Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Foundational Ontologies for Domain Ontology Engineering: An Industrial Case Study in the Domain of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

Ontologies are commonly used in computer science either as a reference model to support semantic interoperability, or as an artifact that should be efficiently represented to support tractable automated reasoning. This duality poses a tradeoff between expressivity and computational tractability that should be addressed in different phases of an ontology engineering process. The inadequate choice of a modeling language, disregarding the goal of each ontology engineering phase, can lead to serious problems in the deployment of the resulting model. This article discusses these issues by making use of an industrial case study in the domain of Oil and Gas. The authors make the differences between two different representations in this domain explicit, and highlight a number of concepts and ideas that were implicit in an original OWL-DL model and that became explicit by applying the methodological directives underlying an ontologically well-founded modeling language.
A fault-tolerant protocol for location directory maintenance in mobile networks

In this paper, we present a fault-tolerant protocol for maintaining location directories in mobile networks. The protocol tolerates base station failures and also allows for consistent location information to be maintained about mobile hosts that switch off and arbitrarily reappear in some other part of the network. Further, the protocol tolerates the corruption of a logical time stamp that is part of any protocol where new location information has to be distinguished from old location information when a location directory is updated. We formally show that the protocol maintains consistent location information and does not overwrite new location information with old location information. The protocol can be hierarchically organized to reduce the message overhead incurred by location directory updates. <<ETX>>
Radiolabelled sugars as probes of hepatocytic autophagy.

The sugars [14C]sucrose, [14C]lactose and [3H]raffinose have been loaded into isolated rat hepatocytes by means of electropermeabilisation, and used as probes of autophagic-lysosomal function. All three sugars are sequestered autophagically; in addition sucrose and lactose are taken up by mitochondria, and lactose is hydrolysed intralysosomally. Autophagically sequestered radioactivity accumulates in relatively large vacuoles (not in microsomes). These vacuoles initially have a density which, on average, is lower than that of the lysosomes. With time, the lysosomes become lighter and coincident with the radioactive vacuoles in density gradients, a phenomenon that is partially prevented by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3MA). This may indicate that resting, dense lysosomes become active (light) by engaging in autophagy as well as in other processes (endocytosis? ). To assess the extent of convergence of the autophagic and endocytic pathways, the effect of endocytosed invertase on autophagically sequestered sucrose has been investigated. Practically all of the sucrose is eventually degraded the enzyme, indicating a complete intermixing of autophagic and endocytic pathways at the level of the lysosome. The density of lysosomes can be increased by treatment of cells with leupeptin. Most of the vaculoes containing sequestered radioactivity also increase their density under these conditions, even in the presence of vinblastine, an inhibitor of autophagosome-lysosome fusion. This indicates that a substantial fraction of the autophagosomes may be physically associated with lysosomes prior to fusion, a hypothesis supported by electron microscopic observations. Both autophagic sequestration (of raffinose) and autophagic-lysosomal degradation (of lactose, measured by an HPLC method) is completely inhibited by 3MA, whereas endocytic-lysosomal degradation (of asialofetuin) is unaffected. Since endogenous protein degradation is only partially (70%) suppressed by 3MA, it is clear that the remaining degradation must be non-autophagic (non-sequestrational), and most likely non-lysosomal.
Subjective measures of socio-economic position and the wealth index: a comparative analysis.

INTRODUCTION The wealth index is a commonly-used measure of socio-economic position (SEP) in low- and middle-income settings, but there is concern that it is strongly influenced by community-level as well as household-level factors. Subjective SEP indicators are infrequently used in health research. METHODS We use data from 11 280 households included in the Malawi Integrated Household Survey 2004/5. We compare the wealth index with four subjective measures of SEP: perceived food consumption adequacy, perceived overall consumption adequacy, an economic ladder question, and perceived income sufficiency. The wealth index is compared with each subjective SEP measure in terms of: (i) agreement of classification of households, (ii) targeting accuracy with respect to US$1-a-day poverty based on consumption expenditure, and (iii) the socio-economic processes (household- and community-level) giving rise to the SEP scores. RESULTS Each subjective SEP indicator resulted in considerable differential classification of households compared with the wealth index. Three measures of subjective SEP (perceived food consumption adequacy, economic ladder question, and perceived income sufficiency) identified a higher proportion of dollar-a-day poor households as poor than the wealth index. The wealth index was strongly influenced by community infrastructure, but all subjective SEP indicators were free from strong community-level influence. CONCLUSION The strengths and limitations of any measure of SEP depend on the context and purpose for which it is being used. In these data, the wealth index was strongly influenced by community infrastructure, whereas the subjective SEP measures were not, perhaps allowing analyses using them to disentangle household and community influences. Several subjective measures also corresponded to dollar-a-day poverty more strongly than the wealth index. Subjective measures may therefore be preferable to the wealth index in some circumstances, although they have their own set of potential biases.
Managing New Oral Anticoagulants in the Perioperative and Intensive Care Unit Setting

Managing patients in the perioperative setting receiving novel oral anticoagulation agents for thromboprophylaxis or stroke prevention with atrial fibrillation is an important consideration for clinicians. The novel oral anticoagulation agents include direct Factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban and apixaban, and the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran. In elective surgery, discontinuing their use is important, but renal function must also be considered because elimination is highly dependent on renal elimination. If bleeding occurs in patients who have received these agents, common principles of bleeding management as with any anticoagulant (including the known principles for warfarin) should be considered. This review summarizes the available data regarding the management of bleeding with novel oral anticoagulation agents. Hemodialysis is a therapeutic option for dabigatran-related bleeding, while in vitro studies showed that prothrombin complex concentrates are reported to be useful for rivaroxaban-related bleeding. Additional clinical studies are needed to determine the best method for reversal of the novel oral anticoagulation agents when bleeding occurs.
Health care reform in the 1990s: an analysis of the problems and three proposals.

National health care reform is arguably the most important domestic policy issue of the 1990s and certainly is one of the most difficult and pressing of current social issues. It also is clear that health care reform is as much a political as it is a public policy issue. This article evaluates three health care reform proposals by members of the U.S. Congress--one single-payer model and two "play or pay" models--to analyze how well they responded to the underlying crisis in the American health care system. Specific criteria for evaluating health care reform proposals are delineated, and an evaluation of the competing models is provided.
Value to patients of a breast cancer clinical nurse specialist.

AIM To compare patient experiences of the breast cancer nursing service before a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) was established in post and then one year after her appointment. METHOD A questionnaire was handed out to 50 patients over a six-week period in May 2007 (pre-CNS survey) and one year later (post-CNS survey) to 32 of the original patients. Analysis was performed on the numerical data using Microsoft Excel. Content analysis was used to extract information from the free text. FINDINGS The evaluation showed that the CNS improved respondents' experience and satisfaction with the breast cancer service. The pre-CNS survey highlighted that respondents wanted the CNS to be available after their consultation with the doctor to further explain information, and between clinic appointments to provide advice. Respondents also wanted the CNS to be a point of contact, to have specialist knowledge and to offer advice and support. The second survey showed that the CNS had improved the patient experience, and respondents were more satisfied with the service provided. CONCLUSION This service evaluation supports the value of the CNS in improving patient experiences and developing services.
Synthesis, Characterization and in Vitro Antimicrobial Studies of Schiff-Bases Derived from Acetylacetone and Amino Acids and their Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes

A series of novel amino acid derived Schiff-bases and their Oxovanadium(IV) complexes were synthesized and well characterized by elemental analyses, spectral studies, conductivity and magnetic measurements. Physical and analytical data suggest that the Schiff bases act as tridentate ligands towards metal ion via azomethine-N, deprotonated-O of carboxylic group and enolic-O group of acetylacetone. All the complexes have lower molar conductance values, indicating their non-electrolytic nature. The synthesized ligands, along with their metal complexes were screened for their in-vitro antibacterial activity against two Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi ) and two Gram-positive ( Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus ) bacterial strains and for in vitro antifungal activity against Trichophyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus , and Candida glaberata species. The results of these studies revealed that all the compounds and their metal complexes showed significant antibacterial and antifungal potency. Brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out for in vitro cytotoxic properties against Artemia salina .
Cloning and expression of a structural gene from Chlorobium vibrioforme that complements the hemA mutation in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli SASX41B carries the hemA mutation and requires delta-aminolevulinic acid for growth. Strain SASX41B was transformed to prototrophy with pYA1, a plasmid vector carrying a 5.8-kilobase insert of genomic DNA from the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium vibrioforme. Cell extracts prepared from transformed cells are able to catalyze transfer of label from [1-14C]glutamate or [3,4-3H]glutamyl-tRNA to delta-aminolevullinic acid at rates much higher than extracts of wild-type cells can, whereas extracts prepared from untransformed strain SASX41B cells lack both activities. By comparing the relative abilities of glutamyl-tRNAs derived from several heterologous cell types to function as substrates for the dehydrogenase reaction in extracts of HB101 and SASX41B cells transformed by pYA1, it was determined that the expressed dehydrogenase in the transformed cells resembled that of C. vibrioforme and not that of E. coli. Thus it can be concluded that plasmid pYA1 contains inserted DNA that codes for a structural component of C. vibrioforme glutamyl-tRNA dehydrogenase which confers glutamyl-tRNA substrate specificity.
Localization of Hemiachromatopsia

Impaired color perception with relative preservation of form vision (achromatopsia) caused by cerebral lesions was first described over a century ago. However, for many years some researchers questioned the existence of an area of cerebral cortex apart from the primary visual cortex specialized in color processing. The development of sophisticated structural and functional neuroimaging techniques has allowed verification of the cortical structures important in color perception. We describe a case of a patient with impaired color perception in one hemifield of vision (hemiachromatopsia) and compare the localization of the lesion with previous cases described in the literature. These cases show that lesions of the ventromedial occipital cortex can impair color perception and leave form vision intact.
Numerical monsters

When the results of certain computer calculations are shown to be not simply incorrect but dramatically incorrect, we have a powerful reason to be cautious about all computer-based calculations. In this paper we present a "Rogue's Gallery" of simple calculations whose correct solutions are obvious to humans but whose numerical solutions are incorrect in pathological ways. We call these calculations, which can be guaranteed to wreak numerical mayhem across both software packages and hardware platforms, "Numerical Monsters". Our monsters can be used to provide deep insights into how computer calculations fail, and we use them to engender appreciation for the subject of numerical analysis in our students. Although these monsters are based on well-understood numerical pathologies, even experienced numerical analysts will surprises in their behaviour and can use the lessons they bring to become even better masters of their tools.
Diagnosis of Rickettsioses from Eschar Swab Samples, Algeria

To the Editor: Tick-borne rickettsioses are zoonoses caused by intracellular bacteria belonging to the spotted fever group rickettsiae (1). The main clinical signs are high fever, maculopapular rash, and an inoculation eschar at the site of the tick bite (corresponding to the portal of entry of rickettsiae into the host). Recently, several rickettsioses were diagnosed by using swab samples from skin lesions (2,3). In an animal model, as long as eschars were present, rickettsial DNA was detected (2). Our aim was to evaluate the advantage of skin swab samples for diagnosis of rickettsial diseases in a country where rickettsioses are endemic (4).
Association with an Ammonium-Excreting Bacterium Allows Diazotrophic Culture of Oil-Rich Eukaryotic Microalgae

ABSTRACT Concerns regarding the depletion of the world's reserves of oil and global climate change have promoted an intensification of research and development toward the production of biofuels and other alternative sources of energy during the last years. There is currently much interest in developing the technology for third-generation biofuels from microalgal biomass mainly because of its potential for high yields and reduced land use changes in comparison with biofuels derived from plant feedstocks. Regardless of the nature of the feedstock, the use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen, entails a potential economic and environmental drawback for the sustainability of biofuel production. In this work, we have studied the possibility of nitrogen biofertilization by diazotrophic bacteria applied to cultured microalgae as a promising feedstock for next-generation biofuels. We have obtained an Azotobacter vinelandii mutant strain that accumulates several times more ammonium in culture medium than wild-type cells. The ammonium excreted by the mutant cells is bioavailable to promote the growth of nondiazotrophic microalgae. Moreover, this synthetic symbiosis was able to produce an oil-rich microalgal biomass using both carbon and nitrogen from the air. This work provides a proof of concept that artificial symbiosis may be considered an alternative strategy for the low-N-intensive cultivation of microalgae for the sustainable production of next-generation biofuels and other bioproducts.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in a Christmas Island nuclear test veteran

We describe the case of a 71-year-old man with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern) diagnosed on clinical, radiological and lung function criteria, in accordance with the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society consensus criteria (2000), who had been in close proximity to three atmospheric nuclear bomb blasts during military service in 1957. He does not have clubbing and clinically and radiologically his lung disease is stable. He also has bladder carcinoma and carotid arteriosclerosis, both recognised consequences of radiation injury. This is the first reported case of UIP in a nuclear test veteran. Awareness of this potential association is important given the current attempts of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association to gain compensation for claimed injuries.
Local Search with Quadratic Approximations into Memetic Algorithms for Optimization with Multiple Criteria

This paper proposes a local search optimizer that, employed as an additional operator in multiobjective evolutionary techniques, can help to find more precise estimates of the Pareto-optimal surface with a smaller cost of function evaluation. The new operator employs quadratic approximations of the objective functions and constraints, which are built using only the function samples already produced by the usual evolutionary algorithm function evaluations. The local search phase consists of solving the auxiliary multiobjective quadratic optimization problem defined from the quadratic approximations, scalarized via a goal attainment formulation using an LMI solver. As the determination of the new approximated solutions is performed without the need of any additional function evaluation, the proposed methodology is suitable for costly black-box optimization problems.
Somatic mutations in the connexin 40 gene (GJA5) in atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, particularly stroke. The cardiac gap-junction protein connexin 40 is expressed selectively in atrial myocytes and mediates the coordinated electrical activation of the atria. We hypothesized that idiopathic atrial fibrillation has a genetic basis and that tissue-specific mutations in GJA5, the gene encoding connexin 40, may predispose the atria to fibrillation. METHODS We sequenced GJA5 from genomic DNA isolated from resected cardiac tissue and peripheral lymphocytes from 15 patients with idiopathic atrial fibrillation. Identified GJA5 mutations were transfected into a gap-junction-deficient cell line to assess their functional effects on protein transport and intercellular electrical coupling. RESULTS Four novel heterozygous missense mutations were identified in 4 of the 15 patients. In three patients, the mutations were found in the cardiac-tissue specimens but not in the lymphocytes, indicating a somatic source of the genetic defects. In the fourth patient, the sequence variant was detected in both cardiac tissue and lymphocytes, suggesting a germ-line origin. Analysis of the expression of mutant proteins revealed impaired intracellular transport or reduced intercellular electrical coupling. CONCLUSIONS Mutations in GJA5 may predispose patients to idiopathic atrial fibrillation by impairing gap-junction assembly or electrical coupling. Our data suggest that common diseases traditionally considered to be idiopathic may have a genetic basis, with mutations confined to the diseased tissue.
Msx1 Cooperates with Histone H1b for Inhibition of Transcription and Myogenesis

During embryogenesis, differentiation of skeletal muscle is regulated by transcription factors that include members of the Msx homeoprotein family. By investigating Msx1 function in repression of myogenic gene expression, we identified a physical interaction between Msx1 and H1b, a specific isoform of mouse histone H1. We found that Msx1 and H1b bind to a key regulatory element of MyoD, a central regulator of skeletal muscle differentiation, where they induce repressed chromatin. Moreover, Msx1 and H1b cooperate to inhibit muscle differentiation in cell culture and in Xenopus animal caps. Our findings define a previously unknown function for “linker” histones in gene-specific transcriptional regulation.
Global MPPT Scheme for Photovoltaic String Inverters Based on Restricted Voltage Window Search Algorithm

String inverter photovoltaic (PV) systems with bypass diodes require improved global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) algorithms to effectively reach the absolute maximum power operating point. Several GMPPT algorithms have been proposed to deal with this problem, but most of them require scanning wide voltage ranges of the PV array from nearly zero voltage to open-circuit voltage that increases the scanning time and, in turn, causes energy loss. This paper presents a novel GMPPT method which significantly restricts the voltage window search range and tracks the global power peak rapidly in all shading conditions. Simulation tests and experimental comparisons with another GMPPT algorithm are presented to highlight the features of the presented approach.
One-Step Identification of Five Prominent Chicken Salmonella Serovars and Biotypes

ABSTRACT Based on bacterial genomic data, we developed a one-step multiplex PCR assay to identify Salmonella and simultaneously differentiate the two invasive avian-adapted S. enterica serovar Gallinarum biotypes Gallinarum and Pullorum, and the most frequent, specific, and asymptomatic colonizers of chickens, serovars Enteritidis, Heidelberg, and Kentucky.
Genetic Factors in Hypertension – What is Known and What Does It Mean?

The cause of primary hypertension is unknown but the normal distribution of blood pressure in the population, of which hypertension represents the upper tail, suggests a multifactorial aetiology. Approximately 30%–60% of the blood pressure variation in the population is accounted for by genetic factors whereas environmental exposure explain the remaining part [1, 2]. Primary hypertension is likely to be the result of the net effect of various environmental factors and number of common variants in different genes, each of which will have a moderate effect on blood pressure [3]. Thus hypertension susceptibility genes will occur also in the normotensive segment of the population, although less frequently than in hypertensive patients. The exact genetic defects of a number of rare salt sensitive monogenic forms of hypertension have been described [4–6]. The causative mutations all lead to increased reabsorption of sodium in the renal tubules. These discoveries have highlighted the clinical relevance of searching for hypertension genes as they have allowed for early diagnosis, prevention with salt restriction and specific and effective pharmacological treatment of these monogenic forms of hypertension. The genetic background of primary hypertension is more complex and considerably harder to dissect as the number of genes and environmental factors involved are greater, resulting in a "non-Mendelian" inheritance pattern. However, thanks to the recent enormous development of molecular genetics [7], genetic statistics [8, 9] as well as of advances in clinical hypertension research, identification of primary hypertension susceptibility genes now seems feasible. This article reviews the strategies that can be used for hypertension susceptibility gene identification and gives an overview of the as yet most important findings in the field of genetics of hypertension. Finally, views on what we can expect from this research field in the future and what impact it will have on clinical medicine are put forward.