Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative features of colorectal and gastric cancers with microsatellite instability in Chinese patients

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the unique and universal features of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer (CRC) and MSI-H gastric cancer (GC) in the Chinese population.MethodsA new panel of mononucleotide MSI markers, BAT25, BAT26, NR21, NR24, and MONO-27, was used to define MSI status in 303 CRC and 288 GC subjects. Clinicopathological features of both types of MSI-H tumors were analyzed. Methylation analysis in the hMLH1 promoter region by methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mutation detection of hMSH2/hMLH1 genes by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) were carried out simultaneously.ResultsMSI-H CRCs and MSI-H GCs account for 11.9% and 8.0% of unselected sporadic CRCs and GCs, respectively. MSI-H CRCs are strongly characterized by early onset, right-side location, low differentiation, mucinous tumor, less infiltration, less lymphatic metastasis, and more often familial tumor. MSI-H GCs only showed site preference for the antrum and less lymphatic metastasis. Genetic and epigenetic analyses were positive in 6/36 MSI-H CRCs and 0/23 MSI-H GCs with pathological mutation in major mismatch repair genes, and in 7/36 MSI-H CRCs and 18/23 MSI-H GCs with methylated hMLH1 promoter (P<0.01), respectively.ConclusionsAlthough there are many differences in the genetic basis and clinicopathological features between MSI-H CRC and MSI-H GC, when compared with their microsatellite stable (MSS) counterparts, site preference and lymphatic metastasis are features common to both types of MSI-H tumors.
Niemann-Pick C1 is a late endosome-resident protein that transiently associates with lysosomes and the trans-Golgi network.

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is a severe cell lipidosis characterized by the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in the endosomal/lysosomal system. Recently the primary disease-causing gene, NPC1, was identified, but few clues regarding its potential function(s) could be derived from its predicted amino acid sequence. Therefore, efforts were directed at characterizing the subcellular location of the NPC1 protein. Initial studies with a FLAG-tagged NPC1 cDNA demonstrated that NPC1 is a glycoprotein that associates with the membranes of a population of cytoplasmic vesicles. Immunofluorescence microscopy using anti-NPC1 polyclonal antibodies confirmed this analysis. Double-label immunofluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation studies indicated that NPC1 associates predominantly with late endosomes (Rab9 GTPase-positive vesicles) and, to a lesser extent, with lysosomes and the trans-Golgi network. When cholesterol egress from lysosomes was blocked by treatment of cells with U18666A, the NPC1 location shifted from late endosomes to the trans-Golgi network and lysosomes. Subcellular fractionation of liver homogenates from U18666A-treated mice confirmed these observations. These data suggest that U18666A may inhibit the retrograde transport of NPC1 from lysosomes to late endosomes for subsequent transfer to the trans-Golgi network.
A Distributed Mobility Tracking Scheme for Ad Hoc Networks Based on an Autoregressive Model

In an ad hoc wireless network, node mobility causes the network topology to change dynamically over time, which complicates important tasks such as routing, flow control, and location management. We propose a distributed scheme for accurately and efficiently tracking the mobility of nodes in an ad hoc network. A first-order autoregressive (AR-1) model is used to represent the evolution of mobility state of each node which consists of position, velocity, and acceleration. Each node uses an extended Kalman filter to estimate its own mobility state by incorporating network-based signal measurements, such as received signal strength indicators (RSSI) and time-of-arrival (TOA), and the position estimates of the neighbor nodes. Neighbor nodes exchange their position estimates periodically by means of HELLO packets. Using the mobility state estimates, each node re-estimates the mobility model parameters. Simulation results validate the performance of the proposed tracking scheme. The proposed distributed tracking scheme can adapt to changing mobility characteristics and incurs relatively low communication overhead.
Politics in the fine meshes: young citizens, power and media

Surveys exposing an uninformed public, journalism emphasizing interpretations, and news focused on showmanship have combined to change public life. As young adults abandon news, what do they substitute to become informed citizens? Life history narratives offer some answers. Young citizens form their political identities within personal networks, responding first to fiction television in the family and with peers. Their stories take place in small jurisdictions — home, school, church — where through media they confront the state as a force empowered to risk life. Politics principally involves forming opinions. In that process, young adults refer to news among many other sources: pop songs, TV commercials, documentaries, personal discussions. Because they cannot escape the media surround, their sense of power corresponds not to democratic theory but to the ideas of Foucault and Nietzsche, where citizens use the media to design their own bodies as political outposts.
Median K-Flats for hybrid linear modeling with many outliers

We describe the MedianK-flats (MKF) algorithm, a simple online method for hybrid linear modeling, i.e., for approximating data by a mixture of flats. This algorithm simultaneously partitions the data into clusters while finding their corresponding best approximating ℓ<inf>1</inf> d-flats, so that the cumulative ℓ<inf>1</inf> error is minimized. The current implementation restricts d-flats to be d-dimensional linear subspaces. It requires a negligible amount of storage, and its complexity, when modeling data consisting of N points in ℝ<sup>D</sup> with K d-dimensional linear subspaces, is of order O(n<inf>s</inf> · K · d · D + n<inf>s</inf> · d<sup>2</sup> · D), where n<inf>s</inf> is the number of iterations required for convergence (empirically on the order of 10<sup>4</sup>). Since it is an online algorithm, data can be supplied to it incrementally and it can incrementally produce the corresponding output. The performance of the algorithm is carefully evaluated using synthetic and real data.
A Unified Indifferentiability Proof for Permutation- or Block Cipher-Based Hash Functions

In the recent years, several hash constructions have been introduced that aim at achieving enhanced security margins by strengthening the Merkle-Damgård mode. However, their security analysis have been conducted independently and using a variety of proof methodologies. This paper unifies these results by proposing a unique indifferentiability proof that considers a broadened form of the general compression function introduced by Stam at FSE09. This general definition enables us to capture in a realistic model most of the features of the mode of operation (e.g., message encoding, blank rounds, message insertion,.) within the pre-processing and post-processing functions. Furthermore, it relies on an inner primitive which can be instantiated either by an ideal block cipher, or by an ideal permutation. Then, most existing hash functions can be seen as the Chop-MD construction applied to some compression function which fits the broadened Stam model. Our result then gives the tightest known indifferentiability bounds for several general modes of operations, including Chop-MD, Haifa or sponges. Moreover, we show that it applies in a quite automatic way, by providing the security bounds for 7 out of the 14 second round SHA-3 candidates, which are in some cases improved over previously known ones.
Low-Rank Optimization on the Cone of Positive Semidefinite Matrices

We propose an algorithm for solving optimization problems defined on a subset of the cone of symmetric positive semidefinite matrices. This algorithm relies on the factorization $X=YY^T$, where the number of columns of $Y$ fixes an upper bound on the rank of the positive semidefinite matrix $X$. It is thus very effective for solving problems that have a low-rank solution. The factorization $X=YY^T$ leads to a reformulation of the original problem as an optimization on a particular quotient manifold. The present paper discusses the geometry of that manifold and derives a second-order optimization method with guaranteed quadratic convergence. It furthermore provides some conditions on the rank of the factorization to ensure equivalence with the original problem. In contrast to existing methods, the proposed algorithm converges monotonically to the sought solution. Its numerical efficiency is evaluated on two applications: the maximal cut of a graph and the problem of sparse principal component analysis.
Mobile Robot Self Localization and 3D Map Building using a 3D PMD-Camera for tele-robotic applications

Abstract This work purposes using a 3D PMD camera as a sensor for mobile robot applications. The use of image sensors for environment detection is substantial and common usage in mobile robot exploration. Laser scanners, 3D stereo vision or a combination of them are be used generally. The PMD camera is a novel 3D measuring system, which is based on a time-of-flight principle. The main feature is an array sensor, which can measure the distance to the target without scanning. This relatively new technology offers a cost-effective alternative to the mentioned sensors. In the following we present methods for self-localization and 3D map building by remote sensor data acquisition. This allows the teleoperative control of a mobile robot in an unknown environment. To enhance the mobile robot tasks, a CCD and the PMD camera are registered in order to create the three dimensional mapping. The CCD texture data will be overlaid with the PMD depth data to increase the accuracy of the lateral resolution. The visual input from the CCD camera not only delivers high resolution texture data, it can also apply for object recognition in clutter environment.
OSN: When Multiple Autonomous Users Disclose Another Individual's Information

Online Social Networks (OSNs) are becoming more important in the web 2.0 paradigm. Although most implementations of OSN are not distributed applications, users conforming an OSN work autonomously posting their information in the OSN and interacting among them. Users are responsible of the information they post in their profile and, in the vast majority of social networks, they can limit the disclosure degree of such data regarding the members of the social network. However, a part from data they provide, other related data can be obtained from users: the relations between them. By appropriately crawling the web, it is possible to obtain information from a single user without accessing to his profile. In this paper, we present an attack to users' privacy using a specific crawling algorithm that takes advantage of the network properties of OSNs.
Cell-specific Induction of Apoptosis by Microinjection of Cytochrome c

Bcl-xL, an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, inhibits programmed cell death in a broad variety of cell types. Recent reports have demonstrated that cytochromec is released from mitochondria during apoptosis and have suggested that this release may be a critical step in the activation of proapoptotic caspases and subsequent cell death. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that Bcl-2 can prevent the release of cytochromec from mitochondria in cells triggered to undergo apoptosis. This has led to the hypothesis that the antiapoptotic effects of Bcl-2 family members are due specifically to their ability to prevent cytochrome c release thus preventing subsequent cytochrome c-dependent caspase activation. In the present report, we use microinjection techniques to investigate the relationship between cytochromec release, induction of apoptosis, and Bcl-xLactivity in intact cells. We demonstrate that microinjection of cytochrome c into the cytosol of human kidney 293 cells results in a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis. In contrast, MCF7 breast carcinoma cells (stably transfected to express the Fas antigen CD95, and denoted MCF7F) that lack detectable levels of caspase 3 (CPP32), are totally resistant to microinjection of cytochrome c. However, transfection of MCF7F cells with an expression plasmid coding for pro-caspase 3, but not other pro-caspases, restores cytochrome c sensitivity. Although MCF7F cells are insensitive to cytochrome c microinjection, they rapidly undergo apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner in response to either tumor necrosis factor or anti-Fas plus cycloheximide, and these deaths are strongly inhibited by Bcl-xL expression. Furthermore, microinjection of cytochrome c does not overcome these antiapoptotic effects of Bcl-xL. Our results support the concept that the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm can promote the apoptotic process in cells expressing pro-caspase 3 but that cytochromec release is not sufficient to induce death in all cells. Importantly, the ability of Bcl-xL to inhibit cell death in the cytochrome c-insensitive MCF7F cells cannot be due solely to inhibition of cytochrome c release from mitochondria.
Applying transformation-based error-driven learning to structured natural language queries

XML information retrieval (XML-IR) systems aim to provide users with highly exhaustive and highly specific results. To interact with XML-IR systems, users must express both their content and structural requirement, in the form of a structured query. Traditionally, these structured queries have been formatted using formal languages such as XPath or NEXI. Unfortunately, formal query languages are very complex and too difficult to be used by experienced, let alone casual users. Therefore, recent research has investigated the idea of specifying users' content and structural needs via natural language queries (NLQs). In previous research we developed NLPX, a natural language interface to an XML-IR system. Here we present additions we have made to NLPX. The additions involve the application of transformation-based error-driven learning (TBL) to structured NLQs, to derive special connotations and group words into an atomic unit of information. TBL has successfully been applied to other areas of natural language processing; however, this paper presents the first time it has been applied to structured NLQs. Here, we investigate the applicability of TBL to NLQs and compare the TBL-based system, with our previous system and a system with a formal language interference. Our results show that TBL is effective for structured NLQs, and that structured NLQs a viable interface tor XML-IR systems
A 2×2 novel MIMO testbed for DVB-T2 systems

The increasing interest in MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) systems has given rise to a prolific research activity in this topic in recent years. Several aspects have been studied, including both theoretical and practical issues. However, so far few MIMO testbeds or prototypes have been done for DVB-T or future standards. In this paper, a novel 2 × 2 MIMO testbed has been realized which has been specifically designed for evaluating the performances of a DVB-T2 MIMO system.
The Role of Distrust in Offshore Safety Performance

Trust is recognized as a potentially important factor in safety within high‐risk industries. However, little detailed empirical research has explored how trust operates in these contexts to influence worker safety performance. The present study addresses this by (i) identifying the target (occupational group) in which trust is most important for good safety, and (ii) establishing the “type” of trust (trust or distrust) with the greatest impact on safety performance. A questionnaire survey of 203 UK offshore gas workers' attitudes of trust and distrust toward four occupational groups (workmates, supervisors, offshore managers, and contractors) and an operating company was conducted. Logistic regression analysis identified attitudes toward offshore management as the strongest predictor of safety performance at an industry level. At an installation level, safety performance was best predicted by attitudes toward contractors and workmates. Further analysis revealed attitudes of distrust as better predictors of safety performance compared to attitudes of trust. These findings suggest that safety professionals should pay more attention to the role of distrust in safety performance. They also suggest that safety initiatives should target attitudes toward specific groups for optimal effectiveness.
Arabidopsis ABA INSENSITIVE4 Regulates Lipid Mobilization in the Embryo and Reveals Repression of Seed Germination by the Endosperm[W]

Regulation of seed germination requires coordinate action by the embryo and surrounding endosperm. We used Arabidopsis thaliana to establish the relative roles of embryo and endosperm in the control of seed germination and seedling establishment. We previously showed that endospermic oil reserves are used postgerminatively via gluconeogenesis to fuel seedling establishment and that lipid breakdown is repressed by abscisic acid (ABA) in embryo but not endosperm tissues. Here, we use RNA amplification to describe the transcriptome of the endosperm and compare the hormone responses of endosperm and embryo tissues. We show that the endosperm responds to both ABA and gibberellin but that ABA in particular regulates nuclear but not plastid-encoded photosynthetic gene expression in the embryo. We also show that ABA INSENSITIVE4 (ABI4) expression is confined to the embryo, accounts for the major differences in embryo response to ABA, and defines a role for ABI4 as a repressor of lipid breakdown. Furthermore, ABI5 expression in the endosperm defines a second region of altered ABA signaling in the micropylar endosperm cap. Finally, embryo and endosperm ABA signaling mutants demonstrate the spatial specificity of ABA action in seed germination. We conclude that the single cell endosperm layer plays an active role in the regulation of seed germination in Arabidopsis.
Formulation and characterization of atovaquone nanosuspension for improved oral delivery in the treatment of malaria.

AIM The objective of the present study was to develop an atovaquone (ATQ) nanosuspension and evaluate its ability to improve the pharmacokinetic and therapeutic efficacy on oral administration. MATERIALS & METHODS The ATQ nanosuspension was prepared by a combination of microprecipitation and high-pressure homogenization. It was freeze dried and characterized for various physiochemical properties. In vivo pharmacokinetics was performed in rats whereas antimalarial efficacy was assessed in mice using a 4-day suppressive test. RESULTS The ATQ nanosuspension stabilized with Solutol(®) HS 15 (BASF India Ltd, Mumbai, India) and Capryol™ 90 (Gattefosse, Mumbai, India) exhibited a z-average diameter of 371.50 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.19. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated no substantial changes in the crystalline state of ATQ nanocrystals. The aqueous solubility and in vitro dissolution rate were significantly increased by reducing the particle size. An in vivo pharmacokinetics study of the nanosuspension compared with a drug suspension and Malarone(®) (GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, UK) exhibited an approximately 4.6-3.2-fold improvement in area under plasma concentration. A significant increase in Cmax and decrease in time to reach peak plasma concentration after administration was also observed. ATQ in nanosized form, even at one-quarter lower doses, exhibited greater reduction in parasitemia and prolonged survival compared with its reference formulations. CONCLUSION Results of this pilot study highlight the potential of nanosuspension as an efficient and commercially viable strategy for improving delivery of ATQ for malaria treatment.
Two dimensions of interpersonal attitudes: Liking depends on communion, respect depends on agency

Liking and respect are proposed as two dimensions of interpersonal attitudes. Whereas liking–disliking reflects personal preferences, respect–disrespect reflects deference. Four studies involving a variety of samples and target persons showed that: (1) liking is more strongly influenced by communal than agentic qualities of the target, (2) respect is more strongly influenced by agentic than communal qualities of the target, (3) influence of communal information on liking is mediated by the perceived benevolence of the target, (4) influence of agentic information on respect is mediated by the inferred status potential of the target person. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Revisiting the affective Simon effect

We replicated the affective Simon effect found by De Houwer and Eelen (1998) in a situation in which participants had to respond by saying positive or negative depending on the grammatical category of the stimulus words while ignoring their affective connotation. Our results show that the affective Simon effect can be modulated by varying the proportion of experimental stimuli bearing a strongly polarised affective connotation. We propose that affective Simon effect depends at least in part on participants’ awareness of the correspondence between the affective connotation of the words and the responses. We also submit that this effect might not be specific to affective processing in that it is a token of a vast category of congruity effects that can be based on any kind of meaning of the stimuli, whether semantic or affective.
Patient safety in patients who occupy beds on clinically inappropriate wards: a qualitative interview study with NHS staff

Objective To explore NHS staff members' perceptions and experiences of the contributory factors that may underpin patient safety issues in those who are placed on a hospital ward that would not normally treat their illness (such patients are often called ‘outliers’ ‘sleep outs’ or ‘boarders’). Design Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Setting A single large teaching hospital in the north of England. Participants 29 members of NHS staff (doctors, nurses and non-clinical or management staff). Results Five themes describing contributory factors underlying safety issues were identified: competing demands on staff time created by having patients on inappropriate wards and patients who are on the correct specialty ward to care for; poor communication between the correct specialty ward and the clinically inappropriate ward; lack of knowledge or specialist expertise on clinically inappropriate wards; an unsuitable ward environment for patients on inappropriate wards; and the characteristics of patients who are placed on clinically inappropriate wards (specifically staff perceive patients on inappropriate wards to be medically fit and therefore of lower priority and moving patients between wards may disorientate confused or impaired patients). Examples of how these contributory factors may lead to safety issues are given. Conclusions NHS staff report that placement of patients on clinically inappropriate wards is a specific patient safety concern. The application of James Reason's Swiss cheese model of accident causation suggests that placement on an inappropriate ward constitutes a ‘latent condition’ which may expose patients to contributory factors that underlie adverse events.