Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lipids in Health and Disease

The glyoxylate cycle, which is well characterized in higher plants and some microorganisms but not in vertebrates, is able to bypass the citric acid cycle to achieve fat-to-carbohydrate interconversion. In this context, the hydrodynamic transfer of two glyoxylate cycle enzymes, such as isocytrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase (MS), could accomplish the shift of using fat for the synthesis of glucose. Therefore, 20 mice weighing 23.37 ± 0.96 g were hydrodinamically gene transferred by administering into the tail vein a bolus with ICL and MS. After 36 hours, body weight, plasma glucose, respiratory quotient and energy expenditure were measured. The respiratory quotient was increased by gene transfer, which suggests that a higher carbohydrate/lipid ratio is oxidized in such animals. This application could help, if adequate protocols are designed, to induce fat utilization for glucose synthesis, which might be eventually useful to reduce body fat depots in situations of obesity and diabetes. Background Thousands of different life-related biochemical processes, such as cell respiration and many other metabolic reactions, can lead to the production and utilization of energy in forms of ATP synthesis and heat release [1-3]. Indeed, all biological processes, including the chemical pathways concerning bioenergetics, follow thermodynamic laws [4]. The central set of reactions involved in cellular fuel homeostasis are collectively known as the citric acid or tricarboxilic acid cycle (TCA cycle), which oxidizes the products of glycolisis and lipid-derived substrates, such as acetyl-CoA, to produce energy in the mitochondria [1]. Indeed, mitochondrial damage and the subsequent dysfunction in this membrane-enclosed organelle are often manifested as neurological disorders, but also as diabetes or obesity [5]. In this context, the glyoxylate cycle is a metabolic pathway well characterized in plants, fungi and several microorganisms [6]. Interestingly, the glyoxylate cycle allows these organisms to use fats for the synthesis of carbohydrates via the acetate generated during fatty acid β-oxidation, which is achieved by two unique enzymes: isocitrate lyase (ICL; EC 4.1.3.1) and malate synthase (MS; EC 2.3.3.9). These enzymes sequentially catalyse chemical conversions, which are involved in the glyoxylate cycle and appear to be absent or unfunctional in most circumstances in vertebrates, including rodents [7-9], guinea pigs [10] and humans [11]. Published: 10 December 2008 Lipids in Health and Disease 2008, 7:49 doi:10.1186/1476-511X-7-49 Received: 29 September 2008 Accepted: 10 December 2008 This article is available from: http://www.lipidworld. com/content/7/1/49 © 2008 Cordero et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The distributed virtual windtunnel

An implementation of a distributed virtual environment for the shared interactive visualization of large unsteady three-dimensional flowfields is described. Computation of the visualizations is performed on a Convex C3240 computer and the visualization data are transferred over a high-speed network to a Silicon Graphics Iris workstation for rendering. A boom-mounted six-degree-of-freedom head-position-sensitive stereo CRT (cathode ray tube) system is used for display. A hand-position-sensitive glove controller is used for controlling various tracers (e.g., 'smoke') for the visualization of the flow. User commands are sent to the Convex, which interprets these commands and computes the corresponding visualization. With this architecture, several users may share and cooperatively control the visualization generated by the Convex. The distributed architecture is also interesting to those using conventional screen and mouse interfaces. <<ETX>>
Taming Hosted Hypervisors with (Mostly) Deprivileged Execution

Recent years have witnessed increased adoption of hosted hypervisors in virtualized computer systems. By non-intrusively extending commodity OSs, hosted hypervisors can effectively take advantage of a variety of mature and stable features as well as the existing broad user base of commodity OSs. However, virtualizing a computer system is still a rather complex task. As a result, existing hosted hypervisors typically have a large code base (e.g., 33.6K SLOC for KVM), which inevitably introduces exploitable software bugs. Unfortunately, any compromised hosted hypervisor can immediately jeopardize the host system and subsequently affect all running guests in the same physical machine. In this paper, we present a system that aims to dramatically reduce the exposed attack surface of a hosted hypervisor by deprivileging its execution to user mode. In essence, by decoupling the hypervisor code from the host OS and deprivileging its execution, our system demotes the hypervisor mostly as a user-level library, which not only substantially reduces the attack surface (with a much smaller TCB), but also brings additional benefits in allowing for better development and debugging as well as concurrent execution of multiple hypervisors in the same physical machine. To evaluate its effectiveness, we have developed a proof-ofconcept prototype that successfully deprivileges ∼ 93.2% of the loadable KVM module code base in user mode while only adding a small TCB (2.3K SLOC) to the host OS kernel. Additional evaluation results with a number of benchmark programs further demonstrate its practicality and efficiency.
Insulin Regulation of Cholesterol 7α-Hydroxylase Expression in Human Hepatocytes

Bile acid synthesis and pool size increases in diabetes, whereas insulin inhibits bile acid synthesis. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of insulin regulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase gene expression in human hepatocytes. Real-time PCR assays showed that physiological concentrations of insulin rapidly stimulated cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) mRNA expression in primary human hepatocytes but inhibited CYP7A1 expression after extended treatment. The insulin-regulated forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) and steroid regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) strongly inhibited hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α trans-activation of the CYP7A1 gene. FoxO1 binds to an insulin response element in the rat CYP7A1 promoter, which is not present in the human CYP7A1 gene. Insulin rapidly phosphorylates and inactivates FoxO1, whereas insulin induces nuclear SREBP-1c expression in human primary hepatocytes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay shows that insulin reduced FoxO1 and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ-coactivator-1α but increased SREBP-1c recruitment to CYP7A1 chromatin. We conclude that insulin has dual effects on human CYP7A1 gene transcription; physiological concentrations of insulin rapidly inhibit FoxO1 activity leading to stimulation of the human CYP7A1 gene, whereas prolonged insulin treatment induces SREBP-1c, which inhibits human CYP7A1 gene transcription. Insulin may play a major role in the regulation of bile acid synthesis and dyslipidemia in diabetes.
Small incision basilic vein transposition technique: A good alternative to standard method

End-stage renal disease is a significant health problem. The primary use of the autogenous arteriovenous access is recommended by NKF-DOQI (National Kidney Foundation-Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative) guidelines. Though basilic vein transposition is well established in multiple failed fistulae's and obese patients, it requires large incision and morbidities like edema and infection. To avoid such compilations we, at our institution, adopted a small incision technique using two small 3-4 cm incisions. This method is inspired by videoendoscopic minimally invasive method used to dissect the basilic vein, thus avoiding extensive dissection and related morbidities.
On Finding the Maxima of a Set of Vectors

H. T. KUNG Carnegze-Mellon Un~verszty, P2ttsburgh, Pennsylvanza F. LUCCIO Unwerszht d~ P~sa, P~sa, Italy F. P. PREPARATA University of Ilhno~s, Urbana, Illinois ASSTRACT. Let U1 , U2, . , Ud be totally ordered sets and let V be a set of n d-dimensional vectors In U~ X Us. X Ud . A partial ordering is defined on V in a natural way The problem of finding all maximal elements of V with respect to the partial ordering ~s considered The computational com- plexity of the problem is defined to be the number of required comparisons of two components and is denoted by Cd(n). It is tnwal that C~(n) = n - 1 and C,~(n) _ flog2 n! l for d _> 2
A programmable sustaining amplifier for reconfigurable MEMS-referenced oscillators

We describe a highly-programmable integrated sustaining amplifier for reconfigurable MEMS-referenced oscillators. The frequency response, voltage gain, and phase shift of the amplifier can be independently controlled using bias currents, thus enabling it to be interfaced with a variety of MEMS devices with resonant frequencies in the 10–120kHz range. The chip, which was designed in 0. 5μm CMOS, also includes i) an automatic level control (ALC) circuit; and ii) an independently-adjustable background compensation network (BCN) that is used for canceling the parasitic electrical capacitance of the resonator. We present experimental data that confirms the functionality of individual circuit blocks and also the amplifier as a whole.
Validity of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) in a psychiatric sample.

Investigated the validity of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) in a psychiatric sample. Fifty psychiatric patients were given the NPI as part of a routine psychological evaluation. Correlations between the NPI and the basic personality style scales of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) were obtained; the largest correlation was between the NPI and the narcissism scale of the MCMI (r = .66, p less than .001). When classified into the low and high narcissistic groups, there was 74% agreement between the NPI and narcissistic scale of the MCMI. These results provide further support for the construct validity of the NPI.
Enhanced Fatty Acid Oxidation and FATP4 Protein Expression after Endurance Exercise Training in Human Skeletal Muscle

FATP1 and FATP4 appear to be important for the cellular uptake and handling of long chain fatty acids (LCFA). These findings were obtained from loss- or gain of function models. However, reports on FATP1 and FATP4 in human skeletal muscle are limited. Aerobic training enhances lipid oxidation; however, it is not known whether this involves up-regulation of FATP1 and FATP4 protein. Therefore, the aim of this project was to investigate FATP1 and FATP4 protein expression in the vastus lateralis muscle from healthy human individuals and to what extent FATP1 and FATP4 protein expression were affected by an increased fuel demand induced by exercise training. Eight young healthy males were recruited to the study. All subjects were non smokers and did not participate in regular physical activity (<1 time per week for the past 6 months, VO2peak 3.4±0.1 l O2 min−1). Subjects underwent an 8 week supervised aerobic training program. Training induced an increase in VO2peak from 3.4±0.1 to 3.9±0.1 l min−1 and citrate synthase activity was increased from 53.7±2.5 to 80.8±3.7 µmol g−1 min−1. The protein content of FATP4 was increased by 33%, whereas FATP1 protein content was reduced by 20%. Interestingly, at the end of the training intervention a significant association (r2 = 0.74) between the observed increase in skeletal muscle FATP4 protein expression and lipid oxidation during a 120 min endurance exercise test was observed. In conclusion, based on the present findings it is suggested that FATP1 and FATP4 proteins perform different functional roles in handling LCFA in skeletal muscle with FATP4 apparently more important as a lipid transport protein directing lipids for lipid oxidation.
Parametric datatype-genericity

Datatype-generic programs are programs that are parametrized by a datatype or type functor: whereas polymorphic programs abstract from the "integers" in "lists of integers",datatype-generic programs abstract from the "lists of". There are two main styles of datatype-generic programming: the Algebra of Programming approach, characterized by structured recursion operators arising from initial algebras and final coalgebras, and the Generic Haskell approach, characterized by case analysis over the structure of a datatype. We show that the former enjoys a kind of higher-order naturality, relating the behaviours of generic functions at different types; in contrast, the latter is ad~hoc, with no coherence required or provided between the various clauses of a definition. Moreover, the naturality properties arise "for free", simply from the parametrized types of the generic functions: we present a higher-order parametricity theorem for datatype-generic operators.
Anticipating Unemployment : Savings Evidence from Denmark ∗ ( Preliminary and Incomplete )

This paper studies the savings behavior of workers faced with costly job loss. Using Danish administrative data on income, savings, and employment from 1983 to 2010, I find cumulative earnings losses of more than $20,000 five years after a layoff. Income losses are smaller, around 13 percent of pre-layoff income, and there is no evidence of an expenditure loss. Under a number of specifications, the data reveal higher savings in the years before a mass layoff among displaced workers than those in the same firm who keep their job, consistent with worker foresight about the idiosyncratic probability of losing their job. JEL Classification: J63, D91, E24
Wavelet transforms for non-uniform speech recognition systems

An algorithm for nonuniform speech segmentation and its application in speech recognition systems is presented. A method based on the Modulated Gaussian Wavelet Transform based Speech Analyser (MGWTSA) and the subsequent parametrization block is used to transform a uniform signal into a set of nonuniformly separated frames, with the accurate information being fed into a speech recognition system. The algorithm needs a frame characterizing the signal where necessary, trying to reduce the number of frames per signal as much as possible, without an appreciable reduction in the recognition rate of the system.
A Second-Order Uncertainty Model of Independent Random Variables: An Example of the Stress-Strength Reliability

A second-order hierarchical uncertainty model of a system of independent random variables is studied in the paper. It is shown that the complex nonlinear optimization problem for reducing the second-order model to the firstorder one can be represented as a finite set of simple linear programming problems with a finite number of constraints. The stress-strength reliability analysis by unreliable information about statistical parameters of the stress and strength exemplifies the model. Numerical examples illustrate the proposed algorithm for computing the stress-strength reliability.
A novel discrete adaptive sliding-mode-like control method for ionic polymer–metal composite manipulators

Ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC), also called artificial muscle, is an EAP material which can generate a relatively large deformation with a low driving voltage (generally less than 5 V). Like other EAP materials, IPMC possesses strong nonlinear properties, which can be described as a hybrid of back-relaxation (BR) and hysteresis characteristics, which also vary with water content, environmental temperature and even the usage consumption. Nowadays, many control approaches have been developed to tune the IPMC actuators, among which adaptive methods show a particular striking performance. To deal with IPMCs’ nonlinear problem, this paper represents a robust discrete adaptive inverse (AI) control approach, which employs an on-line identification technique based on the BR operator and Prandtl–Ishlinskii (PI) hysteresis operator hybrid model estimation method. Here the newly formed control approach is called discrete adaptive sliding-mode-like control (DASMLC) due to the similarity of its design method to that of a sliding mode controller. The weighted least mean squares (WLMS) identification method was employed to estimate the hybrid IPMC model because of its advantage of insensitivity to environmental noise. Experiments with the DASMLC approach and a conventional PID controller were carried out to compare and demonstrate the proposed controller’s better performance.
Effect of personalization on the perceived usefulness of online customer services: a dual-core theory

E-tailers provide a variety of customer service, many of which are personalized in an attempt to improve customer satisfaction. Several studies indicate that customers perceive these services to be useful, but it is inconclusive whether this effect is created by economic or emotional factors. This paper proposes a dual core theory that takes into account both economic factors (measured by perceived reduction in transaction costs) and emotional factors (referred to as the perceived care) in their effect on the perceived usefulness of providing personalized customer services. A survey revealed that different customer services have different perceived usefulness. The study also found that both economic and emotional factors come into play; the perceived care has a stronger effect than transaction cost reduction on the perceived usefulness of e-services. This implies that the effect of personalized services is due to both economic and emotional factors, (called dual-core), and that e-tailers may use personalized customer services strategically to increase customer care, rather than just focusing on providing economic benefits.
The kinematics of multi-fingered manipulation

In this paper, we derive a configuration-space description of the kinematics of the fingers-plus-object system. To do this, we first formulate contact kinematics as a "virtual" kinematic chain. Then, the system can be viewed as one large closed kinematic chain composed of smaller chains, one for each finger and one for each contact point. We examine the underlying configuration space and two ways of moving through this space. The first, kinematics-based velocity control, is a generalization of some previous velocity-based approaches. The second, hyperspace jumps, is a purely configuration-space concept. We conclude with a discussion of how these concepts can be used to understand the task of twirling a baton. >
Characterization of two highly metastatic variants of Lewis lung carcinoma with different organ specificities.

The biological properties and metastasis of two sublines of the Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) which have maintained a stable pattern of organ-selective metastasis have been studied. Subline M-3LL, a lung-specific variant which originated from a lung metastasis of the parent line, metastasized only to the lung following injection of 10(4)-10(6) tumor cells i.v. or s.c. Lymphatic metastases of this tumor were rarely detected. Subline H-3LL which was developed from a rare, spontaneous hepatic metastasis of the parent line metastasized primarily to the liver, but pulmonary metastases have also been observed. While it grew at local s.c. sites, this tumor metastasized to the regional lymph nodes draining the tumor site, as determined by histology and by bioassay of the lymph nodes following their grafting into new recipient animals. Histologically, the two lines were indistinguishable with the exception of a higher incidence of giant cells detected in tissue sections and culture monolayers of the liver-colonizing variant H-3LL. Ten clones derived from each of the variant lines were expanded in vitro and inoculated i.v. While none of the ten clones derived from line M-3LL gave rise to extrapulmonary metastasis, nine of ten clones derived from Tumor H-3LL gave rise to hepatic metastasis. Highly metastatic clones selected from each tumor were subsequently used to study the patterns of distribution and arrest of radiolabeled tumor cells following their inoculation i.v. No correlation could be found between the initial distribution of the radiolabeled tumor cells and the organ selectivity eventually noted in the site of the metastases.
Solving even-parity problems using traceless genetic programming

A genetic programming (GP) variant called traceless genetic programming (TGP) is proposed in this paper. TGP is a hybrid method combining a technique for building the individuals and a technique for representing the individuals. The main difference between TGP and other GP techniques is that TGP does not explicitly store the evolved computer programs. Two genetic operators are used in conjunction with TGP: crossover and insertion. TGP is applied for evolving digital circuits for the even-parity problem. Numerical experiments show that TGP outperforms standard GP with several orders of magnitude.
Development of micro electro mechanical devices for the study of mechanosensitive ion channels and mechanical cell properties

Abstract The objectives of this doctoral research involve the development of tools, in particular micro-nano devices for the study of mechanical properties of single living cells and for the analyses of mechanosensitive ionic channels (MSCs). The objectives of this doctoral research involve the development of tools, in particular micro-nano devices for the study of mechanical properties of single living cells and for the analyses of mechanosensitive ionic channels (MSCs). BioMEMS (Biological Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) have been devised and used to investigate MSCs and the cell mechanics in a completely innovative way. Living cells in adhesion can be studied in a physiological condition; the mechanical stretch can be controlled and measured; the MSCs activity can be evaluate using different techniques from patch clamp to AFM (atomic force microscope) or fluorescence essays. Silicon BioMEMS have been designed and tested to evaluate morphological modifications of the stretched cells, and hysteretic behavior has been assessed. However, since they are not transparent, the use of this devices has been limited. Also completely transparent devices have been designed and microfabricated. These BioMEMS will allow testing cells and combining measurements of the mechanical properties, the cell’s morphology (with optical systems and atomic force microscopy), and MSCs activity (with patch clamp and/or conductive AFM). In this doctoral research, BioMEMS have been devised and realized, the measurement set-up optimized and a surface treatment protocol developed.
PassShapes: utilizing stroke based authentication to increase password memorability

Authentication today mostly relies on passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs). Therefore the average user has to remember an increasing amount of PINs and passwords. Unfortunately, humans have limited capabilities for remembering abstract alphanumeric sequences. Thus, many people either forget them or use very simple ones, which implies several security risks. In this work, a novel authentication method called PassShapes is presented. In this system users authenticate themselves to a computing system by drawing simple geometric shapes constructed of an arbitrary combination of eight different strokes. We argue that using such shapes will allow more complex and thus more secure authentication tokens with a lower cognitive load and higher memorability. To prove these assumptions, two user studies have been conducted. The memorability evaluation showed that the PassShapes concept is able to increase the memorability when users can practice the PassShapes several times. This effect is even increasing over time. Additionally, a prototype was implemented to conduct a usability study. The results of both studies indicate that the PassShapes approach is able to provide a usable and memorable authentication method.