Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Augmentation block preconditioners for saddle point‐type matrices with singular (1, 1) blocks

We consider the use of block preconditioners for the application of the preconditioned Krylov subspace iterative methods to the solution of large saddle point‐type systems with singular (1, 1) blocks. Two block triangular preconditioners are introduced and the block diagonal preconditioner in Greif and Schötzau (Electron. Trans. Numer. Anal. 2006; 22:114–121) is extended to nonsymmetric saddle point systems. All these preconditioners are based on augmentation, using nonsingular weight matrices. If the nullity of the (1, 1) block takes its highest possible value, the preconditioned matrix with either block triangular preconditioner has precisely three distinct eigenvalues, and the preconditioned matrix with the block diagonal preconditioner has precisely two distinct eigenvalues, giving rise to immediate convergence of preconditioned GMRES. Finally, numerical experiments that validate the analysis are reported. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Traffic Forecasting and Planning of WiMAX under Multiple Priority Using Fuzzy Time Series Analysis

Network traffic prediction plays a fundamental role in characterizing the network performance and it is of significant interests in many network applications, such as admission control or network management. Therefore, The main idea behind this work, is the development of a WIMAX Traffic Forecasting System for predicting traffic time series based on the daily and monthly traffic data recorded (TRD) with association of feed forward multi-layer perceptron (FFMLP). The quality of forecasting WIMAX Traffic obtained by comparing different configurations of the FFMLP that consist of investigating different FFMLP model architectures and different Learning Algorithms. The decision of changing the FFMLP architecture is essentially based on prediction results to obtain the FFMLP model for flow traffic prediction model. The different configurations were tested using daily and monthly real traffic data recorded at each of the two base stations (A and B) that belongs to a Libyan WiMAX Network. We evaluate our approach with statistical measurement and a good statistic measure of FMLP indicates the performance of selected neural network configuration. The developed system indicates promising results in which it successfully network traffic prediction through daily and monthly traffic data recorded (TRD) association with artificial neural network.
A Systematic Review of Measurement of Endoscopic Disease Activity and Mucosal Healing in Crohn's Disease: Recommendations for Clinical Trial Design

Background:Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, mucosal healing has been proposed as a goal of therapy because clinical symptoms are subjective. Evaluative indices that measure endoscopic disease activity are required to define mucosal healing for clinical trials. The primary objective of this systematic review was to assess the existing evaluative indices that measure disease activity in CD and evaluate their role as outcome measures in clinical trials. Methods:A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PubMed, the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), and DDW abstracts to identify randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials that used a relevant evaluative index from inception to February 2013. The data obtained from these trials were reviewed and summarized. Results:The initial literature searches identified 2300 citations. After duplicates were removed, 1454 studies remained. After application of the apriori inclusion and exclusion criteria, 109 articles were included and 3 were identified with handsearches. In total, 9 evaluative indices for CD were identified and reviewed. The Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) and the Simple Endoscopic Score in Crohn's Disease (SES-CD) are indices with the most extensively described operating properties. Conclusions:Both the endoscopic evaluative instrument selected and the definition chosen for mucosal healing affect the validity of assessing endoscopic disease activity during a clinical trial for CD. Currently, the CDEIS and SES-CD have the most data regarding operating properties; however, further validation is required.
Mechanisms involved in the resistance of Enterococcus faecalis to calcium hydroxide.

AIM This study sought to clarify the mechanisms that enable E. faecalis to survive the high pH of calcium hydroxide. METHODOLOGY E. faecalis strain JH2-2 was exposed to sublethal concentrations of calcium hydroxide, with and without various pretreatments. Blocking agents were added to determine the role of stress-induced protein synthesis and the cell wall-associated proton pump. RESULTS E. faecalis was resistant to calcium hydroxide at a pH of 11.1, but not pH 11.5. Pre-treatment with calcium hydroxide pH 10.3 induced no tolerance to further exposure at pH 11.5. No difference in cell survival was observed when protein synthesis was blocked during stress induction, however, addition of a proton pump inhibitor resulted in a dramatic reduction of cell viability of E. faecalis in calcium hydroxide. CONCLUSIONS Survival of E. faecalis in calcium hydroxide appears to be unrelated to stress induced protein synthesis, but a functioning proton pump is critical for survival of E. faecalis at high pH.
Drosophila Vps16A is required for trafficking to lysosomes and biogenesis of pigment granules

Mutations that disrupt trafficking to lysosomes and lysosome-related organelles cause multiple diseases, including Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. The Drosophila eye is a model system for analyzing such mutations. The eye-color genes carnation and deep orange encode two subunits of the Vps-C protein complex required for endosomal trafficking and pigment-granule biogenesis. Here we demonstrate that dVps16A (CG8454) encodes another Vps-C subunit. Biochemical experiments revealed a specific interaction between the dVps16A C-terminus and the Sec1/Munc18 homolog Carnation but not its closest homolog, dVps33B. Instead, dVps33B interacted with a related protein, dVps16B (CG18112). Deep orange bound both Vps16 homologs. Like a deep orange null mutation, eye-specific RNAi-induced knockdown of dVps16A inhibited lysosomal delivery of internalized ligands and interfered with biogenesis of pigment granules. Ubiquitous knockdown of dVps16A was lethal. Together, these findings demonstrate that Drosophila Vps16A is essential for lysosomal trafficking. Furthermore, metazoans have two types of Vps-C complexes with non-redundant functions.
Fluid shear‐induced cathepsin B release in the control of Mac1‐dependent neutrophil adhesion

There is compelling evidence that circulatory hemodynamics prevent neutrophil activation, including adhesion to microvessels, in the microcirculation. However, the underlying mechanism or mechanisms by which that mechanoregulation occurs remain unresolved. Here, we report evidence that exposure to fluid shear stress (FSS) promotes neutrophils to release cathepsin B (ctsB) and that this autocrine regulatory event is antiadhesive for neutrophils on endothelial surfaces through Mac1‐selective regulation. We used a combined cell‐engineering and immunocytochemistry approach to find that ctsB was capable of cleaving Mac1 integrins on neutrophils and demonstrated that this proteolysis alters their adhesive functions. Under no‐flow conditions, ctsB enhanced neutrophil migration though a putative effect on pseudopod retraction rates. We also established a flow‐based cell detachment assay to verify the role of ctsB in the control of neutrophil adhesion by fluid flow stimulation. Fluid flow promoted neutrophil detachment from platelet and endothelial layers that required ctsB, consistent with its fluid shear stress–induced release. Notably, compared with leukocytes from wild‐type mice, those from ctsB‐deficient (ctsB−/−) mice exhibited an impaired CD18 cleavage response to FSS, significantly elevated baseline levels of CD18 surface expression, and an enhanced adhesive capacity to mildly inflamed postcapillary venules. Taken together, the results of the present study support a role for ctsB in a hemodynamic control mechanism that is antiadhesive for leukocytes on endothelium. These results have implications in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and cardiovascular diseases involving sustained neutrophil activation in the blood and microcirculation.
Abnormalities of erythrocyte membrane fluidity, lipid composition, and lipid peroxidation in systemic sclerosis: evidence of free radical-mediated injury.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate whether oxidative injury occurs in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and whether it affects the erythrocyte membrane (EM) properties. METHODS EM fluidity and lipid composition (cholesterol:phospholipid molar ratio [C:PL], fatty acid composition) were studied in 52 patients with SSc and in 53 subjects without SSc (32 with primary Raynaud's phenomenon [RP] and 21 healthy subjects [controls]). Fluidity was measured as the fluorescence anisotropy of the hydrophobic fluorescent probe DPH (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene). Lipid peroxidation products were determined as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). RESULTS EM fluidity was significantly lower in SSc patients than in primary RP patients and controls (P < 0.001). The EM C:PL molar ratio was significantly higher in SSc patients than in primary RP patients and controls (P < 0.05). Levels of EM polyunsaturated n6 fatty acids (PUFA n6) were significantly lower in SSc patients than in primary RP patients and controls (P < 0.001). TBARS were significantly increased in SSc patients compared with primary RP patients and controls (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses indicated that the reduced EM fluidity was partly due to its greater C:PL molar ratio, lower PUFA n6 content, and higher TBARS levels. EM fluidity was lower among patients with nailfold capillary loss (P < 0.001) and digital ischemic ulcers (P < 0.05). EM lipid peroxidation products were higher among patients with pulmonary involvement (bibasal pulmonary fibrosis [P < 0.05] and reduced levels of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [P < 0.001]) and among patients who were positive for anti-topoisomerase I antibodies (P < 0.05) or negative for anticentromere antibodies (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our findings support the idea that oxidative injury occurs in SSc and that, through lipid peroxidation, it induces structural and functional changes of the EM that may contribute to the development of the microvascular abnormalities that are seen in the disease.
Panic disorders and agoraphobia: Side effects of treatment with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator

Background: Implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) treatment has reduced the mortality of patients with a high risk of sudden cardiac death. However, ICD discharges may cause anxiety with respect to new discharges and lead to preventive, for example, phobic, behavior. This study evaluated the frequency of panic disorders and agoraphobia in patients with ICD and assessed the risk factors in their development.
Learning Sparse Adversarial Dictionaries for Multi-class Audio Classification

Audio events are quite often overlapping in nature, and more prone to noise than visual signals. There has been increasing evidence for the superior performance of representations learned using sparse dictionaries for applications like audio denoising and speech enhancement. This paper concentrates on modifying the traditional reconstructive dictionary learning algorithms, by incorporating a discriminative term into the objective function inorder to learn class specific adversarial dictionaries that are good at representing samples of their own class at the same time poor at representing samples belonging to any other class. We quantitatively demonstrate the effectiveness of our learned dictionaries as a stand-alone solution for both binary as well as multi-class audio classification problems.
Um Sistema de Recomendação de Pontos de Interesse Baseados na Localização e no Contexto Social do Usuário

Entre as diversas areas da computacao, a Computacao Movel tem apresentado grande crescimento nos ultimos anos em decorrencia tanto da ampla popularizacao dos dispositivos moveis quanto do avanco das tecnologias tanto de software quanto hardware. Neste sentido, novas classes de aplicacoes vem surgindo envolvendo diversos conceitos tais como personalizacao da informacao, localizacao e contexto social. Em vista deste contexto, este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar um sistema para recomendacao de pontos de interesse baseados na localizacao do usuario. Para tal, faz uso tanto das preferencias dos usuarios quanto de sua rede de amigos formada a partir de uma rede social.
Making DNA melting useful.

Featured Article: Wittwer CT, Reed GH, Gundry CN, Vandersteen JG, Pryor RJ. High-resolution genotyping by amplicon melting analysis using LCGreen. Clin Chem 2003;49:853–60.3) DNA melting (the denaturation of DNA by heat) is a fundamental property of DNA that can be used as an analytical tool. Classic studies of DNA melting monitored the absorbance near 260 nm as the temperature was increased and required large (microgram) amounts of DNA and analysis times of hours. Although DNA melting was an accurate research tool, these limitations relegated DNA melting to the specialized laboratory, away from most research laboratories and clinical testing. Fluorescence analysis of DNA melting as a companion to real-time PCR was introduced in 1996 with the LightCycler®, the product of university academics and the small company Idaho Technology (1). In 1998, Roche Applied Science adopted the LightCycler worldwide. The PCR conveniently produces nanogram amounts of DNA that can easily be monitored with fluorescence. DNA fluorescence typically increases during real-time PCR and decreases during melting analysis. For the first time, no handling, processing, or separation of the sample after the PCR was required for analysis. Methods for both probe and PCR product (amplicon) melting were developed for the LightCycler and were later incorporated into other real-time instruments. DNA melting monitors stability across temperature as a “dynamic dot blot,” an approach that is inherently more robust than the prior single-temperature “static” analysis. Single-base variants, such …
Combined Flux Observer With Signal Injection Enhancement for Wide Speed Range Sensorless Direct Torque Control of IPMSM Drives

This paper proposes a motion-sensorless control system using direct torque control with space vector modulation for interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drives, for wide speed range operation, including standstill. A novel stator flux observer with variable structure uses a combined voltage-current model with PI compensator for low-speed operations. As speed increases, the observer switches gradually to a PI compensated closed-loop voltage model, which is solely used at high speeds. High-frequency rotating-voltage injection with a single D-module bandpass vector filter and a phase-locked loop state observer with a new synchronization procedure are used to estimate the rotor position, which is needed only by the current model in stator flux observer at low speeds. A new rotor speed estimator for the whole speed-loop range, based on the stator flux speed estimation with a new dynamic correction depending on estimated torque, is proposed and tested. Extensive simulation results and significant experimental results provided good performance for the proposed IPMSM sensorless system in more than 1:1000 speed range, under full-load operation, from very low speeds (1 r/min experimental) up to rated speed.
B-MODE ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE UDDER AND TEAT IN CAMEL (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS)

The aim of the present study was to determine the normal ultrasonographic features of mammary gland and teat parameters in lactating camels. For this study, udders of the ten camels obtained from the local slaughterhouse. B-mode ultrasonographic examination of the udders in the water-bath by 6.5-8.5 MHz linear array transducer was performed. Normal sonographic findings were described and teat canal length, teat end width, teat wall thickness, teat cistern width and middle cistern wall thickness were also measured. Results were analyzed by Paired sample t-test. In the lactating camels, the streak canal, teat sinus, gland sinus and lactiferous ducts were imaged easily. The teat wall could be divided into 3 layers, including a hyperechoic outer layer, a hypoechoic thicker middle layer and a less hyperechoic inner layer. The intercisternal wall of each teat could be divided into 3 layers: two thin hyperechoic outer layers and a thicker hypoechoic middle layer. The B-mode ultrasonography technique as described in this study seems to be reliable for determining the anatomic features of the udder and measuring of the teat parameters of the camel. J.Vet. Res. 62,2:27-31,2007.
Changes in prevalence of depression and anxiety following smoking cessation: results from an international cohort study (ATTEMPT)

Background Smoking cessation improves physical health but it has been suggested that in vulnerable individuals it may worsen mental health. This study aimed to identify the short- and longer-term effects of stopping smoking on depression and anxiety in the general population and in those with a history of these disorders. Method Sociodemographic and smoking characteristics, and mental and physical health were assessed using established measures in the ATTEMPT cohort, an international longitudinal study of smokers (n = 3645). Smokers who had stopped for at least 3 months or less than 3 months at the 12-month follow-up were compared with current smokers (n = 1640). Results At follow-up, 9.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.3–11.2] of smokers had stopped for less than 3 months and 7.5% (95% CI 6.3–8.9) for at least 3 months. Compared with current smokers, prevalence of depression prescriptions obtained in the last 2 weeks was lower for those who had stopped for less than 3 months [odds ratio (OR) 0.37, 95% CI 0.14–0.96] or at least 3 months (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.06–0.94) after adjusting for baseline prescription levels and confounding variables. Adjusted prevalence of recent depression symptoms was also lower for ex-smokers who had stopped for less than 3 months (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15–0.78) or at least 3 months (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09–0.67) than among continuing smokers. There was no change in anxiety measures in the general population or any increase in anxiety or depression symptoms in ex-smokers with a past history of these conditions. Conclusions Smoking cessation does not appear to be associated with an increase in anxiety or depression and may lead to a reduced incidence of depression.
Solid state fermentation and characterization of partially purified thermostable mannanase from Bacillus sp. MG-33

Bacillus sp. MG-33 was isolated from the desert of Rajasthan (India). The organism produced 500 and 200 Ug-1 of thermostable mannanase (after 96h) in solid state fermentation (SSF) of wheat bran and wheat straw rich-soda pulp at the moisture ratio of 1:1.5 and 1:3 at 30ºC, respectively. Two-step partially purified mannanase was optimally active at 65ºC and was 100% thermostable at 55 to 60ºC for 2h and also retained more than 50% residual activity at 65ºC for 2h. A pH of 6.5 was optimum for enzyme activity and 100% stability up to 4h at this pH. Mannanase activity was slightly enhanced by Ca2+, Fe3+, and Mg2+, while 100% activity was retained in the presence of Ba3+, Li+, and NiCl2 at 1.0-10mM. 1M NaCl and urea did not reduce the enzyme activity. The Km and Vmax of mannanase were 0.2mgml-1 and 60Umg-1ml-1, respectively. Hydrolysis of locust bean was rapid and linear between 5 and 20 min, and ~300µgml-1 mannose was obtained after 20 min of catalytic reaction by enzyme at 65ºC. TLC was used to confirm the mannose as an end product after hydrolysis of locust bean gum.
A Knowledge-Based Approach to Word Sense Disambiguation by distributional selection and semantic features

Word sense disambiguation improves many Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications such as Information Retrieval, Information Extraction, Machine Translation, or Lexical Simplification. Roughly speaking, the aim is to choose for each word in a text its best sense. One of the most popular method estimates local semantic similarity relatedness between two word senses and then extends it to all words from text. The most direct method computes a rough score for every pair of word senses and chooses the lexical chain that has the best score (we can imagine the exponential complexity that returns this comprehensive approach). In this paper, we propose to use a combinatorial optimization metaheuristic for choosing the nearest neighbors obtained by distributional selection around the word to disambiguate. The test and the evaluation of our method concern a corpus written in French by means of the semantic network BabelNet. The obtained accuracy rate is 78 % on all names and verbs chosen for the evaluation.
YopK regulates the Yersinia pestis type III secretion system from within host cells

The pathogenic Yersinia species share a conserved type III secretion system, which delivers cytotoxic effectors known as Yops into target mammalian cells. In all three species, YopK (also called YopQ) plays an important role in regulating this process. In cell culture infections, yopK mutants inject higher levels of Yops, leading to increase cytotoxicity; however, in vivo the same mutants are highly attenuated. In this work, we investigate the mechanism behind this paradox. Using a β‐lactamase reporter assay to directly measure the effect of YopK on translocation, we demonstrated that YopK controls the rate of Yop injection. Furthermore, we find that YopK cannot regulate effector Yop translocation from within the bacterial cytosol. YopE is also injected into host cells and was previously shown to contribute to regulation of the injectisome. In this work we show that YopK and YopE work at different steps to regulate Yop injection, with YopK functioning independently of YopE. Finally, by expressing YopK within tissue culture cells, we confirm that YopK regulates translocation from inside the host cell, and we show that cells pre‐loaded with YopK are resistant to Yop injection. These results suggest a novel role for YopK in controlling the Yersinia type III secretion system.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HOSPITAL INFORMATION SYSTEM ( HIS ) IN TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN MALAYSIA : A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Hospital Information System (HIS) is a comprehensive, integrated information system designed to manage the administrative, financial and clinical aspects of a hospital. This study is to describe those aspects of the implementation of hospital information system in three tertiary hospitals in Klang Valley; Serdang Hospital, Selayang Hospital and University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). A qualitative study was conducted to obtain views on information system development and implementation in the hospitals mentioned above. In-depth interviews with personnel representing both the system providers and the end-users were done guided by a questionnaire. The results of the interviews were categorized into few themes namely the system development, human resource, scope of implementation, support system, user-friendly, training, hardware and security. There were differences in hospital information system development and implementation in the three hospitals. Each system has its own strengths and weaknesses that make it unique. In developing HIS, its important to ensure the system can work effectively and efficiently. Quality human resource, good support system, user-friendly and adequate training of the end-user will determine the success of implementation of HIS. Upgrading of hardware and software as needed is the basis to keep up with the pace of technology advancement and increasing number of patients. It is hoped that HIS will be implemented in all other hospitals with effective integration and networking.