Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Importance Sampling Techniques for the Multidimensional Ruin Problem for General Markov Additive Sequences of Random Vectors

on Rd. We consider P{Sn E A/s, some n} as s -E 0, where A C Rd is open and the mean drift of {Sn I is away from A. Our main objective is to study the simulation of P{Sn E A/s, some n} using the Monte Carlo technique of importance sampling. If the set A is convex, then we establish (i) the precise dependence (as s -> 0) of the estimator variance on the choice of the simulation distribution and (ii) the existence of a unique simulation distribution which is efficient and optimal in the asymptotic sense of D. Siegmund [Ann. Statist. 4 (1976) 673-684]. We then extend our techniques to the case where A is not convex. Our results lead to positive conclusions which complement the multidimensional counterexamples of P. Glasserman and Y. Wang [Ann. Appl. Probab. 7 (1997) 731-746]. 1. Introduction. There has been much recent interest in developing simulation techniques for estimating "rare event" probabilities; formally, these are probabilities P(C,), for small 8, where P(C,) -> 0 as 8 -E 0. When direct Monte Carlo methods are used to estimate such small probabilities, one runs a numerical experiment involving n trials and computes the proportion of times that the event C, occurs. However, under this direct approach, one then obtains that the error of the estimate / oc as 8 -O 0 when compared with the estimate [cf. Asmussen (1999), page 45]. The subject of rare event simulation consequently deals with alternative methods for simulating such probabilities which, in various contexts, are efficient and which remain effective in the asymptotic limit as 8 -E 0. In many one-dimensional problems, mainly involving i.i. d. sums which, in the event C. , attain some region in R1, effective simulation techniques are well known; however, in higher dimensions-as we shall soon explain-the situation is somewhat more complicated. The objective of this article will be to study rare event simulation in the context of the following multidimensional boundary crossing problem: Let SI, S2, . be a sequence of random variables in Rd, and consider the hitting probability of a
Daily variation in the distribution of glycogen phosphorylase in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of Syrian hamsters

Dynamic changes in astrocytic processes in the Syrian hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) have been reported with maximal process extension in the light phase and maximal process retraction in the dark phase of a daily light:dark cycle. In the present study, we asked whether dynamic changes occur in the distribution of an astrocytic metabolic marker, glycogen phosphorylase (GP), using a histochemical assay to reveal the distribution of both active and total GP, in the hamster SCN. Changes in glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity also were assessed using a relative optical density measure (ROD). We observed changes in the localization and distribution of GP both in the SCN and in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) as a function of time of day. In the light phase, there were concentrated, large, dot‐like deposits of GP throughout the SCN and PVN on an empty background. In the dark phase, diffuse, small, granular particles were seen throughout both nuclei. Selectively, in the dark‐phase SCN, these granular particles formed a rim of intense GP reactivity on the lateral, ventral, posterior, and medial borders. Significantly higher levels of GP reactivity were seen in anterior sections of the medial optic chiasm in the light phase. GFAP‐immunoreactive astrocytic processes had higher ROD levels in the dark phase. In conclusion, the astrocytic metabolic marker, GP, exhibits a significant daily variation in localization in both the SCN and the PVN that correlates with dynamic changes in the distribution of astrocytic processes in the SCN. Increased GP activity also occurs in astrocytes among optic fibers subjacent to the SCN during light input. J. Comp. Neurol. 435:249–258, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Psychophysiological Investigation of Moral Judgment after Ventromedial Prefrontal Damage

Converging evidence suggests that emotion processing mediated by ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is necessary to prevent personal moral violations. In moral dilemmas, for example, patients with lesions in vmPFC are more willing than normal controls to approve harmful actions that maximize good consequences (e.g., utilitarian moral judgments). Yet, none of the existing studies has measured subjects' emotional responses while they considered moral dilemmas. Therefore, a direct link between emotion processing and moral judgment is still lacking. Here, vmPFC patients and control participants considered moral dilemmas while skin conductance response (SCR) was measured as a somatic index of affective state. Replicating previous evidence, vmPFC patients approved more personal moral violations than did controls. Critically, we found that, unlike control participants, vmPFC patients failed to generate SCRs before endorsing personal moral violations. In addition, such anticipatory SCRs correlated negatively with the frequency of utilitarian judgments in normal participants. These findings provide direct support to the hypothesis that the vmPFC promotes moral behavior by mediating the anticipation of the emotional consequences of personal moral violations.
UWB microstrip filter design using a time‐domain technique

A time‐domain technique is proposed for ultra‐wideband (UWB) microstrip‐filter design. The design technique uses the reflection coefficient (S11) specified in the frequency domain. When the frequency response of the UWB filter is given, the response will be approximated by a series of UWB pulses in the time domain. The UWB pulses are Gaussian pulses of the same bandwidth with different time delays. The method tries to duplicate the reflection scenario in the time domain for very narrow Gaussian pulses (to obtain the impulse response of the system) when the pulses are passed through the filter, and obtains the value of the filter coefficients based on the number of UWB pulses, amplitudes, and delays of the pulses. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 47: 387–391, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21177
A Performance Analysis Tool for Scenario-Aware Streaming Applications

Dataflow models are often used for analysing streaming applications. The recently introduced scenario-aware extension of the synchronous dataflow model can capture the dynamism in computation and communication resource requirements of streaming applications that originates from different modes of operation (scenarios). This scenario-aware dataflow model uses a probabilistic approach to express the order in which scenarios (and different execution times within a scenario) occur. This paper discusses a tool for exhaustive and simulation-based analysis of various important performance metrics for scenario-aware streaming applications.
A taxonomy of market‐based resource management systems for utility‐driven cluster computing

In utility‐driven cluster computing, cluster Resource Management Systems (RMSs) need to know the specific needs of different users in order to allocate resources according to their needs. This in turn is vital to achieve service‐oriented Grid computing that harnesses resources distributed worldwide based on users' objectives. Recently, numerous market‐based RMSs have been proposed to make use of real‐world market concepts and behavior to assign resources to users for various computing platforms. The aim of this paper is to develop a taxonomy that characterizes and classifies how market‐based RMSs can support utility‐driven cluster computing in practice. The taxonomy is then mapped to existing market‐based RMSs designed for both cluster and other computing platforms to survey current research developments and identify outstanding issues. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
p53-Mediated Regulation of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Expression in Cells Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

ABSTRACT The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a highly conserved cellular protein that functions both in DNA replication and in DNA repair. Exposure of a rat embryo fibroblast cell line (CREF cells) to γ radiation induced simultaneous expression of PCNA with the p53 tumor suppressor protein and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1. PCNA mRNA levels transiently increased in serum-starved cells exposed to ionizing radiation, an observation suggesting that the radiation-associated increase in PCNA expression could be dissociated from cell cycle progression. Irradiation of CREF cells activated a transiently expressed PCNA promoter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct through p53 binding sequences via a mechanism blocked by a dominant negative mutant p53. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with nuclear extracts prepared from irradiated CREF cells produced four p53-specific DNA-protein complexes with the PCNA p53 binding site. Addition of monoclonal antibody PAb421 (p53-specific) or AC238 (specific to the transcriptional coactivator p300/CREB binding protein) to the mobility shift assay distinguished different forms of p53 that changed in relative abundance with time after irradiation. These findings suggest a complex cellular response to DNA damage in which p53 transiently activates expression of PCNA for the purpose of limited DNA repair. In a population of nongrowing cells with diminished PCNA levels, this pathway may be crucial to survival following DNA damage.
Advances, Applications and Performance of the Global Arrays Shared Memory Programming Toolkit

This paper describes capabilities, evolution, performance, and applications of the Global Arrays (GA) toolkit. GA was created to provide application programmers with an inteface that allows them to distribute data while maintaining the type of global index space and programming syntax similar to that available when programming on a single processor. The goal of GA is to free the programmer from the low level management of communication and allow them to deal with their problems at the level at which they were originally formulated. At the same time, compatibility of GA with MPI enables the programmer to take advatage of the existing MPI software/libraries when available and appropriate. The variety of applications that have been implemented using Global Arrays attests to the attractiveness of using higher level abstractions to write parallel code.
Computational Investigations of Biological Nanosystems

1 Overview Understanding life from its molecular foundation to the cellular, organ, and organism levels complements the practice of medicine. In answering the most basic questions about organisms, biomedical researchers import methods and concepts from the physical sciences that encompass novel experiments and mathematical descriptions. Likewise, motivated by biomedically relevant problems and collaborating closely with experimental laboratories, the Theoretical Biophysics Group at the Beckman Institute of the U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign exploits advances in physical theory and computing to model organisms across many levels of organization, from molecules to cells to networks. During the past decade, the group has pioneered the modeling of very large biomolec-ular structures that are responsible for key processes in living cells, ranging from metabolism to signaling to cell motion. during the last year of a total funding cycle of nine years. Our group has derived from the Craver funds great benefits and we feel compelled to explain in a section Carver Charitable Trust funds built an important science interface why the support from the Carver Charitable Trust has been important and so extraordinarily successful. Through the Carver support we continued to advance studies in cellular biology, bridging a gap between laboratories where large biomolecular structures are discovered and measured, and computational laboratories where the expertise for very large scale molecular modeling resides. The group has engaged in relevant and demanding collaborations on cellular nanosystems that required large scale modeling and that reached significant results. Our group has pioneered also the use of so-called steered molecular dynamics in which external forces are applied to test reaction pathways and mechanical properties of biopolymers as well as analyze the results. The Carver funded collaborators applied steered molecular dynamics in several new exciting research projects, for example, to understand the expression of genetic information through mechanical control of DNA, the harvesting of sunlight that fuels nearly all life on earth, the transformation of light energy into electrical energy in the form of a proton gradient, useful to the cell, or to the control of the electrical potential of neurons through ion selective membrane channels. All these systems are fundamental and basic to life, yet involve large molecular systems containing ten thousand to hundred thousand atoms that can be handled computationally by very few research groups. Research advances achieved through its unique modeling capabilities are a primary measure of our group's success. Through Carver funds our group collaborates on …
Chronic high-fat diet affects intestinal fat absorption and postprandial triglyceride levels in the mouse Published, JLR Papers in Press, November 18, 2006.

The effects of chronic fat overconsumption on intestinal physiology and lipid metabolism remain elusive. It is unknown whether a fat-mediated adaptation to lipid absorption takes place. To address this issue, mice fed a high-fat diet (40%, w/w) were refed or not a control diet (3%, w/w) for 3 additive weeks. Despite daily lipid intake 7.7-fold higher than in controls, fecal lipid output remained unchanged in mice fed the triglyceride (TG)-rich diet. In situ isolated jejunal loops revealed greater [1-14C]linoleic acid uptake without TG accumulation in mucosa, suggesting an increase in lipid absorption capacity. Induction both in intestinal mitotic index and in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid uptake, trafficking, and lipoprotein synthesis was found in high-fat diet mice. These changes were lipid-mediated, in that they were fully abolished in mice refed the control diet. A lipid load test performed in the presence or absence of the LPL inhibitor tyloxapol showed a sustained blood TG clearance in fat-fed mice likely attributable to intestinal modulation of LPL regulators (apolipoproteins C-II and C-III). These data demonstrate that a chronic high-fat diet greatly affects intestinal physiology and body lipid use in the mouse.
Insecticidal Properties and Microbial Contaminants in a Spodoptera exigua Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus (Baculoviridae) Formulation Stored at Different Temperatures

Abstract The Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) is currently being tested as a biological insecticide for use in greenhouse crops in southern Spain. We performed a study in which semipurified SeMNPV occlusion bodies (OBs) were formulated in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 6.5, with 5% (vol:vol) glycerol and 0.15% (wt:vol) sorbic acid, and they were stored at −20, 4, or 25°C during 18 mo. Initial aerobic counts (±SE) averaged 1.4 (±0.17) × 107 colony-forming units/ml after 17-h incubation at 37°C. Aerobic counts of microorganisms that contaminated OB formulations stored at 25°C decreased markedly over the period of the study, whereas only small decreases were observed in counts from OBs stored at 4 or −20°C. The principal microbial contaminants of OB suspensions were Enterococcus spp. , Enterobacteriaceae, and yeasts. Potential human pathogens (Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio species) were not detected, and populations of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus were extremely low. Compared with newly formulated OBs, the estimated LD50 values of OBs stored at 25°C increased by >16,666-fold over the 18 mo of storage, whereas LD50 values were not greatly affected by storage at 4 or −20°C. Significant changes over time in OB concentrations were only observed in the 25°C treatment. Complete degradation of viral DNA was observed at 25°C but not in refrigerated or frozen OBs. We conclude that OB formulation with bacteriostatic or antioxidant additives, together with storage and distribution in refrigerated conditions, will likely result in an SeMNPV biopesticide shelf life that exceeds 18 mo.
Multimodal Biomarker Investigation on Efficacy and Mechanism of Action for the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitor, Temsirolimus, in a Preclinical Mammary Carcinoma OncoMouse Model: A Translational Medicine Study in Support for Early Clinical Development

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has proven to be a valid therapeutic target in a number of human cancers, and it is a candidate for clinical trials in human breast cancer. We report on a biomarker-based translational medicine approach to assess the efficacy and mechanism of action for the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus (CCI-779) in a mammary carcinoma OncoMouse model [polyomavirus middle T antigen (PyMT)]. The mTOR signaling pathway biomarkers were assessed using a reverse-phase protein array. Pharmacokinetics studies were conducted in both the tumor and plasma compartments. Pharmacodynamic biomarkers for compound-target engagement of tumor phospho-S6 proteins were assayed by Western blot. Temsirolimus (intravenously once a week for 2 weeks) was administered in both early and advanced stages of tumors. Biomarkers for temsirolimus effects on tumor progression were assessed by three-dimensional ultrasound imaging in combination with immunohistochemistry to assess vascular density (Texas red-dextran and CD31 immunostaining) and macrophage burden (F4/80 antigen). Tumor growth was significantly arrested in temsirolimus (25 ± 14% from 8 to 10 weeks, p < 0.05, and 26 ± 17% from 11 to 13 weeks, p < 0.01), compared with 493 ± 160 and 376 ± 50% increases, respectively, in vehicle-treated groups. Temsirolimus reduced tumor vascular density, 36 to 48 and 58 to 60%, p < 0.05, by the Texas red-dextran method or CD31-positive vessel count, respectively. Temsirolimus reduced tumor macrophage burden by 46% at 13 weeks (p < 0.05). Temsirolimus inhibited (p < 0.05) the phosphoproteins S6 pS235/236 and S6 pS240/244 up to 81 and 87%, respectively. We conclude that the multimodal biomarkers of temsirolimus efficacy and mechanism of action (phosphoproteins) strongly suggest that it might translate to therapeutic efficacy in human tumors that bear congruency to features present in the mammary carcinoma of PyMT tumors.
Efficacy of Dideoxynucleosides against Human Foamy Virus and Relationship to Its Reverse Transcriptase Amino Acid Sequence and Structure

ABSTRACT Human foamy virus (HFV), a retrovirus of simian origin which occasionally infects humans, is the basis of retroviral vectors in development for gene therapy. Clinical considerations of how to treat patients developing an uncontrolled infection by either HFV or HFV-based vectors need to be raised. We determined the susceptibility of the HFV to dideoxynucleosides and found that only zidovudine was equally efficient against the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HFV. By contrast, zalcitabine (ddC), lamivudine (3TC), stavudine (d4T), and didanosine (ddI) were 3-, 3-, 30-, and 46-fold less efficient against HFV than against HIV-1, respectively. Some amino acid residues known to be involved in HIV-1 resistance to ddC, 3TC, d4T, and ddI were found at homologous positions of HFV reverse transcriptase (RT). These critical amino acids are located at the same positions in the three-dimensional structure of HIV-1 and HFV RT, suggesting that both enzymes share common patterns of inhibition.
Annual post‐market environmental monitoring (PMEM) report on the cultivation of genetically modified maize MON 810 in 2015 from Monsanto Europe S.A.

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority (GMO Panel) assessed the annual post‐market environmental monitoring (PMEM) report for the 2015 growing season of the Cry1Ab‐expressing maize event MON 810 provided by Monsanto Europe S.A. The GMO Panel concludes that the insect resistance monitoring data submitted to EFSA do not indicate a decrease in susceptibility of field Iberian populations of corn borers to the Cry1Ab protein during the 2015 season. However, since the methodology for insect resistance monitoring remained unchanged compared to previous PMEM reports, the GMO Panel reiterates its previous recommendations on resistance monitoring to provide sufficient detection sensitivity. Although the farmer alert system to report complaints about product performance could complement the information obtained from the laboratory bioassays, the GMO Panel is currently not in a position to appraise its usefulness, and therefore encourages the consent holder to provide more information on this complementary resistance monitoring tool. The data on general surveillance (GS) do not indicate any unanticipated adverse effects on human and animal health or the environment arising from the cultivation of maize MON 810. The GMO Panel reiterates its previous recommendations on the analysis of farmer questionnaires, and advises the consent holder to provide more detailed information on the conducting and reporting of the literature search in future annual PMEM reports. Moreover, the GMO Panel encourages relevant parties to continue developing a methodological framework to use existing networks in the broader context of environmental monitoring. The GMO Panel concludes that the case‐specific monitoring (CSM) and GS activities of maize MON 810 as carried out by the consent holder do not provide evidence that would invalidate previous GMO Panel evaluations on the safety of maize MON 810.
EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Single events NK603 and T25 were combined to produce the stack two-event maize NK603 × T25. The EFSA GMO Panel previously assessed the two single events and did not identify safety concerns in the context of their scope. No new data on single maize events leading to a modification of the original conclusions on their safety were identified. Agronomic and phenotypic characteristics, as well as compositional data of maize NK603 × T25, did not give rise to food/feed and environmental safety concerns. The EFSA GMO Panel considers that there is no reason to expect interactions between the single events that could impact on the food and feed safety and the nutritional properties of maize NK603 × T25. There are no indications of an increased likelihood of establishment and spread of feral maize plants. Considering the scope of application EFSA-GMONL-2010-80, potential interactions with the biotic and abiotic environment were not considered to be a relevant issue. The unlikely but theoretically possible transfer of the recombinant genes from maize NK603 × T25 to environmental bacteria does not give rise to any safety concern. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the scope. In conclusion, the EFSA GMO Panel considers that the information available for maize NK603 × T25 addresses the scientific comments raised by Member States and that maize NK603 × T25, as described in this application, is as safe as its non-GM comparator and non-GM conventional maize varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of its scope. © European Food Safety Authority, 2015