Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Practical Verification of Machine Learning: The Case of Computer Vision Systems

Due to the increasing usage of machine learning (ML) techniques in security- and safety-critical domains, such as autonomous systems and medical diagnosis, ensuring correct behavior of ML systems, especially for different corner cases, is of growing importance. In this paper, we propose a generic framework for evaluating security and robustness of ML systems using different real-world safety properties. We further design, implement and evaluate VeriVis, a scalable methodology that can verify a diverse set of safety properties for state-of-the-art computer vision systems with only blackbox access. VeriVis leverage different input space reduction techniques for efficient verification of different safety properties. VeriVis is able to find thousands of safety violations in fifteen state-of-the-art computer vision systems including ten Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) such as Inception-v3 and Nvidia's Dave self-driving system with thousands of neurons as well as five commercial third-party vision APIs including Google vision and Clarifai for twelve different safety properties. Furthermore, VeriVis can successfully verify local safety properties, on average, for around 31.7% of the test images. VeriVis finds up to 64.8x more violations than existing gradient-based methods that, unlike VeriVis, cannot ensure non-existence of any violations. Finally, we show that retraining using the safety violations detected by VeriVis can reduce the average number of violations up to 60.2%.
Rpn4 Is a Physiological Substrate of the Ubr2 Ubiquitin Ligase*

The homeostatic abundance of the proteasome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is controlled by a feedback circuit in which transcriptional activator Rpn4 up-regulates the proteasome genes and is destroyed by the assembled, active proteasome. Remarkably, the degradation of Rpn4 can be mediated by two independent pathways. One pathway is independent of ubiquitin, whereas the other involves ubiquitination on internal lysines. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of Rpn4. We demonstrated, through in vivo and in vitro assays, that Rpn4 is a physiological substrate of the Ubr2 ubiquitin ligase, which was originally identified as a sequence homolog of Ubr1, the E3 component of the N-end rule pathway. The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Rad6, which directly interacts with Ubr2, is also required for the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of Rpn4. Furthermore, we showed that deletion of UBR2 exhibited a strong synthetic growth defect with a mutation in the Rpt1 proteasome subunit when Rpn4 was overexpressed. This study not only identified the ubiquitination apparatus for Rpn4 but also unveiled the first physiological substrate of Ubr2. The biological significance of Ubr2-mediated degradation of Rpn4 is also discussed.
The Effect of Chronic Conflict on the Blood Pressure of Rats with a Genetic Susceptibility to Experimental Hypertension

&NA; Rats with a genetic susceptibility to experimental hypertension were exposed daily for 13 weeks to a conflict situation that resulted in food deprivation and the application of electric shock. Other subjects were either food deprived, shocked, both food deprived and shocked but without conflict, or not experimentally manipulated (control). Despite weekly fluctuations, a pattern emerged wherein subjects exposed to conflict usually exhibited the highest systolic blood pressures followed in order by subjects exposed to food deprivation and shock without conflict, rats food deprived, rats exposed to shock, and control subjects. Following this 13 week period, some of the rats in each group were allowed a 13 week stress‐free‐recovery period while the rest of the subjects were treated as before. During the recovery period most subjects' blood pressure returned to control levels. However, there was some indication in a few rats that elevations could persist for extended periods after the aversive treatment had been terminated. There is probably a genetic component involved in the reaction to stress that promotes the development of hypertension, just as there is to other hypertensinogenic stimuli.
Understanding Chylomicron Retention Disease Through Sar1b Gtpase Gene Disruption: Insight From Cell Culture

Background— Understanding the specific mechanisms of rare autosomal disorders has greatly expanded insights into the complex processes regulating intestinal fat transport. Sar1B GTPase is one of the critical proteins governing chylomicron secretion by the small intestine, and its mutations lead to chylomicron retention disease, despite the presence of Sar1A paralog. Objective— The central aim of this work is to examine the cause–effect relationship between Sar1B expression and chylomicron output and to determine whether Sar1B is obligatory for normal high-density lipoprotein biogenesis. Approach and Results— The SAR1B gene was totally silenced in Caco-2/15 cells using the zinc finger nuclease technique. SAR1B deletion resulted in significantly decreased secretion of triglycerides (≈40%), apolipoprotein B-48 (≈57%), and chylomicron (≈34.5%). The absence of expected chylomicron production collapse may be because of the compensatory SAR1A elevation observed in our experiments. Therefore, a double knockout of SAR1A and SAR1B was engineered in Caco-2/15 cells, which led to almost complete inhibition of triglycerides, apolipoprotein B-48, and chylomicron output. Further experiments with labeled cholesterol revealed the downregulation of high-density lipoprotein biogenesis in cells deficient in SAR1B or with the double knockout of the 2 SAR1 paralogs. Similarly, there was a fall in the movement of labeled cholesterol from cells to basolateral medium containing apolipoprotein A-I, thereby limiting newly synthesized high-density lipoprotein in genetically modified cells. The decreased cholesterol efflux was associated with impaired expression of ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1). Conclusions— These findings demonstrate that the deletion of the 2 SAR1 isoforms is required to fully eliminate the secretion of chylomicron in vitro. They also underscore the limited high-density lipoprotein production by the intestinal cells in response to SAR1 knockout.
Community Organizing Goes to College: A Practice-Based Model to Implement Environmental Strategies to Reduce High-Risk Drinking on College Campuses

Community organizing is a successful method to leverage resources and build community capacity to identify and intervene on health issues. However, published accounts documenting the systematic facilitation of the process are limited. This qualitative analysis explored community organizing using data collected as part of the Study to Prevent Alcohol Related Consequences (SPARC), a randomized community trial of 10 North Carolina colleges focused on reducing consequences of high-risk drinking among college students. The authors sought to develop and confirm use of a community-organizing model, based in practice, illustrating an authentic process of organizing campus and community stakeholders for public health change. Using the grounded theory approach, they analyzed and interpreted data from three waves of individual interviews with full-time community organizers on five SPARC intervention campuses. A five-phase community-organizing model was developed and its use was confirmed. This model may serve as a practical guide for public health interventions using community-organizing approaches.
Learner interaction in a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG): A sociocultural discourse analysis*

Abstract This exploratory study investigates the linguistic and social interaction of four intermediate EFL learners during game play in a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG). Twelve illustrative episodes drawn from the participants’ text chat, collected in four 70-minute sessions held over a one-month period, are analyzed from a sociocultural perspective. Qualitative analysis reveals the presence of interactional features associated with the development of sociocultural competence. Throughout this study the learners successfully engaged in collaborative social interaction involving dialogue, conducted exclusively in the target language. Participants made appropriate use of politeness involving greetings, informal language, small talk, humor, and leave-takings, as a means to support the operation of collaborative interpersonal relationships. These relationships appeared based on reciprocity, friendship, and teamwork. They were effective in facilitating the creation of a low stress atmosphere characterized by social cohesion that was conducive to co-construction, and the consistent production of coherent target language output. The data indicates that the learners were able to jointly establish, and maintain, states of intersubjectivity through the use of continuers, and requests for assistance relevant to in-game tasks. Learner feedback was positive, and suggests that although the participants found the game play challenging, as this research progressed they became increasingly comfortable as their familiarity with the game increased. Aspects of participation identified by the learners as beneficial included opportunities for risk-taking, enhanced fluency practice, and exposure to vocabulary not normally encountered in regular language classes. The analysis suggests that the game provided access to an environment conducive to forms of collaborative target language use and social interaction identified as beneficial in the sociocultural account of language development.
Chronic venous disease treated with endovenous microwave ablation: long-terms results and quality of life.

BACKGROUND Microwave ablation is considered to be safe for treatment in chronic venous disease patients, but data is lacking about its long-terms results. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of endovenous microwave ablation. MATERIAL AND METHOD From January 2009-June 2012, 100 patients underwent endovenous microwave ablation. Demographic data, post-operative complication, and CIVIQ-2 questionnaire scores were recorded. Microwave energy was set at 50-65 watts and the pull back speed was 3 cm/minute. RESULTS C2 was a common finding, (59.6%). Mean follow-up time was 25.2 months and the most immediate complication was numbness (32.1%) with permanent numbness at 3.8%. Quality of life as determined by CIVIQ-2 score changedfrom 32 before operation to 24 after operation (p<0.001). Complete venous occlusion rate was 79.8% and the rate of partial venous occlusion with no venous reflux was 8.7%. CONCLUSION Endovenous microwave ablation can be used safely. It could be an alternative treatment for patients with chronic venous disease.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 enhances HSV‐induced encephalomyelitis by stimulating Th2 responses

Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 has a pathogenic role in herpesvirus‐induced encephalomyelitis (HSM). Anti‐MCP‐1 antibody greatly decreased HSM severity in mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSM mice), compared with its effect in control HSM mice treated with rabbit immunoglobulin. HSM severity was markedly enhanced in mice previously treated with a mixture of interleukin (IL) 4 and ‐10. In response to stimulation with antigen, HSM mouse cells isolated from cerebrospinal fluids (CSF cells) produced IL‐4 in culture fluids; however, IL‐4 production decreased in CSF cells derived from HSM mice previously treated with anti‐MCP‐1 antibody. A macrophage population isolated in CSF cells from HSM mice (CSF‐Mφ) produced MCP‐1 in culture fluids. In response to stimulation with herpesvirus antigen, a population of T cells isolated from CSF cells from HSM mice (CSF‐T cells) produced IL‐4 into their culture fluids, although MCP‐1 was not produced by CSF‐T cells stimulated by this antigen. IL‐4 production by CSF‐T cells was markedly enhanced when they were stimulated with viral antigen in the presence of murine recombinant MCP‐1 (rMCP‐1). Furthermore, IL‐4 was produced in naive splenic T cells cocultured with CSF‐Mφ. These results indicate that the severity of HSM is influenced by MCP‐1, which stimulates Th2 responses.
Early and delayed aspects of nuclear reprogramming during cloning

The successful production of viable progeny following adult somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning) provides exciting new opportunities for basic research for investigating early embryogenesis, for the propagation of valuable or endangered animals, for the production of genetically engineered animals, and possibly for developing therapeutically valuable stem cells. Successful cloning requires efficient reprogramming of gene expression to silence donor cell gene expression and activate an embryonic pattern of gene expression. Recent observations indicate that reprogramming may be initiated by early events that occur soon after nuclear transfer, but then continues as development progresses through cleavage and probably to gastrulation. Because reprogramming is slow and progressive, cloned embryos have dramatically altered characteristics in comparison with fertilized embryos. Events that occur early following nuclear transfer may be essential prerequisites for the later events. Additionally, the later reprogramming events may be inhibited by sub‐optimum culture environments that exist because of the altered characteristics of cloned embryos. By addressing the unique requirements of cloned embryos, the entire process of reprogramming may be accelerated, thus increasing cloning efficiency.
Contributions of Regional Transport Versus Local Emissions and Their Retention Effects During PM2.5 Pollution Under Various Stable Weather in Shanghai

Understanding the formation and development processes of air pollution events is key to improving urban air quality. In this study, the air pollution episodes in stable synoptic conditions were selected to analyze the multi-phase evolution processes of heavy air pollution in Shanghai, a coastal city. The observation data and the WRF-CMAQ model were used to diagnose and simulate the pollution characteristics of the heavy pollution episodes. The results showed that the transport and dilution characteristics of PM2.5 were different during autumn and winter in Shanghai as a receptor of pollution transport. The development of PM2.5 pollution events were divided into four stages: accumulation stage, stagnation stage, enhancement stage, and dilution stage. The accumulation stage was before stable weather, and provided the foundations for PM2.5 pollution. The stagnation stage was nighttime during stable weather, in which the low wind speed and temperature inversion weakened regional transport and the dilution of PM2.5, which was defined as “retention effect”. The “retention effect” played a dominant role during the stagnation stage, accounting for 71.2% and 41.2% of total PM2.5 in winter and autumn case, respectively. The enhancement stage followed the stagnation stage, in which the newly regional transport was occurred due to stronger wind speed, accounting for 86.3% and 46.2% in winter and autumn episodes, respectively. The dilution stage was after the whole stable weather, when meteorological conditions were beneficial for PM2.5 dilution. Local emissions were dominant (63.0%) for PM2.5 pollution in the autumn case but regional transport was dominant (81.3%) in the winter case. Therefore, preventing the heavy particulate pollution caused by the diverse stable weather calls for the suitable emission control in a regional scale. Our study also shows that the simulation accuracy during stable weather needs to be improved in future studies.
Tourniquet Use During Knee Replacement Surgery May Contribute to Muscle Atrophy in Older Adults

Muscle atrophy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) occurs at a rate of 1% per day for the first 2 wk. Our hypothesis is that tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury occurring during TKA influences metabolism and may contribute to atrophy. Identifying pathways that are upregulated during this critical “14-d window” after surgery may help us delineate therapeutic approaches to avoid muscle loss.
The Role of Right Hemisphere Dysfunction in Psychiatric Disorders

In 1861 Broca, a Parisian surgeon, reported a postmortem he had carried out on a man who had lost his ability to speak 20 years previously and who in the intervening period had only regained the use of one phrase: “Tan-tan”. Broca found that this man had an old infarct in his left hemisphere, affecting the posterior portions of the second and third frontal gyri.
Vietnamese American women’s beliefs and perceptions on cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, and cancer prevention vaccines: A community-based participatory study

Cervical cancer remains commonly diagnosed in Vietnamese American women. Despite efforts to increase cervical cancer screening among Vietnamese American women, participation rates are persistently lower than the national goal. The objective of this study is to explore beliefs of Vietnamese American women about cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, and cancer prevention vaccines. A qualitative descriptive investigation captured group perceptions about meaning and beliefs of cervical cancer, screening, and cancer prevention vaccines, and participants’ stories using a community-based participatory research approach. Forty Vietnamese American women were recruited from the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area into four focus groups. Using a process of directed content analysis, focus group transcripts were coded for themes. We found that cervical cancer continues to be a difficult topic to discuss, and Vietnamese American women may not bring the topic up themselves to their health care providers. Some women experienced intense emotions of fear or shame of having their cervix examined. Women delayed seeking cervical cancer screening and needed to have early warning signs, which guided them as to when to seek health care. Women focused on cleanliness through vaginal and/or perineal washing as primary prevention for cervical cancer. There were limited awareness and knowledge about cancer prevention vaccines, specifically the human papillomavirus. Some women relied heavily on their informal social networks of family, friends, or community for health knowledge. Fear and misunderstanding dominated the beliefs of Vietnamese American women about cervical cancer screening and prevention. These findings underscored the importance of having culturally-specific findings, which will inform a multicomponent intervention to promote cervical cancer screening and cancer prevention vaccine uptake within this population.
Metoprolol v. Clonidine in The Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine

In a double-blind, cross-over trial, the migraine prophylactic effect of the b1-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol was compared with that of clonidine. The dosage of metoprolol was 50 mg b.i. d. and of clonidine 50 üg b.i. d. Thirty-one patients were included; twenty-three completed the entire study. Six patients withdrew during clonidine treatment, one during metoprolol treatment and one during the wash-out period (placebo). Metoprolol had a significantly better migraine prophylactic effect than clonidine regarding such parameters as the attack frequency, the number of migraine days and the sum of intensity score. Compared to baseline (placebo), metoprolol decreased these parameters, while clonidine did not. Metoprolol, but not clonidine, also. reduced the acute consumption of analgesics. No differences were found as regards side effects.
Rising Energetic Cost of Walking Predicts Gait Speed Decline With Aging.

BACKGROUND Slow gait is a robust biomarker of health and a predictor of functional decline and death in older adults, yet factors contributing to the decline in gait speed with aging are not well understood. Previous research suggests that the energetic cost of walking at preferred speed is inversely associated with gait speed, but whether individuals with a rising energetic cost of walking experience a steeper rate of gait speed decline has not been investigated. METHODS In participants of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, the energetic cost of overground walking at preferred speed (mL/kg/m) was assessed between 2007 and 2014 using a portable indirect calorimeter. The longitudinal association between the energetic cost of walking and usual gait speed over 6 meters (m/s) was assessed with multivariate linear regression models, and the risk of slow gait (<1.0 m/s) was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS The study population consisted of 457 participants aged 40 and older who contributed 1,121 person-visits to the analysis. In fully adjusted models, increases in the energetic cost of walking predicted the rate of gait speed decline in those older than 65 years (β = -0.008 m/s, p < .001). Moreover, those with a higher energetic cost of walking (>0.17mL/kg/m) had a 57% greater risk of developing slow gait compared with a normal energetic cost of walking (≤0.17mL/kg/m; adjusted hazard ratio = 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.46). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that strategies to maintain walking efficiency hold significant implications for maintaining mobility in late life. Efforts to curb threats to walking efficiency should focus on therapies to treat gait and balance impairments, and reduce clinical disease burden.
Latency in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection: No Easy Answers

In summary, HIV-1 latency represents a formidable therapeutic challenge for which there are no easy answers. As a result of viral tropism for activated CD4+ T cells and the reversion of some of these cells to a profoundly quiescent and long-lived memory state, the virus can persist through the same mechanisms responsible for the most fundamental characteristic of the immune system, immunologic memory. The dependence of viral gene expression on host factors that are inactive in resting T cells means that viral gene expression can be largely or completely extinguished in latently infected cells. In the absence of virus gene expression, latently infected cells will differ from their uninfected counterparts by only the presence of 10 kb of viral DNA integrated into a host cell chromosome. In this case, the virus is persisting as genetic information in a stably integrated form in rare memory cells that cannot be distinguished from their uninfected counterparts. It is difficult to envision any targeting mechanism that will allow specific elimination of this reservoir. Optimism stems from the fact that antiretroviral drugs come very close to stopping the active replication of the virus, with its attendant damage to the immune system. In some patients on HAART, the evolution of drug-resistant viruses, which is the principal cause of treatment failure, is largely halted. The development of nontoxic, convenient, and affordable combinations of antiretroviral drugs may allow infected individuals to live a normal life despite the indefinite persistence of latent HIV-1 in resting memory CD4+ T cells.
The Norwegian standardization of the MATRICS (Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) Consensus Cognitive Battery

This is the first international reference study of neurocognitive function as assessed by the MATRICS (Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Two hundred and fifty healthy Norwegian men and women between the ages of 12 and 59 years were tested. The results were broken down across gender, age, and education level. In the adult group, women performed better than men on Speed of Processing and Verbal Learning, and men outperformed women on Attention/Vigilance and Reasoning/Problem Solving tasks. There were substantial reductions in most domains of cognitive function with increasing age. The effect of education on cognitive performance was more modest. Although our results are somewhat divergent from the US normative study, we conclude that the MCCB is well suited for research purposes and clinical use in Norway.