Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GTRAP3-18 serves as a negative regulator of Rab1 in protein transport and neuronal differentiation

Glutamate transporter associated protein 3–18 (GTRAP3‐18) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐localized protein belonging to the prenylated rab‐acceptor‐family interacting with small Rab GTPases, which regulate intracellular trafficking events. Its impact on secretory trafficking has not been investigated. We report here that GTRAP3‐18 has an inhibitory effect on Rab1, which is involved in ER‐to‐Golg trafficking. The effects on the early secretory pathway in HEK293 cells were: reduction of the rate of ER‐to‐Golgi transport of the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSVG), slowed accumulation of a Golgi marker plasmid in pre‐Golgi structures after Brefeldin A treatment and inhibition of cargo concentration of the neuronal glutamate transporter excitatory amino‐acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) into transpor complexes in HEK293 cells, an effect that could be completely reversed in the presence of an excess of Rab1. In accordance with the known role of Rab1 in neurite formation, overexpression of GTRAP3‐18 significantly inhibited the length of outgrowing neurites in differentiated CAD cells. The inhibitory effect of GTRAP3‐18 on neurite growth was rescued by co‐expression with Rab1, supporting the conclusion that GTRAP 3‐18 acted by inhibiting Rab1 action. Finally, we hypothesized that expression of GTRAP3‐18 in the brain shoul be lower at stages of active synaptogenesis compared to early developmental stages. This was the case as expression of GTRAP3‐18 declined from E17 to P0 and adult rat brains. Thus, we propose a model where protein trafficking and neuronal differentiation are directly linked by the interaction of Rab1 and its regulator GTRAP3‐18.
Modeling Transitivity in Complex Networks

An important source of high clustering coefficient in real-world networks is transitivity. However, existing approaches for modeling transitivity suffer from at least one of the following problems: i) they produce graphs from a specific class like bipartite graphs, ii) they do not give an analytical argument for the high clustering coefficient of the model, and iii) their clustering coefficient is still significantly lower than real-world networks. In this paper, we propose a new model for complex networks which is based on adding transitivity to scale-free models. We theoretically analyze the model and provide analytical arguments for its different properties. In particular, we calculate a lower bound on the clustering coefficient of the model which is independent of the network size, as seen in real-world networks. More than theoretical analysis, the main properties of the model are evaluated empirically and it is shown that the model can precisely simulate real-world networks from different domains with and different specifications.
Improving the Lifetime of Wireless Sensor Network through Energy Conservation

A fundamental challenge in the design of Wireless Sensor Network is to enhance the network lifetime. Wireless Sensor nodes carry limited irreplaceable power source. In single static sink node based wireless sensor network, a sensor node spends most of its energy for relaying data packets especially which are located in the surrounding area of the sink node. They dissipate their energy so fast due to many to one traffic pattern and finally they die. This uneven depletion phenomenon is known as hot spot problem which becomes more serious as the number of sensor nodes increase. Replacing these energy sources in the field is usually not practicable. So if the distance between a sensor node and sink node is reduced, the energy consumption will also reduce. Here, the proposed system implements multiple sink nodes with an energy efficient routing algorithm based on local information only. Simulation results show that the networks with this lifetime-oriented strategy achieve a significant improvement on network lifetime.
Towards Digital Investigation in Virtual Networks: A Study of Challenges and Open Problems

The evolution of virtualization techniques is still changing operating principles in today's datacenters (DC). The virtualization of ordinary servers was just the first step, which increased the dynamic and flexibility of the DC. Providers are now able to offer different virtual machines (VM) faster and with less overhead to their customers. But this provision raises new problems for the providers. Aspects like isolation, security or multi-tenancy are increasingly relevant and demand new setups in the DC. Current network infrastructures are not able to handle these aspects with an acceptable effort, but the development of virtual networks offers new possibilities, with benefits for the provider and the user. Based on a physical underlay network, different virtual networks can be defined, either by a provider or the customer. Protocols like VXLAN or GENEVE appear to eliminate restrictions of current networks. New paradigms like Software-defined-Networks (SDN) or Network Function Virtualization (NFV) offer new capabilities to redesign the whole network infrastructure in the DC. But the need for digital investigation is still necessary regardless of all new paradigms and evolution. As a branch of digital investigation, network forensic investigation (NFI) is used to examine network traffic by capturing the data of a suspicious target system and analyzing this data. The modern virtual data centers and the implemented virtual networks impede the NFI, proved techniques and methods fail because of the increased complexity of the new logical networks. Not only the analysis of the new network protocols impede the NFI, even the the capture process of relevant data needs to be refined. In this paper, we analyze in detail new arising problems of digital investigation in virtual networks and explore the new challenges for NFI. Based on the discussion of network forensics and current utilized methodologies and the new techniques of network virtualization the arising problems are defined and classified in three categories. This classification helps to develop new methods and possible solutions, which might simplify further necessary investigations in cloud-computing environments.
Differences between Germans and Dutch People in Perception of Social Robots and the Tasks Robots Perform

Robots are increasingly becoming interactive, autonomous collaborative partners in our daily lives. Their personalities influence to what degree they can become such a partner and how effectively they can carry out their tasks. Effects of cultural differences between Eastern and Western cultures on social responses have already been found that can help contribute to designing more effective robots. Effects of cultural differences between neighbouring countries on social responses can make such a contribution as well. The effects of cultural differences between Germany and The Netherlands on social responses therefore were investigated. It was found that Germans compared to Dutch people were more compliant to and less inclined to trust an interactive social robot. Germans compared to Dutch people were also found to be more inclined to spend time with an interactive social robot. A systematic difference was also found between Germans and Dutch people in task perception of extravert, ambivert and introvert tasks carried out by a social interactive robot. Germans perceived these tasks as slightly less extravert.
Novel Subtype-Specific Genes Identify Distinct Subpopulations of Callosal Projection Neurons

Little is known about the molecular development and heterogeneity of callosal projection neurons (CPN), cortical commissural neurons that connect homotopic regions of the two cerebral hemispheres via the corpus callosum and that are critical for bilateral integration of cortical information. Here we report on the identification of a series of genes that individually and in combination define CPN and novel CPN subpopulations during embryonic and postnatal development. We used in situ hybridization analysis, immunocytochemistry, and retrograde labeling to define the layer-specific and neuron-type-specific distribution of these newly identified CPN genes across different stages of maturation. We demonstrate that a subset of these genes (e.g., Hspb3 and Lpl) appear specific to all CPN (in layers II/III and V–VI), whereas others (e.g., Nectin-3, Plexin-D1, and Dkk3) discriminate between CPN of the deep layers and those of the upper layers. Furthermore, the data show that several genes finely subdivide CPN within individual layers and appear to label CPN subpopulations that have not been described previously using anatomical or morphological criteria. The genes identified here likely reflect the existence of distinct programs of gene expression governing the development, maturation, and function of the newly identified subpopulations of CPN. Together, these data define the first set of genes that identify and molecularly subcategorize distinct populations of callosal projection neurons, often located in distinct subdivisions of the canonical cortical laminae.
Gameplay experience in a gaze interaction game

Assessing gameplay experience for gaze interaction games is a challenging task. For this study, a gaze interaction Half-Life 2 game modification was created that allowed eye tracking control. The mod was deployed during an experiment at Dreamhack 2007, where participants had to play with gaze navigation and afterwards rate their gameplay experience. The results show low tension and negative affects scores on the gameplay experience questionnaire as well as high positive challenge, immersion and flow ratings. The correlation between spatial presence and immersion for gaze interaction was high and yields further investigation. It is concluded that gameplay experience can be correctly assessed with the methodology presented in this paper.
Reliability-balanced feature level fusion for fuzzy commitment scheme

Fuzzy commitment schemes have been established as a reliable means of binding cryptographic keys to binary feature vectors extracted from diverse biometric modalities. In addition, attempts have been made to extend fuzzy commitment schemes to incorporate multiple biometric feature vectors. Within these schemes potential improvements through feature level fusion are commonly neglected. In this paper a feature level fusion technique for fuzzy commitment schemes is presented. The proposed reliability-balanced feature level fusion is designed to re-arrange and combine two binary biometric templates in a way that error correction capacities are exploited more effectively within a fuzzy commitment scheme yielding improvement with respect to key-retrieval rates. In experiments, which are carried out on iris-biometric data, reliability-balanced feature level fusion significantly outperforms conventional approaches to multi-biometric fuzzy commitment schemes confirming the soundness of the proposed technique.
Earliest evidence for caries and exploitation of starchy plant foods in Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from Morocco

Significance We present early evidence linking a high prevalence of caries to a reliance on highly cariogenic wild plant foods in Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from North Africa. This evidence predates other high caries populations and the first signs of food production by several thousand years. We infer that increased reliance on wild plants rich in fermentable carbohydrates caused an early shift toward a disease-associated oral microbiota. Systematic harvesting and processing of wild food resources supported a more sedentary lifestyle during the Iberomaurusian than previously recognized. This research challenges commonly held assumptions that high rates of caries are indicative of agricultural societies. Dental caries is an infectious disease that causes tooth decay. The high prevalence of dental caries in recent humans is attributed to more frequent consumption of plant foods rich in fermentable carbohydrates in food-producing societies. The transition from hunting and gathering to food production is associated with a change in the composition of the oral microbiota and broadly coincides with the estimated timing of a demographic expansion in Streptococcus mutans, a causative agent of human dental caries. Here we present evidence linking a high prevalence of caries to reliance on highly cariogenic wild plant foods in Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from North Africa, predating other high caries populations and the first signs of food production by several thousand years. Archaeological deposits at Grotte des Pigeons in Morocco document extensive evidence for human occupation during the Middle Stone Age and Later Stone Age (Iberomaurusian), and incorporate numerous human burials representing the earliest known cemetery in the Maghreb. Macrobotanical remains from occupational deposits dated between 15,000 and 13,700 cal B.P. provide evidence for systematic harvesting and processing of edible wild plants, including acorns and pine nuts. Analysis of oral pathology reveals an exceptionally high prevalence of caries (51.2% of teeth in adult dentitions), comparable to modern industrialized populations with a diet high in refined sugars and processed cereals. We infer that increased reliance on wild plants rich in fermentable carbohydrates and changes in food processing caused an early shift toward a disease-associated oral microbiota in this population.
Scheduling-and-Control Codesign for a Collection of Networked Control Systems With Uncertain Delays

This paper is concerned with the simultaneous stabilization of a collection of continuous-time linear time-invariant (LTI) plants whose feedback-control loops are closed via a shared digital communication network. Because of the limitation of communication capacity, only a limited number of controller-plant connections can be accommodated at any time instant. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully determine a scheduling policy so as to achieve a simultaneous stabilization for all these control loops. A sufficient condition on the existence of such a scheduling policy is presented for a collection of networked LTI systems with sampled-data controllers and uncertain network-induced delays. The proof for the schedulability condition is in a constructive way, which can also serve as a systematic method to design a scheduling policy. Finally, a scheduling-and-feedback-control codesign procedure is proposed for the simultaneous stabilization of the collection of networked LTI systems, and the effectiveness of the proposed codesign procedure is demonstrated with simulation results.
Nd6p, a Novel Protein with RCC1-Like Domains Involved in Exocytosis in Paramecium tetraurelia

ABSTRACT In Paramecium tetraurelia, the regulated secretory pathway of dense core granules called trichocysts can be altered by mutation and genetically studied. Seventeen nondischarge (ND) genes controlling exocytosis have already been identified by a genetic approach. The site of action of the studied mutations is one of the three compartments, the cytosol, trichocyst, or plasma membrane. The only ND genes cloned to date correspond to mutants affected in the cytosol or in the trichocyst compartment. In this work, we investigated a representative of the third compartment, the plasma membrane, by cloning the ND6 gene. This gene encodes a 1,925-amino-acid protein containing two domains homologous to the regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1). In parallel, 10 new alleles of the ND6 gene were isolated. Nine of the 12 available mutations mapped in the RCC1-like domains, showing their importance for the Nd6 protein (Nd6p) function. The RCC1 protein is well known for its guanine exchange factor activity towards the small GTPase Ran but also for its involvement in membrane fusion during nuclear envelope assembly. Other proteins with RCC1-like domains are also involved in intracellular membrane fusion, but none has been described yet as involved in exocytosis. The case of Nd6p is thus the first report of such a protein with a documented role in exocytosis.
Dihydroartemisinin Inhibits Glucose Uptake and Cooperates with Glycolysis Inhibitor to Induce Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Cells

Despite recent advances in the therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the chemotherapy efficacy against NSCLC is still unsatisfactory. Previous studies show the herbal antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin (DHA) displays cytotoxic to multiple human tumors. Here, we showed that DHA decreased cell viability and colony formation, induced apoptosis in A549 and PC-9 cells. Additionally, we first revealed DHA inhibited glucose uptake in NSCLC cells. Moreover, glycolytic metabolism was attenuated by DHA, including inhibition of ATP and lactate production. Consequently, we demonstrated that the phosphorylated forms of both S6 ribosomal protein and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and GLUT1 levels were abrogated by DHA treatment in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, the upregulation of mTOR activation by high expressed Rheb increased the level of glycolytic metabolism and cell viability inhibited by DHA. These results suggested that DHA-suppressed glycolytic metabolism might be associated with mTOR activation and GLUT1 expression. Besides, we showed GLUT1 overexpression significantly attenuated DHA-triggered NSCLC cells apoptosis. Notably, DHA synergized with 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG, a glycolysis inhibitor) to reduce cell viability and increase cell apoptosis in A549 and PC-9 cells. However, the combination of the two compounds displayed minimal toxicity to WI-38 cells, a normal lung fibroblast cell line. More importantly, 2DG synergistically potentiated DHA-induced activation of caspase-9, -8 and -3, as well as the levels of both cytochrome c and AIF of cytoplasm. However, 2DG failed to increase the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels elicited by DHA. Overall, the data shown above indicated DHA plus 2DG induced apoptosis was involved in both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways in NSCLC cells.
The Challenge of Integrating OHS into Industrial Project Risk Management: Proposal of a Methodological Approach to Guide Future Research (Case of Mining Projects in Quebec, Canada)

Although risk management tools are put to good use in many industrial sectors, some large projects have been met with numerous problems due to failure to take occupational health and safety (OHS) into consideration. In spite of the high level of risk and uncertainty associated with many industrial projects, the number of studies of methods for managing all known risks systematically remains small. Under effervescent economic conditions, industries must meet several challenges associated with frequent project start-ups. In highly complex and uncertain environments, rigorous management of risk remains indispensable for avoiding threats to the success of projects. Many businesses seek continually to create and improve integrated approaches to risk management. This article puts into perspective the complexity of the challenge of integrating OHS into industrial project risk management. A conceptual and methodological approach is proposed to guide future research focused on meeting this challenge. The approach is based on applying multi-disciplinary research modes to a complex industrial context in order to identify all scenarios likely to contain threats to humans or the environment. A case study is used to illustrate the potential of the proposed approach for application and its contribution to meeting the challenge of taking OHS into consideration. On-site researchers were able to develop a new approach that helped two mining companies in Quebec (Canada) to achieve successful integration of OHS into expansion projects.
A Model for Calculating Interconnection Costs in Telecommunications

Since the past decade, several Sub-Saharan African governments, through technical assistance provided by the World Bank and other donors, have undertaken to reform their telecommunications sectors, by implementing market liberalization policies, privatizing the incumbent public operator, and creating autonomous and independent regulatory bodies. The core objective of these reforms is to significantly improve access, and affordability, to telecommunications services on the basis of the assumption that a more friendly and predictable business environment will attract more private investment. However, the provision of interconnection services, on fair and efficient terms, has rapidly emerged as a main bottleneck. In fact, new legislation and regulations enacted in Sub-Saharan Africa recognize the interconnection rights ascribed to all telecommunications service providers and network operators. In addition, these regulations also request the incumbent fixed operator to supply interconnection services to new entrants on a fair and competitive basis. Despite the clarity and soundness of the legislative provisions in that respect (cost oriented, nondiscriminatory, fair, and transparent), the number of interconnection disputes has increased, and long-lasting interconnection disputes have discredited the reputation and credibility of new regulatory regimes.
Feature Selection

Feature selection (also known as subset selection) is a process commonly used in machine learning, wherein a subset of the features available from the data are selected for application of a learning algorithm. The best subset contains the least number of dimensions that most contribute to accuracy; we discard the remaining, unimportant dimensions. This is an important stage of preprocessing and is one of two ways of avoiding the curse of dimensionality (the other is feature extraction). There are two approaches:
Kinematical Analysis of a Four Steered Wheeled Mobile Robot

This paper presents the kinematical analysis of AZIMUT-2. The utilization of a new wheel concept called the AZIMUT wheel allowed us to create an innovative omnidirectional non-holonomic robot. Novelty of this wheel concept resides in the non-conventional positioning of the steering axis and the wheel axis. We propose a kinematical model based on the geometrical constraints of these wheels. The degree of mobility, steerability and maneuverability are studied. Additionally, we describe a special design implementation of the wheel mechanism to overcome an hyper-motorization issue inherent to this wheel geometrical properties. Finally, we describe AZIMUT-2's two operational modes and its seven locomotion modes, along with a control algorithm based on the kinematical model of the robot