Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate Simulation of Acoustic Emission Sources in Composite Plates

Acoustic emission (AE) signals propagate as the extensional and flexural plate modes in thin composite plates and plate-like geometries such as shells, pipes , and tubes. The relative amplitude of the two moes depends on the directionality of the source motion. For source motions with large out-of-plane components such as delaminations or particle impact, the flexural or bending plate mode do minates the AE signal with only a small extensional mode detected. A signal from such a source is well simulated with the standard pencil lead break (Hsu-Neils en source) on the surface of the plate. For other sources such as matrix cracking or fiber breakage in which the source motion is primarily in-plane, the resulting AE signal has a large extensional mode component with little or no flexural mode observed. Signals from these type sources can also be simulated with pencil lead breaks. However, the lead must be fractured on the edge of the plate to generate an in-plane source motion rather than on the surface of the plate.
Evaluation of Dengue NS1 Antigen Rapid Tests and ELISA Kits Using Clinical Samples

Background Early diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV) infection can improve clinical outcomes by ensuring close follow-up, initiating appropriate supportive therapies and raising awareness to the potential of hemorrhage or shock. Non-structural glycoprotein-1 (NS1) has proven to be a useful biomarker for early diagnosis of dengue. A number of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) targeting NS1 antigen (Ag) are now commercially available. Here we evaluated these tests using a well-characterized panel of clinical samples to determine their effectiveness for early diagnosis. Methodology/Principal Findings Retrospective samples from South America were used to evaluate the following tests: (i) “Dengue NS1 Ag STRIP” and (ii) “Platelia Dengue NS1 Ag ELISA” (Bio-Rad, France), (iii) “Dengue NS1 Detect Rapid Test (1st Generation)” and (iv) “DENV Detect NS1 ELISA” (InBios International, United States), (v) “Panbio Dengue Early Rapid (1st generation)” (vi) “Panbio Dengue Early ELISA (2nd generation)” and (vii) “SD Bioline Dengue NS1 Ag Rapid Test” (Alere, United States). Overall, the sensitivity of the RDTs ranged from 71.9%–79.1% while the sensitivity of the ELISAs varied between 85.6–95.9%, using virus isolation as the reference method. Most tests had lower sensitivity for DENV-4 relative to the other three serotypes, were less sensitive in detecting secondary infections, and appeared to be most sensitive on Day 3–4 post symptom onset. The specificity of all evaluated tests ranged from 95%–100%. Conclusions ELISAs had greater overall sensitivity than RDTs. In conjunction with other parameters, the performance data can help determine which dengue diagnostics should be used during the first few days of illness, when the patients are most likely to present to a clinic seeking care.
The learning professions

ABSTRACT This interim account of a study of professionals' responses to change begins with a brief review of some of the pressures behind the introduction of systematic schemes for continuing professional development (CPD). On the basis of 69 in-depth interviews with practitioners in six professions, a number of characteristic approaches to coping with unfamiliar demands are identified and discussed. In the light of the actual strategies adopted, the pros and cons of formal CPD are then examined. The paper concludes with a discussion of the possible role of higher education institutions in supporting professional learning.
Blind Source Separation in Nonlinear Mixtures: Separability and a Basic Algorithm

In this paper, a novel approach for performing blind source separation (BSS) in nonlinear mixtures is proposed, and their separability is studied. It is shown that this problem can be solved under a few assumptions, which are satisfied in most practical applications. The main idea can be considered as transforming a time-invariant nonlinear BSS problem to local linear ones varying along the time, using the derivatives of both sources and observations. Taking into account the proposed idea, numerous algorithms can be developed performing the separation. In this regard, an algorithm, supported by simulation results, is also proposed in this paper. It can be seen that the algorithm well separates the mixed sources, however, as the conventional linear BSS methods, the nonlinear BSS suffers from ambiguities, which are discussed in this paper.
THE ORIGIN OF WEST EUROPEAN SUBSPECIES OF HONEYBEES (APIS MELLIFERA): NEW INSIGHTS FROM MICROSATELLITE AND MITOCHONDRIAL DATA

Apis mellifera is composed of three evolutionary branches including mainly African (branch A), western and northern European (branch M), and southeastern European (branch C) populations. The existence of morphological clines extending from the equator to the Polar Circle through Morocco and Spain raised the hypothesis that the branch M originated in Africa. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed that branches A and M were characterized by highly diverged lineages implying very remote links between both branches. It also revealed that mtDNA haplotypes from lineages A coexisted with haplotypes M in the Iberian Peninsula and formed a south‐north frequency cline, suggesting that this area could be a secondary contact zone between the two branches. By analyzing 11 populations sampled along a France‐Spain/Portugal‐Morocco‐Guinea transect at 8 microsatellite loci and the DraI RFLP of the COI‐COII mtDNA marker, we show that Iberian populations do not present any trace of “africanization” and are very similar to French populations when considering microsatellite markers. Therefore, the Iberian Peninsula is not a transition area. The higher haplotype A variability observed in Spanish and Portuguese samples compared to that found in Africa is explained by a higher mutation rate and multiple and recent introductions. Selection appears to be the best explanation to the morphological and allozymic clines and to the diffusion and maintenance of African haplotypes in Spain and Portugal.
Fast Graph Construction Using Auction Algorithm

In practical machine learning systems, graph based data representation has been widely used in various learning paradigms, ranging from unsupervised clustering to supervised classification. Besides those applications with natural graph or network structure data, such as social network analysis and relational learning, many other applications often involve a critical step in converting data vectors to an adjacency graph. In particular, a sparse subgraph extracted from the original graph is often required due to both theoretic and practical needs. Previous study clearly shows that the performance of different learning algorithms, e.g., clustering and classification, benefits from such sparse subgraphs with balanced node connectivity. However, the existing graph construction methods are either computationally expensive or with unsatisfactory performance. In this paper, we utilize a scalable method called auction algorithm and its parallel extension to recover a sparse yet nearly balanced subgraph with significantly reduced computational cost. Empirical study and comparison with the state-ofart approaches clearly demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method in both efficiency and accuracy.
Histoplasmosis in solid organ transplant recipients: 10 years of experience at a large transplant center in an endemic area.

BACKGROUND Many clinical scenarios have been encountered by patients who developed histoplasmosis after receiving a solid organ transplant at a large transplant center in an endemic area. METHODS Cases of posttransplantation histoplasmosis were identified by use of multiple methods, including reviews of microbiology test results, transplant databases, and billing codes. Data were obtained retrospectively. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS During the 1997-2007 study period, 3436 patients received a solid organ transplant, and 38 patients were identified as having posttransplantation histoplasmosis. Of these 38 patients, 9 were excluded from our study because the diagnosis was solely clinical. Of the remaining 29 patients, 14 had posttransplantation histoplasmosis (incidence, 1 case per 1000 person-years); 14 showed histologic evidence of histoplasmosis in the recipient or donor tissue, which was encountered unexpectedly at the time of transplantation; and 1 had histoplasmosis before receiving the transplant. Of the 14 patients who developed histoplasmosis after transplantation, 5 were heart transplant recipients, 3 were lung transplant recipients, 3 were kidney transplant recipients, 1 was a liver transplant recipient, 1 was a pancreas transplant recipient, and 1 was a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient. The median time from transplantation to diagnosis was 17 months (interquartile range, 8.1-46 months), and the median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis 3 weeks (interquartile range, 1.9-6.5 weeks). All recipients had disseminated disease. The most common treatment was amphotericin B and itraconazole. All were cured, or still on treatment, but symptom-free. Of the 14 patients who had an explanted organ or donor tissue that showed histologic evidence of histoplasmosis, 13 (93%) were lung transplant recipients, and 1 (7%) was a liver transplant recipient. None of these patients developed active histoplasmosis, but all received prophylactic treatment. Finally, 1 patient had histoplasmosis before transplantation; he was treated with itraconazole 3 months before and after transplantation, and he did well. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, posttransplantation histoplasmosis is rare (1 case per 1000 transplant-person-years; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-1.7), even in endemic areas. Prognosis is good but requires protracted therapy. Patients with latent infection did not develop posttransplantation histoplasmosis when prophylaxis was used.
High-Tech or Low-Tech? Comparing Self-Monitoring Systems to Increase Task Independence for Students With Autism

Independence is the ultimate goal for students with disabilities, including secondary students with autism. One avenue targeted for increasing independence and decreasing prompt-dependency is through self-monitoring. In this study, investigators sought to determine whether a difference exists in levels of task independence when three students with autism complete food preparation tasks while self-monitoring using a low-tech treatment (paper/pencil) and high-tech treatment (iPad). Although both interventions decreased the need for prompting thereby increasing independence, students needed less assistance when using the iPad. Students also maintained their levels of independence in food preparation following summer vacation. Social validity interviews indicated students preferred self-monitoring with the iPad over the paper/pencil.
GBE50 Attenuates Inflammatory Response by Inhibiting the p38 MAPK and NF-κB Pathways in LPS-Stimulated Microglial Cells

Overactivated microglia contribute to a variety of pathological conditions in the central nervous system. The major goal of the present study is to evaluate the potential suppressing effects of a new type of Ginko biloba extract, GBE50, on activated microglia which causes proinflammatory responses and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Murine BV2 microglia cells, with or without pretreatmentof GBE50 at various concentrations, were activated by incubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A series of biochemical and microscopic assays were performed to measure cell viability, cell morphology, release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and signal transduction via the p38 MAPK and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 pathways. We found that GBE50 pretreatment suppressed LPS-induced morphological changes in BV2 cells. Moreover, GBE50 treatment significantly reduced the release of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, and inhibited the associated signal transduction through the p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 pathways. These results demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of GBE50 on LPS-activated BV2 microglia cells, and indicated that GBE50 reduced the LPS-induced proinflammatory TNF-α and IL-1β release by inhibiting signal transduction through the NF-κB p65 and p38 MAPK pathways. Our findings reveal, at least in part, the molecular basis underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of GBE50.
The Managerial Performance Implications of a Developmental Assessment Center Process

The purpose of this study was to determine if a developmental assessment center process improves managerial performance in the workplace. Focus was placed on the behavioral level of evaluation. The research design made use of a two-group design with random selection and a control group. A sample of 76 managers, at supervisory level, was used. Behaviorally anchored rating scales were developed to measure the job performance of participating managers. The results indicated significant differences between the experimental and the control groups for six performance dimensions. Significant differences were also found in all the second-order factors and the total managerial performance score. Thus, the developmental assessment center process had a positive impact on managerial performance, and this effect was still measurable 3 months after center attendance. In order to generalize the results of this study, it is essential to do further research on the utility of the developmental assessment center.
The knottin-like Blufensin family regulates genes involved in nuclear import and the secretory pathway in barley-powdery mildew interactions

Plants have evolved complex regulatory mechanisms to control a multi-layered defense response to microbial attack. Both temporal and spatial gene expression are tightly regulated in response to pathogen ingress, modulating both positive and negative control of defense. BLUFENSINs, small knottin-like peptides in barley, wheat, and rice, are highly induced by attack from fungal pathogens, in particular, the obligate biotrophic fungus, Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh), causal agent of barley powdery mildew. Previous research indicated that Blufensin1 (Bln1) functions as a negative regulator of basal defense mechanisms. In the current report, we show that BLN1 and BLN2 can both be secreted to the apoplast and Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)-mediated overexpression of Bln2 increases susceptibility of barley to Bgh. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays signify that BLN1 and BLN2 can interact with each other, and with calmodulin. We then used BSMV-induced gene silencing to knock down Bln1, followed by Barley1 GeneChip transcriptome analysis, to identify additional host genes influenced by Bln1. Analysis of differential expression revealed a gene set enriched for those encoding proteins annotated to nuclear import and the secretory pathway, particularly Importin α1-b and Sec61 γ subunits. Further functional analysis of these two affected genes showed that when silenced, they also reduced susceptibility to Bgh. Taken together, we postulate that Bln1 is co-opted by Bgh to facilitate transport of disease-related host proteins or effectors, influencing the establishment of Bgh compatibility on its barley host.
The Abstracts of the 34th Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society ‘The Brain Games’ 3rd-7th October 2000 National Convention Centre, Canberra ACT

s Editor: Alison Garton The 34th APS Annual Conference is being held immediately after the Olympic Games; hence the sporting theme reflected in the title of the Conference. The program also reflects the strong contribution that sport psychologists are making to the discipline and profession of psychology. As well as one keynote speaker, Professor Dieter Hackfort from the University of Munich in Germany, there is at least one sport symposium, forum or workshop in every parallel session during the program. In addition, sport research is featured strongly in the posters. Other keynote speakers are Professor Marcia Johnston from Princeton University, USA, Professor Colin MacLeod from the University of Western Australia, and the winner of the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award, Professor Graeme Halford from the University of Queensland. Bruce Crowe, as outgoing President, will present his address immediately before the Annual General Meeting of the Society on Friday 6 October. The Conference Organising Group, and Conference Chair, Professor Mane Carroll, have provided the necessary local support and largely contributed to the anticipated success of the conference. CONFERENCE ORGANlSlNG GROUP Dr Alison Garton Professor Marie Carroll Professor Don Byrne Ms Karen Foster Dr John Gross Professor Kevin Howells Professor Jeannette Milgrom Dr Tony Morris Dr Gershon Tenenbaum
Unlocking the grid: language-in-education policy realisation in post-apartheid South Africa

This paper reflects on the state of educational language policy two decades into a post-Apartheid South Africa caught between official multilingualism and English. The focus is on the national language-in-education policy (LiEP) that advocates additive bi/multilingualism, and a provincial counterpart, the language transformation plan (LTP). Using Ricento and Hornberger's onion metaphor, the paper seeks to uncover the meanings of policy realisation in education at legislative, institutional, and interpersonal levels. The LiEP's non-realisation at institutional level is indexed by a ‘gridlock of collusion’ (Alexander, personal communication) between political elites and the majority of African-language speakers, who emulatively seek the goods that an English-medium education promises. To illustrate how teachers can become policy advocates, data are presented from a bilingual education in-service programme that supported the LTP. The paper argues that sociolinguistic insights into speakers’ heteroglossic practices should be used to counter prevailing monoglossic policy discourses and school language practices, and that all languages should be used as learning resources. Strategic essentialism would recognise the schooling system's need to separately classify language subjects and to identify the languages most productively used for teaching across the curriculum. The paper concludes with a call for the revision of the LiEP.
Principal Aspects Regarding the Maintenance of Mammalian Mitochondrial Genome Integrity

Mitochondria have emerged as key players regarding cellular homeostasis not only due to their contribution regarding energy production through oxidative phosphorylation, but also due to their involvement in signaling, ion regulation, and programmed cell death. Indeed, current knowledge supports the notion that mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Mitochondrial biogenesis and function require the coordinated action of two genomes: nuclear and mitochondrial. Unfortunately, both intrinsic and environmental genotoxic insults constantly threaten the integrity of nuclear as well as mitochondrial DNA. Despite the extensive research that has been made regarding nuclear genome instability, the importance of mitochondrial genome integrity has only recently begun to be elucidated. The specific architecture and repair mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA, as well as the dynamic behavior that mitochondria exert regarding fusion, fission, and autophagy participate in mitochondrial genome stability, and therefore, cell homeostasis.
LncRNA profile study reveals a three-lncRNA signature associated with the survival of patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background Oesophageal cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are often found to have important regulatory roles. Objective To assess the lncRNA expression profile of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and identify prognosis-related lncRNAs. Method LncRNA expression profiles were studied by microarray in paired tumour and normal tissues from 119 patients with OSCC and validated by qRT-PCR. The 119 patients were divided randomly into training (n=60) and test (n=59) groups. A prognostic signature was developed from the training group using a random Forest supervised classification algorithm and a nearest shrunken centroid algorithm, then validated in a test group and further, in an independent cohort (n=60). The independence of the signature in survival prediction was evaluated by multivariable Cox regression analysis. Results LncRNAs showed significantly altered expression in OSCC tissues. From the training group, we identified a three-lncRNA signature (including the lncRNAs ENST00000435885.1, XLOC_013014 and ENST00000547963.1) which classified the patients into two groups with significantly different overall survival (median survival 19.2 months vs >60 months, p<0.0001). The signature was applied to the test group (median survival 21.5 months vs >60 months, p=0.0030) and independent cohort (median survival 25.8 months vs >48 months, p=0.0187) and showed similar prognostic values in both. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the signature was an independent prognostic factor for patients with OSCC. Stratified analysis suggested that the signature was prognostic within clinical stages. Conclusions Our results suggest that the three-lncRNA signature is a new biomarker for the prognosis of patients with OSCC, enabling more accurate prediction of survival.
Semidominant mutations in the yeast Rad51 protein and their relationships with the Srs2 helicase

Suppressors of the methyl methanesulfonate sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae diploids lacking the Srs2 helicase turned out to contain semidominant mutations in Rad5l, a homolog of the bacterial RecA protein. The nature of these mutations was determined by direct sequencing. The 26 mutations characterized were single base substitutions leading to amino acid replacements at 18 different sites. The great majority of these sites (75%) are conserved in the family of RecA-like proteins, and 10 of them affect sites corresponding to amino acids in RecA that are probably directly involved in ATP reactions, binding, and/or hydrolysis. Six mutations are in domains thought to be involved in interaction between monomers; they may also affect ATP reactions. By themselves, all the alleles confer a rad5l null phenotype. When heterozygous, however, they are, to varying degrees, negative semidominant for radiation sensitivity; presumably the mutant proteins are coassembled with wild-type Rad51 and poison the resulting nucleofilaments or recombination complexes. This negative effect is partially suppressed by an SRS2 deletion, which supports the hypothesis that Srs2 reverses recombination structures that contain either mutated proteins or numerous DNA lesions.