocols in terms of simple primitives and structuring constructs. In this paper we present a generic model of communication and describe a speciic control-oriented coordination language based on this model. The important characteristics of this model include compositionality, which it inherits from the data-ow model, anonymous communication , and separation of computation concerns from communication concerns. These characteristics lead to clear advantages in large concurrent applications.
A virtual platform for multiprocessor real-time embedded systems

This paper presents a virtual platform for the development and test of application software, low-level software, and hardware components for an MPSoC (Multiprocessor System-on-Chip) platform, where components are interconnected by a network-on-chip (NoC). The environment is aimed at the development of multithread real-time embedded applications in Java language. Communication and task management services are provided that are able to deal with real-time restrictions, following the RTSJ standard. SystemC models are used to describe processors and network connections that have equivalent descriptions in VHDL. Performance and power / energy evaluation are made possible, helping to shorten cycles for embedded system development, integration, and test.