Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EbfC (YbaB) Is a New Type of Bacterial Nucleoid-Associated Protein and a Global Regulator of Gene Expression in the Lyme Disease Spirochete

ABSTRACT Nearly every known species of Eubacteria encodes a homolog of the Borrelia burgdorferi EbfC DNA-binding protein. We now demonstrate that fluorescently tagged EbfC associates with B. burgdorferi nucleoids in vivo and that chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of wild-type EbfC showed it to bind in vivo to sites throughout the genome, two hallmarks of nucleoid-associated proteins. Comparative RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of a mutant B. burgdorferi strain that overexpresses EbfC indicated that approximately 4.5% of borrelial genes are significantly impacted by EbfC. The ebfC gene was highly expressed in rapidly growing bacteria, but ebfC mRNA was undetectable in stationary phase. Combined with previous data showing that EbfC induces bends in DNA, these results demonstrate that EbfC is a nucleoid-associated protein and lead to the hypothesis that B. burgdorferi utilizes cellular fluctuations in EbfC levels to globally control transcription of numerous genes. The ubiquity of EbfC proteins in Eubacteria suggests that these results apply to a wide range of pathogens and other bacteria.
CF4BDA: A Conceptual Framework for Big Data Analytics Applications in the Cloud

Building big data analytics (BDA) applications in the cloud introduces inevitable challenges, such as loss of control and uncertainty. To address the existing challenges, numerous efforts have been made on BDA application engineering to optimize the quality of BDA applications in the cloud, such as performance and reliability. However, there is still a lack of systematic view on engineering BDA applications in the cloud. Therefore, in this paper, we present a conceptual framework named CF4BDA to analyze the existing work on BDA applications from two perspectives: 1) the lifecycle of BDA applications and 2) the objects involved in the context of BDA applications in the cloud. The framework can help researchers and practitioners identify the research opportunities in a structured way and guide implementing BDA applications in the cloud. We perform a preliminary evaluation of the usefulness of CF4BDA by applying it to analyze a set of representative studies.
Alternative Approaches to Magnetic Resonance-Based Electric Properties Tomography and Local Specific Absorption Rate Estimation

In this paper, three electric properties tomography techniques based on magnetic resonance are applied to a realistic 2-D model problem representing the waist of an adult man. The capability of the inverse methods to recover the actual distribution of the electric properties is discussed and compared. In addition, the possibility to extend the methods to the estimate of local specific absorption rate of the radio frequency field generated in a magnetic resonance imaging, data concerning safety issues, is considered and compared.
Vitamin B 12 malabsorption due to a biologically inert intrinsic factor.

Abstract Two recognized congenital causes of vitamin B12 malabsorption are an isolated absence of intrinsic-factor (IF) secretion and a selective ileal absorptive defect. A child, who presented with megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency, did not absorb free vitamin B12 given orally but absorbed normal quantities given bound to normal human gastric juice. No serum antibodies against IF were demonstrated. Gastric juice was acid and contained normal quantities of immunologically identifiable IF. Gastric biopsy was normal. Tests of small-bowel function gave normal results. Patient gastric juice did not correct the vitamin B12 malabsorption of a totally gastrectomized volunteer, nor did it promote vitamin B12 uptake by homogenates of guinea-pig intestinal mucosa. The affinity of patient IF for vitamin B12 appeared normal. Standard Chromatographic procedures failed to reveal a difference from normal IF. The vitamin B12 malabsorption appears to be due to the secretion of a biologically inert IF.
Automated realistic test input generation and cost reduction in service-centric system testing

Service-centric System Testing (ScST) is more challenging than testing traditional software due to the complexity of service technologies and the limitations that are imposed by the SOA environment. One of the most important problems in ScST is the problem of realistic test data generation. Realistic test data is often generated manually or using an existing source, thus it is hard to automate and laborious to generate. One of the limitations that makes ScST challenging is the cost associated with invoking services during testing process. This thesis aims to provide solutions to the aforementioned problems, automated realistic input generation and cost reduction in ScST. To address automation in realistic test data generation, the concept of Service-centric Test Data Generation (ScTDG) is presented, in which existing services used as realistic data sources. ScTDG minimises the need for tester input and dependence on existing data sources by automatically generating service compositions that can generate the required test data. In experimental analysis, our approach achieved between 93% and 100% success rates in generating realistic data while state-of-the-art automated test data generation achieved only between 2% and 34%. The thesis addresses cost concerns at test data generation level by enabling data source selection in ScTDG. Source selection in ScTDG has many dimensions such as cost, reliability and availability. This thesis formulates this problem as an optimisation problem and presents a multi-objective characterisation of service selection in ScTDG, aiming to reduce the cost of test data generation. A cost-aware pareto optimal test suite minimisation approach addressing testing cost concerns during test execution is also presented. The approach adapts traditional multi-objective minimisation approaches to ScST domain by formulating ScST concerns, such as invocation cost and test case reliability. In experimental analysis, the approach achieved reductions between 69% and 98.6% in monetary cost of service invocations during testing
Dedal : Un ADL à trois dimensions pour gérer l'évolution des architectures à base de composants

Une architecture logicielle peut etre definie a differents niveaux d'abstraction, correspondants aux differentes etapes de son processus de developpement : specification, implementation et deploiement. La coherence entre les dif- ferentes definitions d'une architecture doit etre maintenue : sa definition a un niveau d'abstraction doit etre conforme a sa definition au niveau d'abstraction immediatement superieur. Ce principe permet de controler l'evolution d'une architecture, en validant les modifications realisees a un certain niveau d'abstraction ou en motivant la creation d'une nouvelle version pour propager les modifications entre niveaux d'abstraction. Malheureusement, aucun ADL ne propose un modele de definition d'architectures separant clairement les niveaux d'abstraction couvrant le cycle de vie d'une architecture. Cet article presente Dedal, un ADL permettant une definition separee de la specification, de la configuration et de l'assemblage d'une architecture afin de prevenir l'erosion ou la derive qui surviennent lors des evolutions entre les differents niveaux de definitions des architectures.
Enjeux de la conception et de l'intégration dans la classe de jeux pour l'apprentissage des langues

Alors que le jeu devient une pratique culturelle a part entiere, il constitue egalement un outil pedagogique ayant le vent en poupe, que ce soit en tant que "jeu serieux" ou a travers la multiplication des ecrits concernant la gamification/ludification. En effet, de nombreux ouvrages et articles attestent de l'interet des jeux dans l'enseignement/apprentissage en general (Gee, 2003 ; Oblinger, 2004) et des langues en particulier (Silva, 2008 ; Villez, 2006) ou, tout du moins, de leur potentie.
Increased RNA synthesis in nuclear monolayers of WI-38 cells stimulated to proliferate.

Nuclear monolayers of WI-38 cells prepared by the method of Tsai and Green were used to determine RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei in situ. In nuclear monolayers, incorporation of [(3)H]UTP into RNA is dependent on the presence of the other three nucleotide triphosphate and is abolished by actinomycin D. The extent of RNA synthesis under these conditions was measured in density-inhibited WI-38 human diploid fibroblasts at various intervals after cell proliferation was stimulated by a change of medium.RNA synthesis increases 15 min after the nutritional change and reaches a peak at 18 hr, which is also the peak of DNA synthesis. Thereafter RNA synthesis declines. Essentially similar results are obtained whether the endogenous RNA polymerase or a bacterial polymerase is used. Replacement of the stimulating medium by conditioned medium stops the increase in RNA synthesis that occurs in cultures subject to continuous stimulation. Finally, RNA synthesis in nuclear monolayers, using the endogenous RNA polymerase, occurs by chain elongation only, while re-initiation occurs with the bacterial RNA polymerase.
Asteroid Masses and Densities

Since 1989 both traditional groundbased techniques and modern spacecraft techniques have increased the number of asteroids with known masses from 4 to 24. At the same time, the shapes for 16 of these asteroids have been determined with sufficient precision to determine reliable volumes and bulk densities of these bodies. This review paper will look at the masses and densities that have been determined.
Automatic generation control of interconnected power system with diverse sources of power generation

In this paper, automatic generation control (AGC) of two area interconnected power system having diverse sources of power generation is studied. A two area power system comprises power generations from hydro, thermal and gas sources in area-1 and power generations from hydro and thermal sources in area-2. All the power generation units from different sources are equipped with speed governors. A continuous time transfer function model of the system for studying dynamic response for small load disturbances is presented. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) automatic generation control scheme is applied only to power generations from thermal and gas sources and power generation from hydro source is allowed to operate at its scheduled level with only speed governor control. The two area power system is simulated for different nominal loading conditions. Genetic algorithm (GA) is used to obtain the optimal PID gains for various cases using integral squared error plus integral time absolute error (ISE+ITAE) performance index for fitness evaluation. Some of the transient responses are shown for different nominal loading conditions due to step load disturbances in the system. Keywords: Two area power system, Diverse sources of power generation, Automatic generation Control , Genetic algorithm, PID controller
A formação de professores em comunidades de prática por meio da participação no PIBID de química em instituições de ensino superior no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul

Essa tese apresenta os resultados de uma investigacao realizada no âmbito de grupos do subprojeto de Quimica do Pibid, em seis Instituicoes de Ensino Superior no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, reunindo depoimentos de 41 licenciandos, 5 coordenadores de area e 13 professores de Quimica egressos do Pibid, exercendo a docencia em escolas de ensino medio. A investigacao procurou responder a seguinte pergunta: De que modo a participacao no Pibid, na forma de uma comunidade de pratica, impacta na formacao e na pratica docente de professores de Quimica no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul? Assim, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi Investigar o impacto da participacao no Pibid, na forma de uma comunidade de pratica, na formacao e na pratica docente de professores de Quimica no Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados de pesquisa foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com grupos de bolsistas de iniciacao a docencia de seis Instituicoes de Ensino Superior e de questionarios enviados a coordenadores de area e a professores egressos do Pibid. As entrevistas transcritas e os questionarios foram tratados por Analise Textual Discursiva. A analise realizada das respostas produziu argumentos que sustentam a tese de que as acoes realizadas no âmbito do Pibid atuam na forma de comunidades de pratica, pois sua organizacao interna e seus resultados se equiparam com os pressupostos teoricos desse modo de acao formativa. Com isso, depreende-se que a participacao de licenciandos no Pibid desempenha papel fundamental na formacao docente, na permanencia desses sujeitos nos cursos de Licenciatura em Quimica e no desenvolvimento de interesse pela docencia e pela atuacao na escola publica, coerente com os objetivos do Programa. Defende-se ainda que o Pibid nas instituicoes investigadas contribui para a formacao continuada dos professores envolvidos, tanto supervisores quanto os demais professores das escolas, que participaram de alguma acao desse Programa. Assim, mesmo com algumas dificuldades identificadas, defende-se que o Pibid necessita ser mais bem avaliado e qualificado para que se efetive como politica publica capaz de consolidar-se e de fazer a diferenca na formacao de professores no Pais.
An Algorithm of Optimizing Subband Filter Banks Based on ACA

Subband filter banks has been widely used many areas, such as speech coding, image coding, adaptive filter, radar , noise elimination etc. A QMF of ant colony algorithm (ACA-QMF) is proposed which optimizes the coefficient of QMF banks to solve the QMF design problem in this paper. In order to realize the performance of QMF banks approximates perfect reconstruction, the algorithm based on the design free from aliasing and phase distortion could control the change of coefficient of QMF banks and minimize the reconstruction error of QMF banks with minishing amplitude distortion. The experimental results show that ACA-QMF could better cancel the distortion by subband coding.
Variation among rheumatologists in clinical outcomes and frequency of office visits for rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the variation among rheumatologists in clinical outcomes and frequency of office visits for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), after accounting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics and treatments prescribed. METHODS Multiple regression analysis using random effects for rheumatologists and adjustments for patient characteristics and treatments received, based on data derived from a panel study of persons with RA. RESULTS During the years 1984-1993, rheumatologists accounted for a moderate amount of the total variation in clinical outcomes and nearly one-third of the total variation in frequency of office visits. For example, in 1993 rheumatologist associated variation in 4 clinical outcomes ranged from 16 to 25%, while the variation in office visit frequency attributable to rheumatologists stood at 46% of the total variation. However, rheumatologist associated variation in clinical outcomes was not statistically significant in any year, while variation in office visits was highly significant in all years (p < or = 0.0001). Although there was an increase in the percentage of variation attributable to rheumatologists for all outcomes examined across the years of this study, the time trend reached statistical significance only for frequency of office visits (2.4% per year; p = 0.0135) and functional status (1.6% per year; p = 0.0034). CONCLUSION The magnitude and strength of rheumatologist associated variation in frequency of office visits, without comparable strength in the variation in clinical outcomes, may suggest inefficiencies in the use of resources for the care of persons with RA. Further work is needed to directly examine the relationship between health outcomes and resource utilization.
A Study on Characteristics of the Trapped Magnetic Field for HTS Bulk Superconducting Actuator Operated in AC

The electric device applications of a high temperature superconducting (HTS) bulk magnet, having stable levitation and suspension properties according to their strong flux pinning force, have been proposed and developed. We have been investigating a three-dimensional (3-D) superconducting actuator using HTS bulks to develop a non-contact transportation device which moves freely in space. In our previous work, the unstable movement characteristics of HTS bulk were observed under DC operation, and the AC control system was proposed in order to solve these problems. In this paper, the horizontal movement and the field decay characteristics as a function of the gap length between electromagnet and HTS bulk and the frequency of driving current were investigated experimentally.
Laboratory tests of seven rodenticides for the control of Meriones shawi

SUMMARY The response of Meriones shawi to seven rodenticides was investigated in laboratory feeding tests. The species proved to be much less susceptible to anticoagulants than most other species of rodent pests. Brodifacoum (at 0·005%), although giving complete mortality after only 8 days' continuous feeding, was more toxic than warfarin (0·025%), coumatetralyl (0·0375%), difenacoum (0·005%) and bromadiolone (0·005%). Calciferol (0·1%), though toxic, was significantly unpalatable. Zinc phosphide (5·0%) presented for 2 days in a choice test against unpoisoned food gave 80% mortality and appears to be the most suitable of these compounds for the control of M. shawi in the field.
DFSB-Based Thermal Management Scheme for 3-D NoC-Bus Architectures

Three-dimensional network-on-chip (NoC)-bus hybrid architectures are motivated to achieve lower propagation latency and higher bandwidth in vertical direction, by taking the advantage of the short interwafer distances in 3-D integrated circuits. However, 3-D integration technology increases the power density of the chip, and thus, results in thermal-related problems. Therefore, to ensure that the chip operates within the safe temperature range, while keeping the traffic performance undegraded, this paper proposes a proactive thermal management scheme based on dynamic frequency scaling bus (DFSB) for developing thermal-aware 3-D NoC-bus architectures. The novel solution includes thermal-aware frequency scaling policy (TFSP) and frequency-aware adaptive routing (FAAR), for the temporal and spatial management separately. TFSP dynamically and proactively adjusts the frequency of DFSB, according to the predicted thermal variation, to throttle the data flow for heat dissipation. Meanwhile, FAAR cooperated with TFSP by migrating the data flow to balance the distribution of traffic and thermal, and thus, unacceptable local data congestion and latency are avoided. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed solution, we compare it against global throttling and downward routing thermal management solutions in a 4 × 4 × 4 3-D NoC-bus architecture. Experimental results show that, under the thermal limitation of 378.15 K, our proposed solution outperforms the other two solutions by 24% and 56.2% improvement in throughput, and 33.1% and 45.7% reduction in latency.
Prevalence of chronic disease in the elderly based on a national pharmacy claims database.

SIR—The elderly are the fastest growing sector of society with those ≥70 years of age accounting for nearly 8% of the Irish population [1, 2]. Yet there is little or no baseline information on the prevalence of chronic disease in this population [3]. This lack of information on health trends can inhibit accurate predictions for future health care needs in this age group. The most recent data on prevalence of chronic disease were reported in the 2000 ‘Health and Social Services for Older People I’ (HeSSOP I) survey [4], which relied on selfreported illness and involved 937 community-dwelling adults ≥65 years of age. HeSSOP I provides insight into the prevalence of certain chronic conditions. However, this was not the primary purpose of the survey, and disease definition was vague, for example, ‘memory/concentration problems’. It is also likely to underestimate disease prevalence as it excludes those in nursing homes. This article explores the potential for using a national pharmacy claims database to estimate prevalence of disease. The data are readily available, are collected on a continuous basis and cover the majority of prescribing in those aged ≥70 years. However, the data are not diagnosis linked; thus, combination of drug therapies are used as surrogate markers of disease [5]. This approach lacks specificity for certain conditions as some drugs have broad licensed indications; however, this method has been used and validated in other settings [6–11]. The aim of this study was to estimate chronic disease prevalence in an elderly national population using an existing prescribing claims database.
Hierarchical Energy-transfer Features

In the paper, we propose the novel and efficient object descriptors that are designed to describe the appearance of the objects. The descriptors are called as Hierarchical Energy-Transfer Features (HETF). The main idea behind HETF is that the shape of the objects can be described by the function of energy distribution. In the image, the transfer of energy is solved by making use of physical laws. After the energy transfer process, the function of the energy distribution is obtained by sampling; the image is divided into the cells of variable sizes and the function is investigated inside each cell. Compared with the state-of-the-art methods (e.g. Haar, HOG, LBP features), the proposed descriptors achieved very good detection results. In this paper, we show the robustness of the method for solving the face detection problem.
Effects of nucleotide supplementation to corn–soybean meal-based diet on growth performance, fecal microflora, and blood profiles of sows and performance of suckling piglets

Abstract: A total of 45 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) and their litters were used in this study to evaluate the efficacy of nucleotide supplementation on reproductive performance, growth performance, fecal microflora, and blood profiles in sows and piglets. Sows were allocated to one of three treatments (15 pigs per treatment and the average parity was 4.13). Dietary treatments consisted of (1) CON: basal diet, (2) T1: CON + 0.5% nucleotides, and (3) T2: CON + 1.0% nucleotides. In this study, the average daily feed intake during lactation and back fat at weaning day was increased linearly (P < 0.05) in sows with the increase in nucleotide supplementation levels. Sows receiving increasing levels of nucleotides had linearly increased fecal Lactobacillus counts and decreased Escherichia coli counts at weaning day (P < 0.05). Linear reduction of the epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol in sows was observed at weaning day, whereas superoxide dismutase was increased linearly (P < 0.05). Body weight and average daily gain in piglets were linearly (P < 0.05) increased with the increasing levels of nucleotides. Linear increase (P < 0.05) was also observed on total piglets born, live piglets, and piglet survival. The current study demonstrated the importance of nucleotides in the diets of sows to improve sow and piglet performance.