Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proving hard-core predicates using list decoding

We introduce a unifying framework for proving that predicate P is hard-core for a one-way function f, and apply it to a broad family of functions and predicates, reproving old results in an entirely different way as well as showing new hard-core predicates for well known one-way function candidates. Our framework extends the list-coding method of Goldreich and Levin for showing hard-core predicates. Namely, a predicate will correspond to some error correcting code, predicting a predicate will correspond to access to a corrupted codeword, and the task of inverting one-way functions will correspond to the task of list decoding a corrupted codeword. A characteristic of the error correcting codes which emerge and are addressed by our framework is that codewords can be approximated by a small number of heavy coefficients in their Fourier representation. Moreover, as long as corrupted words are close enough to legal codewords, they will share a heavy Fourier coefficient. We list decodes, by devising a learning algorithm applied to corrupted codewords for learning heavy Fourier coefficients. For codes defined over {0, 1}/sup n/ domain, a learning algorithm by Kushilevitz and Mansour already exists. For codes defined over Z/sub N/, which are the codes which emerge for predicates based on number theoretic one-way functions such as the RSA and Exponentiation modulo primes, we develop a new learning algorithm. This latter algorithm may be of independent interest outside the realm of hard-core predicates.
ABSORPTION OF HORSERADISH PEROXIDASE BY THE MUCOSAL CELLS OF THE DUODENUM OF MOUSE I. THE FASTING ANIMAL

The uptake of horseradish peroxidase was studied in the duodenum of fasting mice. Five, 7 or 3 x 5 mg were injected in the tail vein. The protein rapidly diffused into the intercellular spaces of the villus and crypt epithelium. Subsequently, the marker was segregated in the dense bodies of the absorbing cells, particularly in the apical part of the cells. The tracer was never observed in the lumen of the gut but was blocked at the zonula occludens or degraded in the dense bodies. A diffuse staining of some cells was observed, and control experiments were made to test the possibility of artifacts.
Face detection using the 1st-order RCE classifier

We present a new face detection algorithm based on the 1st-order reduced Coulomb energy (RCE) classifier. The algorithm locates frontal views of human faces at any degree of rotation and scale in complex scenes. The face candidates and their orientations are first determined by computing the Hausdorff distance between a simple face abstraction model and binarized test windows in an image pyramid. Then, after normalizing the energy, each face candidate is verified by two subsequent classifiers; a binary image classifier and the 1st-order RCE classifier While the binary image classifier is employed as a pre-classifier to discard nonfaces with minimum computational complexity, the 1st-order RCE classifier is used as the main face classifier for final verification. An optimal training method to construct the representative face model database is also presented. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm yields a high detection ratio, while yielding no false alarm.
The low‐level circulation of the North American Monsoon as revealed by QuikSCAT

Five years (1999–2003) of near‐surface QuikSCAT ocean winds over the Gulf of California and northeast Pacific Ocean are used to characterize the changes in the low‐level circulation associated with the North American Monsoon. Our analysis shows that the onset of the summer season is accompanied by a seasonal reversal of the flow along the Gulf of California, with the establishment of a time‐mean southerly wind throughout the gulf. This reversal, not evident in the global reanalysis products, occurs in late spring and precedes the onset of the monsoonal rains. In the core of the monsoon, the time‐mean flow is found to be modulated by transient events, namely gulf surges, detected in the near‐surface wind field as periods of enhanced southerly flow which typically originate at the southern end of the gulf and propagate northward. The histogram of the summertime along‐shore winds identifies these surges as a distinct population of events, readily distinguishable from the background flow.
Potential Uses of Wild Germplasms of Grain Legumes for Crop Improvement

Challenged by population increase, climatic change, and soil deterioration, crop improvement is always a priority in securing food supplies. Although the production of grain legumes is in general lower than that of cereals, the nutritional value of grain legumes make them important components of food security. Nevertheless, limited by severe genetic bottlenecks during domestication and human selection, grain legumes, like other crops, have suffered from a loss of genetic diversity which is essential for providing genetic materials for crop improvement programs. Illustrated by whole-genome-sequencing, wild relatives of crops adapted to various environments were shown to maintain high genetic diversity. In this review, we focused on nine important grain legumes (soybean, peanut, pea, chickpea, common bean, lentil, cowpea, lupin, and pigeonpea) to discuss the potential uses of their wild relatives as genetic resources for crop breeding and improvement, and summarized the various genetic/genomic approaches adopted for these purposes.
Pretreatment Differences in Intraindividual Variability in Reaction Time between Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer and Healthy Controls

Abstract Objectives: Chemotherapy has adverse effects on cognitive performance in women treated for breast cancer, but less is known about the period before chemotherapy. Studies have focused on mean level of performance, yet there is increasing recognition that variability in performance within an individual is also an important behavioral indicator of cognitive functioning and underlying neural integrity. Methods: We examined intraindividual variability (IIV) before chemotherapy and surgery in women diagnosed with breast cancer (n=31), and a healthy control group matched on age and education (n=25). IIV was calculated across trials of a computerized Stroop task, including an examination of the slowest and fastest trials of reaction time (RT) responses. Results: The groups were equivalent on overall accuracy and speed, and participants in both groups were less accurate and slower on incongruent trials compared with congruent trials. However, women with breast cancer became more variable with increased task difficulty relative to healthy controls. Among the slowest RT responses, women with breast cancer were significantly more variable than healthy controls on incongruent trials. This suggests that a specific variability-producing process (e.g., attentional lapses) occurs in task conditions that require executive control (e.g., incongruent trials). Conclusions: Results are consistent with other evidence of executive dysfunction among women treated for breast cancer. These findings highlight the importance of pretreatment assessment and show that variability in performance provides information about cognition that measures of central tendency do not. (JINS, 2016, 23, 1–10)
Short paper: exploiting WPA2-enterprise vendor implementation weaknesses through challenge response oracles

Many of today's enterprise-scale wireless networks are protected by the WPA2-Enterprise Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP). In this paper it is demonstrated how an attacker can steal a user's credentials and gain unauthorized access to such networks, by utilizing a class of vulnerable devices as MSCHAPv2 challenge response oracles. More specifically this paper explains how on these devices, Lightweight EAP (LEAP) MSCHAPv1 credentials can be captured and converted to PEAP MSCHAPv2 credentials by using a rogue Access Point. This man-in-the-middle vulnerability was found to be present in all current versions of Apple's iOS and OS X operating systems, and may impact other devices as well. A proof-of-concept implementation is available that shows how Authentication Server certificate validation and certificate pinning mechanisms may be bypassed. Mitigation strategies for the attack and protective actions which can be undertaken by end-users are also described in this paper.
Underestimation of Children’s Weight Status: Views of Parents in an Urban Community

Objective. To examine the relationship between parents’ underestimation of their child’s weight status and concerns about their child’s weight and health. Methods. We conducted interviews with parents in an urban pediatric clinic (January through June 2006). Children’s height and weight were measured at the visit using standard techniques. Results. 193 children were included (response rate 87%, 18 months-9 years, 70% black); 31% of parents underestimated their child’s weight status (46% of overweight children, 24% of normal weight). Parents of normal-weight children who underestimated were more likely to be concerned about their child’s weight (39% vs 2.9%, P < .001) than those who did not underestimate. Parents of overweight children who underestimated were less likely to be concerned about their child’s weight (7.7% vs 59%, P < .001) than those who recognized their children as overweight. Conclusions. Many parents continue to underestimate their child’s weight status. These perceptions may present a barrier to the prevention of childhood obesity.
A broadband 3D vertical Microstrip to Stripline transition in LTCC using a quasi-coaxial structure for millimetre-wave SOP applications

This paper presents a broadband microwave vertical transition structure suitable for System on Package (SOP) applications at millimeter-wave frequencies (mmW). The designed structure includes a Microstrip (MS) to Stripline (SL) back to back vertical transition optimized for 60 GHz applications but also suitable for E-band frequencies as well. The mmW transition presented here was fabricated in a Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) process using commercially available Ferro A6M tape layers. Design and optimization of this microwave transition was carried out in order to maintain a constant characteristic impedance over the entire bandwidth. A bandwidth improvement of 30% is observed by optimizing the ground via fence of the vertical transition. A maximum of 12 surrounding vias were used due to limitations in the LTCC process. Measurements of this vertical transition show a Return Loss of better than 10 dB for frequencies as high as 90 GHz while maintaining an insertion loss of less than 0.9 dB. A grounded coplanar waveguide (CPWG) to MS planar transition with good electrical performance for up to 110 GHz was also designed and implemented to characterize the vertical transition fabricated.
Genomic Instability and Radiation Risk in Molecular Pathways to Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is caused by multiple genomic alterations which lead to genomic instability (GI). GI appears in molecular pathways of microsatellite instability (MSI) and chromosomal instability (CIN) with clinically observed case shares of about 15–20% and 80–85%. Radiation enhances the colon cancer risk by inducing GI, but little is known about different outcomes for MSI and CIN. Computer-based modelling can facilitate the understanding of the phenomena named above. Comprehensive biological models, which combine the two main molecular pathways to colon cancer, are fitted to incidence data of Japanese a-bomb survivors. The preferred model is selected according to statistical criteria and biological plausibility. Imprints of cell-based processes in the succession from adenoma to carcinoma are identified by the model from age dependences and secular trends of the incidence data. Model parameters show remarkable compliance with mutation rates and growth rates for adenoma, which has been reported over the last fifteen years. Model results suggest that CIN begins during fission of intestinal crypts. Chromosomal aberrations are generated at a markedly elevated rate which favors the accelerated growth of premalignant adenoma. Possibly driven by a trend of Westernization in the Japanese diet, incidence rates for the CIN pathway increased notably in subsequent birth cohorts, whereas rates pertaining to MSI remained constant. An imbalance between number of CIN and MSI cases began to emerge in the 1980s, whereas in previous decades the number of cases was almost equal. The CIN pathway exhibits a strong radio-sensitivity, probably more intensive in men. Among young birth cohorts of both sexes the excess absolute radiation risk related to CIN is larger by an order of magnitude compared to the MSI-related risk. Observance of pathway-specific risks improves the determination of the probability of causation for radiation-induced colon cancer in individual patients, if their exposure histories are known.
Emergence of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor resistance of Pyrenophora teres in Europe.

BACKGROUND Net blotch caused by Pyrenophora teres is an important disease of barley worldwide. In addition to strobilurins (quinone ouside inhibitors) and azoles (demethylation inhibitors), succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) are very effective fungicides for net blotch control. Recently, SDHI-resistant isolates have been found in the field. Intensive sensitivity monitoring programmes across Europe were carried out to investigate the situation concerning SDHI resistance in P. teres. RESULTS The first isolates with a lower sensitivity to SDHIs registered in barley were found in Germany in 2012 and carried the B-H277Y substitution in the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme. In 2013 and 2014, a significant increase in isolates with lower SDHI sensitivity was detected mainly in France and Germany, and the range of target-site mutations increased. Most of the resistant isolates carried the C-G79R substitution, which exhibits a strong impact on all SDHIs in microtitre tests. All SDHIs tested were shown to be cross-resistant. Other substitutions are gaining in importance, e.g. C-N75S in France and D-D145G in Germany. So far, no double mutants in SDH genes have been detected. Glasshouse tests showed that SDHI-resistant isolates were still controlled by the SDHI fluxapyroxad when applied preventively. To date, most isolates with C-G79R substitution have not simultaneously carried the F129L change in cytochrome b, which causes resistance towards QoI fungicides at low to moderate levels. CONCLUSION Several target-site mutations in the genes of subunits SDH-B, SDH-C and SDH-D with different impact on SDHI fungicides were detected. The pattern of mutations varied from year to year and between different regions. Strict resistance management strategies are recommended to maintain SDHIs as effective tools for net blotch control, especially in areas with low frequencies of resistant isolates. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
How an "evolving" fault model improves the behavioral test generation

By considering test costs at the behavioral level, test problems can be pointed out during the first phases of the design flow. Thus, in case either some testability problems are identified or the size (and hence the cost) of the test set results to be too high, the designer or the high level synthesis tool can modify the circuit to reduce such testability problems. The main problem is the correspondence between the behavioral and RT or gate level fault models. To overcome such limitation, the paper presents a design flow based on the behavioral fault model modification ("evolution") depending on the actual RTL implementation.
Targeting the Anti-Apoptotic Protein c-FLIP for Cancer Therapy

Cellular FLICE (FADD-like IL-1beta-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) is a major resistance factor and critical anti-apoptotic regulator that inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Fas-L, and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis as well as chemotherapy-triggered apoptosis in malignant cells. c-FLIP is expressed as long (c-FLIPL), short (c-FLIPS), and c-FLIPR splice variants in human cells. c-FLIP binds to FADD and/or caspase-8 or -10 in a ligand-dependent and-independent fashion, which in turn prevents death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation and subsequent activation of the caspase cascade. Moreover, c-FLIPL and c-FLIPS are known to have multifunctional roles in various signaling pathways, as well as activating and/or upregulating several cytoprotective signaling molecules. Upregulation of c-FLIP has been found in various tumor types, and its downregulation has been shown to restore apoptosis triggered by cytokines and various chemotherapeutic agents. Hence, c-FLIP is an important target for cancer therapy. For example, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that specifically knockdown the expression of c-FLIPL in diverse human cancer cell lines augmented TRAIL-induced DISC recruitment and increased the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents, thereby enhancing effector caspase stimulation and apoptosis. Moreover, small molecules causing degradation of c-FLIP as well as decreasing mRNA and protein levels of c-FLIPL and c-FLIPS splice variants have been found, and efforts are underway to develop other c-FLIP-targeted cancer therapies. This review focuses on (1) the functional role of c-FLIP splice variants in preventing apoptosis and inducing cytokine and drug resistance; (2) the molecular mechanisms that regulate c-FLIP expression; and (3) strategies to inhibit c-FLIP expression and function.
Lychee Seed Saponins Improve Cognitive Function and Prevent Neuronal Injury via Inhibiting Neuronal Apoptosis in a Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Lychee seed is a traditional Chinese medicine and possesses many activities, including hypoglycemia, liver protection, antioxidation, antivirus, and antitumor. However, its effect on neuroprotection is still unclear. The present study investigated the effects of lychee seed saponins (LSS) on neuroprotection and associated mechanisms. We established a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by injecting Aβ25–35 into the lateral ventricle of rats and evaluated the effect of LSS on spatial learning and memory ability via the Morris water maze. Neuronal apoptosis was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin stain and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (Tdt)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling analysis, and mRNA expression of caspase-3 and protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that LSS remarkably improved cognitive function and alleviated neuronal injury by inhibiting apoptosis in the hippocampus of AD rats. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and the protein expression of Bax were downregulated, while the protein expression of Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax were increased by LSS. We demonstrate that LSS significantly improves cognitive function and prevent neuronal injury in the AD rats via regulation of the apoptosis pathway. Therefore, LSS may be developed as a nutritional supplement and sold as a drug for AD prevention and/or treatment.
Testing the quality of forest variable estimation using dense image matching: a comparison with airborne laser scanning in a Mediterranean pine forest

ABSTRACT Airborne laser scanning (ALS) is commonly used in forest mapping. Full coverage of ALS is already available in some countries to provide high-detailed terrain elevation models. These kinds of data sets have been shown to offer great potential in forest mapping. However, it presents some drawbacks such as the resampling periods may be longer than recommended for forestry purposes or unexpected data updates. The recent development of digital photogrammetric algorithms makes dense image matching (DIM) point clouds an alternative to ALS in forest monitoring and management. Area-based approach estimations from ALS and DIM-based point clouds in a Pinus pinaster Ait. forest of Central Iberia were compared. Heights from image matching were normalized by an ALS-derived digital elevation model (DEM). A total of 50 sampling plots were used to fit non-parametric models for the estimation of forest structure variables. Plot-level validation revealed that DIM-based models predicted dominant height, stem number, basal area, and stem volume with root mean square error of 10.71%, 43.02%, 27.02%, and 26.80%, respectively. The corresponding results from ALS data were 11.06% for dominant height, 39.71% for stem number, 25.07% for basal area, and 25.60% for stem volume. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the combination of DIM with ALS-derived DEM to develop forest metrics and high-quality inventories in Mediterranean pine forests.
Evaluation of Nutritional Quality of Green Tiger Prawn, Penaeus Semisulcatus from Land Fisheries (Alexandria) and Market (India)

Seafood in general, shrimps and prawns in particular, are highly nutritious with good source of protein and amino acids. The present study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient value in males and females of green tiger prawn, P. semisulcatus. Twenty specimen were collected from land fisheries in Mediterranean Sea (Alexandria) and from markets (India). The results showed that the highest values of lipid contents were measured in the female and male edible muscles (P. semisulcatus at Mediterranean Sea (Alexandria) compared to female and male edible muscles of the same species from market (India). The carbohydrate contents in the male edible muscles of P. semisulcatus were higher compared to females in the studied regions. Sixteen amino acids have been determined in edible muscle of P. semisulcatus, among these, nine essential amino acids (EAAs) and seven non- essential amino acids (NEAAs) were estimated in both sexes from two regions. The quantities of amino acids vary considerably between sexes. The fatty acid contents from the muscles of the P. semisulcatus showed the presence of fifteen individual fatty acids, which include seven saturated fatty, three mono and five polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA). Twelve protein bands were detected in males of P. semisulcatus (12 bands); while the females had 13 bands from market (India) compared to 9 bands of both males and females from Mediterranean Sea (Alexandria). Conclusion: The present study clearly indicated that the nutritional value of P. semisulcatus is very well as food and health care.
A Phase Transition Model for the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off in Response Time Experiments

Most models of response time (RT) in elementary cognitive tasks implicitly assume that the speed-accuracy trade-off is continuous: When payoffs or instructions gradually increase the level of speed stress, people are assumed to gradually sacrifice response accuracy in exchange for gradual increases in response speed. This trade-off presumably operates over the entire range from accurate but slow responding to fast but chance-level responding (i.e., guessing). In this article, we challenge the assumption of continuity and propose a phase transition model for RTs and accuracy. Analogous to the fast guess model (Ollman, 1966), our model postulates two modes of processing: a guess mode and a stimulus-controlled mode. From catastrophe theory, we derive two important predictions that allow us to test our model against the fast guess model and against the popular class of sequential sampling models. The first prediction--hysteresis in the transitions between guessing and stimulus-controlled behavior--was confirmed in an experiment that gradually changed the reward for speed versus accuracy. The second prediction--bimodal RT distributions--was confirmed in an experiment that required participants to respond in a way that is intermediate between guessing and accurate responding.