Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective and cooperative potentiality maximization for improving interpretation and generalization

The present paper aims to show that neural networks should be constructed so as to increase cooperative potentiality. When the potentiality becomes higher, connections tend to be mutually reinforced and enhanced each other to realize cooperative states in neural networks. Because the cooperative potentiality increase is accompanied by increase in the strength of connection weights, we try to select a small number of connection weights with stronger cooperative potentiality. The cooperative potentiality can be increased by increasing the selectivity of connection weights, and the excessive potentiality acquisition can be reduced. The method was applied to two data sets. In both sets, it was found that the cooperative potentiality could be increased by increasing the selectivity. Also, high potentiality means higher generalization performance to a certain point. By selectivity maximization, a smaller number of neurons could be extracted, whose interpretation made it possible to understand the main mechanism of neural networks.
Beneficial Effects of Sodium Phenylbutyrate Administration during Infection with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

ABSTRACT Sodium phenylbutyrate (PBA) is a derivative of the short-chain fatty acid butyrate and is approved for treatment of urea cycle disorders and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2. Previously known functions include histone deacetylase inhibitor, endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor, ammonia sink, and chemical chaperone. Here, we show that PBA has a previously undiscovered protective role in host mucosal defense during infection. Administration of PBA to Taconic mice resulted in the increase of intestinal Lactobacillales and segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), as well as an increase of interleukin 17 (IL-17) production by intestinal cells. This effect was not observed in Jackson Laboratory mice, which are not colonized with SFB. Because previous studies showed that IL-17 plays a protective role during infection with mucosal pathogens, we hypothesized that Taconic mice treated with PBA would be more resistant to infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). By using the streptomycin-treated mouse model, we found that Taconic mice treated with PBA exhibited significantly lower S. Typhimurium intestinal colonization and dissemination to the reticuloendothelial system, as well as lower levels of inflammation. The lower levels of S. Typhimurium gut colonization and intestinal inflammation were not observed in Jackson Laboratory mice. Although PBA had no direct effect on bacterial replication, its administration reduced S. Typhimurium epithelial cell invasion and lowered the induction of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-23 in macrophage-like cells. These effects likely contributed to the better outcome of infection in PBA-treated mice. Overall, our results suggest that PBA induces changes in the microbiota and in the mucosal immune response that can be beneficial to the host during infection with S. Typhimurium and possibly other enteric pathogens.
Pro fi les of Resilience and Psychosocial Outcomes among Young Black Gay and Bisexual Men

Young Black gay/bisexual men (YBGBM) are affected by contextual stressors—namely syndemic conditions and minority stress—that threaten their health and well-being. Resilience is a process through which YBGBM achieve positive psychosocial outcomes in the face of adverse conditions. Self-efficacy, hardiness and adaptive coping, and social support may be important resilience factors for YBGBM. This study explores different profiles of these resilience factors in 228 YBGBM in New York City and compares profiles on psychological distress, mental health, and other psychosocial factors. Four profiles of resilience were identified: (a) Low self-efficacy and hardiness/adaptive coping (23.5%); (b) Low peer and parental support (21.2%); (c) High peer support, low father support (34.5%); and (d) High father and mother support, selfefficacy, and hardiness/adaptive coping (20.8%). YBGBM in profile 1 scored markedly higher on distress (d = .74) and lower on mental health functioning (d = .93) compared to men in the other profiles. Results suggest that self-efficacy and hardiness/adaptive coping may play a more important role in protecting YBGBM from risks compared to social support and should be targeted in interventions. The findings show that resilience is a multidimensional construct and support the notion that there are different patterns of resilience among YBGBM.
Detection methods for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in milk and milk products: A review

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiologic agent of paratuberculosis, a disease with considerable economic impact, principally on dairy cattle herds. Animals with paratuberculosis shed viable MAP especially in their milk, faeces and semen. MAP may have a role in the development of Crohn's disease in humans via the consumption of contaminated milk and milk products. The current methods of milk pasteuriza - tion are not sufficient to kill all MAP cells present in milk and MAP has been cultured from raw or pasteurized milk and isolated from cheese. The purpose of the present study was to review the different methods used for detection of MAP in milk and milk products. We analyze the current methods for direct or non direct identifica - tion of MAP and culture and molecular biology methods that can be applied to milk and milk products.
TV white-space sensing prototype

Measurements performed at several locations clearly show that frequency spectrum is under-utilized. Cognitive radio (CR) is a strong candidate to ensure better spectrum utilization by providing access in an opportunistic manner, i.e., when the spectrum is temporary or spatially unutilized (a.k.a. white-space). The key enabling technology for realizing better frequency spectrum utilization in CR system is spectrum sensing. In particular, spectrum sensing in television (TV) bands is of great interest due to the potential availability of spectrum as a result of the planned migration of analog TV broadcasting to digital TV broadcasting. In this paper, we present the TV white-space prototype that we developed to detect vacant spectrum in TV bands. The prototype is implemented on a real-time platform and tested in practical environments. Results show that our prototype is able to detect vacant channels up to sensitivities from -116 to -120 dBm under realistic conditions. This confirmation will give the much needed confidence in the capability of CR systems to detect the operation of primary users and protect their use of spectrum. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Business ecosystems : A research framework for investigating the relation between network structure , firm strategy , and the pattern of innovation diffusion

This paper introduces a research framework to study the relation between network structure, firm strategy and the pattern of innovation diffusion. The framework builds on the following notions: 1) that economic agents are embedded in social networks, 2) that the decisions they take are at least partly dependent on the actions or opinions of other agents, 3) that this network structure influences market dynamics, 4) that firms and consumers engage these market dynamics by forming coalitions that we refer to as ‘business ecosystems’, 5) that key firms in such business ecosystems are able to influence the relation between the network structure and market dynamics by exercising network governance and 6) that firms in such business ecosystems are able to influence the relation between the market dynamics and their own performance by choosing the right strategy. 1 Contact information: drs. Erik den Hartigh, assistant professor, Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, section Technology, Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Office c2.170, P.O. Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands, phone +31 15 278 3565, email e.denhartigh@tbm.tudelft. nl
The Impact of Gender Stereotypes on the Self-Concept of Female Students in STEM Subjects with an Under-Representation of Females

It's possible to assume that women who study STEM topics with a low proportion of females have successfully overcome barriers in school and the family, making them less prone to stereotypic views, and influences. The present study focuses on these kinds of factors and analyzes to which degree family factors, school-related factors, and individual stereotypes may influence a woman's academic self-concept. The following study presents a latent regression model which is based on a survey of 296 women from different German universities, all of whom are part of STEM programs of study that have <30% females. It was investigated to which degree individual stereotypes, support in school, and family support contribute to the self-concept in STEM. Gender stereotypes were negatively related to students' STEM-specific self-concept in the selected sample. This study also reveals negative family-related influences that lower a woman's self-concept. Positive predictors on the other hand included school aspects that are found in the students' favorite subjects at school. The results of the study provide important aspects for STEM education. Even though the students participating in the study presumably had good grades in STEM, stereotypes still corrupted their self-concept. One of the reasons for this might lie in stereotypes that attribute girls' achievements to diligence instead of talent. The results also point out that direct support, particularly by parents, can have a negative impact on female students' self-concept. Activities that are meant to support pupils directly may actually backfire and transport stereotypes instead. This stresses the need for indirect support during socialization, e.g., by providing opportunities for children to have positive experiences or by giving them the chance to meet role models that are enthusiastic about their STEM professions. These kinds of measures have the potential to spur students' interest in STEM subjects—something that in the present study proved to be especially beneficial for women's positive self-concept when studying STEM topics.
The electromigration investigation of Cu-Ni nanocomposites

The paper presents the electromigration behavior study of Cu-Ni nanocomposite for low-power electromagnetic microactuator fabrication. The nanocomposite is characterized based the striped with 50μm width and synthesized in the Cu plating bath with the 2g/L concentration of 50nm Ni nanopowders. About 2.03% Ni weight percentage in the Cu-Ni nanocomposite stripe is characterized using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The drift velocity, critical length, critical product, and activation energy of the Cu-Ni nanocomposite are 565nm/hr, 14μm, 1714 A/cm, and 0.39eV respectively. In comparison with the values of Cu which are 88nm/hr, 20μm, 2365 A/cm, and 1.09eV, respectively, the poor electromigration behavior of the nanocomposite is dominated by the surface diffusion mechanism of Cu atoms due to the void formation in the interface between itself and the passivation oxide.
Molecular Characterization of Pigmented and Nonpigmented Isolates of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

ABSTRACT Five pigmented isolates of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis were examined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism (IS900-RFLP), and IS1311 polymorphism analysis using PCR. All of the pigmented isolates exhibited one of three distinct PFGE profiles with SnaBI, designated 9, 10, and 11, and with SpeI, designated 7, 8, and 9, which generated three multiplex profiles designated [9-7], [10-8], and [11-9]. All of the pigmented isolates had the same IS900-RFLP BstEII and PvuII profiles. The IS900-RFLP BstEII profile was new, but the IS900-RFLP PvuII profile corresponded to PvuII type 6 of a sheep strain described by Cousins and colleagues (D. V. Cousins, S. N. Williams, A. Hope, and G. J. Eamens, Aust. Vet. J. 78:184-190, 2000). IS1311-PCR analysis typed all of the pigmented isolates as sheep (S) strains. The genetic relationship between pigmented and nonpigmented isolates was investigated by using multiplex PFGE data from the analysis of both the 5 pigmented isolates and 88 nonpigmented isolates of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis from a variety of host species and geographic locations. It was possible to classify the isolates into two distinct types designated type I, comprising the pigmented isolates, and type II, comprising the nonpigmented isolates, which exhibit a very broad host range.
Attachment organization in Vietnam combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

Attachment organization in a combat-related PTSD sample was investigated and compared with previously published clinical and non-clinical samples. The association between insecure attachment and unresolved mourning classification (U-loss) and between U-loss and PTSD symptoms was investigated. Vietnam combat veterans diagnosed with PTSD and in treatment (N = 48) were administered the Adult Attachment Interview, the SCID-IV, and CAPS. The PTSD sample was like non-clinical samples in the incidence of secure attachment (50%), but were more commonly unresolved. Veterans with insecure attachment organizations were more likely than those with secure attachment to be classified U-loss. U-loss classification was associated with greater likelihood of comorbid anxiety disorders and PTSD avoidance/numbing symptoms. The results suggest that while insecure attachment organization is associated with unresolved mourning in response to loss, it is not differentially associated with combat-related PTSD. The relationship between U-loss and PTSD is discussed in light of current literature.
Identification of Environmental Stress‐Regulated Genes in Helicobacter pylori by a lacZ Reporter Gene Fusion System

Helicobacter pylori persists in the human stomach for decades. This requires an efficient adaptation of H. pylori to the gastric niche and involves the regulation of bacterial genes in response to environmental stress. Efficient molecular tools to identify regulated H. pylori genes are scarce, therefore we developed a genomic lacZ reporter gene fusion system in H. pylori to screen for stress‐regulated genes.
3 D Reconstruction and Face Recognition Using Kernel-Based ICA and Neural Networks

Kernel-based nonlinear feature extraction and classification algorithms are popular research topics in machine learning. In this paper, we propose an improved photometric stereo scheme based on the basic reflectance model. In order to reconstruct a human face as a 3D model, we use kernel independent component analysis (KICA) to obtain the face’s surface normal vector on each point of the image. In this procedure, we find that the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis values of the normal vector’s coordinates are not arranged in order. Thus, an improved KICA (IKICA) method is proposed that takes the normal vector of a synthetic spherical surface normal vector as the supervised reference for solving this problem. After obtaining the correct normal vector’s sequence form surface, we use a method for enforcing integrability to reconstruct 3D objects. We test our algorithm on synthetically generated images to reconstruct object surfaces on a number of real images captured from the Yale Face Database B, and use three kinds of methods to fetch characteristic values. Those methods are called contour-based, circle-based, and feature-based methods. Then, a three layer feed-forward neural network trained by back-propagation algorithm is used to realize a classifier. All the experimental results were compared to those of the existing human face reconstruction and recognition approaches tested on the same images. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed improved kernel independent component analysis (IKICA) method of reconstruction and human recognition are efficient approaches.
Expression of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in an Immortalized Human Fetal Astrocyte Cell Line; in Vitro Characterization and Engraftment into the Rodent Striatum

The use of primary human fetal tissue in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, while promising, faces several difficult technical and ethical issues. An alternative approach that would obviate these problems would be to use immortalized cell lines of human fetal central nervous system origin. An immortalized human fetal astrocyte cell line (SVG) has been established (45) and herein we describe the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of this cell line which suggest that it may be a useful vehicle for neural transplantation. The SVG cell line is vimentin, GFAP, Thy 1.1 and MHC class I positive, and negative for neurofilament and neuron specific enolase, consistent with its glial origin. To determine whether the cell line could be used as a drug delivery system, a cDNA expression vector for tyrosine hydroxylase was constructed (phTH/Neo) and stably expressed in the SVG cells for over 18 months as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting of the stable transfectants. HPLC analysis of the supernatant from these cells, termed SVG-TH, consistently found 4-6 pmol/ml/min of 1-dopa produced with the addition of BH4 to the media. Furthermore, in cocultivation experiments with hNT neurons, PC-12 cells and primary rat fetal mesencephalic tissue, both the SVG and SVG-TH cells demonstrated neurotrophic potential, suggesting that they constituitively express factors with neuroregenerative potential. To determine the viability of these cells in vivo, SVG-TH cells were grafted into the striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats and followed over time. A panel of antibodies was used to unequivocally differentiate the engrafted cells from the host parenchyma, including antibodies to: SV40 large T antigen (expressed in the SVG-TH cells), human and rat MHC class 1, vimentin, GFAP, and tyrosine hydroxylase. While the graft was easily identified with the first week, over the course of a four week period of time the engrafted cells decreased in number. Concomittantly, rat CD4 and CD8 expression in the vicinity of the graft increased, consistent with xenograft rejection. When the SVG-TH cells were grafted to the lesioned striatum of a 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats, rotational behavior of the rat decreased as much as 80% initially, then slowly returned to baseline over the next four weeks, parallelling graft rejection. Thus, the SVG-TH cells can induce a functional recovery in an animal model of Parkinson's disease, however as a xenograft, the SVG cells are recognized by the immune system.
The Literal and the Metaphorical

done in a highly stylized form. ) Apart from the mess, perhaps the only difference might be that, while for primitives the dangers were tangible all around, for us, in most cases, the dangers have already been eliminated by our naive literalist progress. Therefore, in order for this mechanism to work, we have to keep on inventing the dangers (fighting giants where there are only windmills). To come back to Don Quixote. The question is whether Cervantes believed in the saving virtue of the framing. I do not think he did. What he said is that the “sane literalist” Alonso Quijano became a “mad literalist” because he read too much fiction. In other words, there is only so much “literal-metaphorical dialectic” that one can take safely. Beyond that, the “dialectic” will turn to “literal-metaphorical interchange. ” The “interchange,” therefore, is a direct result of the “dialectical tension. ” It marks the point at which the tension becomes so tense that it breaks down. McCanles’ argument, on the other hand, rests on the optimistic assumption that the tension can be kept under control. In fact, he defines such tension as the power to control the “interchange” between the literal and the metaphorical. He would cure Don Quixote with the same potion that turned him mad in the first place. To borrow, on behalf of Don Quixote, the words of schizophrenic Lara Jefferson (quoted by Marion Vlastos, “Doris Lessing and R. D. Laing: Psychopolitics and Prophecy,” PMLA, 91, 1976, 249): “If that is not a vicious circle, I hope I never encounter one. ” I will briefly recapitulate by saying that McCanles’ critical “instinct” is right when he goes to Cervantes for proof of what he says. All the signs are there; he just reads them, so to speak, backward. To use the catchy terminology of modern critical theory, his insight is paralleled only by his blindness.
Efficient Approximate Medoids of Temporal Sequences

In order to compactly represent a set of data, its medoid (the element with minimum summed distance to all other elements) is a useful choice. This has applications in clustering, compression and visualisation of data. In multimedia data, the set of data is often sampled as a sequence in time or space, such as a video shot or views of a scene. The exact calculation of the medoid may be costly, especially if the distance function between elements is not trivial. While approximation methods for medoid selection exist, we show in this work that they do not perform well on sequences of images. We thus propose a novel algorithm for efficiently selecting an approximate medoid of a temporal sequence and assess its performance on two large-scale video data sets.
Activation of IFN-β expression by a viral mRNA through RNase L and MDA5

IFNs play a critical role in innate immunity against viral infections. Melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), an RNA helicase, is a key component in activating the expression of type I IFNs in response to certain types of viral infection. MDA5 senses noncellular RNA and triggers the signaling cascade that leads to IFN production. Synthetic double-stranded RNAs are known activators of MDA5. Natural single-stranded RNAs have not been reported to activate MDA5, however. We have serendipitously identified a viral mRNA from parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) that activates IFN expression through MDA5. We provide evidence that the signaling pathway includes the antiviral enzyme RNase L. The L mRNA of PIV5 activated expression of IFN-β. We have mapped the RNA to a region of 430 nucleotides within the L mRNA of PIV5. Our results indicate that a viral mRNA, with 5′-cap and 3′-poly (A), can activate IFN expression through an RNase L-MDA5 pathway.
ii DEDICATION To My Parents and My Brother and Sister in law and to my Nephew " Achintya "

For the past several years YouTube has been by far the largest user-driven online video provider. While many ofthese videos contain a significant number of user comments, little work has been done to date in extracting trends from these comments because of their low information consistency and quality. In this paper we perform sentiment analysis of the YouTube comments related to popular topics using machine learning techniques. We demonstrate that an analysis of the sentiments to identify their trends, seasonality and forecasts can provide a clear picture of the influence of real-world events on user sentiments.Results show that the trends in users’ sentiments are well correlated to the real-world events associated with therespective keywords.