Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social Network Analysis and Time Varying Graphs

The thesis focuses on the social web and on the analysis of social networks with particular emphasis on their temporal aspects. Social networks are represented here by Time Varying Graphs (TVG), a general model for dynamic graphs borrowed from distributed computing. In the first part of the thesis we focus on the temporal aspects of social networks. We develop various temporal centrality measures for TVGs including betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector centralities, which are well known in the context of static graphs. Unfortunately the computational complexity of these temporal centrality metrics are not comparable with their static counterparts. For example, the computation of betweenness becomes intractable in the dynamic setting. For this reason, approximation techniques will also be considered. We apply these temporal measures to two very different datasets, one in the context of knowledge mobilization in a small community of university researchers, the other in the context of Facebook commenting activities among a large number of web users. In both settings, we perform a temporal analysis so to understand the importance of the temporal factors in the dynamics of those networks and to detect nodes that act as “accelerators”. In the second part of the thesis, we focus on a more standard static graph representation. We conduct a propagation study on YouTube datasets to understand and compare the propagation dynamics of two different types of users: subscribers and friends. Finally, we conclude the thesis with the proposal of a general framework to present, in a comprehensive model, the influence of the social web on e-commerce decision making.
Pressure denaturation of β‐lactoglobulin

β-Lactoglobulin, the main whey protein in bovine milk, exists in several isoforms of which the most abundant are isoforms A and B. We have previously reported the denaturation of β-lactoglobulin A by hydrostatic pressure [Valente-Mesquita, V.L. , Botelho, M.M. & Ferreira, S.T. (1998) Biophys. J.75, 471–476]. Here, we compare the pressure stabilities of isoforms A and B. These isoforms differ by two amino-acid substitutions: Asp64 and Val118 in isoform A are replaced by glycine and alanine, respectively, in isoform B. Replacement of the buried Val118 residue by the smaller alanine side-chain is not accompanied by significant structural rearrangements of the neighbouring polypeptide chain and creates a cavity in the core of β-lactoglobulin. Pressure denaturation experiments revealed different stabilities of the two isoforms. Standard volume changes (ΔVunf) of – 49 ± 8 mL·mol−1 and −75 ± 3 mL·mol−1, and unfolding free energy changes (ΔGunf) of 8.5 ± 1.3 kJ·mol−1 and 11.3 ± 0.4 kJ·mol−1 were obtained for isoforms A and B, respectively. The volume occupied by the two methyl groups of Val118 removed in the V118A substitution is ≈ 40 A3 per monomer of β-lactoglobulin, in excellent agreement with the experimentally measured difference in ΔVunf for the two isoforms (ΔΔVunf = 26 mL·mol−1, corresponding to ≈ 43 A3 per monomer). Thus, the existence of a core cavity in β-lactoglobulin B may explain its enhanced pressure sensitivity relative to β-lactoglobulin A. β-Lactoglobulin undergoes a reversible pH-induced conformational change around pH 7, known as the Tanford transition. We have compared the pressure denaturation of β-lactoglobulin A at pH 7 and 8. Unfolding free energy changes of 8.5 ± 1.3 and 8.3 ± 0.3 kJ·mol−1 were obtained at pH 7 and 8, respectively, showing that the thermodynamic stability of β-lactoglobulin is identical at these pH values. Interestingly, ΔVunf was dependent on pH, and varied from −49 ± 8 mL·mol−1 to −68 ± 2 mL·mol−1 at pH 7 and 8, respectively. The large increase in ΔVunf at pH 8 relative to pH 7 appears to be associated with an overall expansion of the protein structure and could explain the increased pressure sensitivity of β-lactoglobulin at alkaline pH.
Brief literature review for the WHO global influenza research agenda – highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 risk in humans

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 viruses remain a significant health threat to humans given the continued rare occurrence of human cases with a high case fatality rate. This brief literature review summarizes available evidence of risk factors for H5N1 infection in humans and updates a recent systematic review published in early 2011. Several epidemiologic studies have been published to evaluate the risk factors for H5N1 infection in humans, including contact with poultry and poultry products and non‐poultry‐related contact such as from H5N1‐contaminated water. While most H5N1 cases are attributed to exposure to sick poultry, it is unclear how many may be due to human‐to‐human transmission. The collective results of published literature suggest that transmission risk of H5N1 from poultry to humans may be highest among individuals who may have been in contact with the highest potential concentrations of virus shed by poultry. This suggests that there may be a threshold of virus concentration needed for effective transmission and that circulating H5N1 strains have not yet mutated to transmit readily from either poultry to human or from human to human. However, the mode of potential transmission can be quite varied throughout different countries and by study with exposures ranging from visiting a wet market, preparing infected poultry for consumption, to swimming or bathing in ponds frequented by poultry. Several important data gaps remain in the understanding of the epidemiology of H5N1 in humans and limit our ability to interpret the results of the available H5N1 seroepidemiologic studies.
Two olfactory marker proteins in Xenopus laevis

Mature olfactory receptor neurons of mammals are characterized by the expression of the highly conserved olfactory marker protein (OMP) encoded by single copy genes. In Xenopus laevis, two homologous genes encoding olfactory marker proteins have been identified that share a sequence identity with mammalian OMPs of about 50%. Sequence comparison revealed significant variability in the N‐terminus and C‐terminus regions; in contrast, two internal domains were highly conserved between amphibian and mammalian OMPs, suggesting some functional relevance. The two OMP subtypes were regionally expressed in the olfactory nasal epithelium of Xenopus. XOMP1 transcripts were more abundant in the lateral diverticulum and XOMP2 in the medial diverticulum. The lateral location of XOMP1 and medial location of XOMP2 correspond to the suggested locations of olfactory receptor neurons responsive to water‐borne and air‐borne odorants, respectively. J. Comp. Neurol. 395:273–280, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
De la levure aux maladies neurodégénératives - Dix ans d’exploration des pathologies de la dynamique mitochondriale

L’identification, il y a dix ans, d’alterations de la dynamique mitochondriale dans des maladies neurodegeneratives hereditaires affectant principalement les nerfs optiques et peripheriques a signe l’emergence d’un nouveau type de mecanisme physiopathologique responsable de mitochondriopathies. Celui-ci implique des mutations dans les genes codant des GTPases de la famille des dynamines qui assurent la fusion ou la fission du reseau mitochondrial. Des alterations similaires de la dynamique mitochondriale ont aussi ete recemment retrouvees dans les maladies d’Alzheimer et de Parkinson, soulignant le role essentiel joue par la plasticite mitochondriale dans la survie neuronale, par le controle de l’activite energetique et de sa distribution le long des axones.
Detection of receptor clustering by flow cytometric fluorescence anisotropy measurements

Background Perrin equation suggests an alternative way for the accurate energy transfer determination on a cell-by-cell basis by measuring polarized donor intensities in a conventional flow cytometer. Methods The relationship between energy transfer and fluorescence anisotropy of the donor was investigated by flow cytometric generation of Perrin-lifetime plots of fluorescent antibody-labeled MHC class I and class II molecules on the surface of living cells. The energy transfer reduced the fluorescence lifetime of the donor. Results Perrin plots have proven to be sensitive to the segmental mobility of the labeling dye and that of antibodies of different isotypes, and homo-transfer due to the multiple labeling of antibodies. A method demonstrating the feasibility of energy transfer determination by measuring anisotropy enhancement of the donor is presented. Flow cytometric histograms of the donor anisotropy and of the deduced energy transfer efficiency are shown, indicating clustering of MHC class I and class II molecules on the surface of human T lymphoblasts. In the Appendix, a method for the simultaneous determination of both energy transfer efficiency and donor fluorescence anisotropy, without need for G-factor measurement, is also presented. Conclusions We demonstrate that energy transfer efficiency, i.e., proximity, between suitably selected donor and acceptor, and the rotational relaxation of the donor, i.e., donor mobility, can be simultaneously measured in a flow cytometer. Cytometry 40:292–306, 2000 © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of fungi and fusariotoxins on barley seed from western Canada, 1995 to 1997

To determine the mycoflora of barley seed (Hordeum vulgare) grown in western Canada, 1494 grain samples were collected over three years and combined according to year and crop district. Two hundred randomly selected seeds per crop district were tested for the presence of fungal infection by surface disinfecting then plating onto potato dextrose agar. At least 70 species representing 40 fungal genera were identified. Levels of Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris sorokiniana, and Fusarium graminearum were highest in the eastern prairies, whereas Cladosporium species, Drechslera teres, and Stagonospora nodorum were highest in samples from the western prairies. In 1996 and 1997, composite samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry for the presence of eight fusariotoxins. Deoxynivalenol levels ≥0.05 ppm were found in samples from 7 of 10 Manitoba crop districts and I of 19 Saskatchewan crop districts in 1996, and from 8 of 11 Manitoba and 1 of 20 Saskatchewan crop districts in 1997. Detectable levels of 15-O-acetyl-4-deoxynivalenol were present in samples from two Manitoba crop districts in 1996 and four in 1997.
DynaSAN: Multipathing integration, load balancing & failover over storage virtualization

Storage virtualization is an effective solution which simplifies with unified architecture to enhance flexibility, scalability and security at SAN. This paper describes the multipathing integration solution DynaSAN a prototype through a proposed isolation and predictable performance guarantee to enhance storage load balancing and failover over storage virtualization at LUN and improves the Quality of service at hypervisor layer inclusion of a model that besides on control over storage and metadata to synchronize the exploring the storage and maintain the accuracy and balancing in virtualized environment.
Labeling Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes with Indocyanine Green for Noninvasive Tracking with Optical Imaging: An FDA-Compatible Alternative to Firefly Luciferase

Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) have demonstrated the ability to improve myocardial function following transplantation into an ischemic heart; however, the functional benefits are transient possibly due to poor cell retention. A diagnostic technique that could visualize transplanted hESC-CMs could help to optimize stem cell delivery techniques. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a labeling technique for hESCs and hESC-CMs with the FDA-approved contrast agent indocyanine green (ICG) for optical imaging (OI). hESCs were labeled with 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5 mg/ml of ICG for 30, 45, and 60 min at 37°C. Longitudinal OI studies were performed with both hESCs and hESC-CMs. The expression of surface proteins was assessed with immunofluorescent staining. hESCs labeled with 2 mg ICG/ml for 60 min achieved maximum fluorescence. Longitudinal studies revealed that the fluorescent signal was equivalent to controls at 120 h postlabeling. The fluorescence signal of hESCs and hESC-CMs at 1, 24, and 48 h was significantly higher compared to precontrast data (p < 0.05). Immunocytochemistry revealed retention of cell-specific surface and nuclear markers postlabeling. These data demonstrate that hESCs and hESC-CMs labeled with ICG show a significant fluorescence up to 48 h and can be visualized with OI. The labeling procedure does not impair the viability or functional integrity of the cells. The technique may be useful for assessing different delivery routes in order to improve the engraftment of transplanted hESC-CMs or other stem cell progenitors.
Property Restoral Approach To Blind Equalization Of Digital Transmission Channels

A new algorithm using the property restoral approach for adaptive blind equalization of digital transmission channels is proposed. According to residual intersymbol interference (ISI) levels at the equalizer output, the proposed algorithm adopts a single-level radius or a multi-level radius to form the error signal to be minimized. Thus, it is possible to reduce the steady-state error and improve the convergence speed of conventional property restoral algorithms. We examined the performance improvement obtained by the proposed algorithm over the constant modulus algorithm (CMA), dual-mode Godard algorithm (DMGA), and radius-directed equalization (RDE) algorithm for 16- and 32-QAM signals.
Spectral characterization of fluorescently labeled catechol estrogen 3,4-quinone-derived N7 guanine adducts and their identification in rat mammary gland tissue.

The oxidation of carcinogenic 4-hydroxycatechol estrogens (CE) of estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) to catechol estrogen 3,4-quinones (CE-3,4-Q) results in electrophilic intermediates that covalently bind to DNA to form depurinating adducts [Cavalieri et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94, 10937]. These DNA adducts, 4-OHE1-1-N7Gua and 4-OHE2-1-N7Gua, are nonfluorescent. To utilize laser-excited fluorescence methods, the catechol estrogen-derived metabolites and adducts were labeled with a fluorescent marker. The 4-OHEi-1-N7Gua adduct standards (i = 1, 2) and 4-OHEi metabolites have been derivatized with 1-pyrenesulfonyl chloride and investigated by low-temperature spectroscopy under non-line-narrowing and line-narrowing conditions. Molecular modeling studies assisted in interpretation of the fluorescence spectra; energetically favored structures of the 4-OHE2-1-N7Gua-dipyrene adduct and 4-OHE2-dipyrene metabolite reveal unique conformations which, in agreement with fluorescence data, show a significant pi-pi interaction of pyrene labels with guanine and/or the aromatic ring of catechol estrogen. The conformation obtained for the 4-OHE2-1-N7Gua-dipyrene adduct appears to be conducive to mixing of its pipi state with pyrene-guanine charge-transfer states, consistent with the experimentally observed strong electron-phonon coupling. Non-line-narrowed and line-narrowed spectra obtained at 77 and 4.2 K, respectively, are shown to distinguish 4-OHE2-1-N7Gua-dipyrene adducts from 4-OHE2-dipyrene metabolites. These standards have subsequently been used for the spectroscopic identification of depurinating DNA adducts formed in a tissue culture experiment where rat mammary gland tissue was treated with the estrogen quinone E2-3,4-Q. The depurinating adduct formed is 4-OHE2-1-N7Gua.
Parasol and midget ganglion cells of the human retina

Golgi‐impregnated ganglion cells were studied in two flat‐mounted human retinas. A number of different morphologic forms were observed, and those showing a thickly branching dendritic field with terminals that stratified within a narrow zone of the inner plexiform layer were selected for further investigation. When the dendritic field diameter of these cells was plotted against distance from the fovea, the scatter diagram showed two distinct clusters. At any given eccentricity, there was no overlap between the cell group with large dendritic fields and the group with small dendritic fields. Those with the larger dendritic fields also tended to have larger somas and thicker axons than the group with the smaller dendritic fields.
Analyse échocardio-graphique du ventricule droit

Le ventricule droit (VD) est essentiel a la physiologie et la physiopathologie cardiopulmonaires. La presence d’une dysfonction systolique du VD est un element pronostique a prendre en compte dans la prise en charge des patients atteints d’infarctus du myocarde (IDM) inferieur, de valvulopathies significatives, de cardiopathies congenitales, d’hypertension arterielle pulmonaire (HTAP) et chez les patients en insuffisance cardiaque aigue ou chronique. L’analyse du VD repose sur une approche non invasive (echocardiographie-Doppler, methode isotopique, imagerie par resonance magnetique cardiaque) et/ou invasive (catheterisme cardiaque droit). Longtemps negligee en echocardiographie, l’analyse du VD a le vent en poupe avec l’arrivee de nouvelles technologies d’imagerie : doppler tissulaire myocardique, strain imaging et 2D speckle tracking . Ce travail resume et discute les parametres d’analyse du VD en echocardiographie-Doppler.
A t(6;12)(q23;p13) results in the fusion of ETV6 to a novel gene, STL, in a B‐cell ALL cell line

ETV6 (TEL) is rearranged in various types of hematologic malignancies. The B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line SUP‐B2 has a t(6;12)(q23;p13) involving ETV6 at 12p13 and a submicroscopic deletion of the other ETV6 allele. The reciprocal translocation results in the fusion of ETV6 to a previously unknown gene at 6q23, which we named STL (six‐twelve leukemia gene). Both reciprocal fusion transcripts can be detected: On the der(6) chromosome, the ETV6/STL mRNA shows an apparently out of frame fusion of ETV6 at nucleotide 187 to STL, which would result in the addition of 14 amino acids to the first 54 amino acids of ETV6. On the der(12) chromosome three different variants of the STL/ETV6 fusion mRNA could be detected; variable size segments were inserted at the breakpoint between STL and ETV6 exon 3. One of these variants could give rise to a protein in which the first 54 amino acids of ETV6 are replaced by 12 amino acids from one of the STL short open reading frames. Sequence analysis of a 1.4 kb STL cDNA clone from a skeletal muscle library revealed no long open reading frames. This cell line will be very useful in studying the different mechanisms by which alterations of ETV6 contribute to leukemogenesis and in testing the hypothesis that ETV6 might act as a tumor suppressor gene. Genes Chromosom. Cancer 18:254–268, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemical Constituents of the Soft Coral Sarcophyton Infundibuliforme from the South China Sea

One new cembrane diterpenoid, named sarcolactone A (1), along with five known compounds (2–6) were isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton infundibuliforme collected from the South China Sea. The structure of sarcolactone A (1) was elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectral data, especially 2D-NMR spectra (1H-1H COSY, HMBC and NOESY). All the compounds were evaluated for their brine shrimp lethality and antifouling activities.
The Scaling-up Problem for Visual Programming Languages

Visual programming languages (VPLs) appear to have great promise towards lessening the distinction between programming and problem solving, by making programming more direct, more immediate, and simpler. However, many of today''s VPLs are not suitable for solving large, realistic programming problems, and efforts to make them so often reintroduce the very complexities that VPLs seek to avoid. This is referred to as the scaling-up problem. This paper discusses the opportunities and obstacles VPLs encounter when attempting to solve the scaling-up problem. An understanding of this problem, its components, and the interrelationships among these components is necessary to ensure that efforts to solve the problem are productive and that these efforts do not compromise the qualities that make VPLs attractive.
Effects of Information Sharing on Diversity and Adaptivity of Behaviors in Competitive Populations ——Multi-Agent Simulation of Information Supplement of Congestion Status at Events——

あらまし 本研究は,イベント会場における混雑解消のための混雑情報提供を,集団における行動の多様性に 対する情報共有の影響とその適応性に関する具体的な状況設定とみなし,抽象モデルによるマルチエージェント シミュレーションを通してその集団全体への影響に関して知見を得ることを目的とする. 具体的には,はじめに, イベント会場に設置された複数の施設を,多数の来場者が各自の嗜好に基づいて観賞してまわる抽象モデルを構 築し,混雑の偏りに対する施設配置の基本的な影響を明らかにする. 次に,来場者に対して混雑情報の提供を行 い,来場者がそれに従って行動する状況を設定した場合,集団全体の混雑にどのような影響を及ぼすかについて 解析を行う. その結果,混雑情報の提供は基本的にはアトラクションごとの待機エージェント数の偏りを減少さ せるが,情報提供の頻度が高すぎる場合には個々の待機エージェント数が大きく振動するという影響があること が明らかになった. 更に,来場者を増加して長い期間シミュレーションを行うと,時間経過とともに混雑情報提供 の効果が減少し,それをきっかけにして突発的に待ち行列が発生するという動的な現象が生じることが判明した. キーワード 情報共有,El farol bar 問題,Minority Game,マルチエージェント
A Sketch of Comparative Embryology

needed for use as food. Not less interesting, however, would be instances of the use of organic refuse derived from other sources. Can it be possible that the agricultural Indians of America, such, for instance, as the Moquis, have never thought of making this very obvious application of their domestic animals ? When did the Aryan races take their first steps in provident agriculture? These questions must be extremely important to those who are studying the development of culture and civilization.
A Visual Analytics Approach to the Qualitative Comparison of the SESAR and NextGen Efforts

The development and implementation efforts of both NextGen and SESAR programs are based on the realization that active cooperation, harmonization, and interoperability among systems is essential and necessary for both SESAR and NextGen to be successful. While significant efforts have been made towards collaboration and synchronization, additional work is required to harmonize capabilities, terminology, assumptions, standards, and implementation schedules. This paper builds on previous efforts to facilitate the harmonization between NextGen and SESAR. It presents a rigorous approach and visual environment which enable a comparison of the components of both programs, and further support the identification and understanding of the nature of their relationships. In particular, this paper provides a means to look and compare both SESAR and NextGen programs, roadmaps, terminologies and definitions.
Protocol Detection Capabilities in Bro

Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) focus generally on 3 main detection methods; (i) signature, (ii) anomaly network traffic behaviour, and (iii) protocol analyses. The challenge in protocol analyses is to detect the correct protocol used and initiate the proper analyzing method(s). The TCP/IP suite have a standard scheme which predefines port numbers for each protocol by IANA. However, both benign and evil software are continuously getting more and more sophisticated and do not follow these predefined rules. Bro is a open source framework for network traffic analyses 1 [33]. We will in this paper focus mainly on protocol analyzing mechanisms in Bro. With Bro we can analyze network traffic and detect odd protocol/port pairs usage. We will also look at what Bro can contribute regarding digital forensics. Does the present version of Bro 2 hold any machine learning functionality?