Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep Sequencing of Small RNA Repertoires in Mice Reveals Metabolic Disorders-Associated Hepatic miRNAs

Obesity and associated metabolic disorders contribute importantly to the metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that repress target gene expression by inducing mRNA degradation and/or translation repression. Dysregulation of specific miRNAs in obesity may influence energy metabolism and cause insulin resistance, which leads to dyslipidemia, steatosis hepatis and type 2 diabetes. In the present study, we comprehensively analyzed and validated dysregulated miRNAs in ob/ob mouse liver, as well as miRNA groups based on miRNA gene cluster and gene family by using deep sequencing miRNA datasets. We found that over 13.8% of the total analyzed miRNAs were dysregulated, of which 37 miRNA species showed significantly differential expression. Further RT-qPCR analysis in some selected miRNAs validated the similar expression patterns observed in deep sequencing. Interestingly, we found that miRNA gene cluster and family always showed consistent dysregulation patterns in ob/ob mouse liver, although they had various enrichment levels. Functional enrichment analysis revealed the versatile physiological roles (over six signal pathways and five human diseases) of these miRNAs. Biological studies indicated that overexpression of miR-126 or inhibition of miR-24 in AML-12 cells attenuated free fatty acids-induced fat accumulation. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that obesity and metabolic disturbance are tightly associated with functional miRNAs. We also identified hepatic miRNA candidates serving as potential biomarkers for the diagnose of the metabolic syndrome.
Geometrically correct imagery for teleconferencing

Current camera-monitor teleconferencing applications produce unrealistic imagery and break any sense of presence for the participants. Other capture/display technologies can be used to provide more compelling teleconferencing. However, complex geometries in capture/display systems make producing geometrically correct imagery difficult. It is usually impractical to detect, model and compensate for all effects introduced by the capture/display system. Most applications simply ignore these issues and rely on the user acceptance of the camera-monitor paradigm. This paper presents a new and simple technique for producing geometrically correct imagery for teleconferencing environments. The necessary image transformations are derived by finding a mapping between a capture and display device for a fixed viewer location. The capture/display relationship is computed directly in device coordinates and completely avoids the need for any intermediate, complex representations of screen geometry, capture and display distortions, and viewer location. We describe our approach and demonstrate it via several prototype implementations that operate in real-time and provide a substantially more compelling sense of presence than the standard teleconferencing paradigm.
Transparent Reputation Management for Composite Web Services

The dependability of composite services is largely affected by their constituent Web services. Composite services have to operate in an open and dynamically changing environment in order to leverage the best performing services available at the moment. Hence, there is the need for an efficient mechanism to provide reliable service rankings. In this paper we present a novel, generic, and customizable reputation infrastructure to automatically and transparently monitor the execution of composite services, taking both functional and non-functional properties into account. The experienced Web service quality-of-service is communicated to a configurable reputation mechanism that publishes service rankings. Our reputation infrastructure supports notifications upon changes in service reputation, enabling self-tuning and self-healing properties in the execution of composite services. We implemented our architecture using standard technologies, such as BPEL and JavaEE. Performance measurements show that our infrastructure causes only moderate overhead.
Hypoxia adaptation and hemoglobin mutation in Tibetan chick embryo

Tibetan chick lives at high altitudes between 2600 and 4200 m with a high hatchability and low land breeds survive rarely with a hatchability of 3.0% under hypoxia of simulated 4200 m. Under hypoxia of whole 21 d, the hatchability of Tibetan chick and Recessive White Feather broiler differed with a greatest disparity from day 4 to 11 and also significantly in other stages except from day 1 to 3. Hypoxia in each stage did not reduce significantly survival rate of this stage except hatchability. These two results indicated that the hypoxia in the early stage had an adverse effect on the later stage. All exons encoding chick hemoglobins were sequenced to analyze gene polymorphism. The functional mutation Met-32(B13)-Leu, related with hypoxia, was found in αD globin chain and the mutation frequency increased with increased altitude. In addition, under hypoxic conditions, the population with higher mutation frequency had a higher hatchability. The automated homology model building was carried out using crystal structure coordinates of chick HbD. The results indicated that the substitution Met-32(B13)-Leu provides a more hydrophobic environment which leads to higher stability of heme and oxygen affinity of hemoglobin. The occurrence of the mutation Met-32(B13)-Leu is related to the origin of Tibetan chick.
Evaluating fairness in aggregated traffic marking

The need to offer different service levels on the Internet has encouraged the research in differentiated services (diffserv or DS) (K. Nichols et al., 1998; S. Blake et al., 1998). The article analyses the behavior and evaluates the performance of a fair traffic marker implementation, called Fair Marker (FM), as proposed by H. Kim (1999). The implementation exploits the duality between buffer allocation and token consumption in a token bucket marker in order to enforce fairness among different flows originated from the same subscriber network in a differentiated services (diffserv) domain. The results obtained show that fairness can be achieved when parameters are correctly set. We establish well-defined guidelines to help configure the FM parameters. The results also show that the FM cannot provide fairness in the allocation of excess bandwidth. In order to overcome this problem, we present an extension to the original proposal called Three-Color Fair Marker (TCFM). As an additional contribution, marking strategies proposals are discussed and classified.
Evaluation of a hyperspectral image database for demosaicking purposes

We present a study on the the applicability of hyperspectral images to evaluate color filter array (CFA) design and the performance of demosaicking algorithms. The aim is to simulate a typical digital still camera processing pipe-line and to compare two different scenarios: evaluate the performance of demosaicking algorithms applied to raw camera RGB values before color rendering to sRGB, and evaluate the performance of demosaicking algorithms applied on the final sRGB color rendered image. The second scenario is the most frequently used one in literature because CFA design and algorithms are usually tested on a set of existing images that are already rendered, such as the Kodak Photo CD set containing the well-known lighthouse image. We simulate the camera processing pipe-line with measured spectral sensitivity functions of a real camera. Modeling a Bayer CFA, we select three linear demosaicking techniques in order to perform the tests. The evaluation is done using CMSE, CPSNR, s-CIELAB and MSSIM metrics to compare demosaicking results. We find that the performance, and especially the difference between demosaicking algorithms, is indeed significant depending if the mosaicking/demosaicking is applied to camera raw values as opposed to already rendered sRGB images. We argue that evaluating the former gives a better indication how a CFA/demosaicking combination will work in practice, and that it is in the interest of the community to create a hyperspectral image dataset dedicated to that effect.
A protocol-independent technique for eliminating redundant network traffic

We present a technique for identifying repetitive information transfers and use it to analyze the redundancy of network traffic. Our insight is that dynamic content, streaming media and other traffic that is not caught by today's Web caches is nonetheless likely to derive from similar information. We have therefore adapted similarity detection techniques to the problem of designing a system to eliminate redundant transfers. We identify repeated byte ranges between packets to avoid retransmitting the redundant data. We find a high level of redundancy and are able to detect repetition that Web proxy caches are not. In our traces, after Web proxy caching has been applied, an additional 39% of the original volume of Web traffic is found to be redundant. Moreover, because our technique makes no assumptions about HTTP protocol syntax or caching semantics, it provides immediate benefits for other types of content, such as streaming media, FTP traffic, news and mail.
A novel super low inductance primary ring utilized in a pulsed dual resonant tuned transformer

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has developed a super low inductance primary (SLIP), dual resonant tuned transformer for ultra wide band impulse radiation applications. The design criteria and the theoretical formulation for such a device are presented. Transformers with sub-microHenry (/spl mu/H) inductance in the primary are achievable. The inductive loop of the primary incorporates the capacitive energy store and pulse power switch. Correspondingly, low inductance in the secondary winding is plausible, thus decreasing loss due to stray capacitance. Implementation of dual resonant tuning is more easily attained with this technique, permitting the pulse power system to occupy a smaller volume.
On combinatorial DNA word design

We consider the problem of designing DNA codes, namely sets of equi-length words over the alphabet [A, C, G, T] that satisfy certain combinatorial constraints. This problem is motivated by the task of reliably storing and retrieving information in synthetic DNA strands for use in DNA computing or as molecular bar codes in chemical libraries. The primary constraints that we consider, defined with respect to a parameter d, are as follows: for every pair of words w, x in a code, there are at least d mismatches between w and x if w not equal x and also between the reverse of w and the Watson-Crick complement of x. Extending classical results from coding theory, we present several upper and lower bounds on the maximum size of such DNA codes and give methods for constructing such codes. An additional constraint that is relevant to the design of DNA codes is that the free energies and enthalpies of the code words, and thus the melting temperatures, be similar. We describe dynamic programming algorithms that can (a) calculate the total number of words of length n whose free energy value, as approximated by a formula of Breslauer et al. (1986) falls in a given range, and (b) output a random such word. These algorithms are intended for use in heuristic algorithms for constructing DNA codes.
ICFHR 2010 Handwriting Segmentation Contest

The general objective of the ICFHR 2010 Handwriting Segmentation Contest organized in the context of ICFHR 2010 conference was to use well established evaluation practices and procedures in order to record recent advances in off-line handwriting segmentation. Two new benchmarking datasets, one for text line and one for word segmentation, were created in order to test and compare recent algorithms for handwritten document segmentation in realistic circumstances. Handwritten document images were produced by many writers in several languages (English, French, German and Greek). The dataset of previously organized contest (ICDAR ICDAR 2009 Handwriting Segmentation Contest) was used as training dataset. This paper describes the contest details including the datasets, the ground truth, the evaluation criteria as well as the performance of the 7 submitted methods along with a short description of each method.
A Novel Low-Power-Implantable Epileptic Seizure-Onset Detector

A novel implantable low-power integrated circuit is proposed for real-time epileptic seizure detection. The presented chip is part of an epilepsy prosthesis device that triggers focal treatment to disrupt seizure progression. The proposed chip integrates a front-end preamplifier, voltage-level detectors, digital demodulators, and a high-frequency detector. The preamplifier uses a new chopper stabilizer topology that reduces instrumentation low-frequency and ripple noises by modulating the signal in the analog domain and demodulating it in the digital domain. Moreover, each voltage-level detector consists of an ultra-low-power comparator with an adjustable threshold voltage. The digitally integrated high-frequency detector is tunable to recognize the high-frequency activities for the unique detection of seizure patterns specific to each patient. The digitally controlled circuits perform accurate seizure detection. A mathematical model of the proposed seizure detection algorithm was validated in Matlab and circuits were implemented in a 2 mm2 chip using the CMOS 0.18- μm process. The proposed detector was tested by using intracerebral electroencephalography (icEEG) recordings from seven patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The seizure signals were assessed by the proposed detector and the average seizure detection delay was 13.5 s, well before the onset of clinical manifestations. The measured total power consumption of the detector is 51 μW.
Actin cytoskeleton depolymerization with Clostridium spiroforme toxin enhances the secretory activity of rat melanotrophs

1 We measured membrane capacitance (Cm) in cultured rat melanotrophs pretreated with Clostridium spiroforme toxin (CST), which specifically depolymerises cortical filamentous actin (F‐actin). Phalloidin staining confirmed that CST treatment depolymerised the F‐actin. 2 In control cells, cytosol dialysis with 1 μm Ca2+i increased Cm by 23 ± 4 % (n= 11) relative to the resting Cm 400 s after the start of patch rupture. In CST‐treated cells the increase in Cm was 32 ± 5 % (n= 15), not significantly different from controls. The rate of Cm increase was affected transiently by CST treatment, peaking at 1 min after patch rupture. The maximal rate of Cm increase was 4.27 ± 0.85 fF s−1 (n= 12; measured 200 s after the start of patch rupture) in controls and 8.0 ± 1.35 fF s−1 (n= 23; measured 75 s after the start of patch rupture) in CST‐treated cells (P < 0.01). 3 In control cells cytosol dialysis with 0 μm Ca2+i decreased Cm by 9 ± 3 % (n= 7), in CST‐treated cells Cm increased by 11 ± 3 % (n= 7) relative to resting Cm 400 s after the start of cytosol dialysis. The rate of change in Cm remained constant (controls: ‐1 to ‐2 fF s−1; CST treatment: 1‐2 fF s−1). 4 Transient and sustained effects of CST treatment on changes in Cm at high or low [Ca2+]i, respectively, suggest a distinct role of cytoskeleton in Ca2+‐dependent and Ca2+‐independent changes in Cm. Transient enhancement of the rate of Cm by CST is consistent with a barrier role of cytoskeleton in regulated exocytosis. The sustained effect of CST on Ca2+‐independent changes in Cm suggests cytoskeletal involvement in endocytosis.
Um estudo sobre a integrao dos nveis de anlise dos sistemas de valores

This work is a study on the articulation of the analysis levels of university students’ value systems. The results (N=406) show 4 systems underlying the organization of the students’ value systems: materialist; hedonist; religious; post-materialist. The analyses of the convergences between values systems and motivacional types of Schwartz’s theory showed that there are correlations between materialist and self-enhancement values, between hedonist system and opening to change values types, between religious and conservation values, and between post-materialism and self-transcendence motivational value type. The discussion emphasizes the societal nature of the values system connecting their sources to social ideologies.
Energy Accounting for Virtual Machines

This thesis presents a two-level approach to energy accounting in virtual machine environments. Instead of accounting the energy consumption of the hardware directly to the applications, as done by previous approaches, we account it to virtual machines. Each guest operating system can then obtain the energy consumption of the virtual machine and split it between its applications. Thus, energy management can leverage information intrinsic to the respective level. Furthermore, by dividing energy accounting between host-level and guest-level, we can reuse existing energy management solutions within the virtual machines. For this purpose, we introduce an energy-aware virtual machine interface, which enables the guest operating systems to estimate the energy consumption of virtual devices. To evaluate our approach, we implemented a prototype for an existing virtual machine environment. Experiments show that the performance overhead caused by energy accounting in host-level and guest-level is less than 3.2 percent.
Health and appearance reasons for weight loss as predictors of long-term weight change

This study investigated whether women’s initial reasons (health, appearance to others, or appearance to self) for wanting to lose weight influenced their weight change over a 30-month web-based intervention. Multilevel modeling with 1416 observations revealed that only appearance in relation to one’s self was a significant (negative) predictor. Women highly motivated to lose weight to improve their appearance in relation to themselves gained weight at 30 months, whereas those not motivated for this reason achieved clinically significant weight loss. Results suggest examining participants’ initial reasons for weight loss as an important component of intervention failure or success.
The Cell Wall of the Arabidopsis Pollen Tube—Spatial Distribution, Recycling, and Network Formation of Polysaccharides1[C][W][OA]

The pollen tube is a cellular protuberance formed by the pollen grain, or male gametophyte, in flowering plants. Its principal metabolic activity is the synthesis and assembly of cell wall material, which must be precisely coordinated to sustain the characteristic rapid growth rate and to ensure geometrically correct and efficient cellular morphogenesis. Unlike other model species, the cell wall of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) pollen tube has not been described in detail. We used immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis to provide a detailed profile of the spatial distribution of the major cell wall polymers composing the Arabidopsis pollen tube cell wall. Comparison with predictions made by a mechanical model for pollen tube growth revealed the importance of pectin deesterification in determining the cell diameter. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that cellulose microfibrils are oriented in near longitudinal orientation in the Arabidopsis pollen tube cell wall, consistent with a linear arrangement of cellulose synthase CESA6 in the plasma membrane. The cellulose label was also found inside cytoplasmic vesicles and might originate from an early activation of cellulose synthases prior to their insertion into the plasma membrane or from recycling of short cellulose polymers by endocytosis. A series of strategic enzymatic treatments also suggests that pectins, cellulose, and callose are highly cross linked to each other.
Load Balancing in a Parallel Graph Reducer

Parallel graph reducers such as GUM use dynamic techniques to manage resources during execution. One important aspect of the dynamic behaviour is the distribution of work. The load balancing mechanism, which controls this aspect, should be flexible, to adjust the distribution of work to hardware characteristics as well as dynamic program characteristics, and scalable, to achieve high utilisation of all processors even on massively parallel machines.In this paper we study the behaviour of GUM's load balancing mechanism on a high-latency Beowulf multi-processor. We present modifications to the basic load balancing mechanism and discuss runtime measurements, which indicate that these modifications can significantly enhance the scalability of the system.
Reader's Guide to the History of Science

The Reader's Guide to the History of Science looks at the literature of science in some 550 entries on individuals (Einstein), institutions and disciplines (Mathematics), general themes (Romantic Science) and central concepts (Paradigm and Fact). The history of science is construed widely to include the history of medicine and technology as is reflected in the range of disciplines from which the international team of 200 contributors are drawn.
Orlistat (Ro 18-0647), a lipase inhibitor, in the treatment of human obesity: a multiple dose study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of the lipase inhibitor Orlistat (Ro 18-0647) in doses of 10, 60 and 120 mg three times a day in addition to a mild hypocaloric diet containing 30% of calories as fat. DESIGN 4 week single-blind placebo run-in period of diet alone followed by a 12 week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized treatment period. SETTINGS Five European outpatient clinics specializing in endocrinology and/or the treatment of obesity, one central laboratory. SUBJECTS Of 237 healthy obese subjects meeting the inclusion criteria, 188 showed compliance to the diet during the run-in period and were randomized for the treatment period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary efficacy criterion was the difference in weight loss after 12 weeks of treatment between the Orlistat treated groups and the diet alone group. Secondary efficacy criteria were changes in serum total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol. RESULTS Compared to placebo a mean (+/- s.e.) additional weight loss of 0.63 +/- 0.54 kg with 30 mg a day (P = 0.246), 0.71 +/- 0.55 kg with 180 mg a day (P = 0.190) and 1.75 +/- 0.54 kg with 360 mg a day was seen (P = 0.001) or Orlistat was observed. Overall data indicated dose-dependency. Small decreases were seen in total and LDL-cholesterol (significant in the 180 and 360 mg a day groups) and LDL- to HDL-cholesterol ratio (significant in the 360 mg a day group only). Mild, mostly gastrointestinal side effects were observed more frequently in the Orlistat groups and caused premature withdrawal from the study in only four patients. No marked laboratory abnormalities were shown, including the lipid-soluble vitamins A, D and E. CONCLUSION Orlistat, in an apparently dose-dependent manner, leads to additional weight loss compared to diet alone and overall, is well tolerated.