Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
KNN model selection using modified Cuckoo search algorithm

In this paper, an automated model selection approach guided by Cuckoo search is proposed for k-nearest neighbor (KNN) learning algorithm. The performance of KNN mostly depends on the value of k and the distance metric used. The values of these parameters are computed by optimizing an objective function designed for measuring the classification accuracy of KNN. Cuckoo search being an efficient optimization technique has been used to optimize the value of k and select a distance metric among Euclidean, city-block, cosine, and correlation metrics for KNN classifier. Numerous experiments have been conducted on benchmark datasets to validate the performance of the proposed approach. Results demonstrate that the approach is practical and very efficient.
HCO reabsorption in renal collecting duct of NHE-3-deﬁcient mouse: a compensatory response

Soleimani. HCO 3 2 reabsorption in renal collecting duct of NHE-3-deﬁcient mouse: a compensatory response. Am. J. Physiol. 276 ( Renal Physiol. 45): F914–F921, 1999. —Mice with a targeted disruption of Na 1 /H 1 exchanger NHE-3 gene show signiﬁcant reduction in HCO 3 2 reabsorption in proximal tubule, consistent with the absence of NHE-3. Serum HCO 3 2 , however, is only mildly decreased (P. Schulties, L. L. Clarke, P. Meneton, M. L. Miller, M. Soleimani, L. R. Gawenis, T. M. Riddle, J. J. Duffy, T. Doetschman, T. Wang, G. Giebisch, P. S. Aronson, J. N. Lorenz, and G. E. Shull. Nature Genet. 19: 282–285, 1998), indicating possible adaptive upregulation of HCO 3 2 -absorbing transporters in collecting duct of NHE-3-deﬁcient (NHE-3 2 / 2 ) mice. Cortical collecting duct (CCD) and outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) were perfused, and total CO 2 (net HCO 3 2 ﬂux, J tCO2 ) was measured in the presence of 10 µM Schering 28080 (SCH, inhibitor of gastric H 1 -K 1 -ATPase) or 50 µM diethylestilbestrol (DES, inhibitor of H 1 -ATPase) in both mutant and wild-type (WT) animals. In CCD, J tCO2 increased in NHE-3 mutant mice (3.42 6 0.28 in WT to 5.71 6 0.39 pmol·min 2 1 ·mm tubule 2 1 in mutants, P , 0.001). The SCH-sensitive net HCO 3 2 ﬂux remained unchanged, whereas the DES-sensitive HCO 3 2 ﬂux increased in the CCD of NHE-3 mutant animals. In OMCD, J tCO2 in- creased in NHE-3 mutant mice (8.8 6 0.7 in WT to 14.2 6 0.6 pmol·min 2 1 ·mm tubule 2 1 in mutants, P , 0.001). Both the SCH-sensitive and the DES-sensitive HCO 3 2 ﬂuxes increased in the OMCD of NHE-3 mutant animals. Northern hybridiza- tions demonstrated enhanced expression of the basolateral Cl 2 /HCO 3 2 exchanger (AE-1) mRNA in the cortex. The gastric H 1 -K 1 -ATPase mRNA showed upregulation in the medulla but not the cortex of NHE-3 mutant mice. Our results indicate that HCO 3 2 reabsorption is enhanced in CCD and OMCD of NHE-3-deﬁcient mice. In CCD, H 1 -ATPase, and in the OMCD, both H 1 -ATPase and gastric H 1 -K 1 -ATPase contribute to the enhanced compensatory HCO 3 2 reabsorption in NHE-3-deﬁcient animals.
A Memory-Efficient Strategy for Exploring the Web

Search engines rely on Web crawlers to create an index of the Web. Web crawlers explore the Web downloading pages and finding links to new pages to be explored. At any given moment, there are a number of pages waiting to be downloaded in the crawler queue. We study the growth of this queue of pending pages during a crawl of a large subset of the Web. In a normal breadth-first crawler, the queue quickly grows very large. We present a strategy for managing the pending queue that reduces its maximum size by 50% while preserving the coverage and quality of the pages visited. This can be applied to general purpose Web crawlers as well as topic-specific crawling, peer-to-peer search, on-demand Web crawling, and other environments in which memory usage has to be kept to a minimum
Brain-Machine Interfaces for Space Applications

In human space flight, astronauts are the most precious "payload" and astronaut time is extremely valuable. Astronauts operate under unusual and difficult conditions since the absence of gravity makes some of simple tasks tedious and cumbersome. Therefore, computer interfaces for astronauts are generally designed first for safety and then for functionality. In addition to general constraints like mass, volume, robustness, technological solutions need to enhance their functionality and efficiency while not compromising safety. Brain-machine interfaces show promising properties in this respect. It is however not obvious that devices developed for functioning on-ground can be used as hands-free interfaces for astronauts. This paper intends to address the potential of brain-machine interfaces for space applications, to review expected issues related with microgravity effects on brain activities, to highlight those research directions on brain-machine interfaces with the perceived highest potential impact on future space applications, and to embed these into long-term plans with respect to human space flight. We conclude by suggesting research and development steps considered necessary to include brain-machine interface technology in future architectures for human space flight.
Application of the Stommel model to shallow Mediterranean estuaries and their characterization

During summer, the basins of shallow estuaries in mediterranean climates are usually vertically mixed, hypersaline, and sometimes inverse (in the sense of their densities being elevated above ocean values). These estuaries are commonly controlled by heat and salt exchange with the ocean. Because of the compensating effect of estuarine heating, the magnitude of the density inversion (due to hypersalinity) depends on the net surface buoyancy flux. The surface heat and evaporative fluxes are functions of the estuarine temperature and so the estuarine state (and its associated surface buoyancy flux) depends on the strength of the ocean exchange processes. A simple Stommel model of a summer mediterranean estuary is presented here in which this exchange is controlled by density-driven processes. The Stommel model has two possible stable stationary states and it is shown that the estuary can be characterized by four types of steady state. They include the familiar classical and inverse estuaries plus a solution, called “quasi-neutral”, in which the estuary is close to neutrality but just marginally inverse; that is, the net buoyancy flux is small and negative. This quasi-neutral solution resembles the steady state in Tomales Bay (California) in late summer and shows the characteristic high level of thermal compensation of the density inversion from hypersalinity. It also has the observed very long flushing time which is responsible for some of the environmental fragility of this class of estuary. This appears to be the first detailed confirmation of the applicability of the Stommel model to estuaries. The fourth type of estuarine state arises from the simultaneous existence of both stable states. It is here called “intermittent” and contains both the classical and a quasi-neutral Stommel solution. The type of estuarine state achieved by a narrow basin in autumn is highly dependent on its length and depth. This produces extreme sensitivity to changes in basin geometry from human influences.
EMATICS DURING STEADY UNDULATORY TH BASS , MICROPTERUS SALMOIDES

of the axial structures is the most general form of aquatic vertebrate locomotion. Consequently, many kinematic features of steady undulatory swimming have been well described for diverse groups of vertebrates (reviewed by Gray, 1968; Webb, 1975; Lindsey, 1978). Among different species and for different locomotor speeds within a single species, key features of undulatory swimming known to vary include the following: (1) the length of the body that is undulated, (2) the frequency of undulation, (3) the amplitude of lateral displacement, and (4) the length of the propulsive wave (Gray, 1968; Lindsey, 1978). Most attempts to relate these attributes of undulating organisms to their anatomy have concentrated on the distribution of external surface area (Webb, 1982, 1988). For the purposes of hydrodynamic modeling, external morphology and the parameters describing wave form and speed have generally been sufficient to make numerous predictions about the energetics and relative efficiency of different species, swimming speeds and wave However, to clarify the functional basis of undulatory swimming performance, it is also desirable to determine how internal morphology is related to externally visible movement. One particularly important kinematic variable for relating internal morphology to locomotor function is lateral bending (flexion) because the strain of the skin and axial muscles and 585 We used frame-by-frame analysis of high-speed videotapes to quantify midline kinematics during steady swimming in largemouth bass at five standardized speeds (0.7, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0 and 2.4 L s Ϫ1 , where L is total length). By combining morphological data from X-ray photographs with mathematical reconstructions of the midline of each fish, we determined the amplitude and timing of lateral displacement (zmax), lateral flexion (␤max) and the angle between the midline and the axis of forward travel (␪max) for each vertebral joint, the hypural bones and four equally spaced segments of the caudal fin rays. Analysis of variance revealed pervasive significant effects of both swimming speed and longitudinal location on variables describing amplitude, phase and wavelength. The amplitudes of zmax, ␤max and ␪max generally increased in a non-linear fashion from approximately 25 %L to the tip of the caudal fin, and the greatest speed-related increases occurred between 0.7 and 1.6 L s Ϫ1. For the snout, the first caudal vertebra and the trailing edge of the caudal fin, mean values of zmax increased with speed from 0.004 to 0.012 L, from 0.005 to 0.012 L and from 0.053 to 0.066 L, respectively. For joints …
Effects of particle size and coating on toxicologic parameters, fecal elimination kinetics and tissue distribution of acutely ingested silver nanoparticles in a mouse model

Abstract Consumer exposure to silver nanoparticles (AgNP) via ingestion can occur due to incorporation of AgNP into products such as food containers and dietary supplements. AgNP variations in size and coating may affect toxicity, elimination kinetics or tissue distribution. Here, we directly compared acute administration of AgNP of two differing coatings and sizes to mice, using doses of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight/day administered by oral gavage for 3 days. The maximal dose is equivalent to 2000× the EPA oral reference dose. Silver acetate at the same doses was used as ionic silver control. We found no toxicity and no significant tissue accumulation. Additionally, no toxicity was seen when AgNP were dosed concurrently with a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Between 70.5% and 98.6% of the administered silver dose was recovered in feces and particle size and coating differences did not significantly influence fecal silver. Peak fecal silver was detected between 6- and 9-h post-administration and <0.5% of the administered dose was cumulatively detected in liver, spleen, intestines or urine at 48 h. Although particle size and coating did not affect tissue accumulation, silver was detected in liver, spleen and kidney of mice administered ionic silver at marginally higher levels than those administered AgNP, suggesting that silver ion may be more bioavailable. Our results suggest that, irrespective of particle size and coating, acute oral exposure to AgNP at doses relevant to potential human exposure is associated with predominantly fecal elimination and is not associated with accumulation in tissue or toxicity.
In Vivo Occupancy of Mitochondrial Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein Supports the Strand Displacement Mode of DNA Replication

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes for proteins required for oxidative phosphorylation, and mutations affecting the genome have been linked to a number of diseases as well as the natural ageing process in mammals. Human mtDNA is replicated by a molecular machinery that is distinct from the nuclear replisome, but there is still no consensus on the exact mode of mtDNA replication. We here demonstrate that the mitochondrial single-stranded DNA binding protein (mtSSB) directs origin specific initiation of mtDNA replication. MtSSB covers the parental heavy strand, which is displaced during mtDNA replication. MtSSB blocks primer synthesis on the displaced strand and restricts initiation of light-strand mtDNA synthesis to the specific origin of light-strand DNA synthesis (OriL). The in vivo occupancy profile of mtSSB displays a distinct pattern, with the highest levels of mtSSB close to the mitochondrial control region and with a gradual decline towards OriL. The pattern correlates with the replication products expected for the strand displacement mode of mtDNA synthesis, lending strong in vivo support for this debated model for mitochondrial DNA replication.
Prestige Affects Cultural Learning in Chimpanzees

Humans follow the example of prestigious, high-status individuals much more readily than that of others, such as when we copy the behavior of village elders, community leaders, or celebrities. This tendency has been declared uniquely human, yet remains untested in other species. Experimental studies of animal learning have typically focused on the learning mechanism rather than on social issues, such as who learns from whom. The latter, however, is essential to understanding how habits spread. Here we report that when given opportunities to watch alternative solutions to a foraging problem performed by two different models of their own species, chimpanzees preferentially copy the method shown by the older, higher-ranking individual with a prior track-record of success. Since both solutions were equally difficult, shown an equal number of times by each model and resulted in equal rewards, we interpret this outcome as evidence that the preferred model in each of the two groups tested enjoyed a significant degree of prestige in terms of whose example other chimpanzees chose to follow. Such prestige-based cultural transmission is a phenomenon shared with our own species. If similar biases operate in wild animal populations, the adoption of culturally transmitted innovations may be significantly shaped by the characteristics of performers.
Oral anticoagulation and hemorrhagic complications in an elderly population with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND Warfarin sodium therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation markedly reduces the incidence of embolic stroke. However, in elderly patients warfarin therapy is often underused owing to the perceived higher risk of hemorrhagic complications. OBJECTIVES To assess the quality of anticoagulant control and the incidence of hemorrhagic complications and stroke in an elderly population (>75 years old) compared with a younger control group (between 60 and 69 years) and to assess the quality of anticoagulant control and incidence of hemorrhagic complications in those patients who recently commenced receiving warfarin therapy (first year of therapy). PATIENTS AND METHODS In this retrospective follow-up study, anticoagulant control and the incidence of hemorrhagic complications and stroke were assessed in an elderly population (>75 years old) compared with a younger control group (between 60 and 69 years), all with atrial fibrillation(target international normalized ratio [INR] 2.5) and attending a hospital outpatient anticoagulant clinic. RESULTS A total of 328 patients were studied over a 21-month period. There were 204 patients in the control group providing 288 patient-years of follow-up and 124 patients in the elderly group providing 170 patient-years of follow-up. The percentage of INR results in the target range was not statistically significantly different between the elderly and control groups (71.5% vs 66.1%) and the occurrences of incidences of INR greater than 7 were 4.2% in the control group and 4.7% in the elderly group (P =.96). The incidences of major hemorrhage were 2.8% per year in the elderly group and 2.9% per year in the control group (P =.96); overall incidence was 2.8% (95% confidence interval, 1.3%-4.4%). One hundred one of the 328 patients studied commenced warfarin therapy during or within 3 months of the start of the study. In this induction group, 62.1% of INRs were within the target range compared with 70.9% of INRs in patients who had been receiving warfarin therapy for more than 3 months at the start of the study (P =.002). The incidences of INR greater than 7 and major hemorrhage were 7.9% per year and 6.9% per year, respectively, in the cohort who recently began warfarin therapy compared with 3.4% per year and 1.7% per year in the group who were receiving warfarin therapy for more than 3 months. CONCLUSION While it was impossible to consider any selection bias at the level of referral to the clinic, these findings suggest that the elderly population attending our anticoagulant clinic did not have poorer anticoagulant control or an increased incidence of hemorrhage while receiving warfarin therapy.
Possible of Piercement structures, local unconformities, and secondary basins in the Eastern Geosyncline, New Zealand

Summary Piercement structures, local unconformities, and secondary sedimentary basins observed in the Eastern Geosyncline are often closely associated with transcurrent fault-zones. Spasmodic and uneven transcurrent movement along these faultzones is thought to be responsible for the features. Their probable development is shown diagrammatically.
Broadly neutralizing human antibody that recognizes the receptor-binding pocket of influenza virus hemagglutinin

Seasonal antigenic drift of circulating influenza virus leads to a requirement for frequent changes in vaccine composition, because exposure or vaccination elicits human antibodies with limited cross-neutralization of drifted strains. We describe a human monoclonal antibody, CH65, obtained by isolating rearranged heavy- and light-chain genes from sorted single plasma cells, coming from a subject immunized with the 2007 trivalent influenza vaccine. The crystal structure of a complex of the hemagglutinin (HA) from H1N1 strain A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 with the Fab of CH65 shows that the tip of the CH65 heavy-chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) inserts into the receptor binding pocket on HA1, mimicking in many respects the interaction of the physiological receptor, sialic acid. CH65 neutralizes infectivity of 30 out of 36 H1N1 strains tested. The resistant strains have a single-residue insertion near the rim of the sialic-acid pocket. We conclude that broad neutralization of influenza virus can be achieved by antibodies with contacts that mimic those of the receptor.
Volatility modelling and prediction by hybrid support vector regression with chaotic genetic algorithms

In this paper, a new econometric model of volatility is proposed using hybrid Support Vector machine for Regression (SVR) combined with Chaotic Genetic Algorithm (CGA) to fit conditional mean and then conditional variance of stock market returns. The CGA, integrated by chaotic optimization algorithm with Genetic Algorithm (GA), is used to overcome premature local optimum in determining three hyperparameters of SVR model. The proposed hybrid SVRCGA model is achieved, which includes the selection of input variables by ARMA approach for fitting both mean and variance functions of returns, and also the searching process of obtaining the optimal SVR hyperparameters based on the CGA while training the SVR. Real data of complex stock markets (NASDAQ) are applied to validate and check the predicting accuracy of the hybrid SVRCGA model. The experimental results showed that the proposed model outperforms the other competing models including SVR with GA, standard SVR, Kernel smoothing and several parametric GARCH type models.
Face recognition system using skin detection in RGB and YCbCr color space

In this paper, we present a face recognition system using skin segmentation as feature reduction. Human Skin detection reduces the face region research in the image. In addition, color skin is a robust information face to rotation; scale and illumination variation. Skin regions are extracted using a set of bounding rules based on the skin color distribution obtained from a training set. The proposed RGB-YCbCr skin color model for skin region segmentation was evaluated on a set of three databases. The set was choice in a controlled and uncontrolled environment. Two classifiers are studied to build our face recognition system; the K nearest neighbor applied for each channel of the segmented image, whereas the second used the Principal component analysis PCA as reduction method followed by knn classifier. Best recognition rate were obtained for the first classifier.
A correction method for nonlinear artifacts in CT imaging

This work presents a new method to reduce nonlinear artifacts in computed tomography (CT). Based on the traditional water-equivalent beam hardening correction method, a new systematic iterative algorithm has been designed to modify the original spectrum, which is under the influences of certain added filter materials and some unknown factors. By incorporating the characters of polychromatic beam hardening and the insensibility and nonuniformity of detectors into consideration, a new polynomial function curve is calculated. The curve can calibrate CT raw data and reduce the nonlinear artifacts, such as shading artifacts, dark artifacts, cupping artifacts and ring artifacts, in soft tissue. Comparing with the traditional water-equivalent correction, results show that this method can significantly improve the image quality. Meanwhile, the method is pre-processing and will not increase the normal reconstruction time. That is, all the time-consuming works can be done before scanning patients. However, it is still depending on the size of phantoms currently used, and more detailed works need to be done in the future.
Modeling, Testing and Economic Analysis of a Wind-Electric Battery Charging Station

Battery charging systems are very important in many developing countries where rural families cannot afford a solar-battery home system or other electricity options, but they can afford to own a battery (in some cases more than one battery) and can pay for it to be charged on a regular basis. Because the typical households that use batteries are located far from the grid, small wind battery charging stations can be a cost-competitive options for charging batteries. However, the technical aspects of charging numerous 12-volt batteries on one DC bus with a small permanent magnet alternator wind turbine suggest that a special battery charging station be developed. NREL conducted research on two different types of wind battery charging stations: a system that uses one charge controller for the entire DC bus and charges batteries in parallel strings of four batteries each, and one that uses individual charge controllers for each battery. The authors present test results for both system configurations. In addition, modeling results of steady-state time series simulations of both systems are compared. Although the system with the single charge controller for the entire bus is less expensive, it results in less efficient battery charging. The authors also include inmore » the paper a discussion of control strategies to improve system performance and an economic comparison of the two alternative system architectures. « less