Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spammers operations: a multifaceted strategic analysis

There is a consensus in the anti-spam community regarding the prevalence of spam botnets and the significant role they play in the worldwide spam problem. Nevertheless, far less attention has been devoted to studying the strategic behavior of spammers on a long-term basis. This paper explores several facets of spammers operations by providing three essential perspectives: i we study the inter-relationships among spam botnets through their aggregate spam campaigns, and we focus on identifying similarities or differences in their modus operandi; ii we look at the impact of the Rustock takedown on the botnet ecosystem; and iii we study the conjecture about spammers hijacking unused IP space to send spam in a stealthy way. To that end, we have analyzed over one million spam records collected by Symantec.cloud formerly MessageLabs through worldwide distributed spamtraps. Our methodology leverages techniques relying on data fusion and multi-criteria decision analysis to extract intelligence from large spam data sets by automatically correlating spam campaigns according to various combinations of spam features. We also take advantage of node-link visualizations developed in the context of VIS-SENSE, a research project aiming at developing Visual Analytics technologies for the security domain. Using these visualizations, we illustrate the tight relationships that exist among different botnet families such as Rustock/Grum or Lethic/Maazben. Regarding the disruption of Rustock on 17 March 2011, our experimental results provide substantial evidence indicating that part of the botnet activity may have been offloaded to Grum shortly after the takedown operation. Finally, we analyzed over 1year of spam data enriched with Border Gateway Protocol data and found that an increasing amount of spam may have been sent from IP blocks hijacked for several weeks or months, even though this phenomenon remains marginal at this time compared with spam sent from large botnets. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristics of EGFR family‐mediated HRG signals in human ovarian cancer

The ability of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family members, EGFR, HER2, HER3, and HER4, to form homo‐ and heterodimers after interaction with different ligands expands the signal diversity of these proteins. We investigated their mechanism of activation by exogenous EGF and heregulin (HRG) in human ovarian carcinoma cell lines which express different amounts and combinations of the four receptors. Consistently the predominant interaction after EGF treatment was between EGFR and HER2, whereas activation of HER3 and HER4 depended on the relative abundance of the four receptors in the cells. Remarkably HER3 activation by HRG could occurs independent of HER2, and in one cell line almost no HER4 activation by HRG was detected despite high levels expression. Both EGF and HRG induced activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), but the time course of MAPK activation differed depending on the hetero‐dimers induced. EGF and HRG mediated cell growth through the EGFR/HER2 heterodimer and HER4, respectively, but not through HER3 when it was the only HRG receptor expressed and phosphorylated in the cells. These findings reveal a distinct pattern of HRG induced EGFR family interaction in ovarian cancer that is distinct from that described in human breast cancer. Moreover EGF and HRG can exert distinct biological functions depending on the receptor complexes induced in a given ovarian cancer cell line. J. Cell. Biochem. 73:522–532, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do Partners in PPPs view Public and Private Management Differently

Differences between public and private management have been studied extensively by comparing sectors, but not within cross-sectoral collaborative arrangements. As participants in such arrangements have actually experienced both management styles, examining their perceptions of how these styles differ may contribute innovatively to existing literature. This paper compares such perceptions between public and private sector project members (N = 63) involved in four PPPs in the Netherlands. We assess (1) to what extent and under which conditions these project members view public and private management differently and (2) how they evaluate these differences. By triangulating quantitative and qualitative interview data, we examine Boyne's classical hypotheses and find that more than two-thirds of the statements making reference to these hypotheses offer support for them; more so, the vast majority of such statements evaluate sectoral differences negatively. Intriguingly, type of PPP is a stronger determinant of perceived differences than the manager's sector of origin.
Physiologically based approaches towards the prediction of pharmacokinetics: in vitro–in vivo extrapolation

In adapting to the challenge to make more informed selection of compounds for development, the pharmaceutical industry is increasingly embracing the application of mechanism-based models and prediction tools for prediction of pharmacokinetic parameters. This review first outlines the concepts and application of the major physiologically based prediction tools to extrapolate clearance, tissue distribution, and rate and extent of absorption from minimal in vitro or animal in vivo input data. Finally, the ability of these prediction tools, when placed within a generic whole body physiologically based model of pharmacokinetics, to predict plasma concentration–time profiles is briefly discussed.
Prevalence of autism in a United States population: the Brick Township, New Jersey, investigation.

OBJECTIVE This study determined the prevalence of autism for a defined community, Brick Township, New Jersey, using current diagnostic and epidemiologic methods. METHODS The target population was children who were 3 to 10 years of age in 1998, who were residents of Brick Township at any point during that year, and who had an autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder was defined as autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger disorder. The study used 4 sources for active case finding: special education records, records from local clinicians providing diagnosis or treatment for developmental or behavioral disabilities, lists of children from community parent groups, and families who volunteered for participation in the study in response to media attention. The autism diagnosis was verified (or ruled out) for 71% of the children through clinical assessment. The assessment included medical and developmental history, physical and neurologic evaluation, assessment of intellectual and behavioral functioning, and administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic. RESULTS The prevalence of all autism spectrum disorders combined was 6.7 cases per 1000 children. The prevalence for children whose condition met full diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder was 4.0 cases per 1000 children, and the prevalence for PDD-NOS and Asperger disorder was 2.7 cases per 1000 children. Characteristics of children with autism in this study were similar to those in previous studies of autism. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of autism in Brick Township seems to be higher than that in other studies, particularly studies conducted in the United States, but within the range of a few recent studies in smaller populations that used more thorough case-finding methods.
A novel missense mutation in the galactosyltransferase‐I (B4GALT7) gene in a family exhibiting facioskeletal anomalies and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome resembling the progeroid type

The Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders characterized by skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, and tissue fragility. Several genes have been implicated to result in EDS phenotypes. The progeroid type of EDS is characterized by wrinkled, loose skin on the face, curly fine hair, scanty eyebrows and eyelashes, in addition to the classical features of EDS. Here we describe two similarly affected individuals in two sibships of a large consanguineous family from Qatar. DNA samples from affected and unaffected members of the family were analyzed for homozygosity of polymorphic markers associated with genes that have been implicated in EDS. Among 28 markers analyzed, homozygosity was only observed for D5S469 and D5S2111, which were markers for galactosyltransferase‐I (B4GALT7) located on chromosome 5q35.2, where the previously reported progeroid‐like variant of EDS has been mapped. Exons harboring the coding regions and exon–intron junctions of B4GALT7 were amplified by PCR and examined for mutations. A homozygous misssense C to T substitution at nucleotide 808 in the coding region was discovered in both affected individuals. The carrier parents were heterozygous for this mutation, which was not found among 76 DNA samples from control individuals of the same ethnicity. Segregation of this novel mutation in the family further confirmed the allelic variant and its recessive mode of inheritance in this type of EDS. The C to T substitution results in an arginine to cysteine change at amino acid residue 270 that is located in the catalytically active extracellular C‐terminal domain. This change could result in abnormal protein folding and/or aberrant interactions of mutated galactosyltransferase‐I with other extracellular matrix proteins leading to the development of a progeroid‐like phenotype in affected individuals. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimal Liquidation in a Level-I Limit Order Book for Large Tick Stocks

We propose a framework to study the optimal liquidation strategy in a limit order book for large-tick stocks, with spread equal to one tick. All order book events (market orders, limit orders and cancellations) occur according to independent Poisson processes, with parameters depending on price move directions. Our goal is to maximise the expected terminal wealth of an agent who needs to liquidate her positions within a fixed time horizon. Assuming that the agent trades (through sell limit order or/and sell market order) only when the price moves, we model her liquidation procedure as a semi-Markov decision process, and compute the semi-Markov kernel using Laplace method in the language of queueing theory. The optimal liquidation policy is then solved by dynamic programming, and illustrated numerically.
Governing through Markets: Forest Certification and the Emergence of Non-State Authority

In recent years a startling policy innovation has emerged within global and domestic environmental governance: certification systems that promote socially responsible business practices by turning to the market, rather than the state, for rule-making authority. This book documents five cases in which the Forest Stewardship Council, a forest certification programme backed by leading environmental groups, has competed with industry and landowner-sponsored certification systems for legitimacy. The authors compare the politics behind forest certification in five countries. They reflect on why there are differences regionally, discuss the impact the Forest Stewardship Council has had on other certification programmes, and assess the ability of private forest certification to address global forest deterioration.
Magnitude, Breadth, and Functional Profile of T-Cell Responses during Human Immunodeficiency Virus Primary Infection with B and BF Viral Variants

ABSTRACT The molecular pattern of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Argentina provides an appropriate scenario to study cellular immune responses in patients with non-clade B infection. We aimed to map T-cell responses in patients infected with BF recombinant variants and compare them with those of clade B patients. Sixteen recently infected patients were enrolled and grouped by viral subtype. Nef-specific responses were evaluated with a peptide matrix-based gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay using B and BF overlapping peptides. Cross-clade and clade-specific responses were found. A correlation between B versus BF Nef-specific responses was identified. Detailed analysis at the single-peptide level revealed that BF patients show a narrower response but greater magnitude. Nef immunodominant responses agreed with previous publications, although the B loop was targeted at an unexpectedly high frequency. The putative HLA allele(s) restricting each positive response was determined. Single-peptide level screening with two different peptide sets uncovered discordant responses (mostly caused by peptide offsetting) and allowed detection of increased breadth. Positive responses identified by ELISPOT assay were further studied by intracellular cytokine staining. These were almost exclusively mediated by CD8 T cells. Characterization of concordant responses revealed that cells show distinct functional profiles, depending on the peptide presented. Last, quality (in terms of polyfunctionality) of T cells was associated with better viral replication containment. Overall, interclade differences in the frequency of epitopes recognized, structural domains targeted, and magnitude of responses were identified. Screening T-cell responses with multiple sets increased sensitivity. Further support for the notion of polyfunctional CD8+ T-cell requirement to better control viral replication is also provided.
Rights, needs and stigma: a comparison of homelessness policy in Scotland and Ireland

> Abstract_ This paper considers the contrasting approaches to homelessness in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Scotland has developed a strong legal safety net for homeless households, which in effect now gives the vast majority of homeless households an individually enforceable legal right to settled housing. This approach has attracted international recognition, reflecting an emerging consensus that ‘rights-based approaches’ offer the best response to homelessness. In Ireland, homelessness policy has also become a focal point for reform. A rights-based approach has been rejected, however, in favour of a ‘social partnership’ model that seeks to build consensus and develop a ‘problem solving approach’ among key stakeholders. Drawing on primary research with national experts, service providers and homeless men in both jurisdictions, this paper considers whether legal rights better meet the housing needs of homeless men than alternative approaches and whether they help mitigate the stigma of homelessness. It is argued that rights-based approaches crowd out alternative policy objectives, providing a blunt but effective tool in prioritising housing needs, and help minimise stigma by casting homeless people as rights-bearers with legitimate entitlements.
Effects of poloxamer 407‐induced hyperlipidemia on hepatic multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2/Abcc2) and the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid in rats

Hepatic multidrug resistance‐associated protein 2 (Mrp2) is responsible for the majority of the biliary elimination of endogenous and exogenous substances, therefore it is important to evaluate possible functional changes in Mrp2 activity under conditions of hyperlipidemia (HL). Thus, the present study assessed the protein expression and transporting activity of hepatic Mrp2 based on the in vivo biliary excretion of phenolsulfonphthalein (PSP) as a model anionic substrate for Mrp2 in poloxamer 407‐induced hyperlipidemic rats (HL rats) and compared these values with those for control rats. The pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and mycophenolic acid‐7‐O‐glucuronide (MPAG) were evaluated after the intravenous (5 mg/kg) and oral (10 mg/kg) administration of MPA to control and HL rats. In HL rats, the protein expression of hepatic Mrp2 and its biliary transporting activity exhibited significant reductions (by 24.3% and 24.6%, respectively) in the absence of a change in bile flow rate. Unexpectedly, HL and control rats showed comparable biliary excretion rates of MPAG due to the counter effects of the reduced expression and activity of Mrp2 and a 484% increase in the free fraction of MPAG in HL rats. The estimated biliary clearance value of free MPAG in HL rats was considerably slower (by 77.1%) than that in control rats. Although significant pharmacokinetic changes in total MPA and MPAG levels were not observed in HL rats, there was a marked increase in free MPA and MPAG levels. Clinically relevant pharmacokinetic changes in subjects with HL that are related to MRP2 could not be ruled out. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship between Education Expenditure, Capital, Labor Force and Economic Growth in Malaysia

Educational institutions play important role in producing highly educated communities. Investment in education an opportunities expansion to obtain higher education has become main economic development agenda in many countries, including Malaysia. Therefore, this study is conducted to examine the relationship between government expenditure and economic growth from 1970 to 2013. By using Cobb-Douglas Production Function in developing Multiple Regression Linear Model, the results show a significant and positive relationship between education expenditure and Malaysian economic growth. The findings further suggest that capital and labor force also influence economic growth in the long run.
The proteome of chicken skeletal muscle: Changes in soluble protein expression during growth in a layer strain

The whole animal, and the pectoralis muscle in particular, grows at a greatly enhanced rate in chickens selected for meat production (broilers) when compared to those selected for egg production (layers). As part of an ongoing study to analyse muscle protein dynamics under conditions of rapid growth, we have embarked upon a preliminary characterisation of the proteome of layer chicken pectoralis muscle, at specified time‐points from 1 to 27 days after hatching. Soluble extracts of muscle homogenates were separated by two‐dimensional (2‐D) gel electrophoresis and selected spots were analysed by in‐gel tryptic digestion and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry. Of 90 spots, 51 gave mass spectra that matched to existing chicken proteins present in on‐line databases, 12 matched equivalent proteins from non‐avian species and 11 yielded good quality spectra but were unable to be matched against existing databases. For many of these proteins, growth over 27 days elicited dramatic changes in relative expression levels. Chicken skeletal muscle offers an excellent system for developmental proteomics.
BHK cell proteins that bind to the 3' stem-loop structure of the West Nile virus genome RNA

The first 83 3' nucleotides of the genome RNA of the flavivirus West Nile encephalitis virus (WNV) form a stable stem-loop (SL) structure which is followed in the genome by a smaller SL. These 3' structures are highly conserved among divergent flaviviruses, suggesting that they may function as cis-acting signals for RNA replication and as such might specifically bind to cellular or viral proteins. Cellular proteins from uninfected and WNV-infected BHK-21 S100 cytoplasmic extracts formed three distinct complexes with the WNV plus-strand 3' SL [(+)3'SL] RNA in a gel mobility shift assay. Subsequent competitor gel shift analyses showed that two of these RNA-protein complexes, complexes 1 and 2, contained cell proteins that specifically bound to the WNV (+)3'SL RNA. UV-induced cross-linking and Northwestern blotting analyses detected WNV (+)3'SL RNA-binding proteins of 56, 84, and 105 kDa. When the S100 cytoplasmic extracts were partially purified by ion-exchange chromatography, a complex that comigrated with complex 1 was detected in fraction 19, while a complex that comigrated with complex 2 was detected in fraction 17. UV-induced cross-linking experiments indicated that an 84-kDa cell protein in fraction 17 and a 105-kDa protein in fraction 19 bound specifically to the WNV (+)3'SL RNA. In addition to binding to the (+)3'SL RNA, the 105-kDa protein bound to the SL structure located at the 3' end of the WNV minus-strand RNA. Initial mapping studies indicated that the 84- and 105-kDa proteins bind to different regions of the (+)3'SL RNA. The 3'-terminal SL RNA of another flavivirus, dengue virus type 3, specifically competed with the WNV (+)3'SL RNA in gel shift assays, suggesting that the host proteins identified in this study are flavivirus specific.
Decreased Epithelial Cytokine Responses in the Duodenal Mucosa of Helicobacter pylori-Infected Duodenal Ulcer Patients

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori colonizes the human stomach and areas of gastric metaplasia in the duodenum, but only a minority of those that are infected develop symptoms, e.g., peptic ulcers. Although most ulcers occur in the duodenum, almost all studies of mucosal immune responses against the infection have been limited to responses in the stomach. In the present study we evaluated whether there are differences in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines as well as immunoregulatory cytokines in the duodenal mucosa of duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and asymptomatic (AS) carriers which may be related to the development of duodenal ulcers. Duodenal biopsy specimens collected from normal mucosa as well as metaplastic mucosa of DU patients, AS carriers, and uninfected controls were analyzed for a number of cytokines by immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, the level of epithelial staining for several cytokines, e.g., interleukin-8 (IL-8), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and gamma interferon (IFN-γ), was found to be significantly lower in DU patients than in AS carriers and uninfected individuals. No differences were observed when cytokine staining in normal and metaplastic biopsy specimens was compared. However, larger numbers of IL-8-, IL-6-, TGF-β-, and IFN-γ-positive mononuclear cells were observed in the duodenal lamina propria of both DU patients and AS carriers than in that of the uninfected controls. Our finding that a number of cytokines that may be important for the mucosal host defense against H. pylori are strongly decreased in the duodenal epithelium of ulcer patients suggests that a down-regulated immune response plays a role in the development of duodenal ulcers.
Nitric oxide improves membrane fluidity of erythrocytes in essential hypertension: An electron paramagnetic resonance investigation.

It has been shown that rheological abnormality might be an etiological factor in hypertension. Recent studies have revealed that human erythrocytes possess a nitric oxide (NO) synthase and that this activation might be involved in the regulation of rheological properties of erythrocytes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of NO in the regulation of membrane functions of erythrocytes in patients with essential hypertension by means of an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin-labeling method. The NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) decreased the order parameter (S) for 5-nitroxide stearate (5-NS) and the peak height ratio (h(0)/h(-1)) for 16-NS obtained from EPR spectra of erythrocyte membranes in a dose-dependent manner. The finding indicated that the NO donor increased the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes. In addition, the effect of SNAP was significantly potentiated by 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate. By contrast, the change of the fluidity induced by SNAP was reversed in the presence of L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester and asymmetric dimethyl L-arginine. In patients with essential hypertension, the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes was significantly lower than in the normotensive subjects. The effect of SNAP was more pronounced in essential hypertension than in normotensive subjects. These results showed that NO increased the membrane fluidity and decreased the rigidity of cell membranes. Furthermore, the greater effect of NO on the fluidity in essential hypertension suggests that NO might actively participate in the regulation of rheological behavior of erythrocytes and have a crucial role in the improvement of microcirculation in hypertension.