Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trust in E-commerce in Canada and the Baltic States: a Comparative Study Technological and Economic Prerequisites for E-commerce Growth

Adoption of the Internet by a critical mass of the world population (1.25 billion users as of 2007, according to Internet World Stats, 2007) has changed the nature and scope of commercial transactions. Increasingly more people worldwide engage in “buying, selling, transferring, or exchanging products, services, and/or information via computer networks, including Internet” (Turban, King, Viehland, & Lee, 2006, p.4). The total volume of e-commerce is growing by 15-25 % every year (Turban et al., 2006). However, countries differ in the degree of Internet penetration and adoption of e-commerce. Among the most often proposed reasons for these differences are national wealth and varying technological capabilities such as information infrastructure (Gibbs, Kraemer, & Dedrick, 2003) and Internet access costs (Wolcott, Press, McHenry, Goodman, & Foster, 2001).
Isozyme-Specific Ligands for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, a Novel Antibiotic Target

The last step of cysteine biosynthesis in bacteria and plants is catalyzed by O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase. In bacteria, two isozymes, O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B, have been identified that share similar binding sites, although the respective specific functions are still debated. O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase plays a key role in the adaptation of bacteria to the host environment, in the defense mechanisms to oxidative stress and in antibiotic resistance. Because mammals synthesize cysteine from methionine and lack O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, the enzyme is a potential target for antimicrobials. With this aim, we first identified potential inhibitors of the two isozymes via a ligand- and structure-based in silico screening of a subset of the ZINC library using FLAP. The binding affinities of the most promising candidates were measured in vitro on purified O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B from Salmonella typhimurium by a direct method that exploits the change in the cofactor fluorescence. Two molecules were identified with dissociation constants of 3.7 and 33 µM for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B, respectively. Because GRID analysis of the two isoenzymes indicates the presence of a few common pharmacophoric features, cross binding titrations were carried out. It was found that the best binder for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B exhibits a dissociation constant of 29 µM for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A, thus displaying a limited selectivity, whereas the best binder for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A exhibits a dissociation constant of 50 µM for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B and is thus 8-fold selective towards the former isozyme. Therefore, isoform-specific and isoform-independent ligands allow to either selectively target the isozyme that predominantly supports bacteria during infection and long-term survival or to completely block bacterial cysteine biosynthesis.
Rapid Aerodynamic Performance Prediction on a Cluster of Graphics Processing Units

Author(s): Phillips, Everett H. ; Zhang, Yao; Davis, Roger L. ; Owens, John D. | Abstract: Researchers have recently used the new programmable capabilities of the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to increase the performance of scientific codes. We investigate the use of a cluster of GPUs for large-scale CFD problems and show order-of-magnitude increases in performance and performance-to-price ratio. We implement two separate compressible flow solvers. First, we develop a CUDA-based solver for the 2D compressible Euler equations and verify the results against a reference multi-block code MBFLO. After demonstrating the performance of our Euler solver, we proceed to develop a new version of MBFLO by adding GPU-accelerated subroutines to the existing Fortran codebase. Using an eight-node cluster equiped with 16 NVIDIA 9800GX2 GPUs, we achieve speedups of up to 496x on our Euler Solver and 88x on MBFLO. This paper describes the numerical, hardware and software techniques that provide significant speedups.
Mice Lacking Thyroid Hormone Receptor β Show Enhanced Apoptosis and Delayed Liver Commitment for Proliferation after Partial Hepatectomy

Background The role of thyroid hormones and their receptors (TR) during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) was studied using genetic and pharmacologic approaches. Roles in liver regeneration have been suggested for T3, but there is no clear evidence distinguishing the contribution of increased amounts of T3 from the modulation by unoccupied TRs. Methodology/Principal Findings Mice lacking TRα1/TRβ or TRβ alone fully regenerated liver mass after PH, but showed delayed commitment to the initial round of hepatocyte proliferation and transient but intense apoptosis at 48h post-PH, affecting ∼30% of the remaining hepatocytes. Pharmacologically induced hypothyroidism yielded similar results. Loss of TR activity was associated with enhanced nitrosative stress in the liver remnant, due to an increase in the activity of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 2 and 3, caused by a transient decrease in the concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a potent NOS inhibitor. This decrease in the ADMA levels was due to the presence of a higher activity of dimethylarginineaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH-1) in the regenerating liver of animals lacking TRα1/TRβ or TRβ. DDAH-1 expression and activity was paralleled by the activity of FXR, a transcription factor involved in liver regeneration and up-regulated in the absence of TR. Conclusions/Significance We report that TRs are not required for liver regeneration; however, hypothyroid mice and TRβ– or TRα1/TRβ–deficient mice exhibit a delay in the restoration of liver mass, suggesting a specific role for TRβ in liver regeneration. Altered regenerative responses are related with a delay in the expression of cyclins D1 and E, and the occurrence of liver apoptosis in the absence of activated TRβ that can be prevented by administration of NOS inhibitors. Taken together, these results indicate that TRβ contributes significantly to the rapid initial round of hepatocyte proliferation following PH, and improves the survival of the regenerating liver at later times.
Streaming First Story Detection with application to Twitter

With the recent rise in popularity and size of social media, there is a growing need for systems that can extract useful information from this amount of data. We address the problem of detecting new events from a stream of Twitter posts. To make event detection feasible on web-scale corpora, we present an algorithm based on locality-sensitive hashing which is able overcome the limitations of traditional approaches, while maintaining competitive results. In particular, a comparison with a state-of-the-art system on the first story detection task shows that we achieve over an order of magnitude speedup in processing time, while retaining comparable performance. Event detection experiments on a collection of 160 million Twitter posts show that celebrity deaths are the fastest spreading news on Twitter.
Bax inhibitor 1 regulates ER-stress-induced ROS accumulation through the regulation of cytochrome P450 2E1

This study investigated the molecular mechanism by which Bax inhibitor 1 (BI1) abrogates the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Electron uncoupling between NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450 reductase (NPR) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (P450 2E1) is a major source of ROS on the ER membrane. ER stress produced ROS accumulation and lipid peroxidation of the ER membrane, but BI1 reduced this accumulation. Under ER stress, expression of P450 2E1 in control cells was upregulated more than in BI1-overexpressing cells. In control cells, inhibiting P450 2E1 through chemical or siRNA approaches suppressed ROS accumulation, ER membrane lipid peroxidation and the resultant cell death after ER stress. However, it had little effect in BI1-overexpressing cells. In addition, BI1 knock down also increased ROS accumulation and expression of P450 2E1. In a reconstituted phospholipid membrane containing purified BI1, NPR and P450 2E1, BI1 dose-dependently decreased the production of ROS. BI1 bound to NPR with higher affinity than P450 2E1. Furthermore, BI1 overexpression reduced the interaction of NPR and P450 2E1, and decreased the catalytic activity of P450 2E1, suggesting that the flow of electrons from NPR to P450 2E1 can be modulated by BI1. In summary, BI1 reduces the accumulation of ROS and the resultant cell death through regulating P450 2E1.
A square loop antenna modified for circular polarization—in application to multiband and wideband antennas

Using the moment method, we propose a square loop (reference) antenna whose corners are truncated for circularly polarized (CP) radiation. The loop element is used to construct a triple-loop antenna with a single feed. It is found that the antenna shows three minima in the frequency response of the axial ratio. On the basis of the radiation characteristics, we design a plate-loop antenna using the FD-TD method. It is revealed that the antenna has a wider CP-wave bandwidth than that of the reference antenna by a factor of two.
Theoretical Framework for Understanding Interpersonal Privacy Protection on Social Network Sites

Traditional privacy research would suggest that whether to disclose personal information or not is an individual-based action. However in this paper, we suggest that the consideration of interpersonal level of interaction would also be of vital importance to privacy protection on Social Network Sites (SNS). Based on the theory of self-efficacy, we postulate a research framework that includes the antecedents of both user’ self and collective efficacy beliefs on private information control, and the consequent effects on privacy concern and related protection behavior. This study helps to better understand both types of efficacy beliefs as well as study their impacts on two types of privacy concerns: privacy concerns of self disclosure and peer disclosure. The findings are useful for privacy researchers who are interested in collaborative actions in the context of SNS, and for web designers to develop more group centered solutions for privacy protection.
Preventing SQL Injection attack using pattern matching algorithm

SQL injection attacks, a class of injection flaw in which specially crafted input strings leads to illegal queries to databases, are one of the topmost threats to web applications. A Number of research prototypes and commercial products that maintain the queries structure in web applications have been developed. But these techniques either fail to address the full scope of the problem or have limitations. Based on our observation that the injected string in a SQL injection attack is interpreted differently on different databases.Injection attack is a method that can inject any kind of malicious string or anomaly string on the original string. Pattern matching is a technique that can be used to identify or detect any anomaly packet from a sequential action. Most of the pattern based techniques are used static analysis and patterns are generated from the attacked statements. In this paper, we proposed a detection and prevention technique for preventing SQL Injection Attack using AhoCorasick pattern matching algorithm. In this paper, we proposed an overview of the architecture. In the initial stage evaluation, we consider some sample of standard attack patterns and it shows that the proposed algorithm is works well against the SQL Injection Attack.
Anesthesiologic Effects of Transperitoneal Versus Extraperitoneal Approach During Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Results of a Prospective Randomized Study

ABSTRACT Objectives: To compare the effects of CO2 insufflation on hemodynamics and oxygen levels and on acid-base level during Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) with transperitoneal (TP) versus extra-peritoneal (EP) accesses. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients were randomly assigned to TP (32) and EP (30) to RARP. Pre-operation data were collected for all patients. Hemodynamic, respiratory and blood acid-base parameters were measured at the moment of induction of anesthesia (T0), after starting CO2 insuffation (T1), and at 60 (T2) and 120 minutes (T3) after insufflation. In all cases, the abdominal pressure was set at 15 mmHg. Complications were reported according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Student's two–t-test, with a significance level set at p<0.05, was used to compare categorical values between groups. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the median values of two nonparametric continuous variables. Results: The demographic characteristics of the patients in both groups were statistically comparable. Analysis of intra-operative anesthesiologic parameters showed that partial CO2 pressure during EP was significantly higher than during TP, with a consequent decrease in arterial pH. Other parameters analysed were similar in the two groups. Postoperative complications were comparable between groups. The most important limitations of this study were the small size of the patient groups and the impossibility of maintaining standard abdominal pressure throughout the operational phases, despite attempts to regulate it. Conclusions: This prospective randomized study demonstrates that, from the anesthesiologic viewpoint, during RARP the TP approach is preferable to EP, because of lower CO2 reabsorption and risk of acidosis.
Grasping unknown objects based on 2½D range data

The problem of grasping novel objects in a fully automatic way has gained increasing importance. In this work we consider the problem of grasping novel objects with the help of a laser range scanner. This includes autonomous object detection and grasp motion planning. The used system consists of a fixed working station equipped with a laser range scanner, a seven degrees of freedom manipulator and a hand prosthesis as gripper. We present a method for segmentation of a 2frac12D point cloud into parts, assembly of parts into objects and calculation of grasping points, which works for cylindrical objects and arbitrary objects. We successfully demonstrate this approach by grasping a variety of different shapes and present a step towards full automation.
IMPROVING BANDWIDTH OF FLIPPED VOLTAGE FOLLOWER USING GATE-BODY DRIVEN TECHNIQUE

In this paper, a new approach to enhance the bandwidth of flipped voltage follower is explored. The proposed approach is based on gate-body driven technique. This technique boosts the transconductance in a MOS transistor as both gate and body/bulk terminals are tied together and used as signal input. This novel technique appears as a good solution to merge the advantages of gate-driven and bulk-driven techniques and suppress their disadvantages. The gate-body driven technique utilizes body effect to enable low voltage low power operation and improves the overall performance of flipped voltage follower, providing it with low output impedance, high input impedance and bandwidth extension ratio of 2.614. The most attractive feature is that bandwidth enhancement has been achieved without use of any passive component or extra circuitry. Simulations in PSpice environment for 180 nm CMOS technology verified the predicted theoretical results. The improved flipped voltage follower is particularly interesting for high frequency low noise signal processing applications.
Coxsackievirus B4-Induced Cytokine Production in Pancreatic Cells Is Mediated through Toll-Like Receptor 4

ABSTRACT Coxsackievirus B4 (CBV4), a member of the Picornavirus genus, has long been implicated in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) caused by virus-induced pancreatic cell damage. The progressive destruction of pancreatic β cells is responsible for the development of IDDM. It has recently been suggested that CBV4 infection can induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines, and these cytokines seem to be involved in the damage to the insulin-producing cells. In this study we investigated whether toll-like receptors (TLRs) are responsible for triggering the proinflammatory cytokine production in human pancreatic cells in response to CBV4. Here we demonstrate that CBV4 triggers cytokine production through a TLR4-dependent pathway. This interaction seems to be independent of virus attachment and cell entry.
Effects of AAV-mediated knockdown of nNOS and GPx-1 gene expression in rat hippocampus after traumatic brain injury

Virally mediated RNA interference (RNAi) to knock down injury-induced genes could improve functional outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, little is known about the consequences of gene knockdown on downstream cell signaling pathways and how RNAi influences neurodegeneration and behavior. Here, we assessed the effects of adeno-associated virus (AAV) siRNA vectors that target two genes with opposing roles in TBI pathogenesis: the allegedly detrimental neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and the potentially protective glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1). In rat hippocampal progenitor cells, three siRNAs that target different regions of each gene (nNOS, GPx-1) effectively knocked down gene expression. However, in vivo, in our rat model of fluid percussion brain injury, the consequences of AAV-siRNA were variable. One nNOS siRNA vector significantly reduced the number of degenerating hippocampal neurons and showed a tendency to improve working memory. GPx-1 siRNA treatment did not alter TBI-induced neurodegeneration or working memory deficits. Nevertheless, microarray analysis of laser captured, virus-infected neurons showed that knockdown of nNOS or GPx-1 was specific and had broad effects on downstream genes. Since nNOS knockdown only modestly ameliorated TBI-induced working memory deficits, despite widespread genomic changes, manipulating expression levels of single genes may not be sufficient to alter functional outcome after TBI.
Mechanical Induction of PGE2 in Osteocytes Blocks Glucocorticoid-Induced Apoptosis Through Both the β-Catenin and PKA Pathways

Glucocorticoids are known to induce osteocyte apoptosis, whereas mechanical loading has been shown to sustain osteocyte viability. Here we show that mechanical loading in the form of fluid‐flow shear stress blocks dexamethasone‐induced apoptosis of osteocyte‐like cells (MLO‐Y4). Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a rapidly induced signaling molecule produced by osteocytes, was shown to be protective against dexamethasone‐induced apoptosis, whereas indomethacin reversed the antiapoptotic effects of shear stress. This protective effect of shear stress was mediated through EP2 and EP4 receptors, leading to activation of the cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway. Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, an inhibitor of glycogen synthesis kinase 3, also occurred, leading to the nuclear translocation of β‐catenin, an important signal transducer of the Wnt signaling pathway. Both shear stress and prostaglandin increased the phosphorylation of glycogen synthesis kinase 3 α/β. Lithium chloride, an activator of the Wnt pathway, also was protective against glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis. Whereas it is known that mechanical loading increases cyclooxygenase‐2 and EP2 receptor expression and prostaglandin production, dexamethasone was shown to inhibit expression of these components of the prostaglandin pathway and to reduce β‐catenin protein expression. β‐catenin siRNA knockdown experiments abrogated the protective effects of PGE2, confirming the central role of β‐catenin in mediating the protection against dexamethasone‐induced cell death. Our data support a central role for PGE2 acting through the cAMP/PKA and β‐catenin signaling pathways in the protection of osteocyte apoptosis by fluid‐flow shear stress. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
An Efficient Approach to Graphical Modeling of Time Series

A method for selecting a graphical model for p-vector-valued stationary Gaussian time series was recently proposed by Matsuda and uses the Kullback-Leibler divergence measure to define a test statistic. This statistic was used in a backward selection procedure, but the algorithm is prohibitively expensive for large p. A high degree of sparsity is not assumed. We show that reformulation in terms of a multiple hypothesis test reduces computation time by O(p2) and simulations support the assertion that power levels are attained at least as good as those achieved by Matsuda's much slower approach. Moreover, the new scheme is readily parallelizable for even greater speed gains.
Shock Theory of a Bubbly Liquid in a Deformable Tube

Shock propagation through a bubbly liquid filled in a deformable cylindrical tube is considered. Quasi-one-dimensional bubbly flow equations that include fluid-structure interaction are formulated, and the steady shock relations are derived. Experiments are conducted in which a free-falling steel projectile impacts the top of an air/water mixture in a polycarbonate tube, and stress waves in the tube material are measured. The experimental data indicate that the linear theory cannot properly predict the propagation speeds of shock waves in mixture-filled tubes; the shock theory is found to more accurately estimate the measured wave speeds.
Study on Good-Turing and a novel smoothing method based on real corpora for language models

In this paper, we study the well-known Good-Turing smoothing technique, which has inherited issue and propose a novel method. The smoothing method is used to resolve the zero count problems in traditional language models. Basically, there are two processes for smoothing techniques: discounting and redistributing. The statistical behavior of smoothing method is analyzed on various training data size. Several features for Good-Turing are used to improve the method. We propose novel smoothing methods based on real training data sets, which will reflect the physical behavior of smoothing method. With respect to the heuristic probability assignment used by most smoothing methods, our method is based on real training corpora. The curves of number for events with different counts can be plotted. The behavior of our method is analyzed. The empirical results are presented to compare the effectiveness of smoothing methods.
Improved classification through runoff elections

We consider the problem of dealing with irrelevant votes when a multi-case classifier is built from an ensemble of binary classifiers. We show how run-off elections can be used to limit the effects of irrelevant votes and the occasional errors of binary classifiers, improving classification accuracy. We consider as a concrete classification problem the recognition of handwritten mathematical characters. A succinct representation of handwritten symbol curves can be obtained by computing truncated Legendre-Sobolev expansions of the coordinate functions. With this representation, symbol classes are well linearly separable in low dimension which yields fast classification algorithms based on linear support vector machines. A set of 280 different symbols was considered, which gave 1635 classes when different variants are labelled separately. With this number of classes, however, the effect of irrelevant classifiers becomes significant, often causing the correct class to be ranked lower. We introduce a general technique to correct this effect by replacing the conventional majority voting scheme with a runoff election scheme. We have found that such runoff elections further cut the top-1 mis-classification rate by about half.