Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The B Cell Antigen Receptor Controls Integrin Activity through Btk and PLCγ2

Integrin-mediated adhesion and B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling play a critical role in B cell development and function, including antigen-specific B cell differentiation. Here we show that the BCR controls integrin α4β1 (VLA-4)-mediated adhesion of B cells to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and fibronectin. Molecular dissection of the underlying signaling mechanism by a combined biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic approach demonstrates that this BCR-controlled integrin-mediated adhesion requires the (consecutive) activation of Lyn, Syk, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), phospholipase C (PLC)γ2, IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release, and PKC. In contrast, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) or extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) is not required, and simultaneous activation of MEK, ERK, and PKB is not sufficient either. Furthermore, Btk is also involved in the control of integrin-mediated adhesion of preB cells. The control of integrin α4β1-mediated B cell adhesion by the BCR involves cytoskeletal reorganization and integrin clustering. These results reveal a novel function for the BCR and Btk, i.e., regulation of integrin α4β1 activity, thereby providing new insights into the control of B cell development and differentiation, as well as into the pathogenesis of the immunodeficiency disease X-linked agammaglobulineamia (XLA).
The Effect of Shamanic-like Stimulus Conditions and the Cognitive-perceptual Factor of Schizotypy on Phenomenology

Shamanism has remained an integral part of indigenous healing rituals since ancient times and is currently attracting interest as a complementary therapeutic technique in psychology. Recently, shamanic-like techniques have been used to facilitate changes in the phenomenology of nonshamans. However, such research has largely been delimited to a single shamanic-like technique (i.e., drumming), and the role of personality traits with regards to receptivity to this technique has been neglected. The purpose of the present study was to investigate experimentally the effect of different shamanic-like techniques and the cognitive-perceptual factor of the schizotypy construct on phenomenology. One hundred and four non-shamans were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Drumming, Ganzfeld, or Sitting Quietly with Eyes Open. Participants' phenomenology was assessed using the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory, Phenomenology associated with shamanic-like techniques appeared to be statistically significantly different from phenomenology associated with sitting quietly with eyes open. Furthermore, high cognitive-perceptual participants reported significant alterations in phenomenology compared to their low cognitive-perceptual counterparts. Methodological shortcomings of the present study are discussed and suggestions for future research are advanced.
Relational State Abstractions for Reinforcement Learning

Abstract Reinforcement learning deals with learningoptimal or near optimal policies while inter-acting with an external environment. Theapplicability of reinforcement learning hasbeen limited by largesearchspacesand by itsinability to re-use previously learned policyon other, although similar, problems. A re-lational representation can be used to allevi-ate both problems. In particular, this papershows how a relational representation can beused to produce powerful abstractions whichcan signiﬁcantly reduced the search space,and that learning over this abstracted spacecan help to re-use previously learned poli-cies on new problems. The proposed stateabstraction requires the deﬁnition of rela-tional properties of the state space and re-lational actions over these states. This papershows how these relatio nal actions can be in-duced using a behavioural cloning approachand how the relations can be learned usingan ILP system based on a state representa-tion. Finally, it is shown when it is neces-sary to change the current state abstractionby learning a new relation. Examples fromgrid based problems, chess and a ﬂight sim-ulator are used to illustrate the main ideasbehind this research.
SPATIUM, TOOLS FOR SOUND SPATIALIZATION

In this paper we present spatium, a set of free, open source and modular software tools for sound spatialization, describing the creative and technical aspects considered during its development. The system is comprised of spatialization renderers, spatialization interfaces, DAW plugins and Max objects that communicate via OSC (Open Sound Control). They aim to: facilitate the exploration of different approaches to sound spatialization, ease the integration of sound spatialization into diverse compositional workflows, smooth the transition from the studio to different performance environments and be easily expandable to cater for growing needs.
Structural Study of the HD-PTP Bro1 Domain in a Complex with the Core Region of STAM2, a Subunit of ESCRT-0

EGFR is a key player in cell proliferation and survival signaling, and its sorting into MVBs for eventual lysosomal degradation is controlled by the coordination of multiple ESCRT complexes on the endosomal membrane. HD-PTP is a cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase, and is associated with EGFR trafficking by interacting with the ESCRT-0 protein STAM2 and the ESCRT-III protein CHMP4B via its N-terminal Bro1 domain. Intriguingly, the homologous domain of two other human Bro1 domain-containing proteins, Alix and Brox, binds CHMP4B but not STAM2, despite their high structural similarity. To elucidate this binding specificity, we determined the complex structure of the HD-PTP Bro1 domain bound to the STAM2 core region. STAM2 binds to the hydrophobic concave pocket of the HD-PTP Bro1 domain, as CHMP4B does to the pocket of Alix, Brox, or HD-PTP but in the opposite direction. Critically, Thr145 of HD-PTP, corresponding to Lys151 of Alix and Arg145 of Brox, is revealed to be a determinant residue enabling this protein to bind STAM2, as the Alix- or Brox-mimicking mutations of this residue blocks the intermolecular interaction. This work therefore provides the structural basis for how HD-PTP recognizes the ESCRT-0 component to control EGFR sorting.
Parental Communication About Kidnapping Stories in the US News

We conducted a random telephone survey of 182 parents to assess how they communicate with their children about kidnapping stories featured in the news. Three different strategies emerged. Some parents warned their children, signaling to them that kidnappings are likely to occur. Other parents reassured their children, suggesting that such threats rarely take place. Several parents cautioned their children, offering specific strategies to encourage vigilance. Logistic regression analyses revealed several predictors of these different communication strategies. The findings are discussed in terms of parental mediation and the cultivation of fear by the media.
Factors Affecting Grammatical and Lexical Complexity of Long-Term L2 Speakers’ Oral Proficiency

There remains considerable disagreement about which factors drive second language (L2) ultimate attainment. Age of onset (AO) appears to be a robust factor, lending support to theories of maturational constraints on L2 acquisition. The present study is an investigation of factors that influence grammatical and lexical complexity at the stage of L2 ultimate attainment. Grammatical and lexical complexity were assessed in 102 spontaneous oral interviews. Interviewees’ AOs ranged from 7 to 17 years old. Multifactorial analyses yielded consistently significant effects of gender and level of education for grammatical and lexical complexity. Additionally, native language use at work was a significant predictor for lexical complexity; conversely, AO did not emerge as a significant factor. We conclude that grammatical and lexical complexity at the stage of L2 ultimate attainment is the result of a complex interplay of variables that are general to language learning and performance rather than L2 specific.
Could cognitive deficits help distinguish methamphetamine-induced psychosis from a psychotic disorder with substance abuse?

Dissociating a primary psychotic disorder (PPD) with concurrent substance use from substance-induced psychosis (SID) can be a difficult task. This study explored the possibility of distinguishing subgroups using cognitive functioning in order to potentially help diagnose individuals with a PPD co-occurring with substance-use and a methamphetamine (MA) induced psychosis. The hypothesis stipulates that individuals with a PPD should present with different cognitive deficits compared to individuals with SID. The study used the data collected as part of a longitudinal study (the MAPS project) that took place in Vancouver BC, Canada. One hundred and seventy-two individuals presenting with psychosis and MA abuse were recruited. Substance use, symptoms severity and cognitive deficits were assessed. A cluster analyses revealed two profiles: individuals in Cluster 1 had a poorer performance on the Gambling task net score (M = −28.1) and on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised (HVLT-R; M = 63) % of retention s.
Practical Reliable Bayesian Recognition of 2D and 3D Objects Using Implicit Polynomials and Algebraic Invariants

We treat the use of more complex higher degree polynomial curves and surfaces of degree higher than 2, which have many desirable properties for object recognition and position estimation, and attack the instability problem arising in their use with partial and noisy data. The scenario discussed in this paper is one where we have a set of objects that are modeled as implicit polynomial functions, or a set of representations of classes of objects with each object in a class modeled as an implicit polynomial function, stored in the database. Then, given partial data from one of the objects, we want to recognize the object (or the object class) or collect more data in order to get better parameter estimates for more reliable recognition. Two problems arising in this scenario are discussed: 1) the problem of recognizing these polynomials by comparing them in terms of their coefficients; and 2) the problem of where to collect data so as to improve the parameter estimates as quickly as possible. We use an asymptotic Bayesian approximation for solving the two problems. The intrinsic dimensionality of polynomials and the use of the Mahalanobis distance are discussed.
A Change Support Model for Distributed Collaborative Work

Distributed collaborative software development tends to make artifacts and decisions inconsistent and uncertain. We try to solve this problem by providing an information repository to reflect the state of works precisely, by managing the states of artifacts/products made through collaborative work, and the states of decisions made through communications. In this paper, we propose models and a tool to construct the artifact-related part of the information repository, and explain the way to use the repository to resolve inconsistencies caused by concurrent changes of artifacts. We first show the model and the tool to generate the dependency relationships among UML model elements as content of the information repository. Next, we present the model and the method to generate change support workflows from the information repository. These workflows give us the way to efficiently modify the change-related artifacts for each change request. Finally, we define inconsistency patterns that enable us to be aware of the possibility of inconsistency occurrences. By combining this mechanism with version control systems, we can make changes safely. Our models and tool are useful in the maintenance phase to perform changes safely and efficiently.
Transcendence Among Gay Men: Implications for HIV Prevention

This article presents a critique of HIV prevention research and practice with gay men in light of reports that HIV seroprevalence appears to be increasing in this population. Central to this critique is the possibility that people may have a need for transcendence, which some gay men might seek to satisfy through sexual experience. Theories underpinning HIV prevention generally do not account for such nonrational aspects of sexuality, and they fail to acknowledge the impact of differential values on people’s health behaviours.
Mesh learning for object classification using fMRI measurements

Machine learning algorithms have been widely used as reliable methods for modeling and classifying cognitive processes using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data. In this study, we aim to classify fMRI measurements recorded during an object recognition experiment. Previous studies focus on Multi Voxel Pattern Analysis (MVPA) which feeds a set of active voxels in a concatenated vector form to a machine learning algorithm to train and classify the cognitive processes. In most of the MVPA methods, after an image preprocessing step, the voxel intensity values are fed to a classifier to train and recognize the underlying cognitive process. Sometimes, the fMRI data is further processed for de-noising or feature selection where techniques, such as Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Independent Component Analysis (ICA) or Principal Component Analysis are employed. Although these techniques are proved to be useful in MVPA, they do not model the spatial connectivity among the voxels. In this study, we attempt to represent the local relations among the voxel intensity values by forming a mesh network around each voxel to model the relationship of a voxel and its surroundings. The degree of connectivity of a voxel to its surroundings is represented by the arc weights of each mesh. The arc weights, which are estimated by a linear regression model, are fed to a classifier to discriminate the brain states during an object recognition task. This approach, called Mesh Learning, provides a powerful tool to analyze various cognitive states using fMRI data. Compared to traditional studies which focus either merely on multi-voxel pattern vectors or their reduced-dimension versions, the suggested Mesh Learning provides a better representation of object recognition task. Various machine learning algorithms are tested to compare the suggested Mesh Learning to the state-of-the art MVPA techniques. The performance of the Mesh Learning is shown to be higher than that of the available MVPA techniques.
Research on Aerial CCD Images Compression with JPEG2000

It is necessary to transmit the digital CCD aerial image to the ground in real-time. The digital CCD aerial images possess the high resolution and high data rate, so the finite channel capability is the limit of real-time image transmission. Compressing images before transmission in plane is a feasible way. We analyzed the characteristic of aerial images, wireless transmission channel, and the several potential image compression algorithms (such as JPEG and SPIHT and JPEG2000). And then authors choose the compress algorithm based on JPEG2000, which can efficiently resist error. At last, the complete project based on high-speed DSP and FPGA is presented.
Prevalence-based, disease-specific estimate of the social cost of smoking in Singapore

Objective To estimate the cost of smoking in Singapore in 2014 from the societal perspective. Methods A prevalence-based, disease-specific approach was undertaken to estimate the smoking-attributable costs. These include direct and indirect costs of inpatient treatment, premature mortality, loss of productivity due to medical leaves and smoking breaks. Results In 2014, the social cost of smoking in Singapore was conservatively estimated to be at least US$479.8 million, ∼0.2% of the 2014 gross domestic product. Most of this cost was attributable to productivity losses (US$464.9 million) and largely concentrated in the male population (US$434.9 million). Direct healthcare costs amounted to US$14.9 million where ischaemic heart disease and lung cancer had the highest cost burden. Conclusions The social cost of smoking is smaller in Singapore than in other Asian countries. However, there is still cause for concern. A recently observed increase in smoking prevalence, particularly among adolescent men, is likely to result in rising total cost. Most significantly, our results suggest that a large share of the overall cost burden lies outside the healthcare system or may not be highly salient to the relevant decision makers. This is partly because of the nature of such costs (indirect or intangible costs such as productivity losses are often not salient) or data limitations (a potentially significant fraction of direct healthcare expenditure may be in private primary care where costs are not systematically captured and reported). The case of Singapore thus illustrates that even in countries perceived as success stories, strong multisectoral anti-tobacco strategies and a supporting research agenda continue to be needed.
Performance evaluation of OpenFlow data planes

The decoupling of data and control planes of network switches is the main characteristic of Software Defined Networks. The OpenFlow (OF) protocol implements this concept and it is found today in various off-the-shelf equipment. Despite being widely employed in industry and research there is no systematic evaluation of OF data plane performance in the literature. In this paper we evaluate the performance and maturity of the main features of OF 1.0 on nine hardware and software switches. Results show that the performance varies significantly among implementations. For instance, packet delays vary by one order of magnitude among the evaluated switches, while the packet size does not impact the performance of OF switches.
Gestion bancaire du risque de non-remboursement des crédits aux entreprises : une revue de la littérature

Les banquiers subissent un risque de nonremboursement des credits aux entreprises. Ce risque peut etre reduit lors des deux phases du credit : lors de l'octroi, par une analyse du risque de defaillance et la redaction de contrats incitatifs, et en cours de vie, par un suivi actif du credit.
Constructive Induction On Decision Trees

Selective induction techniques perform poorly when the features are inappropriate for the target concept. One solution is to have the learning system construct new features automatically; unfortunately feature construction is a difficult and poorly understood problem. In this paper we present a definition of feature construction in concept learning, and offer a framework for its study based on four aspects: detection, selection, generalization, and evaluation. This framework is used in the analysis of existing learning systems and as the basis for the design of a new system, CITRE. CITRE performs feature construction using decision trees and simple domain knowledge as constructive biases. Initial results on a set of spatial-dependent problems suggest the importance of domain knowledge and feature generalization, i.e., constructive induction.
Real Time Hand Gesture Recognition for Human Computer Interaction

Most of the human computer interaction interfaces that are designed today require explicit instructions from the user in the form of keyboard taps or mouse clicks. As the complexity of these devices increase, the sheer amount of such instructions can easily disrupt, distract and overwhelm users. A novel method to recognize hand gestures for human computer interaction, using computer vision and image processing techniques, is proposed in this paper. The proposed method can successfully replace such devices (e.g. keyboard or mouse) needed for interacting with a personal computer. The method uses a commercial depth + rgb camera called Senz3D, which is cheap and easy to buy as compared to other depth cameras. The proposed method works by analyzing 3D data in real time and uses a set of classification rules to classify the number of convexity defects into gesture classes. This results in real time performance and negates the requirement of any training data. The proposed method achieves commendable performance with very low processor utilization.
Modeling Educational Effectiveness in Classrooms: The Use of Multi-Level Structural Equations to Model Students’ Progress

Long-standing and enduring problems in quantitative studies of educational effectiveness relate to fitting models that adequately reflect the complex inter-relationships among multivariate, multilevel factors affecting students’ educational progress, particularly among those that operate within classrooms. This article illustrates one approach to solving such difficulties by combining the analytic approaches of multilevel analysis and structural equation modeling in a two-stage process. The data used are drawn from a longitudinal study of teacher and school effectiveness for three Grade-level cohorts of 4,558 students clustered within 334 class/teacher groups in 52 elementary schools. The article provides estimates of inter-relationships among achievement and social background factors including ‘critical events’ on students’ progress in mathematics, together with their affective schooling experiences and inattentive behaviors in the classroom. Findings are presented indicating the extent to which progress.
Effects of male accessory sex glands on deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in the first cell cycle of golden hamster embryos.

To study the paternal effect, particularly of accessory sex gland secretions, on DNA synthesis in golden hamster zygotes, the glands were surgically removed from golden hamsters resulting in 4 groups: SH, sham-operated; AGX, bilateral excision of ampullary glands; VPX, bilateral excision of ventral prostates; and TX, excision of all accessory sex glands. Each female was mated with one male and killed at 6, 8, 10, or 12 h postcoitus (p.c.). Embryos were collected, and zygotes in S-phase were identified by immunocytochemical techniques after pulse-labeling with 50 microM 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-monophosphate (BrdU) in Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate medium for 30 min. In another experiment, embryos at 6 h p.c. were incubated in 50 microM BrdU for 6 h. Presumptive zygotes were stained with propidium iodide to visualize pronuclei. The BrdU pulse-labeling results showed that the percentages of embryos with 1 or 2 pronuclei in S-phase at 8 h p.c. in VPX (44.3 +/- 10.4) and TX (41.6 +/- 10.6) groups were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in the SH group (69.0 +/- 5.5). In the AGX group, although the percentage of embryos with 1 or 2 pronuclei in S-phase was not significantly different from that of the SH group, the percentage of 8-h embryos with 2 pronuclei in S-phase was 51.6 +/- 2.8, significantly lower than in the SH control (68.1 +/- 6.0, p < 0.05). When the embryos were labeled with BrdU for 6 h, the percentages of embryos with 1 or 2 pronuclei in S-phase were not different among the 4 groups. However, the percentage of embryos showing 2 pronuclei in S-phase was significantly lower in the AGX group (78.4 +/- 6.7) than in the SH group (91.8 +/- 2.9, p < 0.05). These results suggest that accessory sex glands can affect DNA synthesis in hamster zygotes and that the mechanisms by which ampullary gland and ventral prostrate secretions affect the first cell cycle are probably different. A significantly higher incidence (p < 0.001) of polyspermy was observed in embryos sired by males without ampullary glands (5.2 +/- 1.0%) compared with those sired by the SH group (0.8 +/- 0.3%).