Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single amino acid substitution in Plasmodium yoelii erythrocyte ligand determines its localization and controls parasite virulence

The major virulence determinant of the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium yoelii, has remained unresolved since the discovery of the lethal line in the 1970s. Because virulence in this parasite correlates with the ability to invade different types of erythrocytes, we evaluated the potential role of the parasite erythrocyte binding ligand, PyEBL. We found 1 amino acid substitution in a domain responsible for intracellular trafficking between the lethal and nonlethal parasite lines and, furthermore, that the intracellular localization of PyEBL was distinct between these lines. Genetic modification showed that this substitution was responsible not only for PyEBL localization but also the erythrocyte-type invasion preference of the parasite and subsequently its virulence in mice. This previously unrecognized mechanism for altering an invasion phenotype indicates that subtle alterations of a malaria parasite ligand can dramatically affect host–pathogen interactions and malaria virulence.
pigs Relative bioavailability of phosphorus in inorganic phosphorus sources fed to growing

The relative bioavailability of P in 5 sources of inorganic P was determined using growing pigs. The 5 sources of inorganic P were dicalcium phosphate (DCP), monocalcium phosphate (MCP) containing 50% MCP (MCP50), MCP containing 70% MCP (MCP70), MCP containing 100% MCP (MCP100), and monosodium phosphate (MSP). A total of 11 diets were formulated. The basal diet was formulated to contain 0.10% P, and 10 additional diets were formulated by adding 0.07 or 0.14% P from each of the 5 P sources to the basal diet. Growing pigs (n = 44; initial BW: 16.8 ± 4.3 kg) were individually housed and randomly allotted to the 11 experimental diets. Feed was provided on an ad libitum basis throughout the 28-d experimental period. At the conclusion of the experiment, all pigs were killed, and 4 bones (i.e., the third and fourth metacarpals on both front feet) were harvested. Bone-breaking strength, bone ash, and Ca and P concentrations were determined. The concentration of bone ash increased (P < 0.05) as MCP50, MCP70, MCP100, or MSP were added to the basal diet, and the concentration of bone P also increased (P < 0.05) as MCP70, MCP100, or MSP were added to the basal diet. The relative bioavailability of P in each of the feed phosphates was determined using slope ratio methodologies based on breaking strength, and expressed relative to MSP. The slope of the regression line for diets containing MSP or MCP100 was steeper (P < 0.05) than the slope for pigs fed the diet containing DCP, but not different (P > 0.05) from that of pigs fed diets supplemented with MCP50 or MCP70. In conclusion, P in MSP and MCP100 is more bioavailable than P in DCP, but there were no differences within MCP sources.
Architectural-Level Risk Analysis Using UML

Risk assessment is an essential part in managing software development. Performing risk assessment during the early development phases enhances resource allocation decisions. In order to improve the software development process and the quality of software products, we need to be able to build risk analysis models based on data that can be collected early in the development process. These models will help identify the high-risk components and connectors of the product architecture, so that remedial actions may be taken in order to control and optimize the development process and improve the quality of the product. In this paper, we present a risk assessment methodology which can be used in the early phases of the software life cycle. We use the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and commercial modeling environment Rational Rose Real Time (RoseRT) to obtain UML model statistics. First, for each component and connector in software architecture, a dynamic heuristic risk factor is obtained and severity is assessed based on hazard analysis. Then, a Markov model is constructed to obtain scenarios risk factors. The risk factors of use cases and the overall system risk factor are estimated using the scenarios risk factors. Within our methodology, we also identify critical components and connectors that would require careful analysis, design, implementation, and more testing effort. The risk assessment methodology is applied on a pacemaker case study.
Thermal Performance Analysis of the Molecular Linkers in the Carbon Nanotube Composites under Stress Conditions

The influence of the stress type, stress size and polymer chain number on the thermal performance of the molecular linker was investigated by the nonequilibrium molecular dynamics method (NEMD). The results demonstrate that the thermal conductivity of molecular linker first increases and then decreases with an increment in tension because of the interaction between the phonon mean free path and spectrum red-shifted of the molecular linker. While the molecular linker is in compression, the thermal conductivity is linear relationship with the magnitude of the force. With the length compressed to 90%, the thermal conductivity can be decreased 70% maximally. Moreover, increasing the polymer chain number can improve effectively the thermal performance and the anti-deformation ability of the molecular linker.
Accelerated surface plasmon resonance biosensing by surface acoustic waves microstreaming

This paper describes our design incorporating surface plasmon resonance biosensing and surface acoustic wave active microfluidic mixing, integrated on a single LiNbO3 piezoelectric substrate. Validation experiments show that surface acoustic wave-induced microstreaming results in significant accelerated binding kinetics in a case of a standard avidin-biotin affinity assay.
Nafion – Azole Composite Membranes for High Temperature PEMFC

Nafion-azole (benzimidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-triazole) composite membranes were prepared by room temperature and autoclave solution processing for high temperature (above 100 °C) PEMFC. Among the various Nafion – azole composite membranes, Nafion – 1,2,3-triazole membrane showed excellent flexibility, thermal stability, and homogeneous structure. Nafion – 1,2,4-triazole composite membrane had high thermal and mechanical properties, and also showed high proton conductivity of 0.02 S/cm at the temperature of 160 °C under dry (N2) condition.
Shock Absorber Design and Analysis of a Catapult-Spherical Reconnaissance Robot

Aim at the shock absorber general weak of spherical robot, design of a new shock absorber structure of the spherical detection robot, the robot have two shock absorption system include rubber with metal bonding reticulated spherical shell and telescopic shock absorber spring, at same time contact the internal parts with soft material. All these measures are to protect the internal parts in robot dropping or throwing process from bigger impact. Derivation it with kinematics and dynamics formula, simulate and experiment proved shock absorber mechanism has a good shock absorber performance. This design can effectively protect the internal parts of the spherical robot.
Atrial Fibrillation

Copyright © 2013 Natig Gassanov et al. is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Atrial �brillation (AF) is the most common clinically important cardiac arrhythmia. e prevalence of AF roughly doubles with each advancing decade of age, from 0.5% at age of 50–59 years to almost 9% at age of 80–89 years [1]. AF is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. us, AF is a signi�cant risk factor for ischemic stroke and accounts for 15–20% of all strokes [2]. Considering the clinical relevance of AF, this journal initiated a special issue dealing with the recent developments in AF over the past few years. is issue contains important work—both review and original articles—addressing the epidemiology, economic impact of AF, and new therapeutic/diagnostic developments and their potential clinical implications. e general therapeutic strategies in AF include heart rate or rhythm control and anticoagulation. Current drugs used for AF therapy have major limitations, including incomplete efficacy and risks of life-threatening proarrhythmic events and bleeding complications. However, there have been several recent advancements in therapy of AF. ey included the availability of new anticoagulants, such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, as well as guideline changes to incorporate the catheter-based isolation of pulmonary veins (PV) as a class IIa/A indication [3]. Since the �rst paper evidencing the role of PV as triggers of AF [4], various ablation techniques targeting PV (focal ablation, PV isolation, circumferential antral ablation, cryoballoon) were introduced into clinical practice [5, 6]. ough PV isolation by catheter-based radiofrequency ablation has become an effective treatment option in AF, the studies on long-term outcomes are still limited and less encouraging. Recently, F. Ouyang et al. examined 5-year outcomes in paroxysmal AF and found that sinus rhythm was present in 46.6% of patients aer one procedure [7]. Long-term outcome data aer catheter ablation for persistent AF are even less favourable [8]. ese data highlight important aspects of catheter ablation, in particular the need for improved tools for patient selection, energy delivery for durable transmural lesions, and more studies on long-term outcomes and the management of very late recurrences as mediators of initial procedural approach re�nement. Radiological investigations such as CT scan or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) can demonstrate the complex LA anatomy very well in all three dimensions and should reduce …
Wearable systems for monitoring mobility-related activities in older people: a systematic review

Objective: The use of wearable motion-sensing technology offers important advantages over conventional methods for obtaining measures of physical activity and/or physical functioning in aged individuals. This review aims to identify the actual state of applying wearable systems for monitoring mobility-related activity in older populations. In this review we focus on technologies and applications, research designs, feasibility and adherence aspects, and clinical relevance of wearable motion-sensing technology. Data sources: PubMed (MEDLINE since 1990), Ovid (BIOSIS, CINAHL), and Cochrane (Central) and reference lists of all relevant articles were searched. Review methods: Two authors independently reviewed randomized and non-randomized trials on people above 65 years systematically. Quality of selected articles was scored and study results were summarised and discussed. Results: Two hundred and twenty-seven abstracts were considered. After application of inclusion criteria and full text reading, 42 articles were taken into account in a full text review. Twenty of these papers evaluated walking with step counters, other papers used varying accelerometry approaches for obtaining overall activity measures (n = 16), or for monitoring changes in body postures and activity patterns (n = 17). Seven studies explicitly mentioned feasibility and/or adherence aspects. Eight studies presented outcome evaluations of interventions. Eight articles were representing descriptive research designs, three articles were using mixed descriptive and exploratory research designs, 23 articles used exploratory research-type designs, and eight articles used experimental research designs. Conclusion: Although feasible methods for monitoring human mobility are available, evidence-based clinical applications of these methods in older populations are in need of further development.
Association between exhaled breath condensate nitrate + nitrite levels with ambient coarse particle exposure in subjects with airways disease

Objectives Studies of individual inflammatory responses to exposure to air pollution are few but are important in defining the most sensitive markers in better understanding pathophysiological pathways in the lung. The goal of this study was to assess whether exposure to airborne particles is associated with oxidative stress in an epidemiological setting. Methods The authors assessed exposure to particulate matter air pollution in four European cities in relation to levels of nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) measurements in 133 subjects with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using an EBC capture method developed for field use. In each subject, three measurements were collected. Exposure measurements included particles smaller than 10 μm (PM10), smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and particle number counts at a central site, outdoors near the subject's home and indoors. Results There were positive and significant relationships between EBC NOx and coarse particles at the central sampling sites (increase of 20.4% (95% CI 6.1% to 36.6%) per 10 μg/m3 increase of coarse particles of the previous day) but not between EBC NOx and other particle measures. Associations tended to be stronger in subjects not taking steroid medication. Conclusions An association was found between exposure to ambient coarse particles at central sites and EBC NOx, a marker of oxidative stress. The lack of association between PM measures more indicative of personal exposures (particularly indoor exposure) means interpretation should be cautious. However, EBC NOx may prove to be a marker of PM-induced oxidative stress in epidemiological studies.
The Capabilities and Vulnerabilities of the Cloud

Cloud computing is currently a growing sector in IT. This paper will outline the steps involved in developing and deploying a secure application to a cloud environment. A series of penetration tests will be conducted and the results analysed and documented accordingly. A further purpose of this paper is to expose security issues in the cloud and provide solutions to resolve or reduce the impact of the issues on the client.
Identifying Most Walkable Direction for Navigation in an Outdoor Environment

We present an approach for identifying the most walkable direction for navigation using a hand-held camera. Our approach extracts semantically rich contextual information from the scene using a custom encoder-decoder architecture for semantic segmentation and models the spatial and temporal behavior of objects in the scene using a spatio-temporal graph. The system learns to minimize a cost function over the spatial and temporal object attributes to identify the most walkable direction. We construct a new annotated navigation dataset collected using a hand-held mobile camera in an unconstrained outdoor environment, which includes challenging settings such as highly dynamic scenes, occlusion between objects, and distortions. Our system achieves an accuracy of 84% on predicting a safe direction. We also show that our custom segmentation network is both fast and accurate, achieving mIOU (mean intersection over union) scores of 81 and 44.7 on the PASCAL VOC and the PASCAL Context datasets, respectively, while running at about 21 frames per second.
Isoproterenol and myocardial O2 supply/consumption in hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy.

Myocardial oxygen supply, O2 consumption (MVO2) and function were determined during base-line and isoproterenol infusion (0.5 microgram.kg-1.min-1) 30 days after New Zealand White rabbits were prepared as one-kidney, one-clip (1K,1C) Goldblatt hypertensive or uninephrectomized (sham) controls. Coronary blood flow and cardiac output, using radioactive microspheres, and small vessel O2 saturations, using microspectrophotometry, were measured in hypertrophied and nonhypertrophied hearts. After 30 days, 33% myocardial hypertrophy was evident in the 1K,1C animals. Base-line blood pressure was significantly higher in the 1K,1C animals compared with sham controls and remained higher during isoproterenol infusion. Base-line heart rate was not different between animal groups, and heart rate increased in both groups during isoproterenol. Cardiac output was similar between sham and 1K,1C animals during base-line conditions (316 +/- 40 vs. 365 +/- 51 ml/min, respectively). After isoproterenol, cardiac output increased in the sham animals (494 +/- 119 ml/min) but not in the 1K,1C group (317 +/- 85 ml/min). Isoproterenol elevated MVO2 threefold in both the sham and 1K,1C animals. Coronary blood flow was significantly increased to similar levels in both animal groups. O2 extraction significantly increased during isoproterenol in both groups. Therefore, impaired cardiac function was evident during isoproterenol stress in the hypertrophied myocardium independent of myocardial O2 supply or consumption restrictions.
Foundations for Smarter Cities

This paper describes the information technology (IT) foundation and principles for Smarter Cities™. Smarter Cities are urban areas that exploit operational data, such as that arising from traffic congestion, power consumption statistics, and public safety events, to optimize the operation of city services. The foundational concepts are instrumented, interconnected, and intelligent. Instrumented refers to sources of near-real-time real-world data from both physical and virtual sensors. Interconnected means the integration of those data into an enterprise computing platform and the communication of such information among the various city services. Intelligent refers to the inclusion of complex analytics, modeling, optimization, and visualization in the operational business processes to make better operational decisions. This approach enables the adaptation of city services to the behavior of the inhabitants, which permits the optimal use of the available physical infrastructure and resources, for example, in sensing and controlling consumption of energy and water, managing waste processing and transportation systems, and applying optimization to achieve new efficiencies among these resources. Additional roles exist in intelligent interaction between the city and its inhabitants and further contribute to operational efficiency while maintaining or enhancing quality of life.
Configurations everywhere: implications for testing and debugging in practice

Many industrial systems are highly-configurable, complicating the testing and debugging process. While researchers have developed techniques to statically extract, quantify and manipulate the valid system configurations, we conjecture that many of these techniques will fail in practice. In this paper we analyze a highly-configurable industrial application and two open source applications in order to quantify the true challenges that configurability creates for software testing and debugging. We find that (1) all three applications consist of multiple programming languages, hence static analyses need to cross programming language barriers to work, (2) there are many access points and methods to modify configurations, implying that practitioners need configuration traceability and should gather and merge metadata from more than one source and (3) the configuration state of an application on failure cannot be reliably determined by reading persistent data; a runtime memory dump or other heuristics must be used for accurate debugging. We conclude with a roadmap and lessons learned to help practitioners better handle configurability now, and that may lead to new configuration-aware testing and debugging techniques in the future.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL RESPONSES OF PEAR AND ALMOND TREES TO FLUORIDE AIR POLLUTION

The effect of fluoride air pollution on the morphology and anatomy of the leaves of almond (Prunus dulcis) and pear (Pyrus communis) trees was studied by regular field observations of trees growing in the vicinity of a phosphate fertilizer producing factory. In almond leaves, the damage appeared from the beginning of the growing season and consisted of apical brick-yellow necroses that extended to the leaf margins. In pear leaves, the necroses were not as frequent and appeared later as apical burns. The lower pear leaf surfaces appeared to be covered with a layer of white dust which was difficult to remove. Chemical analysis of the whitish dust layer deposited on the lower surface of the pear leaves and of the necrotic, healthy, leaf stalk, and internodal areas of pear leaves, from both the polluted and non-polluted areas, indicated a mechanism of excluding excessive fluoride to the outside the leaf followed by its removal through leaching, thus allowing the plant to maintain the photosynthetic integrity of its remaining leaf area. Our results suggest the possibility of trapping fluoride ions by calcium, most likely in the form of CaF2. The damage seemed to appear when calcium was in deficit. Anatomical sections of polluted almond and pear leaves revealed several structural changes induced in response to the fluoride air pollution involving: (i) an elongation in the mesophyll palisade cells, (ii) a disruption in the mesophyll spongy cells, with this being more pronounced in pear leaves, and (iii) a decrease in epidermal cell size associated with thickening of the cuticle. These changes demonstrate the tendency of these species to develop survival strategies in the restrictive condition imposed by the pollution. The presence of morphologically recognizable damage on almond leaves due to fluoride air pollution suggests that almond leaves may be a suitable bio-indicator of fluoride air pollution.
Why increasing longevity may favour a PAYG pension system over a funded system

When pension systems are contrasted it is common to use simplified demographic models, such as overlapping generation models with time-invariant mortality. Breaking with this tradition, we show that for a population with increasing longevity, the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) system may be more advantageous than a funded system (FS). Increasing longevity favours the PAYG system because for the workers living longer at retirement than current retirees, it is less costly to fund others’ current pensions than their own. At present, the effect amounts to around 15 per cent in terms of the dependency ratio, or six more years at work in the FS, or 1 per cent per annum in terms of the real interest rate. In most developed countries the effect substantially exceeds that of the usually studied biological interest rate.
08391 Working Group Summary - Analyzing Tag Semantics Across Tagging Systems

The objective of our group was to exploit state-of-the-art Information Retrieval methods for finding associations and dependencies between tags, capturing and representing differences in tagging behavior and vocabulary of various folksonomies, with the overall aim to better understand the semantics of tags and the tagging process. Therefore we analyze the semantic content of tags in the Flickr and Delicious folksonomies. We find that: tag context similarity leads to meaningful results in Flickr, despite its narrow folksonomy character; the comparison of tags across Flickr and Delicious shows little semantic overlap, being tags in Flickr associated more to visual aspects rather than technological as it seems to be in Delicious; there are regions in the tag-tag space, provided with the cosine similarity metric, that are characterized by high density; the order of tags inside a post has a semantic relevance.