Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrocyanines: a class of fluorescent sensors that can image reactive oxygen species in cell culture, tissue, and in vivo.

The development of fluorescent probes for superoxide and the hydroxyl radical is a central problem in the field of chemical biology. [1] Superoxide and the hydroxyl radical play a significant role in a variety of inflammatory diseases, and probes that can detect these reactive oxygen species (ROS) have tremendous potential as medical diagnostics and research tools. [2–6] Fluorescent sensors for superoxide and the hydroxyl radical, such as dihydroethidium (DHE), have been developed; however, they have had limited applicability because of their spontaneous autoxidation, rapid photo-bleaching, low emission wavelengths, and multiple reaction products with ROS. [7] New chemical probes for superoxide and the hydroxyl radical are therefore greatly needed. Herein, we present a new family of fluorescent ROS sensors, termed the hydrocyanines, which can be synthesized in one step from the commercially available cyanine dyes and can detect superoxide and the hydroxyl radical in living cells, tissue samples, and for the first time in vivo. We anticipate widespread interest in the hydrocyanines given their physical/ chemical characteristics and ease of synthesis. The synthesis of and mechanism by which hydrocyanines image ROS are shown in Figure 1 a. The hydrocyanines are synthesized by reducing the iminium cations of the cyanine dyes with NaBH 4. Hydrocyanines detect ROS through fluorescent imaging; they are weakly fluorescent because of their disrupted p conjugation; however, oxidation with either superoxide or the hydroxyl radical dramatically increases their fluorescence by regenerating their extended p conjugation. Figure 1 b demonstrates the proof of principle of this methodology. Hydro-IR-676 has minimal fluorescence; however , oxidation with superoxide causes a 100-fold increase in its fluorescence intensity. The cyanine dyes comprise a family of approximately 40 dyes, [8–9] and the reduction methodology presented in Figure 1 a was used to synthesize several new fluorescent ROS sensors, which have the physical and chemical properties needed to detect intracellular and extracellular ROS, both in vitro and in vivo. For example, five new ROS sensors, termed hydro-Cy3, hydro-Cy5, hydro-Cy7, hydro-IR-783, and hydro-ICG, were synthesized by reduction with NaBH 4 (Table 1). These molecules have negligible fluorescence, as a result of reduction of their iminium cations; however, after reaction with either super-oxide or the hydroxyl radical, they fluoresce at 560, 660, 760, 800, and 830 nm, respectively (see Table 1 and the Supporting Information for details). Hydro-Cy3, hydro-Cy5, hydro-IR-676, and hydro-Cy7 have the physical properties needed to detect intracellular ROS, in that they are initially membrane-permeable …
SELFIS : A Short Tutorial

• Autocorrelation Function (ACF): Autocorrelation is a statistical measure of the relationship, if any, between a random variable and itself, at different time lags. The autocorrelation coefficient can range between +1 (very high positive correlation) and -1 (very high negative correlation). The Autocorrelation function (ACF) shows the value of the autocorrelation coefficient for different time lags k:
A Computational Model of the Short-Cut Rule for 2D Shape Decomposition

We propose a new 2D shape decomposition method based on the short-cut rule. The short-cut rule originates from cognition research, and states that the human visual system prefers to partition an object into parts using the shortest possible cuts. We propose and implement a computational model for the short-cut rule and apply it to the problem of shape decomposition. The model we proposed generates a set of cut hypotheses passing through the points on the silhouette, which represent the negative minima of curvature. We then show that most part-cut hypotheses can be eliminated by analysis of local properties of each. Finally, the remaining hypotheses are evaluated in ascending length order, which guarantees that of any pair of conflicting cuts only the shortest will be accepted. We demonstrate that, compared with state-of-the-art shape decomposition methods, the proposed approach achieves decomposition results, which better correspond to human intuition as revealed in psychological experiments.
Towards Automated Dynamic Analysis for Linux-based Embedded Firmware

Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) network-enabled embedded devices are usually controlled by vendor firmware to perform integral functions in our daily lives. For example, wireless home routers are often the first and only line of defense that separates a home user’s personal computing and information devices from the Internet. Such a vital and privileged position in the user’s network requires that these devices operate securely. Unfortunately, recent research and anecdotal evidence suggest that such security assumptions are not at all upheld by the devices deployed around the world. A first step to assess the security of such embedded device firmware is the accurate identification of vulnerabilities. However, the market offers a large variety of these embedded devices, which severely impacts the scalability of existing approaches in this area. In this paper, we present FIRMADYNE, the first automated dynamic analysis system that specifically targets Linuxbased firmware on network-connected COTS devices in a scalable manner. We identify a series of challenges inherent to the dynamic analysis of COTS firmware, and discuss how our design decisions address them. At its core, FIRMADYNE relies on software-based full system emulation with an instrumented kernel to achieve the scalability necessary to analyze thousands of firmware binaries automatically. We evaluate FIRMADYNE on a real-world dataset of 23,035 firmware images across 42 device vendors gathered by our system. Using a sample of 74 exploits on the 9,486 firmware images that our system can successfully extract, we discover that 887 firmware images spanning at least 89 distinct products are vulnerable to one or more of the sampled exploit(s). This includes 14 previouslyunknown vulnerabilities that were discovered with the aid of our framework, which affect 69 firmware images spanning at least 12 distinct products. Furthermore, our results show that 11 of our tested attacks affect firmware images from more than one vendor, suggesting that code-sharing and common upstream manufacturers (OEMs) are quite prevalent. Note: This version has been corrected to eliminate false positives from SNMP exploit data discovered post-publication.
Multiple alleles at a single locus control seed dormancy in Swedish Arabidopsis

Seed dormancy is a complex life history trait that determines the timing of germination and is crucial for local adaptation. Genetic studies of dormancy are challenging, because the trait is highly plastic and strongly influenced by the maternal environment. Using a combination of statistical and experimental approaches, we show that multiple alleles at the previously identified dormancy locus DELAY OF GERMINATION1 jointly explain as much as 57% of the variation observed in Swedish Arabidopsis thaliana, but give rise to spurious associations that seriously mislead genome-wide association studies unless modeled correctly. Field experiments confirm that the major alleles affect germination as well as survival under natural conditions, and demonstrate that locally adaptive traits can sometimes be dissected genetically. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.22502. 001
Management of Overweight during Childhood: A Focus Group Study on Health Professionals' Experiences in General Practice

Background. Because of the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood in the Western world, focus on the management in general practice has also increased. Objective. To explore the experiences of general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses participating in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing two management programmes in general practice for children who are overweight or obese. Methods. Three focus groups with GPs and nurses participating in the RCT. Transcribed data were analysed using systematic text condensation followed by thematic analysis. Results. Health professionals considered it their responsibility to offer a management programme to overweight children. They recognised that management of overweight during childhood was a complex task that required an evidence-based strategy with the possibility of supervision. Health professionals experienced a barrier to addressing overweight in children. However, increasing awareness of obesity in childhood and its consequences in society was considered helpful to reach an understanding of the articulations concerning how best to address the issue. Conclusions. Health professionals in general practice recognised that they have a special obligation, capacity, and role in the management of obesity in childhood. Implementation of future management programmes must address existing barriers beyond an evidence-based standardised strategy.
Environmental Stressors and the Neuroendocrine Stress Response in Zebrafish: Consequences and Cytoprotective Mechanisms

Environmental Stressors and the Neuroendocrine Stress Response in Zebrafish: Consequences and Cytoprotective Mechanisms Tegan Andrew Williams Advisor: University of Guelph, 2017 Professor N.J. Bernier This thesis focuses on the effects of environmental stressors during early life development and the impact of these stressors on the function of the neuroendocrine stress response. Additionally, this thesis describes novel cytoprotective functions of CRF-peptides, using zebrafish as a model. Larvae exposed to high environmental ammonia (HEA) had elevated cortisol levels and increased expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system components, key effectors of the neuroendocrine stress response. Tolerance to HEA decreased markedly during embryonic development and early life HEA exposure increased ammonia tolerance in later life. While early life HEA has little impact on the cortisol stress response to a repeat HEA exposure, it abolished a later life stress response to a novel vortex stressor. In addition to their key role in stress signaling, CRF-related peptides are cytoprotective in certain tissues of other species. To test if this function is present in zebrafish during development, I examined the neurotoxic effects of HEA on constituents of the CNS in developing zebrafish and used ammonia neurotoxicity to evaluate the cytoprotective effects of CRF. Pre-treatment with CRF reversed the inhibitory effects of HEA exposure on the expression of the neuronal marker NeuroD in vivo, and prevented HEA-induced cell death in intact ex vivo larval brains. Finally, I provided novel evidence for the expression of all members of the CRF system in the zebrafish heart, that cardiac CRF and urocortin 3 gene expression are hypoxia-responsive, and that both peptides are cardioprotective against a hypoxic challenge. Together these findings expand our understanding of the early life effects of stressors on the neuroendocrine stress response and implies that HEA exposure can lead to sustained deficits in stress sensing in later life. Moreover, the protective effects of CRF-related peptides against HEA and hypoxia illustrate that cytoprotection is a strongly conserved feature of the CRF system among vertebrates and point to a broader role for the CRF system in the physiological homeostatic mechanisms against environmental stressors in fish.
Impaired Bidirectional Synaptic Plasticity and Procedural Memory Formation in Striatum-Specific cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein-Deficient Mice

The striatum has a well documented role in procedural learning and memory. However, the synaptic and molecular mechanisms of acquisition and storage of this form of memory remain poorly understood. We examined procedural memory and plasticity in transgenic mice reversibly expressing a dominant-negative cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) mutant in the dorsal striatum. In these transgenic mice, corticostriatal long-term potentiation and depression are abolished, indicating that CREB function is essential for bidirectional long-term synaptic plasticity in this structure. Importantly, CREB-deficient animals show reversible alterations in several forms of striatum-dependent memory, including footshock avoidance learning and “response” learning in the cross maze. These findings implicate transcriptional regulation by CREB family transcription factors in striatum-dependent information processing and provide the first clear correlation between procedural learning and memory and synaptic plasticity at the corticostriatal synapse.
Decongestive lymphatic therapy for patients with breast carcinoma‐associated lymphedema

Disruption of the lymphatic circulation through breast carcinoma‐associated axillary lymph node dissection, with or without radiation therapy, reportedly is the most common cause of lymphedema in developed countries. There is no cure for breast carcinoma‐associated lymphedema. Although intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) has been acknowledged as a potential component of the multidisciplinary therapeutic strategy in the treatment of patients with breast carcinoma‐associated lymphedema, prospective study of its adjunctive safety and efficacy is required.
Analysis of USB Flash Drives in a Virtual Environment

A selective call receiver (100) comprises means for receiving messages (104) and memory means (108) for storing the received messages. Displaying means (130) for displaying the stored messages and a predetermined number of indicators (212) representative of a corresponding predetermined number of stored messages. Means for activating (306) the indicators in a predetermined sequence of activated indicators (210) on the displaying means (130) when the received messages are stored. Means (306) wherein the activating means (306) responds to the deleting means by deactivating the indicator associated with the stored message being deleted resulting in a gap (218) being displayed in the sequence of activated indicators (210) at the position occupied by the deactivated indicator. Means for repositioning (310) the sequence of activated indicators being displayed (210) to eliminate the gap (218) in the sequence of activated indicators (210) while maintaining the positional relationship of the activated indicators being displayed (210).
Towards quantitative analysis of data intensive computing: a case study of Hadoop

In modern data centers, Hadoop has been widely used in perform data-intensive computation. Administrators of large scale hadoop clusters leverage statistical data collected at runtime to measure the efficiency of the cluster utilization. In this paper, we propose three statistical metrics - data locality ratio, load balance coefficient and access balance coefficient to quantify performance losses in data intensive applications. We evaluated our metrics using a large scale web click stream application running on a productive hadoop cluster at Tencent Inc.
The Effects of Prompt Condition and Genre on the Writing Performance of Students in 3rd and 5th Grade

Title of Document: THE EFFECTS OF PROMPT CONDITION AND GENRE ON THE WRITING PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN 3 AND 5 GRADE. Kelly Marie Worland, Doctor of Philosophy, 2014 Directed By: Associate Professor Susan De La Paz Department of Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education Research on writing at the elementary level has shown that prior knowledge and task environment can have a significant effect on writing performance. In addition, there is preliminary evidence that suggests that children’s development in writing may vary by genre favoring the narrative over expository genres (e.g., Olinghouse & Wilson, 2011; and Camp, 1993). One way to mitigate the effects of prior knowledge on topic and genre is through varying prompting conditions. The new Common Core writing assessment context requires students to write in response to texts read. To date, however, there are no studies that simultaneously examine the effects of genre and prompt condition in the elementary grades. This study examines the effect of two prompting conditions (supported and unsupported) on students’ writing performance in multiple genres (narrative, persuasive and informational report) in order to assess the potential impact of the read aloud accommodation on these new types of writing assessments along with the effect of genre simultaneously. Findings show that at the 3 grade level, students write best in the informational report genre over the narrative and persuasive genre, and that the read aloud accommodation positively affects writing quality. At the 5 grade level, the read aloud accommodation does not have a significant effect on writing quality. Based on the findings above, there are a number of implications for current testing policy and instruction. First, features of the prompt condition such as providing a common text, and audience and genre cues resulted in higher style, organization, conventions and mechanic scores for the informational report genre in the younger grades. This contradicts earlier findings that suggest at the elementary level, the narrative genre is more accessible. Accordingly, an effort should be made by test-makers and educators to provide students with these beneficial supports when designing tests and assignments particularly for expository genres. Second, given the observed benefit of the read aloud accommodation for students in the younger grades, test makers should consider designing tests that vary the degree of supports students are provided on the read and write response tasks as they progress through the grade levels. THE EFFECTS OF PROMPT CONDITION AND GENRE ON THE WRITING PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN 3 AND 5 GRADE By Kelly Marie Worland Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2014
Digital Compensation of I/Q Imbalance Effects in Space-Time Coded Transmit Diversity Systems

Space-time coded wireless transmission techniques with multiple transmit and receive antennas can provide considerable increases in both the link quality as well as link capacity when compared to ordinary single-antenna techniques. However, multiantenna transmission basically calls for multiple parallel radio implementations, and the resulting link performance is found to be very sensitive to the possible nonidealities of the individual analog radio front-ends. One important practical example is the so-called I/Q imbalance problem related to the amplitude and phase matching of the I/Q branches of the transmitters and receivers. In this paper, we analyze the I/Q imbalance effects in space-time coded transmit diversity system context, in terms of the resulting signal-to-interference ratio as a function of the imbalance properties, assuming the individual transmitter and receiver analog front-ends are based on the so-called direct-conversion radio architecture. The obtained results indicate that the I/Q imbalance effect is fundamentally more challenging in the multiantenna context compared to traditional single-antenna systems. In addition, two digital compensation methods are proposed for combating the resulting signal distortion on the receiver side. The first approach is based on algebraic properties of the derived signal models combined with proper pilot data, while the second one is blind, stemming from the blind signal separation principles. The resulting link-level performance of the proposed algorithms is evaluated using extensive computer simulations. Based on the obtained results, the I/Q imbalance effects can be efficiently compensated using the proposed techniques, the resulting link performance being practically identical to that of the ideal perfectly matched reference case. Furthermore, the proposed methods are also shown to correct for channel estimation errors, in addition to I/Q impairments, and are also reasonably robust against residual carrier offsets.
Extensions to OSPF to Support Mobile Ad Hoc Networking

This document describes extensions to OSPF to support mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). The extensions, called OSPF-OR (OSPF-Overlapping Relay), include mechanisms for link-local signaling (LLS), an OSPF- MANET interface, a simple technique to reduce the size of Hello packets by only transmitting incremental state changes, and a method for optimized flooding of routing updates. OSPF-OR also provides a means to reduce unnecessary adjacencies to support larger MANETs. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Learning prospective pick and place behavior

When interacting with an object, the possible choices of grasping and manipulation operations are often limited by pick-and-place constraints. Traditional planning methods are analytical in nature and require geometric models of parts, fixtures and motions to identify and avoid the constraints. These methods can easily become computationally expensive and are often brittle under model or sensory uncertainty. In contrast, infants do not construct complete models of the objects that they manipulate, but instead appear to incrementally construct models based on interaction with the objects themselves. We propose that robotic pick-and-place operations can be formulated as prospective behavior and that an intelligent agent can use interaction with the environment to learn strategies which accommodate the constraints based on expected future success. We present experiments demonstrating this technique, and compare the strategies utilized by the agent to the behaviors observed in young children when presented with a similar task.
MovieCut — Dynamic object segmentation in image sequences

Object segmentation in videos or image sequences is a crucial task and has gained more and more attention in the past years, as computer performance is increasing. Segmentation may be carried out in the field of video surveillance with automatic object tracking or as a composing and editing task in the post-production of movies. In the first case a suitable real-time performance is wanted with a drawback in segmentation accuracy, whereas in the latter one accuracy is the most important factor. We will show a new approach for dynamic segmentation and tracking of objects in image sequences that is based upon graph-based segmentation techniques from still image segmentation. Although the current performance of our algorithm is far from being realtime, we think there is enough room left for optimization in our implementation. We demonstrate the usability of our new MovieCut algorithm on some examples and give some hints to improve the overall performance.
Accelerated Assessment of ASR Damage by Nonlinear Ultrasonic Method

A final report submitted to the Infrastructure Technology Institute DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the information presented herein. This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation University Transportation Centers Program, in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof.