Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated Environments for Formally Well-Founded Design and Simulation of Concurrent Systems

An ongoing project concerned with the development of environments that support the specification and design of concurrent systems is reported. The project has two key aspects: an existing and working system, Clara, that supports Milner's CCS as a specification and design language; and the development of general techniques for computer-aided generation of Clara-like environments for other concurrent languages. The Clara environment is emphasized. It has two main components: support for the usage of formal techniques in the design process, and a rich and highly interactive simulation facility. A further distinguishing feature is the environment's graphical user interface which is based on a pictorial version of CCS. The semantics of CCS is defined nonprocedurally in two phases: an operational semantics given as a set of inference rules, and an algebraic semantics represented by a set of equational rules. >
EC and Supply Chain Management: Towards Cross-Industry Supply Chains

Supply chain management (SCM) has rapidly emerged as the central field of competition in many industries and has captivated the top executives of companies in the recent past. Electronic commerce (EC) technologies have the potential to revolutionize how firms coordinate and manage their supply chain activities. This paper focuses on the emerging paradigm of Internetenabled supply chain management. It describes three forms of electronic supply chain management: Firm-centric SCM, industry-centric SCM, and crossindustry SCM. The paper examines the EC applications appropriate for each SCM model and the business and organizational implications.
Improving performance of content based image retrieval system with color features

Content based image retrieval (CBIR) encompasses a variety of techniques with a goal to solve the problem of searching for digital images in a large database by their visual content. Applications where the retrieval of similar images plays a crucial role include personal photo and art collections, medical imaging, multimedia publications and video surveillance. Main objective of our study was to try to improve the performance of the query-by-example image retrieval system based on texture features – Gabor wavelet and wavelet transform – by augmenting it with color information about the images, in particular color histogram, color autocorrelogram and color moments. Wang image database comprising 1000 natural color images grouped into 10 categories with 100 images was used for testing individual algorithms. Each image in the database served as a query image and the retrieval performance was evaluated by means of the precision and recall. e number of retrieved images ranged from 10 to 80. e best CBIR performance was obtained when implementing a combination of all 190 texture- and color features. Only slightly worse were the average precision and recall for the texture- and color histogram-based system. is result was somewhat surprising, since color histogram features provide no color spatial informa- tion. We observed a 23% increase in average precision when comparing the system containing a combination of texture- and all color features with the one consisting of exclusively texture descriptors when using Euclidean distance measure and 20 retrieved images. Addition of the color autocorrelogram features to the texture de- scriptors had virtually no e ect on the performance, while only minor improvement was detected when adding rst two color moments – the mean and the standard deviation. Similar to what was found in the previous studies with the same image database, average precision was very high in case of dinosaurs and owers and very low with beach, food, monuments and mountains images.
Identify influential nodes in complex networks based on modified TOPSIS

In complex networks, identifying influential nodes is the very important issue, which has a wide range of applications. In this paper, factor analysis method is used to mine the relationships of multiple metric measurements, and then a new evaluation method of node importance in complex networks based on modified technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach is proposed. TOPSIS is utilized to aggregate the multi-attribute to obtain the evaluation of node importance of each node. The more centrality measures considered, the more results more exact and effective. Then, we use the SIS model to evaluate the performance. The experiment result is showed that out method have more the efficiency and practicability than the proposed method.
Yeast STE7, STE11, and STE12 genes are required for expression of cell-type-specific genes

Cell type specialization in yeast haploids involves the mutually exclusive expression of one of two sets of genes, the a-specific and alpha-specific genes. We demonstrated that the products of the STE7, STE11, and STE12 genes were required for the expression of both gene sets. RNA levels transcribed from these gene sets were significantly decreased but not abolished in haploids containing a null mutation in the STE7, STE11, or STE12 gene. Transcript levels from the a- and alpha-specific gene sets were not further reduced in strains harboring mutations in all three STE genes, suggesting that STE7, STE11, and STE12 are required for the same aspect of transcription. We further showed that the requirement for these products was not the same for each member of a particular gene set. However, for any given a- or alpha-specific gene, the effect on RNA levels of any of the three ste mutations was similar.
Psychological Aspects in Apparent Resistant Hypertension : an Emblematic Case

Cite this article: Berra E, Rabbia F, Testa E, Genesia ML, Fulcheri C, et al. (2015) Psychological Aspects in Apparent Resistant Hypertension: an Emblematic Case. Ann Clin Exp Hypertension 3(2): 1026. *Corresponding author Elena Berra, Hospital “Città della Salute e della Scienza”, Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, Hypertension Unit, University of Torino, via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy, Tel: 39-011-633-6959; Fax: 39-011-633-6931; Email:
Patterns of hepatitis C prevalence and seroconversion in hemodialysis units from three continents: the DOPPS.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a problem within hemodialysis units. This study measures HCV prevalence and seroconversion rates across seven countries and investigates associations with facility-level practice patterns. METHODS The study sample was from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), a prospective, observational study of adult hemodialysis patients randomly selected from 308 representative dialysis facilities in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Logistic regression was used to model odds of HCV prevalence, and Cox regression was used to model time from study entry to HCV seroconversion. RESULTS Mean HCV facility prevalence was 13.5% and varied among countries from 2.6% to 22.9%. Increased HCV prevalence was associated with longer time on dialysis, male gender, black race, diabetes, hepatitis B (HBV) infection, prior renal transplant, and alcohol or substance abuse in the previous 12 months. Approximately half of the facilities (55.6%) had no seroconversions during the study period. HCV seroconversion was associated with longer time on dialysis, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), HBV infection, and recurrent cellulitis or gangrene. An increase in highly trained staff was associated with lower HCV prevalence (OR = 0.93 per 10% increase, P= 0.003) and risk of seroconversion (RR = 0.92, P= 0.07). Seroconversion was associated with an increase in facility HCV prevalence (RR = 1.36, P < 0.0001), but not with isolation of HCV-infected patients (RR = 1.01, P= 0.99). CONCLUSION There are differences in HCV prevalence and rate of seroconversion at the country and the hemodialysis facility level. The observed variation suggests opportunities for improved HCV outcomes.
Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle Capture of Prions for Amplification

ABSTRACT Prion diseases are associated with the presence of PrPSc, a disease-associated misfolded conformer of the prion protein. We report that superparamagnetic nanoparticles bind PrPSc molecules efficiently and specifically, permitting magnetic separation of prions from a sample mixture. Captured PrPSc molecules retain the activity to seed protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) reactions, enabling the rapid concentration of dilute prions to improve detection. Furthermore, superparamagnetic nanoparticles clear contaminated solutions of PrPSc. Our findings suggest that coupling magnetic nanoparticle capture with PMCA could accelerate and improve prion detection. Magnetic nanoparticles may also be useful for developing a nontoxic prion decontamination method for biologically derived products.
On Nanoscale Integration and Gigascale Complexity in the Post.Com World

Summary form only given, as follows. While process technologists are obsessed to follow Moore's curve down to nanoscale dimensions, design technologists are confronted with gigascale complexity. On the other hand, post-PC and post dotcom products require zero cost, zero energy yet software programmable novel system architectures to be sold in huge volumes and to be designed in exponentially decreasing time. How do we cope with these novel silicon architectures? What challenges in research does this create? How to create the necessary tools and skills and how to organize research and education in a world driven by shareholders value? Can you spare half an hour to reflect on these challenges to the design community?
An Optimize Algorithm for Path Probabilities in Stochastic Process Algebras

Nondeterminism in a stochastic process algebras (SPA) is resolved by a scheduler. For given scheduler D and a starting state, D induces a stochastic process MD on an SPA M. In this paper, by definition the path probability and using dynamic programming method of mathematic on a induced stochastic process algebras MD, we give an algorithm to compute the optimize path probability to reach a set of goal states within a time bound on SPA from the start state s0 and analysis the complexity of our algorithm.
The emergence of concurrent high‐resolution physical and bio‐optical measurements in the upper ocean and their applications

Time and space scales of processes relevant to the upper ocean ecosystem span more than 9 orders of magnitude, consequently adequate sampling of the oceanic environment is a major challenge. However, new capabilities for studying upper ocean physical and bio-optical processes have developed rapidly within the past decade with the advancement of sensor technology and data acquisition and storage capabilities. Several oceanic measurement systems have been designed recently to enable the collection of physical and bio-optical data concurrently. Problems concerning variability in primary production by phytoplankton, upper ocean heating, small-scale physical mixing and advection, the dispersion of oceanic discharges, and global scale climate change related to the carbon cycle can now benefit from in situ concurrent physical and bio-optical data sets. The ocean sampling platforms utilized for deployment of these systems have included ships, the stable platform Research Platform FLIP, moorings and drifters. Examples of recent data sets obtained from these platforms are presented, and the merits of each of these sampling modes are described. In addition, the needs for complementary in situ and remotely sensed (for example, from satellites) data sets for both analytical and modeling efforts are summarized. Several research applications of the new technology are highlighted.
Should Firms Bundle Bloatware with Consumer Electronics? - Implications for Product Pricing and Consumer Surplus

This paper investigates bloatware bundling and product pricing decisions of a monopolistic firm when consumers can remove the bloatware from their electronic devices after purchase. We show conditions under which it is optimal for the firm not to bundle bloatware with their products. Furthermore, we show that even if the firm can make it harder for consumers to remove bloatware, the firm is not always better off by doing so. Consumers do not necessarily benefit from a reduced cost of bloatware removal either. In particular, if the reduction in the removal cost triggers the firm to change either its bloatware-inclusion strategy or its pricing strategy, the reduced removal cost may hurt consumers.
The variable geometry inductors for the energy harvesting applications

The energy harvesting applications becomes omnipresent, utilizing different harvesting techniques to collect energy from ambient. Recently, the electromagnetic field energy harvesting attracted attention, with objective to provide nearly unlimited power supply, particularly for variety of the low-power electronic devices. Furthermore, the inductive assemblies have been recognized as reliable, low cost and adaptive collectors for such kind of energy. Therefore, in this preliminary research paper, the inductive sensors with variable geometry have been analyzed, regarding increase of their overall inductance, with a basic idea to try in that way to collect and store more energy from surrounding electro magnetic field. The approach of partial inductance modeling has been used for the performance analyses of those inductors.
Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Genes Are Associated With Enhanced Inflammatory Response and Local Disease in Acute Hematogenous Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis in Children

BACKGROUND. Staphylococcus aureus strains carrying the genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl-positive [pvl+]) are associated with more febrile days and higher complication rates of osteomyelitis in children than are pvl-negative (pvl−) strains. OBJECTIVES. Selected clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings in children with osteomyelitis caused by pvl+ and pvl− S aureus strains were compared. METHODS. The demographics, selected clinical features, laboratory values, and radiographic findings of children with community-acquired S aureus osteomyelitis prospectively identified at Texas Children's Hospital between August 2001 and July 2004 were reviewed. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the genes for pvl (luk-S-PV and luk-F-PV) and fibronectin-binding protein (fnbB) in S aureus isolates. χ2, 2-sample t test, and multiple logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS. Methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively) caused osteomyelitis in 33 and 56 children, respectively. Twenty-six isolates were pvl− (26 MSSA), 59 were pvl+ (3 MSSA, 56 MRSA), and 4 were not available for analysis (4 MSSA). On univariate analysis, patients with pvl+ S aureus isolates had significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level both at presentation and as a maximum value during hospitalization and were more likely to have a blood culture positive for S aureus during their admission. Patients with pvl+ S aureus isolates were significantly more likely to have concomitant myositis or pyomyositis compared with patients with pvl− S aureus isolates on MRI. In a multivariate analysis pvl remained significantly associated with ESR and CRP levels at presentation and blood culture positive for S aureus. pvl+ status and younger age were associated with myositis on MRI. CONCLUSIONS. Osteomyelitis caused by pvl+ S aureus strains were associated with more severe local disease and a greater systemic inflammatory response compared with osteomyelitis caused by pvl− S aureus.
A Population-Based Analysis of Second Primary Cancers After Irradiation for Rectal Cancer

Objective:To investigate the possible association between pelvic irradiation for rectal cancer and subsequent second primary cancers. Patients and Methods:A population-based analysis of 20,910 individuals with rectal cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry, for whom follow-up times were at least 5 years, was performed. Kaplan-Meier estimates for the development of second cancers within irradiated and nonirradiated cohorts provided a comparison that accounted for censored data. Cox proportional hazards analyses were further conducted to compensate for patient and tumor-related factors. Results:A total of 656 (12%) and 2368 (16%) second primary cancers were enumerated from the irradiated and nonirradiated cohorts, respectively, with the proportion of second primary cancers within the irradiated cohort being significantly decreased (P < 0.001) on crude analysis. However, Kaplan-Meier and Cox analyses revealed no significant difference between the 2 cohorts when all second primary cancer sites were considered together (hazard ratio = 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92–1.12). Proportional hazards analysis for specific second primary sites revealed a decreased risk after pelvic irradiation for cancer of the prostate (hazard ratio = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48–0.84), and an increased risk for cancers of the uterine corpus & cervix (hazard ratio = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.6–4.0). Conclusion:Second primary cancers after irradiation for rectal cancers appear relatively infrequent compared with the background incidence of spontaneous cancers, and should not factor into treatment decisions for this older population. We hypothesize that the incidence of second primary tumors within adjacent organs could represent a balance between the radiation-induction of tumors and the radiation-inhibition of spontaneously occurring tumors.
A high-bandwidth spintronic position sensor

Position sensing with resolution down to the scale of a single atom is of key importance in nanoscale science and engineering. However, only optical-sensing methods are currently capable of non-contact sensing at such resolution over a high bandwidth. Here, we report a new non-contact, non-optical position-sensing concept based on detecting changes in a high-gradient magnetic field of a microscale magnetic dipole by means of spintronic sensors. Experimental measurements show a sensitivity of up to 40 &OHgr; ? > /μm, a linear range greater than 10 μm and a noise floor of 0.5 pm/ Hz ? > . Also shown is the use of the sensor for position measurements for closed-loop control of a high-speed atomic force microscope with a frame rate of more than 1 frame/s.
High-Frequency High Power Density 3-D Integrated Gallium-Nitride-Based Point of Load Module Design

The demand for the future power supplies that can achieve higher output currents, smaller sizes, and higher efficiencies cannot be satisfied with the conventional technologies. There are limitations in the switch performance, packaging parasitics, layout parasitics, and thermal management that must be addressed to push for higher frequencies and improved power density. To address these limitations, the utilization of Gallium-Nitride (GaN) transistors, 3-D integrated technique, low-profile magnetic substrates, and ceramic substrates with high thermal conductivity are considered. This paper discusses the characteristics of GaN transistors, including the fundamental differences between the enhancement mode and the depletion mode GaN transistors, gate driving, and the deadtime loss, the effect of parasitics on the performance of high-frequency GaN point-of-load (POLs), the 3-D copackage technique to integrate the active layer with low profile low temperature cofired ceramic magnetic substrate, and the thermal design of a high -density module using advanced substrates. The final demonstrators are three 12-1.2-V conversion POL modules: a single-phase 20 A 900 W/in3 2-MHz converter using enhancement mode GaN transistors, a single-phase10-A 800 W/in3 5-MHz converter, and a two-phase 20-A 1100 W/in3 5-MHz converter using the depletion mode GaN transistors. These converters offer unmatched power density compared to state-of-the-art industry products and research.
Primary central nervous system lymphoma: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center prognostic model.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze prognostic factors for patients with newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) in order to establish a predictive model that could be applied to the care of patients and the design of prospective clinical trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS Three hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL seen at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC; New York, NY) between 1983 and 2003 were analyzed. Standard univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. In addition, a formal cut point analysis was used to determine the most statistically significant cut point for age. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used to create independent prognostic classes. An external validation set obtained from three prospective Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) PCNSL clinical trials was used to test the RPA classification. RESULTS Age and performance status were the only variables identified on standard multivariate analysis. Cut point analysis of age determined that patients age < or = 50 years had significantly improved outcome compared with older patients. RPA of 282 patients identified three distinct prognostic classes: class 1 (patients < 50 years), class 2 (patients > or =50; Karnofsky performance score [KPS] > or = 70) and class 3 (patients > or = 50; KPS < 70). These three classes significantly distinguished outcome with regard to both overall and failure-free survival. Analysis of the RTOG data set confirmed the validity of this classification. CONCLUSION The MSKCC prognostic score is a simple, statistically powerful model with universal applicability to patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL. We recommend that it be adopted for the management of newly diagnosed patients and incorporated into the design of prospective clinical trials.
Cobalt Porphyrin Catalyzed Reduction of CO2. Radiation Chemical, Photochemical, and Electrochemical Studies

Several cobalt porphyrins (CoP) have been reduced by radiation chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical methods, in aqueous and organic solvents. In aqueous solutions, the CoIP state is stable at high pH but is shorter lived in neutral and acidic solutions. Stable CoIP is also observed in organic solvents and is unreactive toward CO2. One-electron reduction of CoIP leads to formation of a species that is observed as a transient intermediate by pulse radiolysis in aqueous solutions and as a stable product following reduction by Na in tetrahydrofuran solutions. The spectrum of this species is not the characteristic spectrum of a metalloporphyrin π-radical anion and is ascribed to Co0P. This species binds and reduces CO2. Catalytic formation of CO and HCO2- is confirmed by photochemical experiments in acetonitrile solutions containing triethylamine as a reductive quencher. Catalytic reduction of CO2 is also confirmed by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile and butyronitrile solutions and is shown to occur .