Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Homomorphic AES Evaluation using NTRU

Since its introduction more than a decade ago the homomorphic properties of the NTRU encryption scheme have gone largely ignored. A variant of NTRU proposed by Stehl e and Steinfeld was recently extended into a full edged multi-key fully homomorphic encryption scheme by Alt-L opez, Tromer and Vaikuntanathan (ATV). This NTRU based FHE presents a viable alternative to the currently dominant BGV style FHE schemes. While the scheme appears to be more ecient, a full implementation and comparison to BGV style implementations has been missing in the literature. In this work, we develop a customized implementation of the ATV scheme. First parameters are selected to yield an ecient and yet secure ATV instantiation. We present an analysis of the noise growth that allows us to formulate a modulus cutting strategy for arbitrary circuits. Furthermore, we introduce a specialization of the ring structure that allows us to drastically reduce the public key size making evaluation of deep circuits such as the AES block cipher viable on a standard computer with a reasonable amount of memory. Moreover, with the modulus specialization the need for key switching is eliminated. Finally, we present a generic bit-sliced implementation of the ATV scheme that embodies a number of optimizations. To assess the performance of the scheme we homomorphically evaluate the full 10 round AES circuit in 31 hours with 2048 message slots resulting in 55 sec per AES block evaluation time.
Measurement of cerebral blood flow in chronic carotid occlusive disease: comparison of dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MR imaging with positron emission tomography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements obtained by using dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging, including the influence of arterial input function (AIF) selection, compared with those obtained by using [(15)O]-H(2)O positron emission tomography (PET) for patients with chronic carotid occlusion. METHODS MR images and PET scans were obtained of seven patients with unilateral carotid occlusion and were co-registered for region of interest analysis. PET CBF maps were generated by using the autoradiographic method. MR imaging CBF maps were calculated by deconvolution of the susceptibility time curve with a proximal middle cerebral artery AIF and were converted to absolute flow rates either by assuming a constant contralateral white matter CBF value of 22 mL/100 mL/min or by using individually determined PET white matter CBF values. RESULTS Although CBF values measured by PET and MR imaging were positively correlated for every patient, the slopes and y intercepts of the regression lines varied widely among patients. The correlation was better when individual white matter CBF values measured by PET were used to scale the white matter CBF values measured by MR imaging (r = 0.84, P <.0001) than when constant contralateral CBF values were assumed (r = 0.54, P <.0001). The choice of AIF ipsilateral or contralateral to the occluded carotid artery made no statistically significant difference (P >.05) to the correlation coefficient, slope, or y intercept of the MR imaging versus PET CBF regressions for six of the seven patients. CONCLUSION Although linearly correlated with CBF values measured by PET, dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging was not accurate for measuring absolute CBF values. AIF selection relative to the side of carotid occlusion did not significantly affect calculated MR imaging CBF values for six of the seven patients.
Performance Overhead of Xen on Linux 3.13 on ARM Cortex-A7

A number of simple performance measurements on disk speed, CPU, memory and network throughput were done on a dual ARM Cortex-A7 machine running Linux inside a Xen virtual machine that communicate with the outside through fronted-driver and backend-driver. The average performance overhead of Xen virtual machine is between 3 and 7 percent when the host is lightly loaded (running only the system software and the necessary xenstored demon and so on).
Phosphorylation of nucleoporin Tpr governs its differential localization and is required for its mitotic function

ABSTRACT A major constituent of the nuclear basket region of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), nucleoporin Tpr, plays roles in regulating multiple important processes. We have previously established that Tpr is phosphorylated in both a MAP-kinase-dependent and MAP-kinase-independent manner, and that Tpr acts as both a substrate and as a scaffold for ERK2 (also known as MAPK1). Here, we report the identification of S2059 and S2094 as the major novel ERK-independent phosphorylation sites and T1677, S2020, S2023 and S2034 as additional ERK-independent phosphorylation sites found in the Tpr protein in vivo. Our results suggest that protein kinase A phosphorylates the S2094 residue and that the site is hyperphosphorylated during mitosis. Furthermore, we find that Tpr is phosphorylated at the S2059 residue by CDK1 and the phosphorylated form distinctly localizes with chromatin during telophase. Abrogation of S2059 phosphorylation abolishes the interaction of Tpr with Mad1, thus compromising the localization of both Mad1 and Mad2 proteins, resulting in cell cycle defects. The identification of novel phosphorylation sites on Tpr and the observations presented in this study allow better understanding of Tpr functions.
Teaching Games : Statistical Sampling Assumptions for Learning in Pedagogical Situations

Much of learning and reasoning occurs in pedagogical situations – situations in which teachers choose examples with the goal of having a learner infer the concept the teacher has in mind. In this paper, we present a model of teaching and learning in pedagogical settings which predicts what examples teachers should choose and what learners should infer given a teachers’ examples. We present two experiments using an experimental paradigm called the rectangle game. The first experiment compares people’s inferences to qualitative model predictions. The second experiment tests people in a situation where pedagogical sampling is not appropriate, ruling out alternative explanations, and suggesting that people use contextappropriate sampling assumptions. We conclude by discussing connections to broader work in inductive reasoning and cognitive development, and outline areas of future work. Much of human learning and reasoning goes on in pedagogical settings. In schools, teachers impart their knowledge to students about mathematics, science, and literature through examples and problems. From early in life, parents teach children words for objects and actions, and cultural and personal preferences through subtle glances and outright admonitions. Pedagogical settings – settings where one agent is choosing information to transmit to another agent for the purpose of communicating a concept – dominate human learning and reasoning. If learners’ assumptions about how teachers sample information reflected this purposeful sampling, then learners might be able to make much stronger inferences in pedagogical situations. Sampling assumptions are assumptions that a learner makes about the source of data, in order to better interpret the evidence for statistical learning. Recent research suggests that even infants are sensitive to the sampling processes that underlie observed data (Xu & Tenenbaum, 2007) and young children make qualitatively different inferences when data are sampled by a teacher (Gergely, Egyed, & Kiraly, 2007). Computational models of human learning have not focused on the sampling processes that generate observed data, and when they do the assumed processes are relatively simple. For example, Fried and Holyoak (1984) modeled category learning by assuming examples are generated uniformly at random (weak sampling) and Tenenbaum (1999) modeled learning from positive data by assuming examples are generated at random from the true concept (strong sampling). O O O O O O X
Evaluation of Cyantraniliprole and Other Commercial Fly Baits under Laboratory and Field Conditions

Laboratory and field trials were performed to evaluate the attractiveness and efficacy of commercial baits (cyantraniliprole; methomyl + (Z)-9-tricosene; dinotefuran + (Z)-9-tricosene; imidacloprid granular + (Z)-9-tricosene; and imidacloprid liquid + (Z)-9-tricosene). In choice tests; flies were most attracted to cyantraniliprole bait > dinotefuran + (Z)-9 > methomyl + (Z)-9 bait > imidacloprid granular + (Z)-9 bait > imidacloprid liquid + (Z)-9 bait. Significant degradation in bait efficacy was observed after two weeks of aging excluding imidacloprid granular; which began to degrade in field conditions after one week. Cyantraniliprole; the new fly bait active ingredient in Zyrox®; had the longest time to knockdown in the laboratory tests; but on susceptible flies; achieved 95%–100% knockdown within an hour of exposure. Zyrox® was resistant to weathering for a week; and was more attractive to flies in the field when compared to methomyl + (Z)-9 bait.
Using a structural and logics systems approach to infer bHLH–DNA binding specificity determinants

Numerous efforts are underway to determine gene regulatory networks that describe physical relationships between transcription factors (TFs) and their target DNA sequences. Members of paralogous TF families typically recognize similar DNA sequences. Knowledge of the molecular determinants of protein–DNA recognition by paralogous TFs is of central importance for understanding how small differences in DNA specificities can dictate target gene selection. Previously, we determined the in vitro DNA binding specificities of 19 Caenorhabditis elegans basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) dimers using protein binding microarrays. These TFs bind E-box (CANNTG) and E-box-like sequences. Here, we combine these data with logics, bHLH–DNA co-crystal structures and computational modeling to infer which bHLH monomer can interact with which CAN E-box half-site and we identify a critical residue in the protein that dictates this specificity. Validation experiments using mutant bHLH proteins provide support for our inferences. Our study provides insights into the mechanisms of DNA recognition by bHLH dimers as well as a blueprint for system-level studies of the DNA binding determinants of other TF families in different model organisms and humans.
Biotransformation of curcumin through reduction and glucuronidation in mice.

Curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric and curry, has antioxidative and anticarcinogenic activities. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetic properties of curcumin in mice. After i.p. administration of curcumin (0.1 g/kg) to mice, about 2.25 microg/ml of curcumin appeared in the plasma in the first 15 min. One hour after administration, the levels of curcumin in the intestines, spleen, liver, and kidneys were 177.04, 26.06, 26.90, and 7.51 microg/g, respectively. Only traces (0.41 microg/g) were observed in the brain at 1 h. To clarify the nature of the metabolites of curcumin, the plasma was analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC, and two putative conjugates were observed. Treatment of the plasma with beta-glucuronidase resulted in a decrease in the concentrations of these two putative conjugates and the concomitant appearance of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and curcumin, respectively. To investigate the nature of these glucuronide conjugates in vivo, the plasma was analyzed by electrospray. The chemical structures of these metabolites, determined by mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis, suggested that curcumin was first biotransformed to dihydrocurcumin and THC and that these compounds subsequently were converted to monoglucuronide conjugates. Because THC is one of the major metabolites of curcumin, we studied its stability at different pH values. THC was very stable in 0.1 M phosphate buffers of various pH values. Moreover, THC was more stable than curcumin in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.2 (37 degrees C). These results, together with previous findings, suggest that curcumin-glucuronoside, dihydrocurcumin-glucuronoside, THC-glucuronoside, and THC are major metabolites of curcumin in vivo.
Estimation of regional left ventricular wall stresses in intact canine hearts.

Left ventricular (LV) wall stress is an important element in the assessment of LV systolic function; however, a reproducible technique to determine instantaneous local or regional wall stress has not been developed. Fourteen dogs underwent placement of twenty-six myocardial markers into the ventricle and septum. One week later, marker images were obtained using high-speed biplane videofluoroscopy under awake, sedated, atrially paced baseline conditions and after inotropic stimulation (calcium). With a model taking into account LV pressure, regional wall thickness, and meridional and circumferential regional radii of curvature, we computed average midwall stress for each of nine LV sites. Regional end-systolic and maximal LV wall stress were heterogeneous and dependent on latitude (increasing from apex to base, P < 0.001) and specific wall (anterior > lateral and posterior wall stresses; P = 0.002). Multivariate ANOVA demonstrated only a trend ( P = 0.056) toward increased LV stress after calcium infusion; subsequent univariate analysis isolated significant increases in end-systolic LV wall stress with increased inotropic state at all sites except the equatorial regions. The model used in this analysis incorporates local geometric factors and provides a reasonable estimate of regional LV wall stress compared with previous studies. LV wall stress is heterogeneous and dependent on the particular LV site of interest. Variation in wall stress may be caused by anatomic differences and/or extrinsic interactions between LV sites, i.e., influences of the papillary muscles and the interventricular septum.
Design and Management of Complex Technical Processes and Systems by means of Computational Intelligence Methods Simplified Drift Analysis for Proving Lower Bounds in Evolutionary Computation

Drift analysis is a powerful tool used to bound the optimization time of evolutionary algorithms (EAs). Various previous works apply a drift theorem going back to Hajek in order to show exponential lower bounds on the optimization time of EAs. However, this drift theorem is tedious to read and to apply since it requires two bounds on the moment-generating (exponential) function of the drift. A recent work identifies a specialization of this drift theorem that is much easier to apply. Nevertheless, it is not as simple and not as general as possible. The present paper picks up Hajek’s line of thought to prove a drift theorem that is very easy to use in evolutionary computation. Only two conditions have to be verified, one of which holds for virtually all EAs with standard mutation. The other condition is a bound on what is really relevant, the drift. Applications show how previous analyses involving the complicated theorem can be redone in a much simpler and clearer way. Therefore, the simplified theorem is also a didactical contribution to the runtime analysis of EAs.
Transcriptional Regulation by Lge1p Requires a Function Independent of Its Role in Histone H2B Ubiquitination*

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells that have lost their mitochondrial genome (ρ0) strongly induce transcription of multidrug resistance genes, including the ATP-binding cassette transporter gene PDR5. PDR5 induction in ρ0 cells requires the presence of the zinc cluster transcription factor Pdr3p. The PDR3 gene is positively autoregulated in ρ0 cells by virtue of the presence of two binding sites for Pdr3p in its promoter. We identify the novel protein Lge1p as a required participant in the ρ0 activation of PDR3 and PDR5 expression. Lge1p is a nuclear protein that has been found to play a role in ubiquitination of histone H2B at Lys123. This ubiquitination requires the presence of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Rad6p and the ubiquitin ligase Bre1p. Interestingly, ρ0 strains lacking Lge1p failed to induce PDR3 transcription, but induction was still seen in Δrad6, Δbre1, and H2B-K123R mutant strains. Microarray experiments also confirmed that the pattern of gene expression changes seen in cells lacking Lge1p, Bre1p, or Rad6p or containing the H2B-K123R mutant as the only form of H2B share some overlap but are distinct. These findings provide a strong argument that Lge1p has roles in gene regulation independent of its participation in the Rad6p-dependent ubiquitination of H2B.
Epidemiology of varicella zoster virus infection in Canada and the United Kingdom – CORRIGENDUM

Many countries are currently studying the possibility of mass vaccination against varicella. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive picture of the pre-vaccine epidemiology of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) to aid in the design of immunization programs and to adequately measure the impact of vaccination. Population-based data including physician visit claims, sentinel surveillance and hospitalization data from Canada and the United Kingdom were analysed. The key epidemiological characteristics of varicella and zoster (age speciﬁc consultation rates, seasonality, force of infection, hospitalization rates and inpatient days) were compared. Results show that the overall epidemiology of varicella and zoster is remarkably similar between the two countries. The major diﬀerence being that, contrary to Canada, the epidemiology of varicella seems to be changing in the United Kingdom with an important decrease in the average age at infection that coincides with a signiﬁcant increase in children attending preschool. Furthermore, diﬀerences exist in the seasonality between the United Kingdom and Canada, which seem to be primarily due to the school calendar. These results illustrate that school and preschool contact patterns play an important role in the dynamics of varicella. Finally, our results provide baseline estimates of varicella and zoster incidence and morbidity for VZV vaccine eﬀectiveness and cost-eﬀectiveness studies.
Ideal Cardiovascular Health Is Inversely Associated With Incident Cancer: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background— The American Heart Association (AHA) has defined the concept of ideal cardiovascular health in promotion of the 2020 Strategic Impact Goals. We examined whether adherence to ideal levels of the 7 AHA cardiovascular health metrics was associated with incident cancers in the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study over 17 to 19 years of follow-up. Methods and Results— After exclusions for missing data and prevalent cancer, 13 253 ARIC participants were included for analysis. Baseline measurements were used to classify participants according to 7 AHA cardiovascular health metrics. Combined cancer incidence (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers) from 1987 to 2006 was captured using cancer registries and hospital surveillance; 2880 incident cancer cases occurred over follow-up. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios for incident cancer. There was a significant (P trend <0.0001), graded, inverse association between the number of ideal cardiovascular health metrics at baseline and cancer incidence. Participants meeting goals for 6 to 7 ideal health metrics (2.7% of the population) had 51% lower risk of incident cancer than those meeting goals for 0 ideal health metrics. When smoking was removed from the sum of ideal health metrics, the association was attenuated with participants meeting goals for 5 to 6 health metrics having 25% lower cancer risk than those meeting goals for 0 ideal health metrics (P trend =0.03). Conclusions— Adherence to the 7 ideal health metrics defined in the AHA 2020 goals is associated with lower cancer incidence. The AHA should continue to pursue partnerships with cancer advocacy groups to achieve reductions in chronic disease prevalence.
Pathological Importance of the Endothelin-1/ETB Receptor System on Vascular Diseases

Activation of the endothelin (ET)-1/ET receptor system is involved in the development of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, vascular hypertrophy, and restenosis. Some issues still remain unresolved including whether ET receptor antagonists are expected to become the new therapeutic tools for the treatment of vascular diseases. One of the unresolved critical points is the functional role of ET receptor subtypes on each vascular disease, in particular the pathophysiological roles of the ETB receptor. We recently demonstrated that selective inhibition of the ETB receptor system showed harmful effects in the development of neointimal formation after vascular injury. However, there was no apparent difference in the therapeutic effects between a nonselective ETA/ETB receptor antagonist and selective ETA receptor antagonist. These findings indicate that antagonism of the ETA receptor system is essential for suppressing vascular remodeling, irrespective of the presence of ETB-receptor-mediated actions, although the selective ETB receptor antagonist worsens vascular remodeling. In addition, we found that ET receptor systems contribute to sex differences in the severity of vascular disease, thereby suggesting that the efficacy of ET receptor antagonists for vascular diseases may differ between sexes. In this paper, we outline the roles of the ET-1/ETB receptor system on vascular diseases and its sex differences.
Isolation and Classification of Fungal Whitefly Entomopathogens from Soils of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Gansu Corridor in China

Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Gansu Corridor of China with distinct geographic and climatic conditions are remote and less disturbed by humans, in which are likely to find some new strains of fungal entomopathogens against B-biotype whiteflies that is a very important invading pest worldwide. In this research, nineteen strains among six species of entomogenous fungi were isolated from the soil samples collected from 32 locations in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Gansu Corridor. From the data of isolation rates, it was indicated that the good biodiversity of entomogenous fungi was found in the soil covered good vegetations. On the contrary, no strains were isolated from the desert areas. In addition, the dominant species, Isaria fumosorosea and Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are different from the strains of other places based on ITS genetic homology analysis. It was verified that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau area was less disturbed by human, and the fungi in this place exchanged less compared with other regional species. All of these strains showed the pathogenicity against the B-biotype whitefly with the mortality of more than 30%. However, a few strains of Paecilomyces lilacinus, Lecanicillium psalliotae, Aspergillus ustus, I. fumosorosea and M. anisopliae var. anisopliae had better virulence with LC50s of 0.36–26.44×106 spores/mL on post-treatment day 6–7. Especially, the L. psalliotae strain LpTS01 was the greatest virulence with LC50 of 0.36×106spores/mL and LT50 of 4.23d. Our research thus presents some new insights to discover new entomopathogenic fungal strains used for B-biotype whitefly biocontrol.