Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An adaptive weighted boosting algorithm for road detection

Road detection is one of most important branches of intelligent vehicle. Previously we developed a road detection system based on boosting using feature combination. In this paper, features are selected and weighted according to their classification ability, which come from boosting classifiers with each single feature. Moreover, they are weighted according to the boosting training process. Shadows are always high error rate in road detection. To improve performance of shadow, special features are induced in the feature set. The experiment result shows that the performance of this method is better than raw boosting.
Feature selecting model in automatic text categorization of Chinese financial industrial news

This work focuses on selecting features in the automatic text categorization of Chinese industrial and financial news. We use feature selecting method for the characteristics of subclass Chinese financial and industrial news. However, it is an open challenge for subclass news in solving real-world problems which are often high-dimensional. Therefore, we proposed a feature selecting model in automatic text categorization of Chinese financial industrial news. This model can not only discover features from training news, but also can tune features through testing news. The proposed model help to classify subclass news, and it will be useful to knowledge management. Furthermore, feature selection has received considerable attention in improving the performance of the classification.
Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to organic solvents: a prospective controlled study.

CONTEXT Numerous women of childbearing age are exposed occupationally to organic solvents. Previous retrospective studies have reported conflicting results regarding teratogenic risk. OBJECTIVE To evaluate pregnancy and fetal outcome following maternal occupational exposure to organic solvents. DESIGN A prospective, observational, controlled study. SETTING An antenatal counseling service in Toronto, Ontario. PATIENTS One hundred twenty-five pregnant-women who were exposed occupationally to organic solvents and seen during the first trimester between 1987 and 1996. Each pregnant woman who was exposed to organic solvents was matched to a pregnant woman who was exposed to a nonteratogenic agent on age (+/-4 years), gravidity (+/-1), and smoking and drinking status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Occurrence of major congenital malformations. RESULTS Significantly more major malformations occurred among fetuses of women exposed to organic solvents than controls (13 vs 1; relative risk, 13.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-99.5). Twelve malformations occurred among the 75 women who had symptoms temporally associated with their exposure, while none occurred among 43 asymptomatic exposed women (P<.001). (One malformation occurred in a woman for whom such information was missing.) More of these exposed women had previous miscarriage while working with organic solvents than controls (54/117 [46.2%] vs 24/125 [19.2%]; P<.001). However, exposed women who had a previous miscarriage had rates of major malformation that were similar to exposed women who had no previous miscarriage. CONCLUSIONS Occupational exposure to organic solvents during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of major fetal malformations. This risk appears to be increased among women who report symptoms associated with organic solvent exposure. Women's exposure to organic solvents should be minimized during pregnancy. Symptomatic exposure appears to predict higher fetal risk for malformations.
Energy efficient round rotation method for a random cluster based WSN

The energy consumed in cluster head (CH) selection phase of a random cluster based wireless sensor network (WSN) has been assumed as an insignificant factor in the previous research works. In this paper, the consumption of energy during the transmission of data from sensor nodes to the sink has been calculated. Through extensive simulations it has been shown that 20% of the network's total consumed energy is exhausted in the random CH selection phase only. This energy consumption can be taken as an overhead energy. To overcome the overhead energy, an energy efficient “Round Rotation” (RR) mechanism has been proposed. By implementing the RR mechanism with random CH selection phase, the over head energy has been reduced to 4% of the total network energy consumed in data transmissions. This has consequently affected the network lifetime which has been augmented by 20%. Keywords-WSN; CH selection phase; overhead energy; efficient energy; Round Rotation method.
Characterization of a pH‐inducible promoter system for high‐level expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli

A pH‐inducible promoter system was characterized and its potential applicability in recombinant protein production was evaluated using a plasmid construct, pSM552‐545C−, in which the promoter and activator coding sequences of the cad operon were inserted into the upstream region of a lacZ′ reporter gene. Graded gene expression levels with respect to culture pH between 8.0 and 5.5 were observed and the induction range can be as high as 200‐fold. The effects of several cultivation parameters, including pH, temperature, induction cell density, and inoculum size, were systematically examined. The practical application of this expression system to high level production of recombinant proteins was successfully demonstrated using a rich medium, superbroth. An extremely high recombinant protein productivity at a value of approximately 1.4 g/L with a specific expression level as high as 35% of total cellular protein can be obtained in a simple batch cultivation. The behavior of this expression system was further investigated using chemostat cultures. An uncommon relationship between the volumetric or specific recombinant protein activity and the dilution rate, with a maximal activity at a dilution rate of approximately 0.4 h−1was observed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A 350nA voltage regulator for 90nm CMOS digital circuits with Reverse-Body-Bias

An ultra-low power CMOS 90nm Reverse-Body-Bias generator is proposed to reduce digital circuit leakage. A Switched-Capacitor-Converter (SCC) and a Low-Drop-Out regulator generate Pwell and Nwell voltages, respectively. It can supply digital circuits up to 4mm2 while occupying 0.02mm2. Its nominal current consumption is 348nA. Pulse-train control provides wide output current range, and process and temperature compensation without sacrifying efficiency. The SCC achieves a best-in-class efficiency of 52% at 100nA load including the control loop.
Effect of photoperiod and tryptophan amino acid supplementation on pineal gland hormone (melatonin) and its relation to performance in local strain. 1 - effect on laying hen performance.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of photoperiod, tryptophan supplementation and their interaction on Dokki-4 laying hens performance, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg quality, , immune response, blood constituents, pineal gland hormone and economical efficiency. A total number of 297 laying hen at 24 weeks of age were used in this study. At 24 weeks of age hens were distributed into 9 experimental treatments in (3x 3) factorial design up to 36 wks of age through three photoperiod groups (control) L1: day light, L2: L1+ 2 hours light and L3: L1+ 4 hours and three levels of tryptophan (Trp) supplementation. The control (R1) was 0.19%, R2= 0.21% Trp and R3= 0.23 %. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: 1-Light had significant effect on body weight gain BWG (L3 was greater than that exposed to L1 or L2 for BWG3 (32-36wks), egg number EN {EN3 (32-36wks) and EN4 (24-36wks)}, egg production EP {EP3 (32-36wks) & EP4 (24-36wks)} and egg mass EM (EM3). There were no significant effects of photoperiod on EN, EP at 24-28 and 28-32 wks of age,), egg weight EW, daily Trp intake (mg/ hen / d), Trp intake (mg/ EC, and protein intake (g / g feed). The group of hens of L2 photoperiod significantly increased plasma globulin (P<0.05) compared to L1. Treatment L1 and L2 exhibited the highest white blood cells (WBC ́s) than L3. The average of melatonin (MLT) levels (pg/ ml) was lower during the light periods
Tumors Induced in Hamsters by Injection of Rhesus Monkey Kidney Cell Extracts

Summary Injection of newborn hamsters with extracts of certain lots of rhesus monkey kidney cell cultures has been followed some months later by occurrence of neoplasms at site of injection in 109 of 154 hamsters. Three of the neoplasms were transplanted to other hamsters and the recipient hamsters developed tumors in 13 to 48 days. Transplants from the second tumor were passed from hamster to hamster 5 times and tumors developed in all surviving animals in 6 to 24 days. Tumors could not be induced in newborn hamsters by inoculation of extracts of the hamster tumors. No changes indicative of a virus were observed when extracts of a tumor or a tumor mince were incubated with primary mouse embryo, primary vervet monkey kidney cells, or a continuous line of rhesus monkey kidney cell cultures. The tumors appeared to be somewhat different from those induced by the SE polyoma virus.
New rules governing synaptic plasticity in core nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons

The nucleus accumbens is a forebrain region responsible for drug reward and goal‐directed behaviors. It has long been believed that drugs of abuse exert their addictive properties on behavior by altering the strength of synaptic communication over long periods of time. To date, attempts at understanding the relationship between drugs of abuse and synaptic plasticity have relied on the high‐frequency long‐term potentiation model of T.V. Bliss & T. Lømo [(1973) Journal of Physiology, 232, 331–356]. We examined synaptic plasticity using spike‐timing‐dependent plasticity, a stimulation paradigm that reflects more closely the in vivo firing patterns of mouse core nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons and their afferents. In contrast to other brain regions, the same stimulation paradigm evoked bidirectional long‐term plasticity. The magnitude of spike‐timing‐dependent long‐term potentiation (tLTP) changed with the delay between action potentials and excitatory post‐synaptic potentials, and frequency, whereas that of spike‐timing‐dependent long‐term depression (tLTD) remained unchanged. We showed that tLTP depended on N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors, whereas tLTD relied on action potentials. Importantly, the intracellular calcium signaling pathways mobilised during tLTP and tLTD were different. Thus, calcium‐induced calcium release underlies tLTD but not tLTP. Finally, we found that the firing pattern of a subset of medium spiny neurons was strongly inhibited by dopamine receptor agonists. Surprisingly, these neurons were exclusively associated with tLTP but not with tLTD. Taken together, these data point to the existence of two subgroups of medium spiny neurons with distinct properties, each displaying unique abilities to undergo synaptic plasticity.
B. PYOCYANEUS MENINGITIS WITH RECOVERY

quite distinct groups of physicians; these-show a very marked parallelism. The most obvious fact that emerges from this study is the strikingly constant and high "incidence of rheumatic heart disease among hospital patients. It thus serves to show, if any further evidence is needed, the urgent necessity for further study into the aetiology of acute rheumatism and into methods for its prevention and relief. In view of the variations in the incidence of other types of heart disease, which are evident in this investigation, it would appear very desirable that such inquiries should be continued at different centres throughout Great Britain along similar lines for a longer period of time, so that it may be ascertained whether such variations are constant, and what local features are responsible for them. The following case of B. pyocyaneus infection appears to be of sufficient general interest to warrant its publication, partly because it points a moral, and partly because the precise pathogenic status of B. pyocyaneus for the human adult is still somewhat doubtful. B. pyocyaneus has 'long been recognized as a secondary invading microbe in wounds and sinuses in man, but many authorities consider that it can only fill the role of a primary invader in infections of children and debilitated adults. Wilson' states, however, that the bacillus can produce in adults a generalized infection resembling typhoid fever, and that in the course of such an infection the bacillus may attack the meninges. He mentions that cases have been recorded of B. pyocyaneus meningitis resulting from the injection of contaminated cocaine solutions for anaesthetic purposes.
Re-Engineering a high performance electrical series elastic actuator for low-cost industrial applications

Cost is an important consideration when transferring a technology from research to industrial and educational use. In this paper, we introduce the design of an industrial grade series elastic actuator (SEA) performed via re-engineering a research grade version of it. Cost-constrained design requires careful consideration of the key performance parameters for an optimal performance-to-cost component selection. To optimize the performance of the new design, we started by matching the capabilities of a high-performance SEA while cutting down its production cost significantly. Our posit was that performing a re-engineering design process on an existing high-end device will significantly reduce the cost without compromising the performance drastically. As a case study of design for manufacturability, we selected the University of Texas Series Elastic Actuator (UT-SEA), a high-performance SEA, for its high power density, compact design, high efficiency and high speed properties. We partnered with an industrial corporation in China to research the best pricing options and to exploit the retail and production facilities provided by the Shenzhen region. We succeeded in producing a low-cost industrial grade actuator at one-third of the cost of the original device by re-engineering the UT-SEA with commercial off-the-shelf components and reducing the number of custom-made parts. Subsequently, we conducted performance tests to demonstrate that the re-engineered product achieves the same high-performance specifications found in the original device. With this paper, we aim to raise awareness in the robotics community on the possibility of low-cost realization of low-volume, high performance, industrial grade research and education hardware.
General epidemiology of breast cancer in northern Italy.

The role of the major identified risk factors for breast cancer was assessed using data from a hospital-based case-control study conducted in Northern Italy on 1108 women with histologically confirmed breast cancer and 1281 control subjects with a spectrum of acute conditions unrelated to any of the established or potential risk factors for breast disease. With reference to nulliparous women, the risk of breast cancer was below unity for those who first gave birth below age 25, and above unity for those with later first full-term pregnancy. However, in each stratum of age at first birth, the point estimate was below unity for women with five or more births. The relative risk for greater than or equal to 5 births compared with 1 or 2 was 0.6 (95% confidence interval = 0.4-0.9) when allowance was made for age at first birth. Likewise, there was a significant and independent effect of age at last birth which was evident in various strata of parity and age at first birth. The overall relative risk for last birth at 30 years or over compared with under 30 was 1.4 (95% confidence interval = 1.1-1.8). There was little relation of breast cancer risk with abortions or miscarriages. Breast cancer cases reported earlier menarche and later menopause; further, lifelong irregularities in menstrual pattern were less common among the cases (relative risk = 0.6, 95% confidence interval = 0.5-0.8). The risk estimates were elevated in women with positive history of benign breast disease, family history of breast cancer and greater body mass index. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Opening and closing of the periplasmic gate in lactose permease

X-ray crystal structures of lactose permease (LacY) reveal pseudosymmetrically arranged N- and C-terminal six-transmembrane helix bundles surrounding a deep internal cavity open on the cytoplasmic side and completely closed on the periplasmic side. The residues essential for sugar recognition and H+ translocation are located at the apex of the cavity and are inaccessible from the outside. On the periplasmic side, helices I/II and VII from the N- and C- six helix bundles, respectively, participate in sealing the cavity from the outside. Three paired double-Cys mutants—Ile-40 → Cys/Asn-245 → Cys, Thr-45 → Cys/Asn-245 → Cys, and Ile-32 → Cys/Asn-245 → Cys—located in the interface between helices I/II and VII on the periplasmic side of LacY were constructed. After cross-linking with homobifunctional reagents less than ≈15 Å in length, all three mutants lose the ability to catalyze lactose transport. Strikingly, however, full or partial activity is observed when cross-linking is mediated by flexible reagents greater than ≈15 Å in length. The results provide direct support for the argument that transport via LacY involves opening and closing of a large periplasmic cavity.
Colour Vision in Diurnal and Nocturnal Hawkmoths1

Abstract Diurnal and nocturnal hawkmoths (Sphingidae, Lepidoptera) have three spectral types of receptor sensitive to ultraviolet, blue and green light. As avid flower visitors and pollinators, they use olfactory and visual cues to find and recognise flowers. Moths of the diurnal species Macroglossum stellatarum and the nocturnal species Deilephila elpenor, Hyles lineata and Hyles gallii use and learn the colour of flowers. Nocturnal species can discriminate flowers at starlight intensities when humans and honeybees are colour-blind. M. stellatarum can use achromatic, intensity-related cues if colour cues are absent, and this is probably also true for D. elpenor. Both species can recognise colours even under a changed illumination colour.
Telomere Shortening and Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Expression in Preinvasive Bronchial Lesions

Purpose: Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex whose activity is related to the expression of its catalytic subunit human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), restores telomere length in tumor cells and enables immortality after p53/Rb inactivation has been achieved. To determine the timing of hTERT derepression during bronchial carcinogenesis and its relationship with telomere shortening and the p53/Rb pathway alterations, we did an immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization study in preinvasive and invasive bronchial lesions. Experimental Design: hTERT, P53, P16, cyclin D1, Bax-to-Bcl2 ratio, and Ki67 immunostainings were done in 106 preneoplastic lesions and in paired lung carcinoma and normal bronchial mucosae. Concomitantly, hTERT mRNA levels and qualitative telomere shortening were assessed by in situ hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization, respectively, in a subset of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Results: Telomerase was increasingly expressed from normal epithelium to squamous metaplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ, and decreased in invasive carcinoma (P < 0.0001), with a direct correlation between protein and mRNA levels of expression (P < 0.0001). hTERT expression was directly correlated with P53, Ki67, and Bcl2-to-Bax ratio, suggesting a coupling between telomerase reactivation, proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis. Telomere signals significantly decreased as early as squamous metaplasia and progressively increased over the spectrum of preneoplastic lesions. Conclusions: Telomere shortening represents an early genetic abnormality in bronchial carcinogenesis, preceding telomerase expression and p53/Rb inactivation, which predominate in high-grade preinvasive lesions.
HyperV: A High Performance Hypervisor for Virtualization of the Programmable Data Plane

P4 is a domain specific language designed to define the behavior of a programmable data plane. It facilitates offloading hardware-suitable Network Functions (NFs) to a data plane. Consequently, NFs can maximally benefit from high performance of hardware devices, meanwhile more CPU power can be reserved for user applications. However, since the programmable data plane provides an NF with an exclusive network context, different NFs cannot operate on the same data plane simultaneously. Besides, it is hardly possible to dynamically reconfigure programmable network devices without interrupting the operation of a data plane. Therefore, we propose HyperV, a high performance hypervisor for virtualization of a P4 specific data plane, to provide both non-exclusive and uninterrupted features.We implemented HyperV based on a P4-BMv2 target and a DPDK target respectively. Then we evaluated BMv2-target HyperV by comparing with Hyper4, a recently proposed hypervisor, and evaluated DPDK- target HyperV by comparing with PISCES and Open vSwitch. Results show that BMv2- target HyperV averagely prevails over Hyper4 2.5x in performance while reducing resource usage by 4x. DPDK-target HyperV performs comparably to Open vSwitch and PISCES, with the worst case of a throughput penalty in less than 7\%, while providing a powerful capability of virtualization which neither of them provides.
Group B streptococci persist inside macrophages

Group B streptococci (GBS) are an important cause of neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. In the early phase of infection, macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) are the first immune cells that interact with GBS. In this in vitro study, to gain insight into GBS–macrophage interaction in the absence of type‐specific antibodies, we examined the features of GBS survival in thioglycollate‐elicited murine peritoneal macrophages and the effect of GBS on the protein kinase C (PKC)‐dependent transduction pathway. Our results demonstrate that type Ia GBS, strain 090 (GBS‐Ia) and type III GBS strain COH 31r/s (GBS‐III), after in vitro phagocytosis survive and persist intracellularly in macrophages for up to 24 and 48 hr, respectively. However, macrophage activation by interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli (LPS) caused a significant reduction in the time of intracellular persistence. Macrophage activation by IFN‐γ and LPS seems to be a multifactorial event involving multiple intracellular signal pathways also including PKC. Since PKC is one of the components in the signal network leading to macrophage activation and an important target for several intracellular micro‐organisms, we wondered whether PKC could have a role in intracellular GBS survival. Both PKC depletion by treatment with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) for 18 hr and PKC inhibition by Calphostin C rendered macrophages more permissive for the intracellular GBS survival. Furthermore, GBS‐infected macrophages were unable to respond to PMA and LPS, activators of PKC, by inducing antimicrobial activity. The ability of GBS to impair PKC‐dependent cell signalling was also demonstrated by the reduced c‐fos gene expression in GBS‐infected macrophages with respect to control macrophages, after LPS stimulation. In conclusion, our results indicate that GBS survive in macrophages and impairment of PKC signal transduction contributes to their intracellular survival.