Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Jaspis^2 - an architecture for supporting distributed spoken dialogues

In this paper, we introduce an architecture for a new generation of speech applications. The presented architecture is based on our previous work with multilingual speech applications and extends it by introducing support for synchronized distributed dialogues, which is needed in emerging application areas, such as mobile and ubiquitous computing. The architecture supports coordinated distribution of dialogues, concurrent dialogues, system level adaptation and shared system context. The overall idea is to use interaction agents to distribute dialogues, use an evaluation mechanism to make them dynamically adaptive and synchronize them by using a coordination mechanism with triggers and transactions. We present experiences from several applications written on top of the freely available architecture.
Effect of Contaminated Suspended Solids on Water and Sediment Qualities and Their Treatment

Suspended solids (SS) have been discharged into water areas such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. The SS adsorb various contaminants such as heavy metals and nutrients and also form sediments by sedimentation. Therefore, contaminated SS will be able to influence not only the water quality, but also the sediment quality. In order to understand the effect of contaminated SS on the water and the sediment, SS and sediment samples were obtained from the des Hurons River in Canada. In addition, laboratory filtration tests were performed to develop a technique for removal of the SS. A downward filtration system was used with a nonwoven geotextile as a filter medium. The apparent opening size (AOS) and the thickness of the filter were 150 μm and 0.2 cm, respectively. For the investigation, the results showed that both SS and the sediments contained heavy metals with concentrations in the SS higher. In particular, zinc concentrations of the SS were approximately from two to five times higher than the Canadian guideline for sediments. In addition, it was found that SS concentrations were associated with chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phosphorus (T-P) concentrations. Therefore, it was found that SS can play an important role in the water and the sediment qualities. The laboratory filtration tests showed the SS were reduced from 32 mg/L to 2 mg/L or less by the nonwoven filter. Thus, SS removal will improve not only the water quality, but also the quality of the bottom sediments.
Cloning of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha cDNA from chick embryonic ventricular myocytes.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is composed of HIF-1alpha and arylhydrocarbon nuclear receptor translocator (ARNT), which belong to the basic-helix-loop-helix-Per/ARNT/Sim (bHLH-PAS) family of transcription factors. HIF plays key roles in oxygen homeostasis and embryonic cardiovascular development. In this study, we have cloned cDNAs encoding the chick HIF-1alpha from cultured embryonic ventricular myocytes (CEVM) and then examined its expression in various embryonic tissues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the chick HIF-1alpha cDNA showed 79% identity with that of the human HIF-1alpha cDNA. In contrast, sequence homology between the chick HIF-1alpha and endothelial PAS protein 1 (EPAS1), another member of the bHLH-PAS proteins, was only low (49%). HIF-1alpha mRNA was expressed abundantly in CEVM, but scarcely in the liver, which was quite different from expression pattern of EPAS1 mRNA. These data suggest that HIF-1alpha may be involved in embryonic cardiovascular development. HIF-1alpha and EPAS1 may play distinct roles during developmental stages.
HLA Class I-T Cell Epitopes from trans-Sialidase Proteins Reveal Functionally Distinct Subsets of CD8+ T Cells in Chronic Chagas Disease

Background Previously, we identified a set of HLA-A020.1-restricted trans-sialidase peptides as targets of CD8+ T cell responses in HLA-A0201+ individuals chronically infected by T. cruzi. Methods and Findings Herein, we report the identification of peptides encoded by the same trans-sialidase gene family that bind alleles representative of the 6 most common class I HLA-supertypes. Based on a combination of bioinformatic predictions and HLA-supertype considerations, a total of 1001 epitopes predicted to bind to HLA A01, A02, A03, A24, B7 and B44 supertypes was selected. Ninety-six supertype-binder epitopes encoded by multiple trans-sialidase genes were tested for the ability to stimulate a recall CD8+ T cell response in the peripheral blood from subjects with chronic T. cruzi infection regardless the HLA haplotype. An overall hierarchy of antigenicity was apparent, with the A02 supertype peptides being the most frequently recognized in the Chagas disease population followed by the A03 and the A24 supertype epitopes. CD8+ T cell responses to promiscuous epitopes revealed that the CD8+ T cell compartment specific for T. cruzi displays a functional profile with T cells secreting interferon-γ alone as the predominant pattern and very low prevalence of single IL-2-secreting or dual IFN-γ/IL-2 secreting T cells denoting a lack of polyfunctional cytokine responses in chronic T. cruzi infection. Conclusions This study identifies a set of T. cruzi peptides that should prove useful for monitoring immune competence and changes in infection and disease status in individuals with chronic Chagas disease.
Bots trained to play like a human are more fun

Computational intelligence methods are well-suited for use in computer controlled opponents for video games. In many other applications of these methods, the aim is to simulate near-optimal intelligent behaviour. But in video games, the aim is to provide interesting opponents for human players, not optimal ones. In this study, we trained neural network-based computer controlled opponents to play like a human in a popular first-person shooter. We then had gamers play-test these opponents as well as a hand-coded opponent, and surveyed them to find out which opponents they enjoyed more. Our results show that the neural network-based opponents were clearly preferred.
Generation of histo-anatomically representative models of the individual heart: tools and application

This paper presents methods to build histo-anatomically detailed individualized cardiac models. The models are based on high-resolution three-dimensional anatomical and/or diffusion tensor magnetic resonance images, combined with serial histological sectioning data, and are used to investigate individualized cardiac function. The current state of the art is reviewed, and its limitations are discussed. We assess the challenges associated with the generation of histo-anatomically representative individualized in silico models of the heart. The entire processing pipeline including image acquisition, image processing, mesh generation, model set-up and execution of computer simulations, and the underlying methods are described. The multifaceted challenges associated with these goals are highlighted, suitable solutions are proposed, and an important application of developed high-resolution structure–function models in elucidating the effect of individual structural heterogeneity upon wavefront dynamics is demonstrated.
HEQAM: A developed higher education quality assessment model

This paper presents a developed higher education quality assessment model (HEQAM) at King Abdulaziz University (KAU). This is because of; there is no universal unified quality standard model that can be used to assess the quality criteria of higher education. Besides, there are shortcomings in the coverage of some current educational quality standards. A Developed questionnaire to examine the quality criteria at KAU is investigated. The analytically hierarchy process is used to identify the priority and weights of the criteria and their alternatives. The model is constructed of three levels including eight main objectives and 53 alternatives. It included e-services criteria which is one of the recent university components, in addition to new sub-criteria for enhancing the model. It produces important recommendations to KAU higher authorities for achieving demanded quality services. Also, it helps KAU to achieve one of its strategic objectives to be a paperless virtual university.
Roles of Charged Residues in the C-Terminal Region of PomA, a Stator Component of the Na+-Driven Flagellar Motor

ABSTRACT Bacterial flagellar motors use specific ion gradients to drive their rotation. It has been suggested that the electrostatic interactions between charged residues of the stator and rotor proteins are important for rotation in Escherichia coli. Mutational studies have indicated that the Na+-driven motor of Vibrio alginolyticus may incorporate interactions similar to those of the E. coli motor, but the other electrostatic interactions between the rotor and stator proteins may occur in the Na+-driven motor. Thus, we investigated the C-terminal charged residues of the stator protein, PomA, in the Na+-driven motor. Three of eight charge-reversing mutations, PomA(K203E), PomA(R215E), and PomA(D220K), did not confer motility either with the motor of V. alginolyticus or with the Na+-driven chimeric motor of E. coli. Overproduction of the R215E and D220K mutant proteins but not overproduction of the K203E mutant protein impaired the motility of wild-type V. alginolyticus. The R207E mutant conferred motility with the motor of V. alginolyticus but not with the chimeric motor of E. coli. The motility with the E211K and R232E mutants was similar to that with wild-type PomA in V. alginolyticus but was greatly reduced in E. coli. Suppressor analysis suggested that R215 may participate in PomA-PomA interactions or PomA intramolecular interactions to form the stator complex.
Aggressive Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report and a Comprehensive Literature Review

Background. We present the case of a 35-year-old gentleman who presented with an aggressive cardiomyopathy with normal coronary arteries. He was later diagnosed with systemic lupus-related cardiomyopathy. Methods. We undertook an extensive review of the literature regarding cardiac manifestations of lupus and used over 100 journals to identify the key points in pathology, diagnosis, and treatment. Results. We have shown that cardiac lupus can be rapidly progressive and, unless treated early, can have severe consequences. The predominant pathologies are immune complex and accelerated atherosclerosis drive. Treatment comprised of high-level immunosuppression.
Mathematical modelling of the chemotherapy of Plasmodium falciparum malaria with artesunate: postulation of ‘dormancy’, a partial cytostatic effect of the drug, and its implication for treatment regimens

Although artesunate, one of the potent derivatives of the qinghaosu family of drugs for treating falciparum malaria, is already in use in the field, its therapeutic protocol has only been developed empirically by hit-or-miss. A pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) model, required for creating such a protocol, is not straightforward. Artesunate presents extremely fast pharmacokinetics. As a result the stage specificity of its action must be treated explicitly. Also, use of standard PK–PD modelling fails to explain the clinical results. Our PK–PD modelling of its activity leads us to the postulation of the existence of a novel effect: a small fraction of the parasites, as a result of chemotherapeutic pressure, become cytostatic, or ‘dormant’. At this stage, the parasite cycle is halted, making them unsusceptible to further dosing until wakening. This slows down the antimalarial activity of the drug, entailing either many frequent doses or an extended period of treatment and surveillance. Based on our modelling, we suggest a method for deciding on rational models of chemotherapy against falciparum malaria.
A Gaussian Mixture Model to Detect Clusters Embedded in Feature Subspace

The goal of unsupervised learning, i.e., clustering, is to determine the intrinsic structure of unlabeled data. Feature selection for clustering improves the performance of grouping by removing irrelevant features. Typical feature selection algorithms select a common feature subset for all the clusters. Consequently, clusters embedded in different feature subspaces are not able to be identified. In this paper, we introduce a probabilistic model based on Gaussian mixture to solve this problem. Particularly, the feature relevance for an individual cluster is treated as a probability, which is represented by localized feature saliency and estimated through Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm during the clustering process. In addition, the number of clusters is determined simultaneously by integrating a Minimum Message Length (MML) criterion. Experiments carried on both synthetic and real-world datasets illustrate the performance of the proposed approach in finding clusters embedded in feature subspace. 1. Introduction. Clustering is unsupervised classification of data objects into different groups (clusters) such that objects in one group are similar together and dis- similar from another group. Applications of data clustering are found in many fields, such as information discovering, text mining, web analysis, image grouping, medi- cal diagnosis, and bioinformatics. Many clustering algorithms have been proposed in the literature (8). Basically, they can be categorized into two groups: hierarchical or partitional. A clustering algorithm typically considers all available features of the dataset in an attempt to learn as much as possible from data. In practice, however, some features can be irrelevant, and thus hinder the clustering performance. Feature selection, which chooses the "best" feature subset for clustering, can be applied to solve this problem. Feature selection is extensively studied in supervised learning scenario (1-3), where class labels are available for judging the performance improvement contributed by a feature selection algorithm. For unsupervised learning, feature selection is a very dif- ficult problem due to the lack of class labels, and it has received extensive attention recently. The algorithm proposed in (4) measures feature similarity by an information compression index. In (5), the relevant features are detected using a distance-based entropy measure. (6) evaluates the cluster quality over different feature subsets by normalizing cluster separability or likelihood using a cross-projection method. In (7), feature saliency is defined as a probability and estimated by the Expectation Maxi- mization (EM) algorithm using Gaussian mixture models. A variational Bayesian ap-
The influence of distal colon irritation on the changes of cystometry parameters to esophagus and colon distentions

ABSTRACT The co-occurrence of multiple pathologies in the pelvic viscera in the same patient, such as, irritable bowel syndrome and interstitial cystitis, indicates the complexity of viscero-visceral interactions and the necessity to study these interactions under multiple pathological conditions. In the present study, the effect of distal colon irritation (DCI) on the urinary bladder interaction with distal esophagus distention (DED), distal colon distention (DCD), and electrical stimulation of the abdominal branches of vagus nerve (abd-vagus) were investigated using cystometry parameters. The DCI significantly decreased the intercontraction time (ICT) by decreasing the storage time (ST); nonetheless, DED and Abd-vagus were still able to significantly decrease the ICT and ST following DCI. However, DCD had no effect on ICT following the DCI. The DCI, also, significantly decreased the Intravesical pressure amplitude (P-amplitude) by increasing the resting pressure (RP). Although DED has no effect on the P-amplitude, both in the intact and the irritated animals, the abd-vagus significantly increased the P-amplitude following DCI by increasing the maximum pressure (MP). In the contrary, 3mL DCD significantly increased the P-amplitude by increasing the MP and lost that effect following the DCI. Concerning the pressure threshold (PT), none of the stimuli had any significant changes in the intact animals. However, DCI significantly decreased the PT, also, the abd-vagus and 3mL DCD significantly decreased the PT. The results of this study indicate that chemical irritation of colon complicates the effects of mechanical irritation of esophagus and colon on urinary bladder function.
In Silico Design for Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Agonist from Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Metabolic Syndromes

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acts as a master mediator of metabolic homeostasis. It is considered as a significant millstone to treat metabolic syndromes including obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver. It can sense cellular energy or nutrient status by switching on the catabolic pathways. Investigation of AMPK has new findings recently. AMPK can inhibit cell growth by the way of autophagy. Thus AMPK has become a hot target for small molecular drug design of tumor inhibition. Activation of AMPK must undergo certain extent change of the structure. Through the methods of structure-based virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation, we attempted to find out appropriate small compounds from the world's largest TCM Database@Taiwan that had the ability to activate the function of AMPK. Finally, we found that two TCM compounds, eugenyl_beta-D-glucopyranoside and 6-O-cinnamoyl-D-glucopyranose, had the qualification to be AMPK agonist.
Mechanism Research of OWOM Marketing Based on SOR and AISAS

With its great power on consumers’ buying behavior, online word-of-mouth marketing has become an important marketing approach for enterprises. Mechanism research of OWOM marketing is very important to the successful implementation of OWOM marketing. Based on the combination of S-O-R model and AISAS pattern, this paper establishes an OWOM marketing mechanism model, divides OWOM marketing into four stages and give some suggestions on OWOM marketing.
Oligonucleotide microarray data are not normally distributed

ABSTRACT Motivation: Novel techniques for analyzing microarray data are constantly being developed. Though many of the methods contribute to biological discoveries, inability to properly evaluate the novel techniques limits their ability to advance the science. Because the underlying structure, or distribution, of microarray data is unknown, novel methods are usually tested against the known structure of normally distributed data. However, microarray data are not, in fact, normally distributed, and testing against such data can have misleading consequences. Results: Using an Affymetrix technical replicate Spike-In dataset, oligonucleotide data are shown to not be normally distributed under any of the standard data transformations. The resulting data tend to have heavier tails than normal, and they are often more skewed as well. Using data simulated under three models (normal, heavy tails, and skewed) we show that standard methodologies (for differential expression and gene similarity) can give unexpected and misleading results when the data are not normally distributed. Robust methods should be used when analyzing microarray data. Additionally, when evaluating new techniques, heavy tailed and/or skewed data distributions should be considered in simulations. Contact: jo.hardin@pomona.edu
Behavioral Neuroscience

In the leaf-cutting ant Atta vollenweideri the sensilla coelo-conica (Sc) have been studied in great detail. This sensillum is mainly located at the tip of the flagellum and has a remarkable peg-in-pit morphology where the sensory peg is deeply sunken in the cuticular pit, which is separated from the environment by a tiny aperture (Ruchty et al., 2009). The sensillum houses a thermosensitive (cold-sensitive) neuron presumably combined with two additional chemosensitive neurons (Ruchty et al., 2009). Recent electrophysiological investigations revealed an extreme sensitivity and high temporal resolution of the thermosensitive neuron (Ruchty et al., 2010). Based on the response characteristic to thermal stimuli and due to the extraordinary morphology of the sensillum, this neuron has been suggested as a candidate for detecting spatially distributed thermal objects during thermal landmark orientation (Kleineidam et al., 2007; Ruchty et al., 2009, 2010). In order to understand how insects orient in their thermal environment, it is necessary to know where and how thermal information is processed in the central nervous system. Until now, the central projections of thermosensitive neurons have been investigated only in a single study (Nishikawa et al., 1995). This tracing study nicely shows where thermal information of two specific thermosensitive neurons is further processed in the antennal lobe of the cockroach. However, it leaves unspeci-fied where thermal information is represented within the whole antennal lobe volume.
Automating Logic Rectification by Approximate SPFDs

In the digital VLSI cycle, a netlist is often modified to correct design errors, perform small specification changes or implement incremental rewiring-based optimization operations. Most existing automated logic rectification tools use a small set of predefined logic transformations when they perform such modifications. This paper first shows that a small set of predefined transformations may not allow rectification to exploit the full potential of the design. Then, it proposes an automated simulation-based methodology to "approximate" sets of pairs of functions to be distinguished (SPFDs) and avoid the memory/time explosion problem. This representation is used by a SAT-based algorithm that devises appropriate logic transformations to fix a design. The SAT method is later complemented by a greedy one that improves on runtime performance. An extensive suite of experiments documents the added potential of the proposed rectification methodology.
Circadian Amplitude of Cryptochrome 1 Is Modulated by mRNA Stability Regulation via Cytoplasmic hnRNP D Oscillation

ABSTRACT The mammalian circadian rhythm is observed not only at the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a master pacemaker, but also throughout the peripheral tissues. Its conserved molecular basis has been thought to consist of intracellular transcriptional feedback loops of key clock genes. However, little is known about posttranscriptional regulation of these genes. In the present study, we investigated the role of the 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) of the mouse cryptochrome 1 (mcry1) gene at the posttranscriptional level. Mature mcry1 mRNA has a 610-nucleotide 3′UTR and mediates its own degradation. The middle part of the 3′UTR contains a destabilizing cis-acting element. The deletion of this element led to a dramatic increase in mRNA stability, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D (hnRNP D) was identified as an RNA binding protein responsible for this effect. Cytoplasmic hnRNP D levels displayed a pattern that was reciprocal to the mcry1 oscillation. Knockdown of hnRNP D stabilized mcry1 mRNA and resulted in enhancement of the oscillation amplitude and a slight delay of the phase. Our results suggest that hnRNP D plays a role as a fine regulator contributing to the mcry1 mRNA turnover rate and the modulation of circadian rhythm.