Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ensemble Methods of Appropriate Capacity for Multi-Class Support Vector Machines

Roughly speaking, there is one single model of pattern recognition support vector machine (SVM), with variants of lower popularity. On the contrary, among the different multi-class SVMs (M-SVMs) published, none is clearly favoured. Although several comparative studies between M-SVMs and decomposition methods have been reported, no attention had been paid so far to the combination of those models. We investigate the combination of M-SVMs with low capacity linear ensemble methods that estimate the class posterior probabilities.
A privacy-aware trajectory tracking query engine

Advances in telecommunications and GPS sensors technology have made possible the collection of data like time series of locations, related to the movement of individuals. The analysis of this, so-called trajectory data, is beneficial both for the individuals (e.g., through location-based services) and for the community as a whole (e.g., decision support for urban planning or traffic control). However, because of the very nature of this data, strict safeguards must be enforced to ensure the privacy of the individuals, whose movement is recorded. In this paper, we present a privacy-aware trajectory tracking query engine that offers strict guarantees about what can be observed by untrusted third parties. Through the query engine, subscribed users can gain restricted access to an in-house trajectory data warehouse, to perform certain analysis tasks. In addition to regular queries involving non-spatial non-temporal attributes, the engine supports a variety of spatiotemporal queries, including range queries, nearest neighbor queries and queries for aggregate statistics. The query results are augmented with fake trajectory data (dummies) to fulfil the requirements of K-anonymity. Through qualitative analysis, we prove the effectiveness of our approach towards blocking certain types of attacks, while minimally distorting the dataset.
Deep Photometric Stereo on a Sunny Day

Photometric Stereo in outdoor illumination remains a challenging, ill-posed problem. Indeed, it has been shown that the scene structure cannot be recovered unambiguously from the photometric cues alone when it is lit by the sun over the course of a single day. In this paper, we present a CNN-based technique for photometric stereo on a single sunny day. We solve the ambiguity issue by combining photometric cues with prior knowledge on material properties, local surface geometry and the natural variations in outdoor lighting. To train the CNN, we create a dataset of realistic synthetic renders with both diﬀuse and specular materials. Given eight outdoor images taken during a single sunny day, our method robustly estimates the scene surface normals. Our approach does not require precise geolocation to work and signiﬁcantly outperforms several state-of-the-art methods on images with real lighting. This shows that our CNN can combine eﬃciently learned priors and photometric cues available during a single sunny day.
Mechanisms of basolateral Na+ transport in rabbit esophageal epithelial cells.

We examined the mechanisms of cellular Na+ transport, both Cl- dependent and Cl- independent, in the mammalian esophageal epithelium. Rabbit esophageal epithelium was dissected from its muscular layers and mounted in a modified Ussing chamber for impalement with ion-selective microelectrodes. In bicarbonate Ringer, transepithelial potential difference was -14.9 ± 0.9 mV, the transepithelial resistance ( R TE) was 1,879 ± 142 Ω ⋅ cm2, the basolateral membrane potential difference ( V mBL) was -53 ± 1.5 mV, and the intracellular activity of Na+([Formula: see text]) was 24.6 ± 2.1 mM. Removal of Na+ and Cl- from the serosal and luminal baths decreased [Formula: see text] to 6.6 ± 0.6 mM. Readdition of Na+ to the serosal bath in the absence of Cl- increased[Formula: see text] by 21.8 ± 3.0 mM, whereas V mBL and R TE remained unchanged. When serosal Na+ was readded in the presence of amiloride the increase in[Formula: see text] and the rate of Na+ entry were decreased by ∼50%. 5-( N-ethyl- N-isopropyl)amiloride mimicked the effect of amiloride, whereas phenamil did not. Subsequent readdition of Cl- to the serosal bath further increased [Formula: see text] by 4.4 ± 1.9 mM. When the cells were acid loaded by pretreatment with[Formula: see text] in nominally[Formula: see text]-free Ringer, intracellular pH measurements showed a pHi recovery that is dependent on the presence of Na+ in the serosal bath and that can be blocked by amiloride. These data indicate that esophageal epithelial cells possess a Na+-dependent, amiloride-sensitive electroneutral mechanism for Na+entry consistent with the presence of a basolateral Na+/H+ exchanger. The ability of Cl- to further enhance Na+ entry supports the existence of at least one additional Cl--dependent component of basolateral Na+entry.
Exploratory Latent Growth Models in the Structural Equation Modeling Framework

Latent growth modeling is often conducted using a confirmatory approach whereby specific structures of individual change (e.g., linear, quadratic, exponential, etc.) are fit to the observed data, the best fitting model is chosen based on fit statistics and theoretical considerations, and parameters from this model are interpreted. This confirmatory approach is appropriate when a strong theory guides the model fitting process. However, this approach is often also used when there is not a strong theory to guide the model fitting process, which might lead researchers to misrepresent or miss key change characteristics present in their data. We discuss Tuckerized curves (Tucker, 1958, 1966) as an exploratory way of modeling change processes based on principal components analysis and propose an exploratory approach to latent growth modeling whereby minimal constraints are imposed on the structure of within-person change. These methods are applied to longitudinal data on cortisol response during a controlled experimental manipulation and height changes from early childhood through adulthood collected from 2 different studies. We highlight the additional insights gained, some of the benefits, limitations, and potential extensions of the exploratory growth curve approach and suggest there is much to be gained from using such models to generate new and potentially more precise theories about change and development.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients achieved better quality of life than systemic lupus erythematosus patients at sustained remission.

OBJECTIVES In 2004 and 1999, respectively, recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) cohorts were initiated; the 36 item Medical Outcome Study Short-Form survey (SF-36) was applied beginning from enrolment. The objectives were to compare the SF-36v2 scores between patients from both cohorts who achieved sustained remission and to define the role of disease diagnosis as associated to SF-36v2 normative data in remission patients. METHODS Sustained remission was considered when RA and SLE patients achieved at least 12 months of continuous follow-up with either SLE disease activity index 2000 update =0 or Disease Activity Score (28 joints) ≤2.4, respectively. Up to December 2015, data from 172 RA patients and 211 SLE patients were reviewed. SF-36v2 scores were available for the totality of remission assessments. Logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with normative SF-36v2. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. RESULTS A higher proportion of patients achieved sustained remission sooner in the RA cohort than in the SLE cohort, 58% vs. 30.6% of the patients, after 30.8±23.9 vs. 59.4±37.5 months, respectively, p≤0.001. At sustained remission, RA patients scored better than SLE patients in 6 out of 8 domains of the SF-36v2 and the physical health component summary (PHCS); the opposite figure was true for the mental component. Age (ß: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.1, p=0.03) and SLE diagnosis (ß: 9.64, 95% CI: 3.61-25.75, p≤0.001) were predictors of not achieving normative PHCS. CONCLUSIONS RA patients in sustained remission achieved better quality of life than SLE patients.
Agonist-specific impairment of coronary vascular function in genetically altered, hyperlipidemic mice.

The objectives of the present study were to 1) examine mechanisms involved in endothelium-dependent responses of coronary arteries from normal mice and 2) determine whether vascular responses of coronary arteries are altered in two genetic models of hypercholesterolemia [apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice (apoE -/-) and combined apoE and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient mice (apoE + LDLR -/-)]. Plasma cholesterol levels were higher in both apoE -/- and apoE + LDLR -/- compared with normal mice on normal and high-cholesterol diets (normal chow: normal 110 ± 5 mg/dl, apoE -/- 680 ± 40 mg/dl, apoE + LDLR -/- 810 ± 40 mg/dl; high-cholesterol chow: normal 280 ± 60 mg/dl, apoE -/- 2,490 ± 310 mg/dl, apoE + LDLR -/- 3,660 ± 290 mg/dl). Coronary arteries from normal (C57BL/6J), apoE -/-, and apoE + LDLR -/- mice were isolated and cannulated, and diameters were measured using videomicroscopy. In normal mice, vasodilation in response to ACh and serotonin was markedly reduced by 10 μM N ω-nitro-l-arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) or 20 μM 1 H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3- a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase). Vasodilation to nitroprusside, but not papaverine, was also inhibited by ODQ. Dilation of arteries from apoE -/- and apoE + LDLR -/- mice on normal diet in response to ACh was similar to that observed in normal mice. In contrast, dilation of arteries in response to serotonin from apoE -/- and apoE + LDLR -/- mice was impaired compared with normal. In arteries from both apoE -/- and apoE + LDLR -/- mice on high-cholesterol diet, dilation to ACh was decreased. In apoE + LDLR -/- mice on high-cholesterol diet, dilation of coronary arteries to nitroprusside was increased. These findings suggest that dilation of coronary arteries from normal mice in response to ACh and serotonin is dependent on production of nitric oxide and activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. Hypercholesterolemia selectively impairs dilator responses of mouse coronary arteries to serotonin. In the absence of both apoE and the LDL receptor, high levels of cholesterol result in a greater impairment in coronary endothelial function.
Residual Dinitrotoluenes from Open Burning of Gun Propellant

Following military live fire artillery training, excess propellant bags are routinely open-burned at the firing site. Combustion of these propellants are typically incomplete under these conditions in the field, resulting in residues deposited on the soil surface, such as nitroglycerine and dinitrotoluenes. To better assess the amount of contaminants released during this process, burning tests were conducted with propellant bags from 105and 155-mm munitions used for howitzer guns. Three different “activities” or burning tests were performed to achieve this study, which are described here. Residual 2,4and 2,6-dinitrotoluene (DNTs) were analysed in all collected samples.
Regulation of respiration in myocardium in the transient and steady state.

1H/31P NMR has followed the metabolic response to increased work in the glucose- and pyruvate-perfused rat myocardium during a heart cycle and at the steady state. With electrical pacing and dobutamine, the heart O2 consumption increases by 56%. The phosphocreatine (PCr) level initially declines, but recovers within 15 min to its control level; the oxymyoglobin (MbO2) saturation decreases by 15%. Because the MbO2 signal reflects the intracellular [Formula: see text], the capillary-to-cell O2 gradient has increased to match the increased O2 need. However, no transient metabolic fluctuation is observed in either PCr or MbO2 throughout the entire cardiac cycle in both glucose and pyruvate-/glucose-perfused hearts. No systolic-diastolic variation is detectable under either high workload or hypoxic conditions. The results reveal that neither O2 nor ADP is regulating respiration under increased energy demand in the steady or transient state.
Postexercise net protein synthesis in human muscle from orally administered amino acids.

We examined the response of net muscle protein synthesis to ingestion of amino acids after a bout of resistance exercise. A primed, constant infusion ofl-[ ring-2H5]phenylalanine was used to measure net muscle protein balance in three male and three female volunteers on three occasions. Subjects consumed in random order 1 liter of 1) a mixed amino acid (40 g) solution (MAA), 2) an essential amino acid (40 g) solution (EAA), and 3) a placebo solution (PLA). Arterial amino acid concentrations increased ∼150-640% above baseline during ingestion of MAA and EAA. Net muscle protein balance was significantly increased from negative during PLA ingestion (-50 ± 23 nmol ⋅ min-1 ⋅ 100 ml leg volume-1) to positive during MAA ingestion (17 ± 13 nmol ⋅ min-1 ⋅ 100 ml leg volume-1) and EAA (29 ± 14 nmol ⋅ min-1 ⋅ 100 ml leg volume-1; P < 0.05). Because net balance was similar for MAA and EAA, it does not appear necessary to include nonessential amino acids in a formulation designed to elicit an anabolic response from muscle after exercise. We concluded that ingestion of oral essential amino acids results in a change from net muscle protein degradation to net muscle protein synthesis after heavy resistance exercise in humans similar to that seen when the amino acids were infused.
Effect of Compression Garments on Physiological Responses After Uphill Running

Abstract Limited practical recommendations related to wearing compression garments for athletes can be drawn from the literature at the present time. We aimed to identify the effects of compression garments on physiological and perceptual measures of performance and recovery after uphill running with different pressure and distributions of applied compression. In a random, double blinded study, 10 trained male runners undertook three 8 km treadmill runs at a 6% elevation rate, with the intensity of 75% VO2max while wearing low, medium grade compression garments and high reverse grade compression. In all the trials, compression garments were worn during 4 hours post run. Creatine kinase, measurements of muscle soreness, ankle strength of plantar/dorsal flexors and mean performance time were then measured. The best mean performance time was observed in the medium grade compression garments with the time difference being: medium grade compression garments vs. high reverse grade compression garments. A positive trend in increasing peak torque of plantar flexion (60o·s-1, 120o·s-1) was found in the medium grade compression garments: a difference between 24 and 48 hours post run. The highest pain tolerance shift in the gastrocnemius muscle was the medium grade compression garments, 24 hour post run, with the shift being +11.37% for the lateral head and 6.63% for the medial head. In conclusion, a beneficial trend in the promotion of running performance and decreasing muscle soreness within 24 hour post exercise was apparent in medium grade compression garments.
Vps74 Connects the Golgi Apparatus and Telomeres in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In mammalian cell culture, the Golgi apparatus fragment upon DNA damage. GOLPH3, a Golgi component, is a phosphorylation target of DNA-PK after DNA damage and contributes to Golgi fragmentation. The function of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) ortholog of GOLPH3, Vps74, in the DNA damage response has been little studied, although genome-wide screens suggested a role at telomeres. In this study we investigated the role of Vps74 at telomeres and in the DNA damage response. We show that Vps74 decreases the fitness of telomere defective cdc13-1 cells and contributes to the fitness of yku70Δ cells. Importantly, loss of Vps74 in yku70Δ cells exacerbates the temperature dependent growth defects of these cells in a Chk1 and Mec1-dependent manner. Furthermore, Exo1 reduces the fitness of vps74Δ yku70Δ cells suggesting that ssDNA contributes to the fitness defects of vps74Δ yku70Δ cells. Systematic genetic interaction analysis of vps74Δ, yku70Δ and yku70Δ vps74Δ cells suggests that vps74Δ causes a milder but similar defect to that seen in yku70Δ cells. vps74Δ cells have slightly shorter telomeres and loss of VPS74 in yku70Δ or mre11Δ cells further shortens the telomeres of these cells. Interestingly, loss of Vps74 leads to increased levels of Stn1, a partner of Cdc13 in the CST telomere capping complex. Overexpression of Stn1 was previously shown to cause telomere shortening, suppression of cdc13-1 and enhancement of yku70Δ growth defects, suggesting that increased levels of Stn1 may be the route by which Vps74 affects telomere function. These results establish Vps74 as a novel regulator of telomere biology.
Visual crowding is unaffected by adaptation-induced spatial compression

It has recently been shown that adapting to a densely textured stimulus alters the perception of visual space, such that the distance between two points subsequently presented in the adapted region appears reduced (Hisakata, Nishida, & Johnston, 2016). We asked whether this form of adaptation-induced spatial compression alters visual crowding. To address this question, we first adapted observers to a dynamic dot texture presented within an annular region surrounding the test location. Following adaptation, observers perceived a test array comprised of multiple oriented dot dipoles as spatially compressed, resulting in an overall reduction in perceived size. We then tested to what extent this spatial compression influences crowding by measuring orientation discrimination of a single dipole flanked by randomly oriented dipoles across a range of separations. Following adaptation, we found that the magnitude of crowding was predicted by the physical rather than perceptual separation between center and flanking dipoles. These findings contrast with previous studies in which crowding has been shown to increase when motion-induced position shifts act to reduce apparent separation (Dakin, Greenwood, Carlson, & Bex, 2011; Maus, Fischer, & Whitney, 2011).
Cx32 mRNA in rat liver: effects of inflammation on poly(A) tail distribution and mRNA degradation.

Previous studies showed that the expression of connexin 32 (Cx32), the polypeptide subunit component of the major hepatic gap junction, is reduced in liver by changes in mRNA stability during bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. In this study, we examined the distribution of Cx32 mRNA poly(A) tail lengths during LPS-induced inflammation, because this is considered the first step in the degradation of many mRNAs. During LPS treatment the first detectable change in Cx32 mRNA was a gradual shortening of its poly(A) tail, which reached a final size of ∼20 nucleotides. However, the poly(A) tail did not disappear entirely before the bulk of Cx32 mRNA was degraded. Treatment with actinomycin D, which blocks the degradation of Cx32 mRNA after LPS administration, resulted in the appearance of a completely deadenylated mRNA, which otherwise could not be detected. On the contrary, treatment with cycloheximide resulted in a decrease in the stability of Cx32 mRNA without an apparent change of the poly(A) tail size. The effect of cycloheximide on Cx32 mRNA stability seems to be due indirectly to the induction of an inflammatory response by this drug. These results suggest that, similar for many mRNAs, shortening of the poly(A) tail is one of the first steps in the degradation of Cx32 mRNA during inflammation.
L- and T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ currents in adrenal medulla endothelial cells.

We investigated voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels of bovine adrenal medulla endothelial cells with the whole cell version of the patch-clamp technique. Depolarization elicited an inward current that was carried by Ca2+ and was composed of a transient (T) current, present in all the cells tested, and a sustained (L) current, present in 65% of them. We separated these currents and measured their individual kinetic and gating properties. The activation threshold for T current was approximately -50 mV, and its maximum amplitude was -49.8 ± 4.8 pA (means ± SE, n = 19) at 0 mV. The time constant was 10.2 ± 1.5 ms ( n= 4) for activation and 18.4 ± 2.8 ms ( n = 4) for inactivation. The L current activated at -40 mV, and it reached a plateau at -20.1 ± 2.3 pA ( n = 6). Its activation time course was a single exponential with an activation time contant of 26.8 ± 2.3 ms ( n = 4). Current-voltage curves, kinetics, gating, response to BAY K 8644, nifedipine, amiloride, and different selectivity for Ba2+ and Ca2+ indicated that the underlying channels for the observed currents are only of the T- and L-types that resemble those of the endocrine secretory cells.
Kinetics of endothelin-1 binding in the dog liver microcirculation in vivo.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a 21-amino acid peptide produced by vascular endothelial cells that acts as a potent constrictor of hepatic sinusoids. Hepatic binding of tracer 125I-labeled ET-1 was investigated in anesthetized dogs with the multiple-indicator dilution technique with simultaneous measurements of unlabeled immunoreactive ET-1 plasma levels. Despite 80% binding to albumin, tracer 125I-ET-1 was avidly extracted by the liver, with only 15 ± 6% of the peptide surviving passage through the organ. Exchange of ET-1 between plasma and binding sites, probably located on the surface of liver cells, was quantitatively described by a barrier-limited, space-distributed variable transit time model. Reversible and irreversible parallel binding sites were found. Reversible and irreversible plasma clearances of unbound 125I-ET-1 were 0.084 ± 0.033 ml ⋅ s-1 ⋅ g liver-1 and 0.17 ± 0.09 ml ⋅ s-1 ⋅ g liver-1, respectively, and the dissociation rate constant for reversible binding was 0.24 ± 0.12 s-1. The specific ETA receptor antagonist BMS-182874 did not modify binding to either site. The nonspecific ETA/ETBantagonist LU-224332 dose-dependently reduced irreversible binding only. ET-1 levels in the hepatic vein were significantly lower than in the portal vein but were not different from those in the hepatic artery. The ratio between hepatic vein and portal vein levels (0.64 ± 0.31) was considerably higher than survival fractions, suggesting a substantial simultaneous release of newly synthesized or stored ET-1 by the liver. These results demonstrate both substantial clearance and production of ET-1 by the intact liver. Hepatic ET-1 clearance is mediated by the ETB receptor, with the presence of reversible, nonspecific ET-1 binding at the liver surface.
Relationship between the daily rhythms of locomotor activity and body temperature in eight mammalian species

Refinetti, Roberto. Relationship between the daily rhythms of locomotor activity and body temperature in eight mammalian species. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 46): R1493–R1500, 1999. —The relationship between the daily rhythms of locomotor activity and body temperature was studied by telemetry in four nocturnal and four diurnal mammalian species. The results showed that the two rhythms are very closely synchronized, as they 1) ascend past the daily mean at the same time, 2) reach the daily acrophase at the same time, and 3) are best correlated at time lags approaching zero. The rhythms of nocturnal animals crossed the daily mean at the transition between the light and dark phases of the light-dark cycle and reached their acrophases during the dark phase, whereas the rhythms of diurnal animals crossed the daily mean at the transition between the dark and light phases and reached their acrophases during the light phase. Despite the close synchrony of the two rhythms, the results indicate that the temperature rhythm is not a byproduct of the activity rhythm, as body temperature during the active phase of the daily cycle was higher than body temperature during the inactive phase in all species irrespective of the activity level prevailing during each phase.