Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Symbolic moment calculus II: Why is Ramsey theory sooooo eeeenormously hard?

The short answer to the question in the title is that Ron Graham, one of the leaders of Ramsey theory, co-author of the definitive book (with Rothschild and Spencer) on the subject and coprover of one of its Super-Six theorems (with Leeb and Rothschild), would not choose to work on an easy subject. A longer answer, from my enumerator’s perspective, is that Ramsey theory, that according to Motzkin, proves that complete disorder is impossible, is equivalent to proving that for sufficiently large universes we are guaranteed islands of order. More precisely, if X is the random variable, “number of orderly islands”, we have to find (or bound) the number of universes with X=0. If we knew all the moments of X, we would be done. Already the first moment, the expectation E[X], gives us some information (as was first observed by Erdős). The second moment is harder, but still tractable, even for humans. But for the third and fourth moments we need computers. Beyond that, even computers seem to get stumped. –Dedicated to Ron Graham, on his (106)8-th Birthday
SDN-based service automation for IoT

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a personal area wireless network technology that is of increasing importance for emerging Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. By design, BLE supports short-range, single-hop communication between a pair of BLE devices. As such, native BLE does not allow network-based policy control or in-network functions for service enhancement. These limitations are impediments to any large-scale BLE based IoT deployment (e.g., in hospital environments), where such sophisticated network-based visibility and control may be required. Relying on cloud-based solutions to meet these requirements has many known shortcomings. This paper proposes an SDN-based architecture for enabling wide area IoT deployments using BLE devices at the edge. We introduce a programmable BLE service switch (BLESS) that is transparently inserted between two communicating BLE devices. BLESS can be programmed at the service layer by a central controller to enable flexible, policy-based switching, as well as various in-network operations in BLE networks. We describe the design of BLESS, its implementation using P4 and OVS, and illustrate its utility through practical use cases.
Theoretical predictions strongly support decision accuracy as a major driver of ecological specialization

We examine the proposal that the high levels of ecological specialization seen in many animals has been driven by benefits in decision accuracy that accrue from this resource-use strategy. Using artificial analogs of real neural processing (artificial neural networks), we examine the relationship between decision accuracy, level of ecological specialization/generalization, and the punishment/reward for selecting non-host resources. We demonstrate that specialists make more accurate resource-use decisions than generalists when the consequences of using a non-host are neutral or positive but not very positive. Pronounced unsuitability of non-host resources in fact promotes higher decision accuracy in generalists. These unusual predictions can be explained by the special properties of neural processing systems and are entirely consistent with patterns of performance of many specialists in nature, where non-used resources are, curiously, often quite suitable for growth and reproduction. They potentially reconcile the long-observed discrepancy between the presence of high levels of ecological specialization in many animal groups and the absence of strong negative fitness correlations across resources. The strong theoretical support obtained here, and the equally good support in experimental studies elsewhere, should bring the “neural limitations” hypothesis to the forefront of research on the evolutionary determinants of ecological range.
soxR, a locus governing a superoxide response regulon in Escherichia coli K-12

The nfo (endonuclease IV) gene of Escherichia coli is induced by superoxide generators such as paraquat (methyl viologen). An nfo'-lacZ operon fusion was used to isolate extragenic mutations affecting its expression. The mutations also affected the expression of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, Mn2(+)-superoxide dismutase (sodA), and three lacZ fusions to soi (superoxide-inducible) genes of unknown function. The mutations were located 2 kilobases clockwise of ssb at 92 min on the current linkage map. One set of mutations, in a new gene designated soxR, caused constitutive overexpression of nfo and the other genes. It included insertions or deletions affecting the carboxyl end of a 17-kilodalton polypeptide. In a soxR mutant, the expression of sodA, unlike that of nfo, was also regulated independently by oxygen tension. Two other mutants were isolated in which the target genes were noninducible; they had an increased sensitivity to killing by superoxide-generating compounds. One had a Tn10 insertion in or near soxR; the other had a multigene deletion encompassing soxR. Therefore, the region functions as a positive regulator because it encodes one or more products needed for the induction of nfo. Regulation is likely to be at the level of transcription because the mutations were able to affect the expression of an nfo'-lac operon fusion that contained the ribosome-binding site for lacZ. Some mutant plasmids that failed to suppress (or complement) constitutivity in trans had insertion mutations several hundred nucleotides upstream of soxR in the general region of a gene for a 13-kilodalton protein encoded by the opposite strand, raising the possibility of a second regulatory gene in this region. The result define a new regulon, controlled by soxR, mediating at least part of the global response to superoxide in E. coli.
Mice Lacking Protein Kinase C Beta Present Modest Increases in Systolic Blood Pressure and NH4Cl-Induced Metabolic Acidosis

The conventional protein kinase C isoenzyme β (PKC-β) is expressed in various structures of mouse kidney. To get insights into the function, PKC-β knockout (–/–) and wild-type (+/+) mice were studied. Under basal conditions, PKC-β–/– mice exhibited a higher systolic blood pressure (in awake mice), normal plasma concentrations of Na+ and K+, and normal plasma pH. Urine osmolality and 24-hour excretion of fluid, Na+, K+ and albumin were not different between genotypes, but urine pH was more alkaline in PKC-β–/– mice. Inulin clearance experiments under anesthesia confirmed a higher systolic blood pressure and revealed normal glomerular filtration rate and fractional excretion of fluid, Na+ and K+ in PKC-β–/– mice. The ability to restrict renal Na+ excretion in response to a low Na+ diet was unaltered in PKC-β–/– mice. Chronic acid loading (NH4Cl) did not affect blood pH in PKC-β+/+ mice, but induced a modest metabolic acidosis in PKC-β–/– mice. In conclusion, first evidence is presented that (i) PKC-β contributes to the regulation of arterial blood pressure, and (ii) PKC-β is required for normal acid-base balance, which may relate to its expression and function in intercalated cells of the collecting duct.
Screening Novel Molecular Targets of Metformin in Breast Cancer by Proteomic Approach

Metformin is a commonly prescribed antihyperglycemic drug, and has been investigated in vivo and in vitro for its effect to improve the comorbidity of diabetes and various types of cancers. Several studies investigated the therapeutic mechanisms of metformin on cancer cells, but the exact mechanism of metformin’s effect on the proteomic pathways of cancer cells is yet to be further investigated. The main objective of our research line is to discover safe and alternative therapeutic options for breast cancer, we aimed in this study to design a novel “bottom up proteomics workflow” in which proteins were first broken into peptides to reveal their identity, then the proteomes were precisely evaluated using spectrometry analysis. In our study, metformin suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 with minimal toxicity to normal breast epithelial cells MCF-10. Metformin induced apoptosis by arresting cells in G1 phase as evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. Moreover, The G1 phase arrest for the MCF-7 has been confirmed by increased expression levels of p21 and reduction in cyclin D1 level. Additionally, metformin increased the expression levels of p53, Bax, Bad while it reduced expression levels of Akt, Bcl-2, and Mdm2. The study employed a serviceable strategy that investigates metformin-dependent changes in the proteome using a literature-derived network. The protein extracts of the treated and untreated cell lines were analyzed employing proteomic approaches; the findings conveyed a proposed mechanism of the effectual tactics of metformin on breast cancer cells. Metformin proposed an antibreast cancer effect through the examination of the proteomic pathways upon the MCF-7 and MCF-10A exposure to the drug. Our findings proposed prolific proteomic changes that revealed the therapeutic mechanisms of metformin on breast cancer cells upon their exposure. In conclusion, the reported proteomic pathways lead to increase the understanding of breast cancer prognosis and permit future studies to examine the effect of metformin on the proteomic pathways against other types of cancers. Finally, it suggests the possibility to develop further therapeutic generations of metformin with increased anticancer effect through targeting specific proteomes.
Chromosomal Organization of Repetitive DNA in Sorubim lima (Teleostei; Pimelodidae)

Interspaced repetitive DNA elements and segmental duplications have been extensively analyzed in fishes through physical chromosome mapping methods, providing a better comprehension of the structure and organization of the genome of this group. In order to contribute to this scenario, a sequence integration study of different classes of repetitive DNA with high resolution physical chromosome mapping was performed in Sorubim lima. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and fiber-FISH with probes for 18S and 5S rRNA genes, TTAGGGn sequence and non-LTR retrotransposon family members Rex1, Rex3 and Rex6 showed that non-LTR elements may be dispersed in the chromosome set with relative concentration in heterochromatic regions, as shown by Rex1, or may even intercalate in 45S rDNA and the telomeric sequence, as found for Rex3 and Rex6. These results reinforce the presence of preferential regions of retroelement accumulation and contribute to a better understanding of the genomic organization of some repetitive DNA classes in fishes.
Structure, dynamics, and Hck interaction of full‐length HIV‐1 Nef

Nef is an HIV accessory protein that plays an important role in the progression of disease after viral infection. It interferes with numerous signaling pathways, one of which involves serine/threonine kinases. Here, we report the results of an NMR structural investigation on full‐length Nef and its interaction with the entire regulatory domain of Hck (residues 72–256; Hck32L). A helical conformation was found at the N‐terminus for residues 14–22, preceding the folded core domain. In contrast to the previously studied truncated Nef (Nef Δ1‐39), the full‐length Nef did not show any interactions of Trp57/Leu58 with the hydrophobic patch formed by helices α1 and α2. Upon Hck32L binding, the N‐terminal anchor domain as well as the well‐known SH3‐binding site of Nef exhibited significant chemical shift changes. Upon Nef binding, resonance changes in the Hck spectrum were confined mostly to the SH3 domain, with additional effects seen for the connector between SH3 and SH2, the N‐terminal region of SH2 and the linker region that contains the regulatory polyproline motif. The binding data suggest that in full‐length Nef more than the core domain partakes in the interaction. The solution conformation of Hck32L was modeled using RDC data and compared with the crystal structure of the equivalent region in the inactivated, full‐length Hck, revealing a notable difference in the relative orientations of the SH3 and SH2 domains. The RDC‐based model combined with 15N backbone dynamics data suggest that Hck32L adopts an open conformation without binding of the polyproline motif in the linker to the SH3 domain. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of gonadal steroids on the glial fibrillary acidic protein‐immunoreactive astrocyte population in young rat hippocampus

It is known that expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as an astrocyte‐specific marker can be regulated by levels of circulating gonadal steroids during postnatal development. In addition, astrocytes play an important role in the physiology of the hippocampus, a brain region considered sexually dimorphic at the neuronal level in rodents. To evaluate the contribution of glial cells to gender‐related differences in the hippocampus, we estimated the number of GFAP‐immunoreactive (GFAP‐IR) astrocytes in the hippocampus (CA1 and CA3 areas, dorsal and ventral regions) of male and female rats aged 30 days. Groups of 30‐day‐old masculinized females (TP‐females; injected with testosterone propionate at birth) and feminized males (FLU‐males, castrated and treated with flutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist) were included to assess the effects of gonadal hormones on these hippocampal astrocytes. Using the optical fractionator method, the total number of GFAP‐IR cells found in CA1 and CA3 areas was significantly higher in males compared to that in age‐matched females. This numerical pattern was reversed in TP‐females and FLU‐males in both hippocampal areas. In addition, more GFAP‐IR cells were found in dorsal hippocampus than in the ventral region in the CA1 area from all experimental groups, whereas this result was found in the CA3 area from males and TP‐females. Our results suggest an essential contribution of gonadal hormones to gender differences found in the astrocyte population of the rat hippocampus during development. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calibration and characterization of a COTS thermal camera for space

This paper describes a progressive process for calibration of a shutter less Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) thermal imaging camera for small scale remote sensing applications. Usually thermal imagers are equipped with shutters which provide a uniform temperature source to correct the accumulated offset errors in the digital read outs of such cameras. This paper aims at radiometric calibration and compensatory correction methods for improved imaging via shutter less cameras. The thermal camera considered in this paper, consists of an uncooled micro-bolometer with a focal plane array of 640 * 512 pixels and field of view of 45 * 37 degrees. The foremost approach for calibration involved the use of a water bath, with nominal temperature control, placed in the Field of View of the camera. Following this, a different approach for calibration using a blackbody and temperature control for the camera was used. Using the Planck's Law, a relation was obtained between the digital number output from the Read out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) of the camera and the radiance of the black body. This equation allowed digital pixel value to be related to the temperature of the object being captured. Gain and offset maps for the entire FPA were obtained using this data.
Comparison of long term outcome of patients with rheumatoid arthritis presenting with undifferentiated arthritis or with rheumatoid arthritis: an observational cohort study

Background: The outcome of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) ranges from remission to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria. Objectives: To report the outcome of UA after 1 year of follow up and compare the disease course of patients who presented with UA, but evolved into RA within 1 year (UA-RA group), with that of patients who presented with RA fulfilling the ACR criteria (RA-RA group). Methods: The diagnosis of 330 patients who presented with UA was recorded at 1 year. The UA-RA and RA-RA groups were then followed up for 3 more years. Outcome measurements were radiographic progression, disease activity, and functional capacity. Results: From 330 patients who were diagnosed UA, 91 had evolved into RA at 1 year; 62 patients had presented with RA. No significant differences were detected between the UA-RA and RA-RA groups in median Sharp/van der Heijde score at baseline, radiographic progression rates, disease activity, and functional capacity. However, significantly more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs were prescribed in the RA-RA group. Conclusion: The disease outcome of patients who present with UA that evolves into RA within 1 year is the same as that of patients who present with RA as measured by radiographic progression, disease activity, and functional capacity.
Maternal Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Disregulation during the Third Trimester Influences Human Fetal Responses

Maternal peptides from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis rise during human pregnancy. The effects of circulating maternal adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and β-endorphin (BE) on human fetal behavior was determined in 135 women during their 32nd week of gestation. Fetal behavior was measured by assessing heart rate habituation to a series of repeated vibroacoustic stimuli. Individual differences in habituation were determined by computing the number of consecutive responses above the standard deviation during a control period. There was no significant relation between levels of ACTH, BE and the rate of fetal heart rate habituation. However, an index of HPA disregulation (uncoupling of ACTH and BE) was related significantly to fetal behavior. Fetal exposure to high levels of maternal BE relative to ACTH was associated with significantly lower rates of habituation. Results indicate that maternal stress and stress-related peptides influence fetal response patterns. It is possible that this influence persists over the life span.
Comparison of the RIM-H rapid identification kit with conventional tests for the identification of Haemophilus spp

A commercially available system, the RIM-H system (Austin Biological Laboratories, Austin, Tex.), was evaluated for its ability to rapidly and accurately identify various Haemophilus spp. A total of 110 clinical isolates were tested by both the RIM and conventional identification procedures. The RIM agreed with the standard identification for 100% of the Haemophilus influenzae (76 of 76) and 92.0% of the Haemophilus parainfluenzae (23 of 25) isolates tested. The identifications of Haemophilus parahaemolyticus, Haemophilus aphrophilus, and Haemophilus haemolyticus also correlated with those obtained by conventional methods. The RIM was found to be rapid and easy to use and was considered a suitable alternative to conventional identification procedures.
Study Report 2004 for Green National Economic Accounting

Green National Economic Accounting is a hot point for study recently in China and abroad.This article put forward the result of environmentally adjusted GDP accounting of 2004 in China with the approaches of pollution treatment and environmental losses.The accounting results for defferent regions and sectors are also included.The accounting result shows that,the environemntal degradation cost is about 3.05% of GDP in 2004,and the Index of Environmentally Adjusted Domestioc Production is 1.8%. The paper organized as following: first,the introduction of the accounting methodology and the main contents;then the process and the results of the physical accounting of environmental pollutants and the monetary accounting of environmental pollution give the accounting results of environmentally adjusted GDP in 2004.
Performance-based self-esteem and burnout in a cross-sectional study of medical students

Objectives: To examine levels of burnout among medical students and test the hypothesis that high performance-based self-esteem is associated with burnout. Further to study associations between burnout and self-rated health. Design: Cross-sectional survey, of medical students at 1st, 3rd and 6th year of medical school, N = 342, 59.1% women. Measures: Burnout was monitored by the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), comprising Exhaustion and Disengagement dimensions. Performance-based self-esteem (PBSE) was assessed by the PBSE-scale (PBSS) and self-rated health by SRH-5. Results: The response rate was 90.4%. Females were more exhausted than males and sixth year students were most disengaged. High performance-based self-esteem was present in 41.7% of the respondents and poor health in 10.7%. Performance-based self-esteem had significant and moderate correlations with both burnout dimensions. Logistic regression showed a positive association between poor health and Exhaustion. Conclusions: Exhaustion among medical students was significantly associated with poor health, and deserves attention from teachers. Performance-based self-esteem was higher than in other populations and associated with both burnout dimensions, but not with poor health. Further research on study environment and burnout is needed, and the reasons for female students' higher exhaustion levels should be further investigated.
Near field properties of monolayers of colloidal polystyrene microspheres on silicon

We have investigated the optical resonance and near field effects of 2D periodic and absorptive polystyrene (PS) microspheres on Si wafers. The light scattering and coupling of neighbored PS spheres was numerically studied. Nanostructures were prepared on Si substrates using the regular 2D arrays by a single pulsed laser irradiation (KrF, λ = 248 nm). Periodical PS nanoparticle, PS nanoflowers and Si nanobumps were fabricated by different laser fluence. Mechanisms for PS particle size reduction and Si nanobump formation by laser irradiation were discussed on the base of the theoretical calculations. Good agreement between theoretical calculations and experimental results has been observed.