Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An OGSA-based Integration of Life-scientific Resources for Drug Discovery

Summary Objectives: The rapid progress of life-scientific research has the potential to dramatically change the paradigm of drug discovery. Efficient utilization of life-scientific resources, i.e., databases and analytic software tools, poses a challenging issue with regard to the reduction of time and cost in the drug discovery process. In this paper, a variety of heterogeneous Web-based life-scientific resources are integrated toward the improvement of drug discovery performance. Methods: For the integration of heterogeneous life-scientific resources, a database federation technique based on three-layer architecture has been utilized. With the federation technique, life-scientific resources are integrated step by step through database layers, database integration layers and analysis layers to encapsulate complexity and heterogeneity. In this study, we have taken advantage of the latest Grid technology based on OGSA (Open Grid Services Architecture) for the implementation of our approach. Results: The actual case of life-scientific resources for drug discovery demonstrates that our prototype system developed with the proposed technique works well for the identification process of candidate compounds to a target protein. In other words, the prototype system allows a researcher to retrieve candidate compounds with less effort than before. Conclusions: The usefulness of the prototypic system represents the ability of our approach to integrate heterogeneous life-scientific resources, which have the potential to dramatically improve efficiency in drug discovery, resulting in the shortening of drug development. On the other hand, the system requires further consideration from the aspect of practical use. Dynamic aggregation of the resources is one example of such a consideration.
Unified Design of LLR Quantization and Joint Reception for Mobile Fronthaul Bandwidth Reduction

This paper proposes a unified design of log likelihood ratio (LLR) quantization and joint reception (JR) to reduce the mobile fronthaul (MFH) bandwidth in the split-physical (PHY) processing (SPP). SPP is one of the schemes that redefine the base station (BS) functional split between a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio head (RRH) in cloud radio access network (C-RAN). SPP splits the BS functions between the channel encoder/decoder and the modulator/demodulator of the PHY layer functions. In the uplink scenarios, the RRH forwards demodulator output LLR to the channel decoder at the BBU through the MFH. To reduce the MFH bandwidth, the number of LLR quantization bits must be minimized while maintaining the requested quality after JR, for example in terms of bit error rate (BER) requirement. To deal with the minimization, the proposed scheme adaptively controls the LLR quantization threshold according to the received signal to noise ratio (SNR) as well as the capability of source coding for data compression of the quantized LLR. Numerical simulations show that the proposed scheme is capable of reducing the average number of LLR quantization bits to fewer than 2 bits and 1.1 bits at the minimum with a JR block error rate (BLER) performance superior to that of selection combining.
Fitness of an Escherichia coli Mutator Gene

Competition experiments between Escherichia coli mutT1 and mut+ populations show that the mutator gene confers selective advantage on the strain that carries it. The observed increase in fitness varies, with an average increase in mutator growth rate of 1.4 percent when mutator and wild-type strains are grown together in chemostats.
IFRS Adoption Impact On Financial And Accounting Information Quality: An Exploratory Study On Moroccan Petroleum And Gas Sector

The balance of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), after ten years of their implementation, has reflected a positive perception of its impacts on the function i°finance and accountingi± of companies and issuers. Those companies and issuers observe, in a large majority that the transition to IFRS has increased the quality and the homogeneity of the information produced and the rapidity of their establishment. Unfortunately in academic research, such studies remains not clear as most publications front IFRS adoption impact in general manner which concern all sectors at the same study. The purpose of this article is to present the results of an empirical study of three petroleum and gas companies listed in the Casablanca Stock Exchanges (CSE), to measure the impact of the IFRS adoption on financial and accounting information quality in Moroccan petroleum and gas sector. The released results show that this impact is positive for the petroleum and gas sector and the majority of the accounting and financial variables of this sector under IFRS dependents on those variables under the General Standardization Code of Morocco (GSCM).
A Mode of Government - Enterprise - University - Institute - Employer Cooperation for Innovative Postgraduate Cultivation

Innovative talent training is an important task of postgraduate education. From the survey of innovative postgraduate training in China, we conclude that there is still much room for improvement in the innovative postgraduate cultivation. The survey shows that insufficient professional practice, simplex training mode and a mismatch between postgraduates' abilities and employers' professional requirement are considered to be defects of the current postgraduate education, among which the training mode is a key factor that determines the talent-training quality. According to the quality composition of innovative talents and academic demands of the postgraduate, factors that determine the training quality of innovative talents have been analyzed and a cooperation mode which combines the effort of government, enterprise, university, institute and employer for innovative postgraduate cultivation is proposed. The connotation and mechanism of the mode are expounded in detail. Four suggestions in implementing the proposed model is also put forward based on the previous practice experience.
Personalized Recommendation System Framework Based on Fuzzy Interest Model and Multi-Agent

The paper proposes a personalized recommendation system framework based on Fuzzy Interest Model and Multi-Agent to solve the recommentdation system's inability to collect information from the customers' evaluation on the commodity's properties implicitly.The recommendation system creates and updates the UserProfile in accordance with customers' private information collected on the client and combined with information in which customers are interested in.
Impact of Two Dispatching Methods on AGC Unit Dispatch in Electricity Market Environment

Automatic generation control (AGC) unit dispatch is an important research content in auxiliary service of electricity market. Owing to the close relation between AGC service and active energy, how to consider the coordination of AGC service with active power in electricity market is worthy to research. For this purpose, the model of joint dispatching of AGC and active power market and the model of sequential dispatching of AGC and active power market are respectively built to make the cost for purchasing AGC service and active power minimum. Genetic algorithm (GA) is used to solve the two models, and the similarities and differences of the two dispatching methods are compared, meanwhile the impact generation suppliers’ bidding strategy on the two dispatching methods is taken into account.
AN ELECTRO-OPTIC E-FIELD PROBE

A novel concept for an electric-field (E-field) probe is proposed. The reactive near field, induced by an impinging E-field, of a very short, short-circuited receiving dipole is measured with the aid of an electro-optical modulator. The modulator is designed as a Fabry-Perot etalon. The laser light guided in the etalon is modulated proportionally to the near field of the antenna. The advantage of the etalon is to considerably increase the sensitivity of the probe compared to known electro-optic probes. It is shown analytically, for an ellipsoidal dipole, that only the electrostatic terms of the dipole field are relevant. The advantage of using a dipole much shorter than the wavelength is to minimize the interaction of the probe with the environment and the impinging electromagnetic (EM) field. Very important is the optimal choice of the material of the modulator. Since the linear electro-optical effect is used, best results are achieved if the index ellipsoid of the material parameters does not rotate under the influence of an external field but only varies its size. Such behaviour is found in materials as e.g. LiNbO3, and poled polymers. Because of reflections, a second parameter of concern is the permittivity of the modulator base material. Its value should be as close as possible to the permittivity of the environment. Therefore, polymers are the most promising materials known today for this kind of probes.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase protects aortic allografts from the development of transplant arteriosclerosis.

BACKGROUND Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is up-regulated in rejecting allografts and is protective against allograft arteriosclerosis; it suppresses neointimal smooth muscle cell accumulation and inhibits adhesion of platelets and leukocytes to the endothelium. However, the functional importance of endothelial NOS (eNOS) in the rejecting allografts remains unclear. METHODS We examined the effects of selective eNOS deficiency in aortic allografts in a murine chronic rejection model using grafts from eNOS knockout (KO) mice (C57BL/6 background; H2b) and normal C3H (H2K) as recipients. Grafts from wild-type C57BL/6 mice served as controls. Grafts from iNOS KO mice served as a second group of controls where the contribution from iNOS was eliminated but eNOS was preserved. Aortic grafts were harvested and analyzed at days 10-14, 18-22, and 26-30 after transplantation. RESULTS Endothelial NOS-deficient grafts showed significantly increased intima/media ratios at days 26-30 compared to controls. Immunostaining demonstrated that in eNOS KO grafts, eNOS was not detectable whereas iNOS was expressed prominently in infiltrating recipient mononuclear cells. In control grafts, eNOS expression was preserved in the endothelium even by day 30, and associated with a decrease in intimal thickening. We further demonstrated that early overexpression of iNOS by ex vivo gene transfer completely prevented the development of arteriosclerosis associated with eNOS deficiency. CONCLUSIONS We found that eNOS plays a protective role in allografts, and that in eNOS-deficient allografts, early overexpression of iNOS is capable of preventing the development of allograft arteriosclerosis. In allografts with dysfunctional vascular endothelium and impaired eNOS activity as a result of ischemia or native arteriosclerotic disease, iNOS gene therapy may serve to improve their long-term survival and function.
Changes in New Zealand transport mode choices over time by size of city

This paper will discuss how New Zealand cities have similarities with many North American and Australian cities in terms of their form. Typically, they are characterized by urban sprawl, as most private housing consists of free-standing dwellings with a relatively large section (yard). This form of development potentially leads to dependence on cars as a mode of transport, generating in New Zealand some of the highest car ownership rates in the world. In the light of concerns about global warming, recent research has highlighted that the nature of urban development is a major contributor to climate change and that changes in urban form offer the potential to cut greenhouse emissions. Analysis of New Zealand travel survey data over the period 1989-2006 showed a disturbing trend nationally of increasing use of cars, accompanied by large decreases in cycling and walking for children aged 5-14. This poses concerns not only about the negative environmental effects of driving, but also about New Zealand’s growing obesity epidemic, to which sedentary lifestyles contribute. The current study looked at travel survey data according to city size, showing that the reduction in children’s walking and cycling appears to be a problem that is largest in the bigger cities, but still a concern in smaller cities. In contrast, small towns and rural areas showed no such reduction in children’s walking and cycling. This contrast in transport mode choices is hypothesized to be associated with changes in the urban form of the larger cities over the time period studied, which may not have been so apparent in smaller urban centers. Further testing of this hypothesis is required to identify other societal changes happening concurrently, but the fact that small towns and rural areas have not seen a reduction in active transport choices suggest urban form as an influence, the implications of which need to be considered by town planners.
Lobbying With The FASB: The Case Of Accounting For Pension Terminations And Curtailments

A content analysis of the one hundred and ten letters received in response to Exposure Drafts for settlements and curtailments of defined benefit pension plans is combined with a comparison of the Exposure Drafts (FASB, 1986) and the final rule, SFAS 88, (FASB, 1988) to determine if lobbying efforts were successful in obtaining a more desirable rule.
An enhanced lean tool performance for make-to-order industry by using hybrid optimal algorithm

This paper proposes an approach for setting parameters of the control of balance by card-based navigation (Cobacabana). On the one hand, a commercial software ARENA was used in a simulation phase. On the other hand, Antcoba was utilised in an optimisation phase. The main objective of the paper is to apply a hybrid optimal algorithm as simulation optimisation for obtaining model parameters. Numerical data using real data from a case study was used for evaluating the proposed algorithm. The experiment shows that the algorithm is efficient and satisfies.
Markov Security Games : Learning in Spatial Security Problems

In this paper we present a preliminary investigation of modelling spatial aspects of security games within the context of Markov games. Reinforcement learning is a powerful tool for adaptation in unknown environments, however the basic singleagent RL algorithms are unfit to be applied in adversarial scenarios. Therefore, we profit from Adversarial Multi-Armed Bandit (AMAB) methods which are designed for such situations. Based on temporal difference methods we derive two new multiagent algorithms using AMAB methods for spatial two-player non-cooperative security games.
Feminizing Wolbachia in Zyginidia pullula (Insecta, Hemiptera), a leafhopper with an XX/X0 sex-determination system

Zyginidia pullula is a grass-dwelling leafhopper characterized by a bisexual reproduction mode. In this species, some females collected in Northern Italy, when mated with males, gave origin to an exclusively female brood. Here, we demonstrated that in these lineages an infection by a new strain of Wolbachia pipientis—designated as wZygpul—was detected by amplifying and sequencing the wsp and 16S rRNA genes. About half of the female progeny were characterized by intersexual phenotypes, i.e. showing upper pygofer appendages, a typical male secondary sexual feature. The karyological analysis proved that while phenotypically normal females had a female genotype, those with upper pygofer appendages had a male genotype and were thus feminized males. The complete removal of W. pipientis after tetracycline treatment of morphologically normal females, and the consequent re-appearance of males in the brood, permitted us to connect the feminizing effect with the presence of the bacterium. This is the first case of feminization by W. pipientis in an XX/X0 sex-determination system, and is the second case reported in insects.
Comparison of serum FSH and Inhibin B levels between adult male dizygotic and monozygotic twins.

BACKGROUND FSH hypersecretion occurs in mothers of dizygotic (DZ) twins. Twinning is inherited via both sexes and transmitted through the female. FSH hypersecretion may thus occur in male DZ twins. METHODS We assayed FSH and its counter-regulatory hormone, Inhibin B, in 108 adult male DZ and 100 monozygotic (MZ) twins (as controls) and compared our results to published norms. RESULTS Inhibin B was elevated and higher in DZ compared with MZ twins with similar FSH. CONCLUSION The normal FSH: Inhibin B endocrine feedback axis is different in adult male DZ twins. This contributes to the theory that the answer to human DZ twinning lies in the actions of FSH and Inhibin, and in their mutual interaction.
Balanced Codes with Parallel Encoding and Decoding

A balanced code with k information bits and r check bits is a binary code of length n=k+r and cardinality 2/sup k/ such that the number of 1s in each code word is equal to [n/2]. This paper describes the design of efficient balanced codes with parallel encoding and parallel decoding. In this case, since area and delay of such circuits are critical factors, another parameter is introduced in the definition of balanced code: the "number of balancing functions used in the code design", p. Parallel encoding and decoding algorithms independent from the chosen balancing method are given and these can be implemented by a VLSI circuit of size O(pk) and depth O(logp). This paper also presents a new balancing method: the permutation method, which, for infinitely many values of k (such as, k=8, 10, 20, 22, 32, 34, .) is more efficient than Knuth's complementation method. This new method results in efficient balanced codes with k information bits, k even, r=2[k/12]+2 check bits and p=6 balancing functions. Further, Knuth's complementation method is generalized to obtain efficient code designs for any value of the parameters k, r, and p, provided that k/spl les/2/spl Sigma//sub i=0//sup m/(/sub i//sup r/)+p(r-2m-1)[(kr+k+r) mod 2], where m is such that (/sub m-1//sup r/)
Advancing Social Change by Synergizing Nonprofit Organizations with Common Missions

The aim of this study is to advance the efforts of nonprofit organizations in achieving their missions. In the form of a case study, the paper discusses how this can be achieved by bringing together the resources of different nonprofit and for profit organizations that serve a common cause/mission. An endeavor is made for helping an eye care charity organization by impacting it in both a positive and sustainable manner. The effort reaches to various organizations related to eye healthcare in order to seek out the common cause they all are working for. It is found out that the more closely related the missions of the organizations are the stronger and more effective will be the resultant synergies of their collaboration. Although the work of this study is preliminary however it serves as a good model for any nonprofit to reap benefit from and significantly enhance its effectiveness towards reaching its goals. The research hopes that it can fundamentally advance and impact how social work is being done on a global platform.
Understanding the Role of Export Marketing Assistance: Empirical Evidence and Research Needs

Uses a response‐hierarchy approach as an integrative framework for a review of key issues and research in the field of export assistance. Following a discussion of the concept and role of export assistance, proposes a framework depicting a company′s adoption and evaluation of export assistance services and subsequently uses this as a basis for a discussion of empirical findings. Concurrently, emphasis is placed on associated methodological problems and the development of future research directions.
3PLSP scale for co‐operative dairies in Indian context

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a scale for measuring benefits of third party logistics service providers for co‐operative dairies in an Indian context. The objective is to measure benefits of third party logistics service providers for co‐operative dairies.Design/methodology/approach – A standard scale development research procedure recommended by experts was followed. First, the literature review of studies to measure benefits of third party logistics was undertaken. Later, Delphi method was used. Interviews were conducted of experts and customers for understanding and generating items for measuring benefits of third party logistics service providers for co‐operative dairies. A survey was then undertaken first for development of the scale and later for validation purpose.Findings – A reliable and valid scale is developed to measure the five dimensions of benefits of using 3PLSPs for co‐operative dairies: responsiveness, accuracy, customization of service, inventory handling and order p.
ISLAMIC SUKUK: PRICING MECHANISM AND RATING

The advantage of sukuk is that they are compliant with shariah principles. Sukuk are therefore attractive investment instruments for Islamic financial institutions, shariah managed funds and takaful Islamic insurance companies that cannot invest in conventional securities that involve payment of interest or riba. As well as there are an increasing number of Muslims of high net worth who want their asset holdings to comply with shariah rules. The main objective of this paper is to elucidate and describe the significance of the pricing mechanisms and rating on Islamic sukuk.
Female Concentration and the Adoption of Parental Leave in Japanese Work Organizations

This study investigates the impact of female concentration on the implementation of parental leave policy by Japanese employers. Specifically, I examine how female ratio and the proportion of married women within firms affect Japanese employers' decisions about providing parental leave for their employees. I discuss how these employer characteristics are likely to be associated with the provision of family assistance based on theories of organizational behavior and test these hypotheses using data from 1779 business establishments in Japan. Findings indicate that firms with predominantly female workforces were not necessarily more likely to adopt parental leave. Surprisingly, the proportion of married women at the workplace exerted a powerful negative impact on employer adoption of parental leave, and this negative effect was significant across all levels of industrial female concentration. Results also show that the presence of a climate at work that discriminates against women tends to prevent the provision of parental leave. Interestingly, the proportion of women managers in a firm reduced the likelihood that parental leave is adopted by employers of large firms and heavily female industry.
Transfer of Export Process from Customer to Supplier -The Case of Volvo do Brasil-

This thesis explores the issues around the export process transfer from customer to supplier, namely Volvo do Brasil and local suppliers. The purpose has been to generate an understanding of the factors that enable the transfer of the process in a matter where mutual gain can be obtained. The theoretical framework of the study is based on a behaviouristic view to the process transfer issue. The theoretical discussion focuses on the relational aspects in process transfer. The section is concluded with a model that summarises the factors affecting process transfer in an emerging market context. The empirical section of the study includes findings where all perspectives of the parties involved are presented. The findings indicate that the relational aspects form a basis to the process transfer and subsequent strategy implementation. However, these factors alone do not grant that the target supplier is able to implement direct exporting. In conclusion, it has been found that the transfer of the export process requires communication routines and clear role division between the affiliate and headquarters (HQ). Moreover, it has been found that ability depends on the willingness and the capability of the supplier.