Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An algebraic semantics for bidirectional model synchronization

The goal of the present document is to support the taxonomy for bidirectional model synchronization developed in [1] with a formal semantics. The taxonomy is 3D so that each synchronization type is characterized by a triple of coordinates (x, y, z), in which x classifies the organizational symmetry of the case, y is for the informational symmetry, and z is for incrementality of the update propagation operations. Different types of delta lenses (algebraic structures modeling bx) can be classified by points on the YZ-plane. As for the x-coordinate, it says, roughly, whether update propagation is unior bi-directional, but as it was shown in [1], there are several important refinements of the twovalued uni, bi-classification so that actually axis X has four rather than two points. A formal semantics for the enriched X-classification seems to be an entirely novel aspect for the (delta) lens literature. There are also several contributions for the very delta lens framework within the plane YZ. First of all, we build a product line of delta lenses so that each concrete delta lens structure is characterizes by two parameters. To this end, we will build a framework in which an asymmetric delta lens appears as a special case of the symmetric one, which is in a sense dual to the Johnson and Rosebrugh construction, in which a symmetric lens is presented as a span of asymmetric lenses [2]. The second novelty is more essential: we present lax versions of major lens laws of compositionality (the infamous PutPut), and invertibility.
Optimization of Imperative Functional Parallel Programs with Non-local Program Transformations

Functional programming is among paradigms used for the real-world parallel application development. PSI of RAS during a considerable period of time develops the T-System approach based on functional programming. This paper briefly describes the architecture of the ACCT compiler system targeted at performing transformations of the TSystem programs. An algorithm for nonlocal optimizing transformation of a typical parallel application solving massively parallel problem in the T-System is presented. The author finally mentions several opportunities of other possible applications of the proposed architecture.
Sight enhancement through video fusion in a surveillance system

In this paper we consider the problem of fusing two video streams acquired by an RGB camera and a sensor operating in the long wave infrared (LWIR). The application of interest is area surveillance and the fusion process aims at enhancing the human perception of the monitored scene. We propose a fusion procedure where the background and the moving objects are separated and fused by means of different strategies. With respect to standard video fusion techniques this approach has the advantage of reducing the computational load and mitigating the rapid brightness variations in the fused video. It is also less sensitive to the presence of noise. We discuss the experimental results obtained on a typical area surveillance scenario and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. For this purpose, the analysis is carried out both subjectively, in terms of visual quality of the fused video stream and objectively, in terms of standard image quality indexes. The computational load is also evaluated.
The pathogenicity of thymidine kinase-deficient mutants of herpes simplex virus in mice

Summary The pathogenicity for mice of two mutants of herpes simplex virus (type 1 and type 2), which fail to induce thymidine kinase, were compared with their respective parent strains. The mutants were much less virulent than the parents following either intracerebral or peripheral inoculation. The replication of the virus at the site of inoculation and its progression into the nervous system were studied. Following a very large inoculum in the ear, the type 1 mutant was found to establish a latent infection in the cervical dorsal root ganglia. Mice inoculated intracerebrally with small doses of the mutant viruses were solidly immune to challenge with lethal doses of the parent strain.
Role of MKK 3 and p 38 MAPK in cytokine-induced death of insulin-producing cells

The aim of the present investigation was to elucidate further the importance of p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) in nitric oxideand cytokine-induced β-cell death. For this purpose, isolated human islets were treated with d-siRNA (diced small interfering RNA) and then exposed to the nitric oxide donor DETA/NONOate [2,2′-(hydroxynitrosohydrazono)bis-ethanamine]. We observed that cells treated with p38α-specific d-siRNA, but not with d-siRNA targeting GL3 (a firefly luciferase siRNA plasmid) or PKCδ (protein kinase Cδ), were protected against nitric oxide-induced death. This was paralleled by an increased level of Bcl-XL (B-cell leukaemia/lymphoma-X long). For an in-depth study of the mechanisms of p38 activation, MKK3 (MAPK kinase 3), MKK6 and their dominant-negative mutants were overexpressed in insulin-producing RIN-5AH cells. In transient transfections, MKK3 overexpression resulted in increased p38 phosphorylation, whereas in stable MKK3-overexpressing RIN-5AH clones, the protein levels of p38 and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) were decreased, resulting in unaffected phospho-p38 levels. In addition, a long-term MKK3 overexpression did not affect cell death rates in response to the cytokines interleukin-1β and interferon-γ , whereas a short-term MKK3 expression resulted in increased cytokine-induced RIN5AH cell death. The MKK3-potentiating effect on cytokineinduced cell death was abolished by a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and MKK3-stimulated p38 phosphorylation was enhanced by inhibitors of phosphatases. Finally, as the dominant-negative mutant of MKK3 did not affect cytokine-induced p38 phosphorylation, and as wild-type MKK3 did not influence p38 autophosphorylation, it may be that p38 is activated by MKK3/6independent pathways in response to cytokines and nitric oxide. In addition, it is likely that a long-term increase in p38 activity is counteracted by both a decreased expression of the p38, JNK and p42 genes as well as an increased dephosphorylation of p38.
Sociocultural Variables Associated with Parental Rejection in Parents of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth: The Impact on LGB Youth Adjustment

of a thesis at the University of Miami. Parental rejection of LGB youth appears to be common and has been found to negatively affect the adjustment of LGB youth. Factors associated with parental rejection, however, have not been thoroughly examined in the literature thus far. Therefore, the current study investigated if sociocultural variables, specifically homonegativity, gender role beliefs, and disgust sensitivity, are associated with parental rejection and, furthermore, if parental rejection mediate the relationship between these sociocultural variables and LGB youth adjustment. Participants in the multi-ethnic sample included 93 parents of LGB youth (ages 32-71) and 93 LGB youth (ages 14-25). Parental homonegativity and traditional gender role beliefs, but not disgust sensitivity, were found to be positively associated with parental rejection. Parental rejection was found to be a mediator for some youth adjustment outcomes, specifically internalizing problems and personal adjustment. Implications for future research and clinical work with this population are discussed.
Antioxidant activities and bioactive compounds of five Jalopeno peppers (Capsicum annuum) cultivars

Abstract The present study was designed to evaluate the contents of different antioxidants compounds and their antioxidant activities in Jalopeno peppers (Capsicum annuum) cultivars (El Dorido, Grande, Tula, Sayula and El Rey) extracts. Free radical scavenging activity of Grande was recorded as high as 87% followed by El Dorido (83%). Results of reducing power (Fe3+ to Fe2+) showed that Grande (0.85%) and El Dorido (0.81%) fruit extract absorbance value were close to synthetic antioxidant BHT (0. 97%) obtained at100 μg/mL. The results showed that total phenolic content of El Dorido and Grande were significantly higher compared to other Jalapeno pepper. Results indicated strong and positive correlation between antioxidant activity and carotenoids content (r = 0.75), vitamin C (r = 0.78) and total capsaicinoids (r = 0.84), respectively. The results of the antioxidant activity assays showed that the El Dorido and Grande had strongest antioxidant activity compared to other peppers cultivars in this study.
Sensory Perception through an Electro-tactile Stimulus Array on the Tongue

This paper details an investigation into sensory substitution by means of direct electrical stimulation of the tongue for the purpose of information input to the human brain. In particular, a device has been constructed and a series of trials have been performed in order to demonstrate the efficacy and performance of an electro-tactile array mounted onto the tongue surface for the purpose of sensory augmentation. Tests have shown that by using a low resolution array a computer-human feedback loop can be successfully implemented by humans in order to complete tasks such as object tracking, surface shape identification and shape recognition with no training or prior experience with the device. Comparisons of this technique have been made with visual alternatives and these show that the tongue based tactile array can match such methods in convenience and accuracy in performing simple tasks.
Determinants and Impact of ICT Use for African SMEs Implications for Rural South Africa

Center for Development Research (ZEF Bonn) Walter Flex-Str. 3 D-53113 Bonn s.wolf@uni-bonn.de Paper prepared for TIPS Forum 2001 August 2001 This paper draws on collaborative work undertaken in East Africa by the Center for Development Research (ZEF Bonn) with financial support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The collaborating Universities from East Africa included, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Kenyatta and Maseno (Kenya). I would like Dr. Francis Matambalya for valuable input and Alan Hirsch, Joachim von Braun, Dietrich Muller-Falcke and participants of the DESG-IESG Annual conference 2001 for comments on earlier drafts of the paper. The remaining errors are mine.
3DMIN - Challenges and Interventions in Design, Development and Dissemination of New Musical Instruments

This paper presents challenges in the design, development and dissemination of electronic and digital musical instruments as they were identified within a newly established interdisciplinary research project. These challenges, covering a range of theoretical, artistic and practical perspectives, fall into the categories Embracing Technology, Musicology-informed Design, Researching and Integrating Embodiment and Aesthetics and Artistic Values. We illustrate, how the research project provides interventions and measures to the community that are related to these challenges. Furthermore we intend to investigate conditions for the success of new musical instruments with respect to their design and both their scientific and artistic values.
INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB (AVASTIN) TREATMENT OF PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY COMPLICATED BY VITREOUS HEMORRHAGE

Purpose: To report the short-term anatomic and visual acuity response after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy complicated by vitreous hemorrhage. Methods: Two patients with vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy were treated with at least one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab 1.25 mg in 0.05 mL. The patients underwent Snellen visual acuity testing, ophthalmoscopic examination, and fluorescein angiography at baseline and follow-up visits. Results: Both patients had proliferative diabetic retinopathy with vitreous hemorrhage extensive enough to preclude panretinal photocoagulation. Following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab both patients experienced improvement in visual acuity starting within the first week. At 1 month of follow-up one patient had 2 lines of improvement in visual acuity and the other 5 lines. Each patient had regression of retinal neovascularization at 1 month of follow-up. Repeat injection was given to one patient at the 1-month follow-up because of slight leakage from neovascularization on the nerve, and to the other patient at 3 months because the retinal neovascularization showed early signs of reperfusion. The vitreous hemorrhage in each patient showed partial resolution at 1 week and nearly complete regression at 1 month. No adverse events were observed in either patient. Conclusions: Initial treatment results of patients with vitreous hemorrhage and proliferative diabetic retinopathy did not reveal any short-term safety concerns. Intravitreal bevacizumab resulted in marked regression of neovascularization and rapid resolution of vitreous hemorrhage. The favorable short-term results suggest further study is needed in a larger group of patients.
Autoantigens act as tissue‐specific chemoattractants

We have investigated the chemoattractant properties of self‐antigens associated with autoimmune diseases and solid tumors. Many autoantigens induced leukocyte migration, especially by immature dendritic cells (iDC) by interacting with various chemoattractant Gi‐protein‐coupled receptors (GiPCR). Our initial observation that myositis‐associated autoantigens, histidyl‐tRNA synthetase and asparaginyl‐tRNA synthetase, were chemotactic for CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5)‐ and CCR3‐expressing leukocytes, while other nonautoantigenic aminoacyl‐tRNA synthesases were not, suggested that only self‐antigens capable of interacting with receptors on antigen‐presenting cells were immunogenic. We next determined that self‐antigens associated with autoimmune diseases, e.g., multiple sclerosis or experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, type I diabetes, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune uveitis, or experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), were chemotactic for GiPCR expressed by iDC. The majority of autoantigens were DC chemoattractants at 10–100 ng/ml, but did not induce DC maturation until they reached 1000‐fold higher concentrations. Interphotoreceptor retinoid‐binding protein and retinal arrestin (S‐antigen) are targets of autoantibodies in human uveitis and are chemotactic for CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5)‐ and/or CXCR3‐expressing iDC. However, although S‐antigen does not induce EAU in wild‐type mice, it is nevertheless a chemoattractant for murine iDC. These unexpected observations suggested that the chemotactic activity of these tissue‐specific self‐antigens could be involved in promotion of tissue repair and restoration. Thus, the primary role of autoantigens may be to alert the immune system to danger signals from invaded and damaged tissues to facilitate repair, and autoimmune responses subsequently develop only in subjects with impaired immunoregulatory function.
Differentiation criterion for classes of network service

This paper proposes a criterion with which to differentiate classes of service on the basis of an available bandwidth metric. As the service classes are differentiated in terms of their available bandwidth values, the difference between neighboring classes must be proportional to the square of the available bandwidth of the current class. This statement is equivalent to saying that the difference in packet delay between neighboring service classes is constant. The ratios connecting minimum delay, network jitter and packet proportion are derived for different classes. Experiments carried out using an NS-2 network simulator illustrate the efficiency of the proposed criterion.
Matrix Converter Induction Motor Drive Employing Direct Torque Control Method

The presented paper deals with the implementation of the Switching Table Based Direct Torque Control (ST-DTC) in the matrix converter-fed induction motor drive. In order to improve the control of the matrix converter input power factor, the use of the simplifled Indirect Space Vector Modulation (ISVM) was proposed. To verify the feasibility of the proposed solution, experimental results were presented.
Using Rank-Metric Codes for Error Correction in Random Network Coding

It is shown that the error correction problem in random network coding is closely related to a generalized decoding problem for rank-metric codes. This result enables many of the rich tools devised for the rank metric to be naturally applied to random network coding. The generalized decoding problem introduced in this paper allows partial information about the error to be supplied. This partial information can be either in the form of erasures (knowledge of an error location but not its value) or deviations (knowledge of an error value but not its location). For Gabidulin codes, an efficient decoding algorithm is proposed that can correct e errors, mu erasures and v deviations, provided 2isin + mu + v les d - 1, where d is the minimum distance of the code.
Molecular Cloning, Expression and Characterization of BmIDGF Gene from Bombyx mori

Imaginal disc growth factors (IDGF) play a key role in insect development, but their mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we cloned a novel IDGF gene in Bombyx mori and designated it as BmIDGF. We found that the BmIDGF gene contains eight exons and seven introns, encoding a peptide of 434 amino-acid residues. The protein was predicted to contain one conserved motif of the glycosyl hydrolases family 18 and fall into group V chitinases. Sequence alignment showed that BmIDGF shares extensive homology with other invertebrate IDGF. RT-PCR analysis showed that BmIDGF is expressed in all developmental stages of silkworm larvae and various larvae tissues, which was further confirmed by Western blot analysis. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that BmIDGF is located in the extracellular space. We also successfully expressed it in E. coli and further characterized it by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Taken together, our data suggests that BmIDGF is a chitinase-like extracellular protein, and provides an excellent platform for subsequent studies on its enzyme activity and role in B. mori development
Peer-to-Peer Tangible Goods Rental

We present a game-theoretic model of online tangible private goods rental. Rental mechanisms adhering to this model are classified according to whether their principals and transfer paths are centralized or peer-to-peer. A key issue in all cases is providing incentives for participants to accurately report on quality of the rented good. Our main contribution is a novel mechanism for the situation in which the principal is independent of the owners of goods available in the market and in which goods are transferred directly between renters. We show that it is possible to set mechanism parameters—payments and penalty functions—so that truthful reporting of the quality of goods is a Nash equilibrium.
Odorant Receptor Expression Defines Functional Units in the Mouse Olfactory System

Odorant receptors (ORs) mediate the interaction of odorous compounds with olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and influence the guidance of OSN axons to synaptic targets in the olfactory bulb (OB). OSNs expressing the same OR send convergent axonal projections to defined glomeruli in the OB and are thought to share the same odorant response properties. This expectation of functional similarity has not been tested experimentally, because it has not been possible to determine reproducibly the response properties of OSNs that express defined ORs. Here, we applied calcium imaging to characterize the odorant response properties of single neurons from gene-targeted mice in which the green fluorescent protein is coexpressed with a particular OR. We show that the odorants acetophenone and benzaldehyde are agonists for the M71 OR and that M71-expressing neurons are functionally similar in their response properties across concentration. Replacing the M71 coding sequence with that of the rat I7 OR changes the stimulus response profiles of this genetically defined OSN population and concomitantly results in the formation of novel glomeruli in the OB. We further show that the mouse I7 OR imparts a particular response profile to OSNs regardless of the epithelial zone of expression. Our data provide evidence that ORs determine both odorant specificity and axonal convergence and thus direct functionally similar afferents to form particular glomeruli. They confirm and extend the notion that OR expression provides a molecular basis for the formation and arrangement of glomerular functional units.
HIV/Human herpesvirus co-infections: Impact on tryptophan-kynurenine pathway and immune reconstitution

Background Co-infections with human herpesvirus (HHV) have been associated with residual chronic inflammation in antiretroviral (ART)-treated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. However, the role of HHV in modulating the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway and clinical outcomes in HIV-infected individuals is poorly understood. Thus, we investigated the seroprevalence of four common HHVs among treated HIV-infected participants and their impact on kynurenine/tryptophan (K/T) ratio and long-term CD4 T-cell recovery in HIV/HHV co-infected participants. Method In this cross-sectional study, HIV-infected participants receiving suppressive ART for a minimum of 12 months were recruited from the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia. Stored plasma was analyzed for CMV, VZV, HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG antibody levels, immune activation markers (interleukin-6, interferon-γ, neopterin and sCD14), kynurenine and tryptophan concentrations. The influence of the number of HHV co-infection and K/T ratio on CD4 T-cell recovery was assessed using multivariate Poisson regression. Results A total of 232 HIV-infected participants were recruited and all participants were seropositive for at least one HHV; 96.1% with CMV, 86.6% with VZV, 70.7% with HSV-1 and 53.9% with HSV-2. K/T ratio had a significant positive correlation with CMV (rho = 0.205, p = 0.002), VZV (rho = 0.173, p = 0.009) and a tendency with HSV-2 (rho = 0.120, p = 0.070), with CMV antibody titer demonstrating the strongest modulating effect on K/T ratio among the four HHVs assessed in SOM analysis. In multivariate analysis, higher K/T ratio (p = 0.03) and increasing number of HHV co-infections (p<0.001) were independently associated with poorer CD4 T-cell recovery following 12 months of ART initiation. Conclusion Multiple HHV co-infections are common among ART-treated HIV-infected participants in the developing country setting and associated with persistent immune activation and poorer CD4 T-cell recovery.