Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Termination analysis and specialization-point insertion in offline partial evaluation

Recent research suggests that the goal of fully automatic and reliable program generation for a broad range of applications is coming nearer to feasibility. However, several interesting and challenging problems remain to be solved before it becomes a reality. Solving them is also necessary, if we hope ever to elevate software engineering from its current state (a highly developed handiwork) into a successful branch of engineering, capable of solving a wide range of new problems by systematic, well-automated and well-founded methods.A key problem in all program generation is termination of the generation process. This article focuses on off-line partial evaluation and describes recent progress towards automatically solving the termination problem, first for individual programs, and then for specializers and “generating extensions,” the program generators that most offline partial evaluators produce.The technique is based on size-change graphs that approximate the changes in parameter sizes at function calls. We formulate a criterion, bounded anchoring, for detecting parameters known to be bounded during specialization: a bounded parameter can act as an anchor for other parameters. Specialization points necessary for termination are computed by adding a parameter that tracks call depth, and then selecting a specialization point in every call loop where it is unanchored. By generalizing all unbounded parameters, we compute a binding-time division which together with the set of specialization points guarantees termination.Contributions of this article include a proof, based on the operational semantics of partial evaluation with memoization, that the analysis guarantees termination; and an in-depth description of safety of the increasing size approximation operator required for termination analysis in partial evaluation.Initial experiments with a prototype shows that the analysis overall yields binding-time divisions that can achieve a high degree of specialization, while still guaranteeing termination.The article ends with a list of challenging problems whose solution would bring the community closer to the goal of broad-spectrum, fully automatic and reliable program generation.
CCR7 Regulates Cell Migration and Invasion through JAK2/STAT3 in Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) frequently involves metastasis at diagnosis. Our previous research has demonstrated that CCR7 plays a key role in regulating SCCHN metastasis, and this process involves several molecules, such as PI3K/cdc42, pyk2, and Src. In this study, the goals are to identify whether JAK2/STAT3 also participates in CCR7's signal network, its relationship with other signal pathways, and its role in SCCHN cell invasion and migration. The results showed that stimulation of CCL19 could induce JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation, which can be blocked by Src and pyk2 inhibitors. After activation, STAT3 was able to promote low expression of E-cadherin and had no effect on vimentin. This JAk2/STAT3 pathway not only mediated CCR7-induced cell migration but also mediated invasion speed. The immunohistochemistry results also showed that the phosphorylation of STAT3 was correlated with CCR7 expression in SCCHN, and CCR7 and STAT3 phosphorylation were all associated with lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, JAk2/STAT3 plays a key role in CCR7 regulating SCCHN metastasis.
Expression of the Matrix Metalloproteases 2, 14, 24, and 25 and Tissue Inhibitor 3 as Potential Molecular Markers in Advanced Human Gastric Cancer

Background. During progression of gastric cancer (GC), degradation of the extracellular matrix is mediated by the matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs): changes in the expression of these have been related to unfavorable prognosis in GC. Objective. To analyze the expression of certain MMPs and TIMPs in chronic superficial gastritis (SG) and GC. Methods. The expression of MMPs and TIMPs was determined using qRT-PCR; the expression was classified, using threshold cycle (C T) values, as very high (C T ≤ 25), high (C T = 26–30), moderate (C T = 31–35), low (C T = 36–39), or not detected (C T = 40). Strength of association was estimated between the proteins, which were detected by Western blot, and the risk of developing GC. Results. We found a high expression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP14, TIMP1, and TIMP3; moderate one of MMP9 and MMP25, and low one of MMP13 and MMP24 in both tissues. In absolute mRNA levels, significant differences were found in expression of MMP2, MMP24, and MMP25, which are overexpressed in GC compared with SG. The presence of the proteins MMP-14 and TIMP-3 was associated with the risk of developing GC. Conclusions. We consider that MMP2, MMP24, and MMP25 and the proteins MMP-14 and TIMP-3 could be candidates for prognostic molecular markers in GC.
Growth and innate immunity are not limited by selection for high egg testosterone content in Japanese quail

SUMMARY The effects of maternal androgens on fitness-related traits of offspring are generally assumed to be epigenetic adaptations to the environment that may be encountered by the next generation. Possible constraints of high yolk androgen transfer are still not understood, although a suppressed immune response in offspring is frequently considered. The aim of our study was to examine the innate immune defence in high (HET) and low egg testosterone (LET) lines of Japanese quail, which differ in the hormonal milieu of their eggs, thus providing a good physiological model for the study of androgen-mediated maternal effects. Acute phase response was induced by a lipopolysaccharide injection in 12-day-old quail and plasma corticosterone and the heterophil:lymphocyte ratio were measured at 1 and 3 h post-treatment. Basal levels of non-specific antibodies (IgY) were determined in the circulation. We found that HET quail were heavier than LET quail from the second week of age, indicating enhanced post-hatching growth. At 1 h post-lipopolysaccharide challenge, plasma corticosterone concentrations increased in the HET but not in the LET line. The heterophil:lymphocyte ratio rose in both lines at 3 h post-immune challenge, with a more pronounced response in HET quail. Moreover, HET chicks displayed higher IgY levels than LET chicks, suggesting either enhanced passive immunoprotection or stimulated endogenous antibody production. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the genetic selection for high egg testosterone content positively influences growth and, simultaneously, does not limit the acute phase response in young quail.
Discovering user groups in professional image search

This study aims at gaining insights into user group identification in professional image search. The user groups are built by analysing the search logs recorded by a commercial picture portal for a sample of 170 users, in conjuction with the users’ occupational and topical profile information, and a topical classification of the available images. Our analysis indicates that the examined groupings are meaningful and that there is variation among the groups in what people searched for and in what people considered relevant.
Successful Treatment of Recurrent Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation with Oral Vancomycin

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive, cholestatic disease of the liver that is marked by inflammation of the bile ducts and damage to the hepatic biliary tree. Approximately 60–70% of patients also have inflammatory bowel disease and progression of PSC can lead to ulcerative colitis and cirrhosis of the liver. Due to limited understanding of the etiology and mechanism of PSC, the only existing treatment option is orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT); however, recurrence of PSC, after OLT is estimated to be between 5% and 35%. We discuss the successful treatment of a pediatric patient, with recurrent PSC, after OLT with oral Vancomycin.
Size Does Matter: Why Using Gadget-Chain Length to Prevent Code-Reuse Attacks is Hard

Code-reuse attacks based on return oriented programming are among the most popular exploitation techniques used by attackers today. Few practical defenses are able to stop such attacks on arbitrary binaries without access to source code. A notable exception are the techniques that employ new hardware, such as Intel's Last Branch Record (LBR) registers, to track all indirect branches and raise an alert when a sensitive system call is reached by means of too many indirect branches to short gadgets--under the assumption that such gadget chains would be indicative of a ROP attack. In this paper, we evaluate the implications. What is "too many" and how short is "short"? Getting the thresholds wrong has serious consequences. In this paper, we show by means of an attack on Internet Explorer that while current defenses based on these techniques raise the bar for exploitation, they can be bypassed. Conversely, tuning the thresholds to make the defenses more aggressive, may flag legitimate program behavior as an attack. We analyze the problem in detail and show that determining the right values is difficult.
WACC and a generalized tax code

Abstract Valuation of firms is generally based on the WACC approach which typically neglects personal income taxes. This paper extends this approach to incorporate personal income taxes and develop a generalized valuation formula which can be used for any taxation system. The approach is illustrated for four different taxation systems highlighting the importance of considering personal taxes.
A hybrid wrapper / filter approach for feature subset selection

This work presents a hybrid wrapper/filter algorithm for feature subset selection that can use a combination of several quality criteria measures to rank the set of features of a dataset. These ranked features are used to prune the search space of subsets of possible features such that the number of times the wrapper executes the learning algorithm for a dataset with M features is reduced to O(M) runs. Experimental results using 14 datasets show that, for most of the datasets, the AUC assessed using the reduced feature set is comparable to the AUC of the model constructed using all the features. Furthermore, the algorithm archieved a good reduction in the number of features.
Social networks and the diffusion of fertility control

Fertility transition theories routinely consider diffusion effects. Social learning and social influence account for such effects. Social learning refers to the acquisition of information from others information which may be related to a new technology or with the health social and economic consequences of decisions. With regard to fertility people may learn from others about the availability of a new contraceptive health side effects of certain contraceptives or the apparent gains and losses of having fewer children and investing in their schooling. Social influence refers to the power which individuals have over each other through authority deference and social conformity pressures. The author attempts to assemble the different concepts of the diffusion perspective into a coherent whole to review the relevant literature related to those concepts and to present simulations and new data on the role of social networks through which social learning occurs and social influence is exercised. The issues are illustrated with applications to Ghana a site being explored in new longitudinal research.
Kernel ELM and CNN Based Facial Age Estimation

We propose a two-level system for apparent age estimation from facial images. Our system first classifies samples into overlapping age groups. Within each group, the apparent age is estimated with local regressors, whose outputs are then fused for the final estimate. We use a deformable parts model based face detector, and features from a pretrained deep convolutional network. Kernel extreme learning machines are used for classification. We evaluate our system on the ChaLearn Looking at People 2016 - Apparent Age Estimation challenge dataset, and report 0.3740 normal score on the sequestered test set.
The circumstellar disc around the Herbig AeBe star HD169142

We present 7 mm and 3.5 cm wavelength continuum observations towards the Herbig AeBe star HD169142 performed with the Very Large Array (VLA) with an angular resolution of � 1 arcsec. We find that this object exhibits strong (� 4.4 mJy), unresolved (1 arcsec) 7m mcontinuum emission, being one of the brightest isolated Herbig AeBe stars ever detected with the VLA at this wavelength. No emission is detected at 3.5 cm continuum, with a 3σ upper limit of � 0.08 mJy. From these values, we obtain a spectral index α 2.5 in the 3.5 cm to 7 mm wavelength range, indicating that the observed flux density at 7 mm is most likely dominated by thermal dust emission coming from a circumstellar disc. We use available photometric data from the literature to model the spectral energy distribution (SED) of this object from radio to near-ultraviolet frequencies. The observed SED can be understood in terms of an irradiated accretion disc with low mass accretion rate, ˙
RNA Expression Analysis Using an AntisenseBacillus subtilis Genome Array

ABSTRACT We have developed an antisense oligonucleotide microarray for the study of gene expression and regulation in Bacillus subtilis by using Affymetrix technology. Quality control tests of the B. subtilis GeneChip were performed to ascertain the quality of the array. These tests included optimization of the labeling and hybridization conditions, determination of the linear dynamic range of gene expression levels, and assessment of differential gene expression patterns of known vitamin biosynthetic genes. In minimal medium, we detected transcripts for approximately 70% of the known open reading frames (ORFs). In addition, we were able to monitor the transcript level of known biosynthetic genes regulated by riboflavin, biotin, or thiamine. Moreover, novel transcripts were also detected within intergenic regions and on the opposite coding strand of known ORFs. Several of these novel transcripts were subsequently correlated to new coding regions.
The Behavioral and Neural Effects of Language on Motion Perception

Perception does not function as an isolated module but is tightly linked with other cognitive functions. Several studies have demonstrated an influence of language on motion perception, but it remains debated at which level of processing this modulation takes place. Some studies argue for an interaction in perceptual areas, but it is also possible that the interaction is mediated by “language areas” that integrate linguistic and visual information. Here, we investigated whether language–perception interactions were specific to the language-dominant left hemisphere by comparing the effects of language on visual material presented in the right (RVF) and left visual fields (LVF). Furthermore, we determined the neural locus of the interaction using fMRI. Participants performed a visual motion detection task. On each trial, the visual motion stimulus was presented in either the LVF or in the RVF, preceded by a centrally presented word (e.g., “rise”). The word could be congruent, incongruent, or neutral with regard to the direction of the visual motion stimulus that was presented subsequently. Participants were faster and more accurate when the direction implied by the motion word was congruent with the direction of the visual motion stimulus. Interestingly, the speed benefit was present only for motion stimuli that were presented in the RVF. We observed a neural counterpart of the behavioral facilitation effects in the left middle temporal gyrus, an area involved in semantic processing of verbal material. Together, our results suggest that semantic information about motion retrieved in language regions may automatically modulate perceptual decisions about motion.
Development and Validation of a Crisis Self‐Efficacy Index

This study develops a crisis self&#8208;efficacy index to provide a tool for crisis communication researchers and practitioners to understand behavioural aspects of crisis response better. Evaluations of public's crisis self&#8208;efficacy using this index inform strategic message development to protect the public and minimize crisis damages by identifying the public/s most in need of self&#8208;efficacy enhancing interventions. The index also provides practitioners a useful longitudinal index to evaluate progress in crisis preparedness programs and track changes in efficacy. A four&#8208;stage survey index development process using structural equation modelling identifies four underlying constructs of crisis self&#8208;efficacy: action, preventive, achievement and uncertainty management.
Leishmania RNA Virus Controls the Severity of Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis

An RNA virus of a parasite binds to human Toll-like receptor 3 and modulates host immune responses to the parasite. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by infections with intracellular parasites of the Leishmania Viannia subgenus, including Leishmania guyanensis. The pathology develops after parasite dissemination to nasopharyngeal tissues, where destructive metastatic lesions form with chronic inflammation. Currently, the mechanisms involved in lesion development are poorly understood. Here we show that metastasizing parasites have a high Leishmania RNA virus–1 (LRV1) burden that is recognized by the host Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) to induce proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Paradoxically, these TLR3-mediated immune responses rendered mice more susceptible to infection, and the animals developed an increased footpad swelling and parasitemia. Thus, LRV1 in the metastasizing parasites subverted the host immune response to Leishmania and promoted parasite persistence.
Intra-party politics in 140 characters

Scholars have emphasized the need to deepen investigation of intraparty politics. Recent studies look at social media as a source of information on the ideological preferences of politicians and political actors. In this regard, the present article tests whether social media messages published by politicians are a suitable source of data. It applies quantitative text analysis to the public statements released by politicians on social media in order to measure intraparty heterogeneity and assess its effects. Three different applications to the Italian case are discussed. Indeed, the content of messages posted online is informative on the ideological preferences of politicians and proved to be useful to understand intraparty dynamics. Intraparty divergences measured through social media analysis explain: (a) a politician’s choice to endorse one or another party leader, (b) a politician’s likelihood to switch off from his or her parliamentary party group; and (c) a politician’s probability to be appointed as a minister.
Living is Dangerous: Research Challenges in Social Representations

This essay includes two principal themes: firstly, conceptual and theoretical consequences of taking culture into consideration within social psychology; and, secondly, the methodological consequences of adopting a constructionist perspective. The framework of these reflections is the theory of social representations (SRT) created by Serge Moscovici. However, the methodological state of affairs of research within SRT is the same for any culturally constructed psychology. The challenges researchers have to face have to do with finding new ways for approaching our subject matter in our science. They reflect on methodology—renovation of which must not be feared.
Does Monetary Policy Matter? A New Test in the Spirit of Friedman and Schwartz

This paper uses the historical record to isolate episodes in which there were large monetary disturbances not caused by output fluctuations. It then tests whether these monetary changes have important real effects. The central part of the paper is a study of postwar U.S. monetary history. We identify six episodes in which the Federal Reserve in effect decided to attempt to create a recession to reduce inflation. We find that a shift to anti-inflationary policy led, on average, to a rise in the unemployment rate of two percentage points, and that this effect is highly statistically significant and robust to a variety of changes in specification. We reach three other major conclusions. First, the real effects of these monetary disturbances are highly persistent. Second, the six shocks that we identify account for a considerable fraction of postwar economic fluctuations. And third, evidence from the interwar era also suggests that monetary disturbances have large real effects.
Interchangeable Back Ends for STM Compilers

If transactional memory is to become a mature technology, TM research groups must be able to run each other’s code and to perform apples-to-apples comparisons of implementation alternatives. For C++ on the x86, significant steps in this direction have been made by compilers from Intel, the University of Dresden, and the GNU Project, which aim to accept the same language API and target the same runtime ABI. Unfortunately, these three compilers currently connect to only two main STM libraries. In the interest of greater interoperability, we have adapted the word-based “back end” libraries of the RSTM suite to the common ABI, and tested them with the Intel compiler. Notable changes to RSTM included support for true subword reads and writes along with in-library allocation, management, and rollback of checkpoints. To the best of our knowledge, RSTM supports the widest diversity of back ends currently available; our work makes these available, for the first time, to programs written with language-level transactions. For testing purposes, we use applications from the RMS-TM and STAMP benchmark suites (the latter adapted to the C++ standard API). We describe our experience at both the ABI and API levels, and present preliminary performance comparisons relative to the Intel standard back end. Public release of our tools will allow developers to experiment with the full range of STM implementation options, and to pursue ongoing research in TM semantics and hardware/software hybrid TM systems.
Optimal and scalable distribution of content updates over a mobile social network

We study the dissemination of dynamic content, such as news or traffic information, over a mobile social network. In this application, mobile users subscribe to a dynamic-content distribution service, offered by their service provider. To improve coverage and increase capacity, we assume that users share any content updates they receive with other users they meet. We make two contributions. First, we determine how the service provider can allocate its bandwidth optimally to make the content at users as "fresh" as possible. More precisely, we define a global fairness objective (namely, maximizing the aggregate utility over all users) and prove that the corresponding optimization problem can be solved by gradient descent. Second, we specify a condition under which the system is highly scalable: even if the total bandwidth dedicated by the service provider remains fixed, the expected content age at each user grows slowly (as log(n)) with the number of users n. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first to address these two aspects (optimality and scalability) of the distribution of dynamic content over a mobile social network.