Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PROV-TE: A Provenance-Driven Diagnostic Framework for Task Eviction in Data Centers

Cloud Computing allows users to control substantial computing power for complex data processing, generating huge and complex data. However, the virtual resources requested by users are rarely utilized to their full capacities. To mitigate this, providers often perform over-commitment to maximize profit, which can result in node overloading and consequent task eviction. This paper presents a novel framework that mines the huge and growing historical usage data generated by Cloud data centers to identify the causes of overloads. Provenance modelling is applied to add contextual meaning to the data, and the PROV-TE diagnostic framework provides algorithms to efficiently identify the causality of task eviction. Using simulation to reflect real world scenarios, our results demonstrate a precision and recall of the diagnostic algorithms of 83% and 90% respectively. This demonstrates a high level of accuracy of the identification of causes.
Video Game Preservation in the UK: A Survey of Records Management Practices

Video games are a cultural phenomenon; a medium like no other that has become one of the largest entertainment sectors in the world. While the UK boasts an enviable games development heritage, it risks losing a major part of its cultural output through an inability to preserve the games that are created by the country’s independent games developers. The issues go deeper than bit rot and other problems that affect all digital media; loss of context, copyright and legal issues, and the throwaway culture of the ‘next’ game all hinder the ability of fans and academics to preserve video games and make them accessible in the future. This study looked at the current attitudes towards preservation in the UK’s independent (‘indie’) video games industry by examining current record-keeping practices and analysing the views of games developers. The results show that there is an interest in preserving games, and possibly a desire to do so, but issues of piracy and cost prevent the industry from undertaking preservation work internally, and from allowing others to assume such responsibility. The recommendation made by this paper is not simply for preservation professionals and enthusiasts to collaborate with the industry, but to do so by advocating the commercial benefits that preservation may offer to the industry.
Therapeutic value of 21-aminosteroid U74389F in acute spinal cord injury.

The effect of bolus injections of 21-aminosteroid U74389F after an acute spinal cord compression trauma in rats was studied. Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (CSEPs) were recorded before and after a weight-induced injury of 120 g and monitored up to five hours post-injury. All U74389F treatments were given as i.v. bolus injections of 15, 7.5, and 3.75 mg kg-1 at 1, 2, 3 h after the trauma, respectively. The CSEPs were abolished immediately after the injury in the control and treated animals. The majority of the treated animals (88.8%) demonstrated a return of the CSEPs within the second hour post-injury. In contrast, the animals in the control group showed only 44.4% recovery at this time period. At three hours post-injury, U74389F-treated animals (n = 18) showed a full recovery (100%) while the recovery rate remained at 44.4% for the control animals. We conclude that the bolus administration of U74389F one hour after injury facilitates the return of the spinal cord function as measured by the CSEPs in this compression model of acute spinal cord trauma.
Impact of heat stress on cow reproduction and fertility

Heat stress during the summer disrupts several reproductive processes, resulting in a pronounced depression of conception rate in dairy cows worldwide. The rise of internal body temperature during the summer is responsible for the impaired reproduction. A major cause for sustained hyperthermia during the summer is high milk production, which continues to rise. The processes of milk synthesis and secretion increase cows’ metabolic heat production. For instance, heat production of cows yielding 30 kg/day milk is twice as high as maintenance heat production of nonlactating cows, and that of high milk yielding cows giving 55 kg/day is about three times higher than maintenance heat production. Maintenance of normal and constant body temperature requires a balance between endogenous heat produced in the body and the amount of heat lost from the body to the environment. When heat production exceeds heat loss, the body temperature rises. Body temperatures of high milk yielding cows located in a wet region were found to start rising exponentially at air temperatures of 26–27 °C. Thus, even a small rise in air temperature, on the order of 1–2 °C, due, for instance, to global warming, may induce severe hyperthermia in dairy cows. This is clearly seen in Figure 1, which demonstrates the depressive effect of summer heat on the conception rate of lactating cows artificially inseminated (AI) in the summer months over the last 18 years to as low as 27.7%, compared with 42.6% during the cool winter months. Moreover, the “slightly” more severe conditions during the summers of 2010, 2012, and 2015, about 1.5 °C above average summer air temperatures, further decreased conception by an additional 5% units (Figure 1).
Building Labour Internationalism ‘from Below’: Lessons from the International Dockworkers Council’s European Working Group

This article considers whether the efficacy of transnational unionism, a strategy for trade union movement revitalisation, might be increased by a second revitalisation strategy: rank-and-file trade union democracy. This question is examined through a study of the International Dockworkers Council (IDC), an exceptional case of institutionalised rank-and-file union democracy at the transnational level. A shadow comparison examines the work of the International Transport Workers Federation, a bureaucratic trade union organisation active in the same sector. The IDC’s structure is found to increase the efficacy of transnational unionism by removing layers of bureaucratic mediation that slow down action, fostering a culture of militant solidarity among participants. Nevertheless, participants noted the heavy personal burdens placed on activists under this model and some difficulties of operating without the assistance of paid professionals. Additionally, differing national legal and political contexts for unionism remain significant barriers to effective internationalism.
Personalized gene therapy locks out HIV, paving the way to control virus without antiretroviral drugs

Introduction: Advances in adoptive immunotherapy have enabled gene therapy approaches to be tested in clinical trials that involve the transfer of engineered immune cells to specifically target HIV-infected cells or block HIV infection or transmission. Genetic editing through engineered targeted nucleases provides a method for producing cells that are permanently resistant to HIV. Areas covered: Here, we discuss current and developing gene therapy approaches aimed to confer resistance to HIV infection at the cellular level by targeting viral or cellular elements, with a focus on gene editing strategies that target viral entry. Human gene therapy trials in HIV infection are reviewed. Expert opinion: In concept, a single infusion of genetically modified cells could potentially reduce the need for lifelong medication by providing long-term control over the virus (functional immunity). While the dream of completely eliminating viral reservoirs (sterilizing immunity) is appealing, this presents a significant additional hurdle and may not be necessary to improve long-term health. A single infusion, or a small number of infusions, of engineered cells may be shown in confirmatory clinical trials to produce a meaningful biologic effect. These techniques have implications for targeted gene therapy in HIV and other diseases.
Precision of fit to implants: a comparison of Cresco™ and Procera® implant bridge frameworks.

BACKGROUND The Cresco™ (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) method aims to reduce the inevitable distortions when cast metal frameworks for implant-supported prostheses are fabricated. However, limited data are available for the precision of fit for this method. PURPOSE To measure and compare the precision of fit of Cresco- and computer numeric controlled (CNC)-milled metal frameworks for implant-supported fixed complete prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two groups of frameworks were fabricated according to the Cresco method, either in titanium (Cresco-Ti, n = 10) or in a cobalt-chrome alloy (Cresco-CoCr, n = 10). A third group comprised CNC-milled titanium frameworks (Procera® Implant Bridge [PIB], Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden), made from individual model/pattern measurements (PIB, n = 5). Measurements of fit were performed by means of a coordinate measuring machine linked to a computer. The collected data on distortions were analyzed. RESULTS Overall, a maximal three-dimensional range of center point distortion of 279 µm was observed for measured frameworks. The framework width (x-axis) decreased for Cresco-CoCr, but increased in Cresco-Ti and PIB; Cresco-CoCr compared to Cresco-Ti (p = .0002) and Cresco-CoCr compared to PIB (p < .0001). In vertical dimension (z-axis), less distortions were present in PIB compared to Cresco-CoCr (p = .0007) and in PIB compared to Cresco-Ti (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS None of the frameworks presented a perfect, completely "passive fit" to the master. Although the direction of distortions varied, the horizontal distortions were of similar magnitudes. However, the PIB frameworks had statistical significant less vertical distortions as compared to the Cresco groups.
A novel oleanolic acid-loaded PLGA-TPGS nanoparticle for liver cancer treatment

Abstract Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third most common cause of cancer death. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a natural triterpenoid, has many important biological actions, including antitumor effect, but its poor solubility often leads to poor pharmacodynamics. The aim of our work is to make OA-loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide)-d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (PLGA-TPGS) nanoparticles (OPTN) to improve its efficacy to liver cancer and characterize it. Methods: OPTN were prepared by ultrasonic emulsification-solvent evaporation technique using PLGA with or without the addition of TPGS (OPN). The coumarin-6-loaded nanoparticles were used as a fluorescence marker. The nanoparticles were characterized for surface morphology, surface charge, particle size, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug-release, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity by human liver cancer cell line HepG2 cells, and therapeutic effect in vivo. Key findings: The prepared nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape. The in vitro drug-release profile of both nanoparticle formulations showed a biphasic release pattern. There was an increased level of uptake and cytotoxicity of OPTN in the HepG2 cells compared with that of OPN. The treatment of OPTN group was better than OPN and FS groups in vivo. Conclusion: The results showed advantages of OPTN in terms of sustainable release and efficacy in liver cancer chemotherapy compared with OPN. OPTN could be acted as a novel and new dosage form to be used in cancer treatment study.
Application of PRV-1 mRNA expression level and JAK2V617F mutation for the differentiating between polycytemia vera and secondary erythrocytosis and assessment of treatment by interferon or hydroxyurea

Abstract Increased PRV-1 mRNA expression and the presence of Jak2V617F mutation in peripheral blood granulocytes are specific markers for chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), which facilitate the differential diagnosis between polycythemia vera (PV) and secondary erythrocytosis (SE) and may be helpful for monitoring treatment efficacy in MPD patients. We evaluated the presence of the Jak2V617F mutation and increased PRV-1 mRNA expression along with previously established markers—erythropoietin (EPO) independent colony formation (EEC) and erythropoietin level for diagnosis of PV and assessment of treatment efficiency. Increased PRV-1 expression was found in 37 out of 46 patients diagnosed with PV (80%), in 4 out of 15 patients diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia (ET) (27%) and in 4 out of 8 patients with chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIMF) (50%), and increased PRV-1 expression plus EEC formation was observed in 19 of 36 examined MPD patients indicating the superiority of PVSG and WHO bone marrow criteria for the diagnosis of ET, PV and CIMF. We could confirm a very high sensitivity, specificity and utility of the Jak2V617F mutation for differential diagnosis between PV and SE. Spontaneous EEC, serum EPO levels, PRV-1 expression was evaluated in 22 PV patients who carried the Jak2V617F mutation. A concordance of increased PRV-1 expression and presence of Jak2V617F mutation in 19/22 (85%); of increased PRV-1/Jak2/EEC in 14/22 (63%); and of Jak2/PRV-1/EEC/low Epo level in 10/22 (45%) patients was found indicating the superiority of the presence of Jak2V617F mutation for the diagnosis of PV. IFN-α therapy in patients with PV was more effective then hydroxyurea treatment and significantly reduced increased PRV-1 expression together with higher levels of Jak2V617F mutation (50–100%) in PV patients treated with hydroxy urea (HU) and lower levels of Jak2V617F mutation (35–90%) in PV patients treated with IFN-α. Normal PRV-1 expression level was observed in 44% of PV patients who achieved clinical remission and only in 3% of patient who did not. These preliminary observations indicate that the Jak2V617F mutation in particular and PRV-1 overexpression appear to be suitable markers for monitoring treatment efficiency in prospective randomised clinical studies comparing pegylated interferon and hydroxyurea in well defined PV patients with a clear indication for cytoreductive therapy.
Task Complexity and Nursing Expertise as Factors In Decision Making

This study used an information-processing approach and verbal protocol methodology to describe the initial and overall approaches to planning used by six expert and five novice nurses for three patient cases of varying complexity. Subjects did not change their initial approaches significantly across the cases. Most experts consistently used broad initial approaches, but no clear pattern was evident in novices' use of initial approaches. Experts varied their overall approaches as a function of case complexity; novices did not. Most experts used opportunistic overall approaches in the more complex cases; that is, they jumped about, pursuing whatever was opportune at a given point in the planning process. However, they used systematic overall approaches in the least complex case. In contrast, most novices used opportunistic overall approaches in all cases. No relationship was found between overall approaches used and quality of plans developed. The findings support the cognitive model of planning proposed by Hayes-Roth and Hayes-Roth (1979) and the conclusion found in information-processing literature that the task itself is a major determinant of decision-making behavior.
Relationship between Short-Term Interest Rates and Excess Reserves: A Logistic Approach

This paper models the relationship between short-term rates and excess reserves in an interest rate corridor as a logistic function estimated for the Eurosystem. The estimate helps to identify conditions in which short-term rates become unanchored, that is, they move away from the policy rates and become more volatile within the interest rate corridor defined by the interest rates of the central bankâs standing facilities. These conditions are attributed to coordination failures among counterparties at open market operations under fixed-rate and full-allotment procedures in the context of segmented markets. A model of the functioning of segmented markets describes how âun-anchoringâ takes place when counterparties pursue bidding strategies optimal from an individual perspective but sub-optimal from an aggregate perspective.
Risk indicators of delayed gastric emptying of solids in patients with functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Although gastric dysmotility and dyspeptic symptoms are often associated, their relationship remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between gastric emptying abnormalities and clinical features in functional dyspepsia. METHODS In 343 patients with functional dyspepsia, the gastric emptying of solids was measured by a radioisotopic technique and four dyspeptic symptoms (epigastric pain and burning, postprandial fullness, nausea, and vomiting) were measured as absent, mild, relevant, and severe, according to their influence on patients' usual activities. RESULTS Delayed gastric emptying was detected in 33.5% of dyspeptics. Delayed gastric emptying was particularly frequent in patients characterized by female sex, low body weight, presence of relevant and severe postprandial fullness, nausea, vomiting, and absence of relevant and severe epigastric pain. Logistic regression showed that delayed gastric emptying was invariably associated with female sex and postprandial fullness (odds ratio, 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-3.75) and vomiting (odds ratio, 4.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-12.54) when coded as severe and only postprandial fullness (odds ratio, 3.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.78-8.01) when coded as relevant and severe. CONCLUSIONS Female sex, relevant and severe postprandial fullness, and severe vomiting are independently associated with delayed gastric emptying of solids in patients with functional dyspepsia seen in a referral center.
Futures Markets and Farmers Welfare: Are They in Sync?

Commodity derivative markets, are expected to be alternative markets to physical or spot markets where producers including farmers will be able to foresee market prices of the commodities they are about to produce much in advance of the actual production takes place. The recently introduced commodity options trading instruments are expected to provide a further boost to the hedging and risk management capabilities of commodity derivative markets in India, as option contracts, unlike futures contracts, work on the criteria of unlimited gains with limited losses opportunity. Nevertheless, the risks associated with primary agricultural production are long-term in nature and the current system of commodity derivatives trading instruments available in India needs an improvement to address these long-term aspects so that farmers will be able to take advantage of the system.
Semi-supervised Learning with Locally Linear Coordination for Face Recognition

In this paper, we proposed a novel semi-supervised classification method with locally linear coordination for face recognition. The key idea of robust mixture modeling by t-distributions is combined with probabilistic subspace mixture models. It solves the robustness problems of locally linear coordination, by introducing a weighted reformulation of the embedding step. Comparison experiments between the proposed method and the other two methods: PCA and LDA, are performed. The results show that the proposed method achieves the best face recognition.
[Expansion of the distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the department of Caldas: Increased risk of visceral leishmaniasis].

INTRODUCTION Diverse taxonomical and molecular studies suggest that Lutzomyia longipalpis , main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Latin America, is a complex of species widely distributed throughout the continent and adapted to different habitats. OBJECTIVE To carry out entomological surveillance in the area of influence of the Miel I Hydroelectric Plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adhesive traps were used in a transect covering an area of approximately 400 km for the capture of insects, which were then identified using the Young and Duncan taxonomical key. RESULTS This study reports the presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the municipalities of Norcasia at an altitude of 392 masl, and in Marquetalia at 1,387 masl. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that the increase in the geographical and altitudinal distribution could be related to the existence of the Lu. longipalpis species complex, or to environmental factors, such as the rise in temperature due to global climate changes, which create the establishment of Lu. longipalpis , generating a new epidemiological risk for new visceral leishmaniasis foci in the country.
Reconciled Trade Flow Estimates Using an FGLS Estimator

This paper proposes a new method to reconcile countries' reports of their bilateral trade, extracting the optimal amount of information from noisy reports. Reconciled estimates are a weighted average of exporter and importer reports, with weights chosen to minimise the variance of the error in the reconciliation estimate. Reports of countries that appear to report their trade more precisely are given more weight, but non-zero weight is (optimally) given even to relatively noisy reporters.
Fractures in the education–economy relationship: the end of the skill bias technological change research programme?

This paper undertakes a critical theoretical and empirical analysis of the traditional approach to analysing the education–economy relationship: skill bias technological change theory. It argues that while leading skill bias theorists have sought to address some of the anomalies that the theory confronts, there remain key data patterns that the theory cannot address. We suggest an alternative account that takes a broader political economy perspective.
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vehicle for therapeutic gene delivery: improvements in vector design and viral production enhance potential to prolong graft survival in pancreatic islet cell transplantation for the reversal of type 1 diabetes.

Most viral gene delivery syslems utilized to date have demonstrated significant limitations in practicality and safety due to the level and duration of recombinant transgene expression as well as their induction of host immunogenicity to vector proteins. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors appear to offer a vehicle for safe, long-term therapeutic gene transfer; factors afforded through the propensity of rAAV to establish long-term latency without deleterious effects on the host cell and the relative non-immunogenicity of the virus or viral expressed transgenes. The principal historical limitation of this vector system, efficiency of rAAV-mediated transduction, has recently observed a dramatic increase as the titer, purity, and production capacity of rAAV preparations have improved. In terms of systems that could benefit from such improvements, rAAV gene therapy to enhance solid organ transplantation would appear an obvious choice with islet transplantation forming a promising candidate due to the ability to perform viral transductions ex vivo. Currently, islet transplantation can be used to treat type 1 diabetes yet persisting alloimmune and autoimmune responses represent major obstacles to the clinical success for this procedure. The delivery of transgenes capable of interfering with antigenic recognition and/or cell death [e.g., Fas ligand (FasL), Bcl-2, Bcl-XL] as well as imparting tolerance/immunoregulation [e.g., interleukin(IL)-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta], or cytoprotection [e.g., heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), catalase, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)] may prevent recurrent type 1 diabetes in islet transplantation and offer a promising form of immunotherapy. Research investigations utilizing such systems may also provide information vital to understanding the immunoregulatory mechanisms critical to the development of both alloimmune and autoimmune islet cell rejection mechanisms and recurrent type 1 diabetes.