Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Divalent Cations Regulate Connexin Hemichannels by Modulating Intrinsic Voltage-dependent Gating

Connexin hemichannels are robustly regulated by voltage and divalent cations. The basis of voltage-dependent gating, however, has been questioned with reports that it is not intrinsic to hemichannels, but rather is derived from divalent cations acting as gating particles that block the pore in a voltage-dependent manner. Previously, we showed that connexin hemichannels possess two types of voltage-dependent gating, termed Vj and loop gating, that in Cx46 operate at opposite voltage polarities, positive and negative, respectively. Using recordings of single Cx46 hemichannels, we found both forms of gating persist in solutions containing no added Mg2+ and EGTA to chelate Ca2+. Although loop gating persists, it is significantly modulated by changing levels of extracellular divalent cations. When extracellular divalent cation concentrations are low, large hyperpolarizing voltages, exceeding −100 mV, could still drive Cx46 hemichannels toward closure. However, gating is characterized by continuous flickering of the unitary current interrupted by occasional, brief sojourns to a quiet closed state. Addition of extracellular divalent cations, in this case Mg2+, results in long-lived residence in a quiet closed state, suggesting that hyperpolarization drives the hemichannel to close, perhaps by initiating movements in the extracellular loops, and that divalent cations stabilize the fully closed conformation. Using excised patches, we found that divalent cations are only effective from the extracellular side, indicative that the binding site is not cytoplasmic or in the pore, but rather extracellular. Vj gating remains essentially unaffected by changing levels of extracellular divalent cations. Thus, we demonstrate that both forms of voltage dependence are intrinsic gating mechanisms in Cx46 hemichannels and that the action of external divalent cations is to selectively modulate loop gating.
Application of combining classifiers for text-independent speaker identification

Speaker recognition systems usually need a feature extraction stage witch aims at obtaining the best signal representation. States of the art, speaker identification systems are based on a cepstral feature extraction follow by an individual classifier or a hybrid classifier. Nowadays, an alternative approach consists in fusing different features or different classifiers are increasingly used. In this paper, different features are defined. Each feature is modeled using the gaussian mixture model and construct a speakers' models dictionary. These dictionaries are used by the multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifier, the support vector machines (SVM) classifier and the decision trees (DT) classifier for matching and the scores (outputs) of all classifiers are then considered for combination. Results indicate that the use of combining classifiers with different features is an effective way to attack the problem of text-independent speaker identification.
Description of Caurinus tlagu, new species, from Prince of Wales Island, Alaska (Mecoptera, Boreidae, Caurininae)

Abstract A new species of the cryptic, minute, wingless, and enigmatic taxon Caurinus, and the second for the subfamily Caurininae,is described from Prince of Wales Island in the Alexander Archipelago, Alaska. It is distinguished from its only congener, Caurinus dectes Russell, 1979b, which occurs 1,059 km southeast in Oregon and Washington, based on external morphology and sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase II. These two species are probably evolutionary relicts – the only known members of a clade dating to the Late Jurassic or older.
A General Framework for Multiparty Computations

When performing secure multiparty computation, tasks may often be simple or difficult depending on the representation chosen. Hence, being able to switch representation efficiently may allow more efficient protocols. We present a new protocol for bit-decomposition: converting a ring element x is an element of Z(M) to its binary representation, (x)((log M)-1), . , x(0). The protocol can be based on arbitrary secure arithmetic in Z(M); this is achievable for Shamir shared values as well as (threshold) Paillier encrypted ones, implying solutions for both these popular MPC primitives. For additively homomorphic primitives (which is typical, and the case for both examples) the solution is constant-rounds and requires only O(log M) secure ring multiplications. The solution is secure against active adversaries assuming the existence of additional primitives. These exist for both the Shamir sharing based approach as well as the Paillier based one.
Integrality Gaps for Strong SDP Relaxations of UNIQUE GAMES

With the work of Khot and Vishnoi (FOCS 2005) as a starting point, we obtain integrality gaps for certain strong SDP relaxations of unique games. Specifically, we exhibit a gap instance for the basic semidefinite program strengthened by all valid linear inequalities on the inner products of up to $\exp(\Omega(\log\log~n)^{1/4})$ vectors. For stronger relaxations obtained from the basic semidefinite program by $R$ rounds of Sherali--Adams lift-and-project, we prove a unique games integrality gap for $R = \Omega(\log\log~n)^{1/4}$. By composing these SDP gaps with UGC-hardness reductions, the above results imply corresponding integrality gaps for every problem for which a UGC-based hardness is known. Consequently, this work implies that including any valid constraints on up to$\exp(\Omega(\log\log~n)^{1/4})$ vectors to natural semidefinite program, does not improve the approximation ratio for any problem in the following classes: constraint satisfaction problems, ordering constraint satisfaction problems and metric labeling problems over constant-size metrics. We obtain similar SDP integrality gaps for balanced separator, building on Devanur et al. (STOC 2006). We also exhibit, for explicit constants $\gamma, \delta ≫ 0$, an n-point negative-type metric which requires distortion $\Omega(\log\log n)^{\gamma}$ to embed into$\ell_1$, although all its subsets of size$\exp(\Omega(\log\log~n)^{\delta})$ embed isometrically into $\ell_1$.
Metaphors of a conflicted self in the journals of Sylvia Plath

This paper presents some of the results of a study that aims to investigate how mental states can be conveyed linguistically in texts of a personal nature. Figurative language, in particular metaphor and metonymy, are generally understood to play an important role in the expression of such complex phenomena (Lakoff and Johnson, 1999; Kovecses, 2000; Meier and Robinson, 2005). The study therefore looks at the metaphors used to convey mental states in the Smith Journal of ‘The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath’. Mental state here refers to various aspects of cognitive functioning, but the focus, in particular, is on mental states of affect i.e. those mental states that are intrinsically valenced (Ortony and Turner, 1990). Sylvia Plath’s journal provides particularly rich data due to the writer’s linguistic creativity and documented mental health issues, the experience of which she continually explores. Specifically then, this paper focuses on metaphors of motion (or lack thereof) and so called split self metaphors. Both manual intensive analysis and automated corpus methodologies are employed in the investigation: the Wmatrix corpus tool (Rayson, 2009) is used to identify semantic fields that are potential source and target domains in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of metaphor use. In depth analysis is then conducted manually on a sample of journal entries. The MIP procedure (Pragglejaz, 2007) is used for metaphor identification, and interpretations draw on research in other fields, especially psychology, on representations of affect. Metaphors of mental state are analyzed in terms of their implications for conveying a sense of intensity, valency and creativity.
Magnetic biosensor system to detect biological targets

Magneto-resistive sensors in combination with magnetic beads provide sensing platforms, which are small in size and highly sensitive. These platforms can be fully integrated with microchannels and electronics to enable devices capable of performing complex tasks. Commonly, a “sandwich” method is used that requires a specific coating of the sensor's surface to immobilize magnetic beads and biological targets on top of the sensor. This paper concerns a micro device to detect biological targets using magnetic concentration, magnetic as well as mechanical trapping and magnetic sensing. Target detection is based on the size difference between bare magnetic beads and magnetic beads with targets attached. This method remedies the need for a coating layer and reduces the number of steps required to run an experiment.
Exploiting Graph Properties of Game Trees

The state space of most adversary games is a directed graph. However, due to the success of simple recursive algorithms based on Alpha-Beta, theoreticians and practitioners have concentrated on the traversal of trees, giving the field the name "game-tree search. " This paper shows that the focus on trees has obscured some important properties of the underlying graphs. One of the hallmarks of the field of game-tree search has been the notion of the minimal tree, the smallest tree that has to be searched by any algorithm to find the minimax value. In fact, for most games it is a directed graph. As demonstrated in chess and checkers, we show that the minimal graph is significantly smaller than previously thought. proving that there is more room for improvement of current algorithms. We exploit the graph properties of the search space to reduce the size of trees built in practice by at least 25%. For over a decade, fixed-depth Alpha-Beta searching has been considered a closed subject, with research moving on to more application-dependent techniques. This work opens up new avenues of research for further application-independent improvements.
Ground-Water Model Testing : Systematic Evaluation and Testing of Code Functionality and Performance

Effective use of ground-water simulation codes as management decision tools requires the establishment of their functionality, performance characteristics, and applicability to the problems at hand. This is accomplished through systematic code-testing protocol and code selection strategy. The protocol contains two main elements: functionality analysis and performance evaluation. Functionality analysis is the description and measurement of the capabilities of a simulation code; performance evaluation concerns the appraisal of a code’s operational characteristics (e.g., computational accuracy and efficiency, sensitivity for problem design and parameter selection, and reproducibility). Testing of qround-water simulation codes may take the form of (1) benchmarking with known, independently derived analytical solutions; (2) intracomparison using different code functions inciting the same system responses; (3) intercomparison with comparable simulation codes; or (4) comparison with field or laboratory experiments. The results of the various tests are analyzed using standardized statistical and graphical techniques to identify performance strengths and weaknesses of code and testing procedures. The protocol is demonstrated and evaluated using a three-dimensional finite difference flow and solute transport simulation code, FTWORK. This Project Summary was developed by EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory’s Subsurface Protection and Remediation Division, Ada, OK, to announce key findings of the research project that is fully documented in a separate report of the same title (see Project Report ordering information at back).
Precoding Vector Distribution under Spatial Correlated Channel and Nonuniform Codebook Design

In this paper, influence of spatial correlation on codebook-based precoding technology is analyzed. Optimum pre- coder distribution under spatial correlated channel is achieved at first, which is no longer isotropical on the unitary matrix (vector) set. Selection probability of the matrix (vector) in codebook is not uniform too. Then, a novel codebook design is presented for spatial correlated channel, which is termed as nonuniform codebook. Codebook is designed as function of spatial correlation characteristic of channel and presents a nonuniform quantization of unitary vector set. Smaller quantization error and higher spectral efficiency can be achieved by proposed codebook design than that of traditional fixed uniform codebook design, with the cost of slight feedback overhead increasing.
mib at SemEval-2016 Task 4a: Exploiting lexicon based features for Sentiment Analysis in Twitter

This work presents our team solution for task 4a (Message Polarity Classification) at the SemEval 2016 challenge. Our experiments have been carried out over the Twitter dataset provided by the challenge. We follow a supervised approach, exploiting a SVM polynomial kernel classifier trained with the challenge data. The classifier takes as input advanced NLP features. This paper details the features and discusses the achieved results.
Fast Unsupervised Dependency Parsing with Arc-Standard Transitions

Unsupervised dependency parsing is one of the most challenging tasks in natural languages processing. The task involves finding the best possible dependency trees from raw sentences without getting any aid from annotated data. In this paper, we illustrate that by applying a supervised incremental parsing model to unsupervised parsing; parsing with a linear time complexity will be faster than the other methods. With only 15 training iterations with linear time complexity, we gain results comparable to those of other state of the art methods. By employing two simple universal linguistic rules inspired from the classical dependency grammar, we improve the results in some languages and get the state of the art results. We also test our model on a part of the ongoing Persian dependency treebank. This work is the first work done on the Persian language.
CmMYB19 Over-Expression Improves Aphid Tolerance in Chrysanthemum by Promoting Lignin Synthesis

The gene encoding the MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis vira l oncogene homolog) transcription factor CmMYB19 was isolated from chrysanthemum. It encodes a 200 amino acid protein and belongs to the R2R3-MYB subfamily. CmMYB19 was not transcriptionally activated in yeast, while a transient expression experiment conducted in onion epidermal cells suggested that the CmMYB19 product localized to the nucleus. CmMYB19 transcription was induced by aphid (Macrosiphoniella sanborni) infestation, and the abundance of transcript was higher in the leaf and stem than in the root. The over-expression of CmMYB19 restricted the multiplication of the aphids. A comparison of transcript abundance of the major genes involved in lignin synthesis showed that CmPAL1 (phenylalanine ammonia lyase 1), CmC4H (cinnamate4 hydroxylase), Cm4CL1 (4-hydroxy cinnamoyl CoA ligase 1), CmHCT (hydroxycinnamoyl CoA-shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase), CmC3H1 (coumarate3 hydroxylase1), CmCCoAOMT1 (caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase 1) and CmCCR1 (cinnamyl CoA reductase1) were all upregulated, in agreement with an increase in lignin content in CmMYB19 over-expressing plants. Collectively, the over-expression of CmMYB19 restricted the multiplication of the aphids on the host, mediated by an enhanced accumulation of lignin.
Proinflammatory Bacterial Wall Components Acid and Modulates Cellular Response to Extracellular Gelsolin Binds Lipoteichoic

Namiot, Thomas Hartung and Paul A. JanmeyMargaret E. McCormick, Wieslaw Drozdowski, Zbigniew Robert Bucki, Fitzroy J. Byfield, Alina Kulakowska,http://www.jimmunol.org/content/181/7/4936J Immunol€2008; 181:4936-4944; ;Referenceshttp://www.jimmunol.org/content/181/7/4936.full#ref-list-1This article cites 59 articles, 22 of which you can access for free at: Subscriptionshttp://jimmunol.org/subscriptionsInformation about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: Permissionshttp://www.aai. org/ji/copyright.htmlSubmit copyright permission requests at: Email Alertshttp://jimmunol.org/cgi/alerts/etocReceive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at:
Coupling of Cardiac Electrical Activity Over Extended Distances by Fibroblasts of Cardiac Origin

Abstract— Roughly half of the cells of the heart consist of nonmyocardial cells, with fibroblasts representing the predominant cell type. It is well established that individual cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts in culture establish gap junctional communication at the single cell level (short-range interaction). However, it is not known whether such coupling permits activation of cardiac tissue over extended distances (long-range interaction). Long-range interactions may be responsible for electrical synchronization of donor and recipient tissue after heart transplantation and may play a role in arrhythmogenesis. This question was investigated using a novel heterocellular culture model with strands of cardiomyocytes interrupted by cardiac fibroblasts over defined distances. With use of optical recording techniques, it could be shown that impulse propagation along fibroblast inserts was successful over distances up to 300 &mgr;m and was characterized by length-dependent local propagation delays ranging from 11 to 68 ms (apparent local “conduction velocities” 4.6±1.8 mm/s, n=23). Involvement of mechanical stretch in this phenomenon was excluded by showing that inserts consisting of communication-deficient HeLa cells were incapable of supporting propagation. In contrast, HeLa cells expressing connexin43 permitted impulse conduction over distances as long as 600 &mgr;m. Immunocytochemistry showed that fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes expressed connexin43 and connexin45, whereas connexin40 was absent. These results illustrate that fibroblasts of cardiac origin are capable of synchronizing electrical activity of multicellular cardiac tissue over extended distances through electrotonic interactions. This synchronization is accompanied by extremely large local conduction delays, which might contribute to the generation of arrhythmias in fibrotic hearts.
Faults and Non‐Double‐Couple Components for Induced Earthquakes

Focal mechanisms of induced earthquakes reflect anthropogenic contributions to preexisting geological features and fault slippages. In this paper, we examine fault‐related (double‐couple (DC)) and possibly fluid‐related (non‐double‐couple (non‐DC)) mechanisms of induced earthquakes (M2–6) at regional scales. We systematically compare well‐resolved focal mechanisms of 33 events in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, among which 12 were induced by hydraulic fracturing and one by secondary recovery. Most of the seismicity is dominated by strike‐slip/thrust faulting regimes, whereas limited (but consistent) non‐DC components are obtained from injection‐induced seismicity in central Alberta. We interpret the persistent compensated‐linear‐vector‐dipole components (M2.1–3.8) as reflecting fracture growth and/or noncoplanar faults slippages during hydraulic‐fracturing stimulations. We further expand the moment tensor decomposition analysis to four representative classes of induced seismicity globally and find that the overall contribution of non‐DC components is comparable between induced and tectonic earthquakes.
Organization of left–right coordination of neuronal activity in the mammalian spinal cord: Insights from computational modelling

Coordination of neuronal activity between left and right sides of the mammalian spinal cord is provided by several sets of commissural interneurons (CINs) whose axons cross the midline. Genetically identified inhibitory V0D and excitatory V0V CINs and ipsilaterally projecting excitatory V2a interneurons were shown to secure left–right alternation at different locomotor speeds. We have developed computational models of neuronal circuits in the spinal cord that include left and right rhythm‐generating centres interacting bilaterally via three parallel pathways mediated by V0D, V2a–V0V and V3 neuron populations. The models reproduce the experimentally observed speed‐dependent left–right coordination in normal mice and the changes in coordination seen in mutants lacking specific neuron classes. The models propose an explanation for several experimental results and provide insights into the organization of the spinal locomotor network and parallel CIN pathways involved in gait control at different locomotor speeds.
Locus-specific control of DNA resection and suppression of subtelomeric VSG recombination by HAT3 in the African trypanosome

The African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei, is a parasitic protozoan that achieves antigenic variation through DNA-repair processes involving Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) gene rearrangements at subtelomeres. Subtelomeric suppression of DNA repair operates in eukaryotes but little is known about these controls in trypanosomes. Here, we identify a trypanosome histone acetyltransferase (HAT3) and a deacetylase (SIR2rp1) required for efficient RAD51-dependent homologous recombination. HAT3 and SIR2rp1 were required for RAD51-focus assembly and disassembly, respectively, at a chromosome-internal locus and a synthetic defect indicated distinct contributions to DNA repair. Although HAT3 promoted chromosome-internal recombination, it suppressed subtelomeric VSG recombination, and these locus-specific effects were mediated through differential production of ssDNA by DNA resection; HAT3 promoted chromosome-internal resection but suppressed subtelomeric resection. Consistent with the resection defect, HAT3 was specifically required for the G2-checkpoint response at a chromosome-internal locus. HAT3 also promoted resection at a second chromosome-internal locus comprising tandem-duplicated genes. We conclude that HAT3 and SIR2rp1 can facilitate temporally distinct steps in DNA repair. HAT3 promotes ssDNA formation and recombination at chromosome-internal sites but has the opposite effect at a subtelomeric VSG. These locus-specific controls reveal compartmentalization of the T. brucei genome in terms of the DNA-damage response and suppression of antigenic variation by HAT3.