Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Software Project Scheduling

The extraction of comprehensible knowledge is one of the major challenges in many domains. In this concept, an ant programming (AP) framework, which is capable of mining classification rules easily comprehensible by humans, and, therefore, capable of supporting expert-domain decisions, is presented. The algorithm proposed, called grammar based ant programming (GBAP), is the first AP algorithm developed for the extraction of classification rules, and it is guided by a context-free grammar that ensures the creation of new valid individuals. To compute the transition probability of each available movement, this new model introduces the use of two complementary heuristic functions, instead of just one, as typical ant-based algorithms do. The selection of a consequent for each rule mined and the selection of the rules that make up the classifier are based on the use of a niching approach. The performance of GBAP is compared against other classification techniques on 18 varied data sets. Experimental results show that our approach produces comprehensible rules and competitive or better accuracy values than those achieved by the other classification algorithms compared with it.
Pumping of liquids using travelling wave electro-osmosis: a nonlinear analysis

Steady motion of aqueous solutions can be produced through ac electro-osmosis, due to the coupling between ac fields and the induced charge at the double layer close to microelectrodes. Continuous unidirectional fluid motion can be obtained when the solution is placed on top of an array of microelectrodes subjected to a travelling wave potential. In this paper we consider a simple model, consisting of a single mode travelling wave. To describe the double layer we use the nonlinear Gouy-Chapman model. A numerical solution is obtained for this model, and the results are compared with experiments.
Immunity to the simian malarias in their natural hosts--some problems awaiting investigation.

The lack of progress in worldwide malaria control in the last fifteen years has prompted a considerable expansion in research, particularly in the immunology of malaria, with the ultim~te goal being the development of a malaria vaccine. For obvious reasons, the major focus has been on human malaria, especially Plasmodium Jalciparum, but the practical limitations of working on the immu­ nology of human parasites has encouraged research on animal models and the rodent malarias have played a prominent role.
Predicting cirrhosis risk based on the level of circulating hepatitis B viral load.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Cirrhosis develops as a result of hepatic inflammation and subsequent fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B infection. We report on the relationship between hepatitis B viremia and progression to cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B infection. METHODS This was a population-based prospective cohort study of 3582 untreated hepatitis B-infected patients established in Taiwan from 1991 to 1992. Serum samples were tested for HBV DNA on cohort entry serum samples and the diagnosis of cirrhosis was by ultrasound. RESULTS During a mean follow-up time of 11 years, the 3582 patients contributed 40,038 person-years of follow-up evaluation and 365 patients were newly diagnosed with cirrhosis. The cumulative incidence of cirrhosis increased with the HBV-DNA level and ranged from 4.5% to 36.2% for patients with a hepatitis B viral load of less than 300 copies/mL and 10(6) copies/mL or more, respectively (P < .001). In a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for hepatitis B e-antigen status and serum alanine transaminase level among other variables, hepatitis B viral load was the strongest predictor of progression to cirrhosis relative risk [95% confidence interval] was 2.5 [1.6-3.8]; 5.6 [3.7-8.5]; and 6.5 [4.1-10.2] for HBV-DNA levels >/=10(4) - <10(5); >/=10(5) - <10(6); >/=10(6) copies/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These data show that progression to cirrhosis in hepatitis B-infected persons is correlated strongly with the level of circulating virus. The risk for cirrhosis increases significantly with increasing HBV-DNA levels and is independent of hepatitis B e-antigen status and serum alanine transaminase level.
The role of Shc and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in mediating the translocation of estrogen receptor α to the plasma membrane

Our previous studies demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) rapidly induces the interaction of estrogen receptor α (ERα) with the adapter protein Shc, the translocation of ERα to the cell membrane, and the formation of dynamic membrane structures in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The present study examined how E2 causes ERα to translocate to the region of the plasma membrane and focused on mechanisms whereby Shc and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) mediate this process. Shc physically interacts with IGF-1R in the plasma membrane, and E2 activates IGF-1R. We reasoned that ERα, when bound to Shc, would be directed to the region of the plasma membrane by the same processes, causing membrane translocation of Shc. We confirmed that E2 rapidly induced IGF-1R phosphorylation and demonstrated that E2 induced formation of a ternary protein complex among Shc, ERα, and IGF-1R. Knock down of Shc with a specific small inhibitory RNA decreased the association of ERα with IGF-1R by 87%, suggesting that Shc is a crucial molecule in the formation of this ternary complex. Confocal microscopy studies provided further confirmation of the functional roles of Shc and the IGF-1R in the translocation of ERα to the region of the membrane. Down-regulation of Shc, ERα, or IGF-1R with specific small inhibitory RNAs all blocked E2-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Together, our results demonstrate that Shc and IGF-1R serve as key elements in the translocation of ERα to the cell membrane and in the facilitation of ERα-mediated rapid E2 action.
Cellular Vitamin A‐Binding Proteins in the Testis a

Vitamin A plays an important role in the testis, being essential for the maintenance of spermatogenesis. Studies on CRBP and CRABP suggest that both retinol and retinoic acid are involved in maintaining testicular function. The cellular location of the two proteins suggests that retinoic acid may be particularly involved in the later stages of germ cell differentiation, but retinol may be the form of vitamin A that the Sertoli cell receives initially. The requirement for vitamin A may be to regulate gene expression in the testis by direct interaction with the chromosomal material. Specific distinct binding sites for retinol and retinoic acid can be demonstrated in testicular nuclei and chromatin. These sites are only revealed when the two ligands are present in complex with their specific binding proteins, suggesting that these proteins may be required for the action of retinol and retinoic acid in some cells of the testis.
Homocysteine and folate concentrations in early pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: the Generation R Study

Please cite this paper as: Bergen N, Jaddoe V, Timmermans S, Hofman A, Lindemans J, Russcher H, Raat H, Steegers‐Theunissen R, Steegers E. Homocysteine and folate concentrations in early pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: the Generation R Study. BJOG 2012;119:739–751.
Portosystemic collateral circulation: demonstrated by Tc-99m-RBC SPECT/CT.

Abstract: A 42-year-old woman with advanced alcoholic liver cirrhosis was referred for a Tc-99m-labeled red blood cell (RBC) abdominal scan due to tarry stool passage. The Tc-99m RBC scan revealed a tangled linear radioactivity accumulation, extending from the right epigastric area to the right lower pelvic region. The integrated single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) with 3D volume rendering imaging and CT bone segmentation display confirmed the portosystemic collateral circulation.
Anatomy of the Terminal Nerves in the Upper Eyelid

Anatomic dissections on human cadaver heads were performed to determine the anatomy of the terminal nerves in the upper eyelid. Vertically oriented nerves, which are commonly identified in a preseptal location in the upper eyelid, were determined to be sensory nerves, most commonly originating from the supraorbital nerve (VI). Facial nerve (VII) dissections were also performed, with specific attention paid to the temporal branch. The facial nerve innervates the orbicularis muscle on its deep surface, both at the most temporal aspect of the muscle as well as along the supraorbital rim. No motor fibers could be traced into the upper eyelid and no anastomosis was noted between the temporal branch of the facial nerve (VII) and the supraorbital nerve (VI).
Evaluation of an Upgraded Version of the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 Test for HIV-1 Load Quantification

ABSTRACT We evaluated the performance of the prototype Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 test, version 2.0, using prospective and archived clinical samples initially underquantitated by the Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 test. The performance of the new test was significantly improved, and the majority of the underquantitation observed with the first-version test was eliminated.
Additive effects of the PPARgamma, APOE, and FABP-2 genes in increasing daylong triglycerides of normolipidemic women to concentrations comparable to those in men.

BACKGROUND Fasting and postprandial triglyceride (TG) concentrations vary considerably among individuals. TG metabolism is more efficient in women than in men, which may partly explain why females are protected against atherosclerosis. Our aim was to identify gender-specific genetic influences on fasting and postprandial TG concentrations under typical living conditions in healthy, lean, normolipidemic women. METHODS We studied 40 women and 48 men. Diurnal capillary TG profiles were calculated as the integrated area under the capillary TG curve averaged over 3 days. Genotypes of the FABP-2, HL, LPL, APOE, and PPARgamma genes and the APOC-III, APOC-III/A-IV intergenic region were determined. RESULTS Three genes (FABP-2, APOE, and PPARgamma) had a significant additive effect only in women. Mean TG concentrations were fourfold higher in women carriers of the PPARgamma wild-type allele (P = 0.044), threefold higher in carriers of the rare FABP-2 allele (P = 0.006), and fivefold higher in carriers of the E2 allele of the APOE gene (P = 0.037) than in noncarriers. None of these effects was observed in men. The presence of two or more of these adverse alleles increased TG concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Women carriers of three adverse alleles had postprandial TG values comparable to those for men. CONCLUSIONS An adverse combination of common alleles of the FABP-2, APOE, and PPARgamma genes in women increases their TG concentrations to values comparable to those seen in men. Although this influence is not appreciable when studying fasting plasma TGs, it becomes apparent with use of a more sensitive index such as measurements made throughout the day.
A New Modified Cholesky Factorization

The modified Cholesky factorization of Gill and Murray plays an important role in optimization algorithms. Given a symmetric but not necessarily positive-definite matrix A, it computes a Cholesky factorization of $A + E$, where $E = 0$ if A is safely positive-definite, and E is a diagonal matrix chosen to make $A + E$ positive-definite otherwise. The factorization costs only a small multiple of $n^2 $ operations more than the standard Cholesky factorization. A new algorithm that has these same properties, but for which the theoretical bound on $||E||_\infty $ is substantially smaller, is presented. It is based upon two new techniques, the use of Gerschgorin bounds in selecting the elements of E, and a new way of monitoring positive definiteness. In extensive computational tests on indefinite matrices, the new factorization virtually always produces smaller values of $||E||_\infty $ than the existing method, without impairing the conditioning of $A + E$. In some cases the improvements are substantial. The new factorization has already been useful in optimization algorithms.
SPEED CONTROL OF SEPARATELY EXCITED DC MOTOR USING FUZZY NEURAL MODEL REFERENCE CONTROLLER

Conventional controllers are generally used to control the speed of the separately excited DC motors in various industrial applications. It is found to be simple and high effective if the load disturbances is small. So the drawback of Conventional controllers when high load has been applied to the DC motor. This paper presents the speed control of a separately excited dc motor using Fuzzy Neural Model Referance controller. The system has been implemented using Matlab/Simulink software. The simulation results show that presenting controller give good performance and high robustness in load disturbance.
Preliminary study of Pseudoarthrosis ultrasonic characterization

Pseudoarthosis is a consequence of a failure in bone fracture healing process, resulting in a non-union and relative motion between fragments. The evolution of fracture consolidation and the diagnosis of pseudoarthrosis have often a follow-up with conventional X-rays exams. Quantitative ultrasound (US) characterization has the advantage of being a non-ionizing energy and of low cost. A pulse-echo substitution method to characterize biological tissues by backscattered US was implemented. Pseudoarthrosis characterization was made by parameters Apparent Integrated Backscatter - AIB, Frequency Slope Apparent Backscatter - FSAB and Time Slope Apparent Backscatter - TSAB. Initials results have shown that parameters AIB and FSAB were able to differentiate normal from pseudoarthrotic tissues with statistical significance. Additional experiments with a greater number of samples are to be made, as well as some methodological adjustments aiming in vivo applications.
Establecimiento de claves seguro mediante códigos sonoros en dispositivos móviles

El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido investigar el uso de canales sonoros para el intercambio de claves en telefonos inteligentes. Para ello, se ha realizado un diseno y un analisis del problema a resolver, teniendo en cuenta factores como la necesidad de sincronizacion, los parametros de escucha, la longitud de la clave que podemos obtener, los ataques a los que seria vulnerable el protocolo, la necesidad de cierta persistencia a nivel local, el uso de la nube, etc. Se ha realizado un analisis de tecnologias relacionadas, eligiendo aquellas que mejor se adaptan a los requisitos del problema y se ha implementado un prototipo capaz de realizar un intercambio de claves y autenticar mutuamente a un par de dispositivos, creando asi un canal seguro a traves del cual puedan comunicarse en el futuro, sin necesidad de que una tercera parte confiable que certifique la identidad de las partes.
Electromagnetic models of lightning

Reviewed here are models based on Marxwellpsilas equations and referred to as electromagnetic models. In contrast to distributed-circuit and so-called engineering models, electromagnetic models of lightning allow a self-consistent full-wave solution for both current distribution along the lightning channel and associated electromagnetic fields. The emphasis is placed on the representation of lightning channel in different models, including a vertical wire in air, a vertical wire embedded in dielectric (other than air) that occupies the entire half space above flat ground, a vertical wire embedded in a finite thickness dielectric surrounded by air, and a vertical wire having additional distributed series inductance in air. Current distributions along the channel predicted by different models are compared.
Identificação de precondições e efeitos em operadores STRIPS a partir de problemas solucionados

Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar um metodo para identificacao de precondicoes e efeitos em operadores STRIPS empregando um conjunto de problemas corretamente solucionados como informacao a priori, no intuito de desenvolver uma ferramenta para auxilio a modelagem de dominios. Os resultados evidenciam a eficacia do metodo proposto, apesar da verificacao de alguns erros, os quais podem ser reparados por meio do emprego de outras tecnicas de apoio a modelagem disponiveis na literatura.
A study of preoperative methionine-depleting parenteral nutrition plus chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients.

AIM:To investigate the interference of methionine-free parenteral nutrition plus 5-Fu (-MetTPN+5-Fu) in gastric cancer cell kinetics and the side effects of the regimen.METHODS:Fifteen patients with advanced gastric cancer were randomly divided intotwo groups, 7 patients were given preoperatively a seven-day course of standard parenteral nutrition in combination with a five-day course of chemotherapy (sTPN+5-Fu), while the other 8 patients were given methionine-deprived parenteral nutrition and 5-Fu (-MetTPN+5-Fu). Cell cycles of gastric cancer and normal mucosa were studied by flow cytometry (FCM). Blood samples were taken to measure the serum protein, methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys) levels, and liver and kidney functions.RESULTS:As compared with the results obtained before the treatment, the percentage of G(0)/G(1) tumor cells increased and that of S phase decreased in the -MetTPN+5-Fu group, while the contrary was observed in the sTPN+5-Fu group. Except that the ALT, AST and AKP levels were slightly increased in a few cases receiving -MetTPN+5-Fu, all the other biochemical parameters were within normal limits. Serum Cys level decreased slightly after the treatment in both groups. Serum Met level of patients receiving sTPN+5-Fu was somewhat higher after treatment than that before treatment; however, no significant change occurred in the -MetTPN+5-Fu group, nor operative complications in both groups.CONCLUSION:-MetTPN+5-Fu exerted a suppressive effect on cancer cell proliferation, probably through a double mechanism of creating a state of "Met starvation" adverse to the tumor cell cycle, and by allowing 5-Fu to kill specifically cells in S phase. Preoperative shortterm administration of -MetTPN+5-Fu had little undesirable effect on host metabolism.
Mannan‐mediated gene delivery for cancer immunotherapy

Recent years have seen a resurgence in interest in the development of efficient non‐viral delivery systems for DNA vaccines and gene therapy. We have previously used oxidized and reduced mannan as carriers for protein delivery to antigen‐presenting cells by targeting the receptors that bind mannose, resulting in efficient induction of cellular responses. In the present study, oxidized mannan and reduced mannan were used as receptor‐mediated gene transfer ligands for cancer immunotherapy. In vivo studies in C57BL/6 mice showed that injection of DNA encoding ovalbumin (OVA) complexed to oxidized or reduced mannan‐poly‐L‐lysine induced CD8 and CD4 T‐cell responses as well as antibody responses leading to protection of mice from OVA+ tumours. Both oxidized and reduced mannan delivery was superior to DNA alone or DNA‐poly‐L‐lysine. These studies demonstrate the potential of oxidized and reduced mannan for efficient receptor‐mediated gene delivery in vivo, particularly as DNA vaccines for cancer immunotherapy.
Vérifier la sécurité de nos communications

Quand nous echangeons des messages numeriques, nous sommes persuades de communiquer avec l'interlocuteur que nous avons choisi. Pour s'en assurer reellement, il faut mettre en place des protocoles de communication securises. Mais meme en utilisant des canaux surs, cela peut ne pas suffire comme l'illustre l'attaque de G. Lowe dite « de l'homme du milieu ».
Acute kidney injury after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

cute renal failure (ARF) is a very common complication after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), with an incidence between 1% and 30%. 1 Postoperative ARF increases late, as well as early, mortality.2,3 Dialysis is required in 2.5% of cases, with a mortality rate of 60–70%. 1 Several risk factors for postoperative ARF have been identified, only 1 of which can be modified by not using cardiopulmonary bypass (Table 1). 1,4 Off-pump CABG (OPCAB) was anticipated to be less damaging to the kidney, implying less postoperative ARF. Despite numerous randomized and nonrandomized trials, this issue is still controversial. Reduced ARF and other morbidity using OPCAB was reported in several risk-adjusted observational studies with large patient cohorts2,4 and a meta-analysis of propensity score analyses,5,6 but not in a number of randomized controlled studies.7 There are 2 important reasons for these conflicting results. First, the randomized trials included lowrisk patients and CABG was performed by a surgical team with little experience with the off-pump procedure but much experience with the on-pump procedure.8 Secondly, the studies applied widely varying, non-standardized definitions of ARF, ranging from small increases of serum creatinine to renal replacement therapy. The lack of a generally accepted definition of ARF led to an international working group (Acute Kidney Injury Network) proposing the term acute kidney injury (AKI) to reflect the entire spectrum of ARF. The current definition and classification refined the RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss and End-stage kidney disease) criteria by including time limits and absolute serum creatinine values in the AKI definition (Table 2). 9
Immunohistochemical characterization of the inflammatory infiltrate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In order to test the hypothesis that the immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the cellular composition of the spinal cord inflammatory infiltrate was analysed in eight cases of sporadic ALS by a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The majority of the many diffusely scattered lymphocytes seen in the anterior and lateral corticospinal tracts and anterior horns belonged to the suppressor/cytotoxic T‐cell subset and were admixed with variable numbers of macrophages. Helper‐inducer T‐cells were rare and B‐cells were conspicuously absent. Compared to controls, ALS specimens exhibited an increase in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) products or human leucocyte antigens (HLA) in the corticospinal tracts and anterior horns. HLA‐ABC antigens were expressed in the honeycomb pattern of the glial matrix of the spinal cord, and HLA‐DR antigens were strongly expressed by large dendritic cells. In addition, macrophages and endothelial cells were labelled by HLA‐DR. These findings suggest that an autoimmune process or infectious agent may play a role in ALS.