Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EARLY COMMITMENT OF NEURAL SUBSTRATES FOR FACE RECOGNITION

We present evidence of a striking failure of plasticity in the neural substrates of face recognition, which suggests that the distinction between faces and other objects, and the localisation of faces relative to other objects, is fully determined prior to any postnatal experience. A boy who sustained brain damage at 1 day of age has the classic lesions and behavioural profile of adult-acquired prosopagnosia. He has profoundly impaired face recognition, whereas his recognition of objects is much less impaired. This implies that the human genome contains sufficiently explicit information about faces and nonface objects, or visual features by which they can be distinguished, that experience with these categories is not necessary for their functional delineation and differential brain localisation.
Malware Detection by Static Checking and Dynamic Analysis of Executables

The advanced malware continue to be a challenge in digital world that signature-based detection techniques fail to conquer. The malware use many anti-detection techniques to mutate. Thus no virus scanner can claim complete malware detection even for known malware. Static and dynamic analysis techniques focus upon different kinds of malware such as Evasive or Metamorphic malware. This paper proposes a comprehensive approach that combines static checking and dynamic analysis for malware detection. Static analysis is used to check the specific code characteristics. Dynamic analysis is used to analyze the runtime behavior of malware. The authors propose a framework for the automated analysis of an executable's behavior using text mining. Text mining of dynamic attributes identifies the important features for classifying the executable as benign and malware. The synergistic combination proposed in this paper allows detection of not only known variants of malware but even the obfuscated, packed and unknown malware variants and malware evasive to dynamic analysis.
T-lymphocytes with gamma delta+ V delta 2+ antigen receptors are present in increased proportions in a fraction of patients with tuberculosis or with sarcoidosis.

T-lymphocytes with T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) comprising a gamma chain and a delta chain (gamma delta+ T cells) are believed to be involved in the immune reaction to mycobacterial antigens, and they have been found in increased proportions in sarcoid patients. We evaluated the proportions of gamma delta+ T-lymphocytes and of two major gamma delta+ subpopulations, the V delta 1+ and the V delta 2+ T-cell subsets, in 10 normal blood donors, in 15 patients with tuberculosis (TB), seven of whom had pleural effusion (PE), and in 12 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS), nine of whom underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). T-cell subsets were evaluated in peripheral blood (PBL) of all subjects and in PE from patients with TB and in BAL from patients with PS. Compared with normal blood donors, patients with TB had increased proportions of PBL CD3+ gamma delta+ T cells (6 +/- 1% versus 14 +/- 3% of CD3+ T cells, p < 0.05) because of the presence of four patients who had an increase (respectively, 18.3, 22.0, 24.2, and 35.4% of CD3+ T cells) of gamma delta+ T cells. In patients with TB and PE, gamma delta+ T cells were 7.9 +/- 2.7%, a value not different from that in the tubercular PBL and in normal PBL. Although patients with PS had proportions of PBL gamma delta+ T cells (9.2 +/- 3.4%) similar to those in normal PBL, two patients had increased (35 and 31%) PBL gamma delta+ T-lymphocytes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Stochastic Optimization for Kernel PCA

Kernel Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a popular extension of PCA which is able to find nonlinear patterns from data. However, the application of kernel PCA to large-scale problems remains a big challenge, due to its quadratic space complexity and cubic time complexity in the number of examples. To address this limitation, we utilize techniques from stochastic optimization to solve kernel PCA with linear space and time complexities per iteration. Specifically, we formulate it as a stochastic composite optimization problem, where a nuclear norm regularizer is introduced to promote low-rankness, and then develop a simple algorithm based on stochastic proximal gradient descent. During the optimization process, the proposed algorithm always maintains a low-rank factorization of iterates that can be conveniently held in memory. Compared to previous iterative approaches, a remarkable property of our algorithm is that it is equipped with an explicit rate of convergence. Theoretical analysis shows that the solution of our algorithm converges to the optimal one at an O(1/T) rate, where T is the number of iterations.
Enhancement of Inflammatory Protein Expression and Nuclear Factor Κb (NF-Κb) Activity by Trichostatin A (TSA) in OP9 Preadipocytes

The production of inflammatory proteins such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) by preadipocytes and mature adipocytes is closely associated with the impairment of systemic glucose homeostasis. However, precisely how the production is regulated and the roles of histone deacetylases (HDACs) remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to establish whether HDAC inhibitors affect the expression of inflammatory proteins in pre/mature adipocytes, and, if so, to determine the mechanism involved. Trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC inhibitor, enhanced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of IL-6 in OP9 preadipocytes but not the mature adipocytes. Moreover, TSA also enhanced palmitic acid-induced IL-6 production and the expression of inflammatory genes induced by LPS in preadipocytes. Although TSA did not affect TLR4 mRNA expression or the activation of MAPKs, a reporter gene assay revealed that the LPS-induced increase in nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity was enhanced by TSA. Moreover, TSA increased the level of NF-κB p65 acetylation at lysine 310 and duration of its translocation into the nucleus, which leads to enhancement of NF-κB activity and subsequently expression of inflammatory genes. These findings shed new light on the regulatory roles of HDACs in preadipocytes in the production of inflammatory proteins.
Quite a mess in my cookie jar!: leveraging machine learning to protect web authentication

Browser-based defenses have recently been advocated as an effective mechanism to protect web applications against the threats of session hijacking, fixation, and related attacks. In existing approaches, all such defenses ultimately rely on client-side heuristics to automatically detect cookies containing session information, to then protect them against theft or otherwise unintended use. While clearly crucial to the effectiveness of the resulting defense mechanisms, these heuristics have not, as yet, undergone any rigorous assessment of their adequacy. In this paper, we conduct the first such formal assessment, based on a gold set of cookies we collect from 70 popular websites of the Alexa ranking. To obtain the gold set, we devise a semi-automatic procedure that draws on a novel notion of authentication token, which we introduce to capture multiple web authentication schemes. We test existing browser-based defenses in the literature against our gold set, unveiling several pitfalls both in the heuristics adopted and in the methods used to assess them. We then propose a new detection method based on supervised learning, where our gold set is used to train a binary classifier, and report on experimental evidence that our method outperforms existing proposals. Interestingly, the resulting classification, together with our hands-on experience in the construction of the gold set, provides new insight on how web authentication is implemented in practice.
Specific Chromosome Alterations in Fluconazole-Resistant Mutants of Candida albicans

ABSTRACT The exposure of Candida albicans to fluconazole resulted in the nondisjunction of two specific chromosomes in 17 drug-resistant mutants, each obtained by an independent mutational event. The chromosomal changes occurred at high frequencies and were related to the duration of the drug exposure. The loss of one homologue of chromosome 4 occurred after incubation on a fluconazole medium for 7 days. A second change, the gain of one copy of chromosome 3, was observed after exposure for 35 or 40 days. We found that the mRNA levels of ERG11, CDR1, CDR2, andMDR1, the candidate fluconazole resistance genes, remained either the same or were diminished. The lack of overexpression of putative drug pumps or the drug target indicated that some other mechanism(s) may be operating. The fluconazole resistance phenotype, electrophoretic karyotypes, and transcript levels of mutants were stable after growth for 112 generations in the absence of fluconazole. This is the first report to demonstrate that resistance to fluconazole can be dependent on chromosomal nondisjunction. Furthermore, we suggest that a low-level resistance to fluconazole arising during the early stages of clinical treatment may occur by this mechanism. These results support our earlier hypothesis that changes in C. albicanschromosome number is a common means to control a resource of potentially beneficial genes that are related to important cellular functions.
Thick disks and halos of spiral galaxies M 81, NGC 55 and NGC 300

By using images from the HST/WFPC2/ACS archive, we have analyzed the spatial distribution of the AGB and RGB stars along the galactocentric radius of nearby spiral galaxies M 81, NGC 300 and NGC 55. Examining color-magnitude diagrams and stellar luminosity functions, we gauge the stellar contents of the surroundings of the three galaxies. The red giant population (RGB) identified at large galactocentric radii yields a distance of 3.85 ± 0.08 Mpc for M 81, 2.12 ± 0.10 Mpc for NGC 55, and 2.00± 0.13 Mpc for NGC 300, and a mean stellar metallicity of −0.65, −1.25, and −0.87 respectively. We find that there are two number density gradients of RGB stars along the radius, which correspond to the thick disk and halo components of the galaxies. We confirm the presence of a metallicity gradient of evolved stars in these galaxies, based on the systematic changes of the color distribution of red giant stars. These results imply that the thick disk might be a general feature of spiral galaxies, and endorse a further investigation of the outer stellar edges of nearby spirals, which is critical in constraining the origin and evolution of galaxies.
Environmental Monitoring of Estuaries; Estimating and Mapping Various Environmental Indicators in Breydon Water Estuary, U.K., Using Landsat TM Imagery

Abstract The spatial and temporal distribution of suspended solids, turbidity, temperature, salinity, chlorophyll aand total phosphorus were estimated and mapped with various degrees of success in Breydon Water Estuary using satellite (Landsat Thematic Mapper) imagery. All the indicators exhibit a similar spatial pattern within the estuary. High values are found at both the saltwater and freshwater ends of the estuary, and low values are found in the mixing zone. The pattern is thought to be due to the influence of suspended solids and turbidity on the optical characteristics of water in this environment. The distribution of suspended solids and turbidity are influenced by the flood–ebb intervals, the sedimentation processes and the internal topography of the estuary. All of the predicted values are consistent with those reported in the literature.
Effect of Aging on Human Circulatory System in Normotensive Healthy Subjects

Abstract Aging is associated with degenerative changes in cardiac and endothelial function (EF). This study was done to assess whether age-related changes take place on EF, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), blood pressure (BP), and echocardiographic measurements. All volunteers were healthy normotensive healthy subjects. They were divided into three groups. Group 1, young adults: < 40 years old; Group 2, middle age: between 40 and 60 years old; Group 3, elderly: > 60 years old. High-frequency vascular ultrasound was used to assess the baseline brachial artery dimension and flow velocity after reactive hyperemia. The carotid IMT and echocardiographic measurements including Doppler variables were recorded in all subjects. Systolic BP, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular end-diastolic volume increased progressively with age (p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased progressively with age (male, p = 0.034; female, p = 0.001); E/A ratio of the left ventricular flow spectrum declined with age (p < 0.001). The ultrasonic EF variables of flow increased during reactive hyperemia and IMT increased with age (p < 0.001). Our study demonstrates that BP, body weight, and ultrasonic variables changed significantly with age. The aging-associated changes provide insight into progression to atherosclerosis.
Discriminating urban vegetation from a metropolitan matrix through partial unmixing with hyperspectral AVIRIS data

In the semi-arid western United States, urbanization transforms landscapes from sparsely vegetated grasslands into matrices of asphalt, concrete, turf grass, and multistrata wooded stands. Such land-cover change affects ecological processes, such as carbon (C) storage. This research investigates quantifying the vegetated and anthropogenic components of urbanized landscapes, in order to contribute ultimately to further ecological process studies, through a case study of Boulder, Colorado. Rather than map the urban land-cover types, the primary motivation was to extract biophysical information from hyperspectral imagery to understand how urbanization shifts regional biomass. Using convex geometry and partial unmixing algorithms with Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) imagery, major landscape elements were identified, including five vegetation endmembers that comprised cultivated and natural vegetation (both herbaceous and woody), soil, water, and five impervious surfaces. Urban vegetation equalled or exceeded surrounding vegetation fractional abundance. Trees were detected in the city center, and trees and grass intermingled in neighborhoods. Thus, this study expands the multispectral unmixing of the vegetation - impervious surface - soil model and demonstrates a viable method for mapping the composition of urban areas. Shifts in vegetation due to urbanization are best detected through biophysical remote sensing of actual ground components.
EXTREME WINTER MINIMUM TEMPERATURES IN CATALONIA (NORTH‐EAST SPAIN): EXPECTED VALUES AND THEIR SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION

The climatic diversity of Catalonia (north-east Spain) is studied from the point of view of extreme minimum temperatures recorded during the coldest months of the year (December, January, February and March). The data base was created from the Catalonian thermometric network by removing gauges affected by significant trends. Extreme analysis is made according to the general Jenkinson formulation. Geographical distribution of the expected extremes is investigated for several return periods and orographic factors governing this distribution are discussed. Synoptic situations causing extreme minimum temperature episodes are summarized.
Biofacial patterns in river-induced shelf anoxia

Abstract Three areas were studied to assess the effects of riverine input on the marine benthic ecosystem: the Adriatic Sea (with the Po river), the Orinoco-Paria shelf (with the Orinoco and Essequibo rivers) and the northern Gulf of Mexico (with the Mississippi and Rio Grande rivers). In all these areas, the interplay of river-discharge and subsequent transport by surface-water currents has resulted in the deposition of a zone with finegrained, organic-rich sediments parallel to the coast. The foraminiferal associations occupying these mud-belts indicate the occurrence of regular, widespread anoxic or dysoxic conditions at the sediment-water interface. Across the mud belt, benthic foraminifera display a very characteristic zonation, which is essentially the same in all areas studied. In the centre of the zone, low diversity and the presence of opportunistic species indicate a degree of stress. A model which describes the microhabitat occupation within these muddy zones is discussed in some detail. We conclude that the width of the shelf, together with the force of the long-shore current carrying the riverine products into the basin, are essential in determining the occurrence of dysoxic or anoxic conditions while the discharge volume of rivers is a subordinate factor. The chance of anoxia appears to be highest during periods of high sea level, leading to large shelf areas. A final conclusion is that benthic formainifera are excellent tools for determining the occurrence and degree of marine eutrophication induced by the input of polluted river waters.
Aeolian sand depositional records from western Nebraska: landscape response to droughts in the past 1500 years

The Great Plains is dominated by presently stabilized dune fields that are indicators of extreme drought in the late Holocene. This study focused on deciphering the timing of reactivation of dunes in western Nebraska. Stratigraphy adjacent to dune-dammed lakes reveals aeolian sand separated by palaeosols, indicating mobilization of aeolian sand followed by landscape stability. The chronology of aeolian-sand depositional events is constrained using the luminescence-based, single aliquot regeneration method, providing resolution to relate dune movement to tree-ring and palaeolimnologic records of drought. There are at least a six aeolian depositional events in the past 1500 years, with apparent mean ages of 1390+130, 670 +70, 470 +40, 240 +40, 140 +20 and 70+10 yr. All study sites show evidence for aeolian accumulation in the twentieth century, potentially reflecting the 1930s drought. Significant aeolian activity is coincident with the tree-ring-identified sixteenth-century megadrought, indicating widespread landscape impacts.
Applications of the Principles of Seismic Geomorphology to Continental-slope and Base-of-slope Systems: Case studies from seafloor and near-seafloor analogues

Description Applications of the Principles of Seismic Geomorphology to Continental-slope and Base-of-slope Systems: Case studies from seafloor and near-seafloor analogues. The study of near-seafloor deepwater landscapes and the processes that form them are as important to the understanding of deeply buried marine depositional systems as the study of modern fluvial environments is to our understanding of ancient terrestrial depositional systems. In fact, these near-seafloor studies follow in the great tradition established by earlier clastic sedimentologists in the use of modern systems to understand ancient environments. The acquisition and mapping of exploration 3D seismic surveys over the last few decades allows for the study of seafloor geomorphology with a spatial resolution comparable to most deepwater multibeam bathymetric tools, and represents a significant advancement that can be used to push forward general understanding of slope and base-of-slope depositional systems through the application of the emerging science of seismic geomorphology. The papers assembled for this volume demonstrate the utility of seafloor-to-shallow subsurface data sets in studying the development of submarine landscapes and their affiliated sedimentary deposits. These contributions highlight the controls of slope morphology on patterns of both sedimentation and erosion. Many of the papers also highlight the influence of pre-existing seafloor relief on confining sediment-gravity flows specific transport pathways, thereby affecting subsequent evolution of the seafloor. The understanding of depositional processes that comes from studying deepwater analogue systems remains the best way take to knowledge from one basin or system and apply confidently to another for prediction and characterization of reservoirs for exploration and production of hydrocarbons.
Three Types of Indian Ocean Dipoles

AbstractUsing observational data and phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) model outputs [the preindustrial (PI) control run of the Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4) and historical simulations of 17 CMIP5 models], Indian Ocean dipoles (IODs) with a peak in fall are categorized into three types. The first type is closely related to the development phase of El Nino/La Nina. The second type evolves from the basinwide warming (cooling) in the tropical Indian Ocean (IO), usually occurring in the year following El Nino (La Nina). The third type is independent of El Nino and La Nina. The dominant trigger condition for the first (third) type of IOD is the anomalous Walker circulation (anomalous cross-equatorial flow); the anomalous zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient in the tropical IO is the trigger condition for the second type. The occurrence of anomalous ocean Rossby waves during the forming stage of IO basinwide mode and their effect on SST in the southwestern .
MODELING ACID MINE DRAINAGE ON A WATERSHED SCALE FOR TMDL CALCULATIONS 1

ABSTRACT: The Cheat River of West Virginia is impaired by acid mine drainage (AMD). Fifty‐five of its river segments were placed on the 303(d) list, which required calculations of total maximum daily load (TMDL) to meet the water quality criteria for pH, total iron, aluminum, manganese, and zinc. An existing watershed model was enhanced to simulate AMD as nonpoint source load. The model divided a watershed into a network of catchments and river segments. Each catchment was divided into soil layers, which could contain pyrite, calcite and other minerals. A kinetic expression was used to simulate pyrite oxidation as a function of oxygen in the soil voids. Oxygen in the soil voids was consumed by pyrite oxidation and replenished by earth breathing. The by‐products of pyrite oxidation were calculated according to its mass action equations. Chemical equilibrium was used to account for the speciation of ferrous and ferric irons and precipitation of metal hydroxides. Simulated hydrology and water quality were compared to available data. The USEPA used the calibrated model to calculate the TMDLs in the Cheat River Watershed.