Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loss of p53 and Acquisition of Angiogenic MicroRNA Profile Are Insufficient to Facilitate Progression of Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma in Situ to Invasive Carcinoma*

Activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressors in urothelium is considered critical for development of urothelial cancer. Here we report cloning of the urothelium-specific promoter uroplakin-II (UPK II) and generation of transgenic mice in which expression of SV40 large T antigen is driven by UPK II promoter. Inactivation of tumor suppressor p53 and pRb in urothelium by SV40 T antigen resulted in urothelial carcinoma, resembling human high-grade carcinoma in situ. Specific deletion of p53 in urothelial cells using the newly generated UPK II-Cre mice results in normal bladders without any evidence of cancer. The high-grade carcinoma in situ in the UPK II-SV40 mice is associated with significant activation of angiogenic signals consisting of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and VEGF and a down-regulation of thrombospondin-1. Interestingly, such pro-angiogenic activity was not associated with progression to invasive cancer. Analysis of bladder-associated microRNAs in carcinoma in situ lesions reveals a pro-angiogenic profile, with specific overexpression of miR-18a and miR-19a and down-regulation of miR-107. A group of microRNAs (miRs) identified as associated with invasive human urothelial cancer remained unchanged in this mouse model. Collectively, our results support the notion that activation of angiogenesis and loss of p53 are not sufficient for progression to invasive cancer. Our studies identify a new mouse model for bladder cancer that can be used to study factors that determine progression to an invasive phenotype of bladder cancer.
Isolation, In vitro antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characterization of Pasteurella multocida field isolates from bovine

The present study was carried out with an aim to isolate and characterize the Pasteurella multocida from cattle and buffaloes by various biochemical tests and sensitivity pattern to different antibiotics. A total of 7 isolates of P.multocida were obtained from 301 samples comprising of nasal swabs and peripheral blood from live and tissues (heart blood, tracheal swab, lung, liver and spleen) from dead animals. All the isolates were quite homogeneous in their biochemical profiles. All the isolates were sensitive to enrofloxacin, pefloxacin, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, cephalothin and chloramphenicol. The isolates were confirmed as capsular type B (B: 2, B: 2, 5) by multiplex capsular typing and species and type specific PCRs. Variation in sensitivity pattern indicating the emergence of resistance strain of Pasteurella multocida field isolates.
Order Bias, the Ideal Rating, and the Semantic Differential

The semantic differential technique [12] has enjoyed widespread use in many areas of the behavioral sciences in measuring attitudes. It has been used by opinion researchers to measure corporate images [3], by pollsters to measure political images [12], and by academicians to measure student attitudes toward teachers [15]. McGinness [16] shows how a semantic differential was used in the successful presidential campaign of Richard M. Nixon in 1968. As marketing researchers have applied the semantic differential technique to marketing problems, they have suggested modifications to allow more flexibility [9]. Two important assumptions tacitly made by those employing the semantic differential will be examined in this article, specifically: (1) what Osgood calls "contextual contamination" and (2) the stability and meaning of an ideal rating.
High adenosine plasma concentration as a prognostic index for outcome in patients with septic shock

ObjectiveSepsis and septic shock are a common cause of mortality in critically ill patients. Many substances have been implicated in the pathophysiology of these syndromes. We postulated that adenosine may be implicated in the sepsis- or septic shock-induced blood pressure failure. Indeed, this nucleoside is a strong endogenous vasodilating agent released by endothelial cells and myocytes under circumstances of metabolic stress, such as during critical illness. DesignA prospective, comparative observational study. SettingThe adult intensive care unit of a tertiary care university hospital. PatientsWe measured adenosine plasma concentration (APC) in patients with severe sepsis (n = 11), in patients with septic shock (n = 14), in patients with hemorrhagic traumatic shock (n = 14), and in 12 healthy volunteers. APC was evaluated every 12 hrs over 3 days. InterventionsNone. Measurements and Main ResultsAt study entry, we found that APC was higher in patients with septic shock (mean ± sd = 8.4 ± 3.5 &mgr;mol/L) than in patients with hemorrhagic traumatic shock (1.1 ± 0.6 &mgr;mol/L) and controls (0.8 ± 0.3 &mgr;mol/L). Intermediate values (3.9 ± 1.9 &mgr;mol/L) were found in patients with severe sepsis. APC in patients with traumatic shock did not differ from controls. In the course of the hospitalization, for both sepsis and septic shock patients, APC decreased significantly but remained higher than controls 72 hrs after entry into the study. In the septic shock group, APC was significantly higher in the nonsurvivor group (n = 6) than in the survivor group (n = 8), whatever the time of sample collection and assay. ConclusionsHigh adenosine plasma concentrations are found in patients with septic shock but not during traumatic shock, or in healthy volunteers. Intermediate values of circulating adenosine are found in patients with severe sepsis. APC may be a prognostic index for outcome in septic patients, with much higher values being found in nonsurvivors.
Molecular determinants of PI3Kγ-mediated activation downstream of G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs)

Significance Pathology of many diseases depends on signaling by phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ), the lipid kinase that is exquisitely adapted to activation downstream of heterotrimeric G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). Using hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, we demonstrate the mechanism by which the p110γ catalytic subunit and its p101 regulatory subunit interact with G-protein Gβγ heterodimers liberated upon GPCR activation. We identify residues in both p110γ and p101 interacting with Gβγ heterodimers on membranes. This enabled us to generate Gβγ-insensitive p110γ and p101 variants that eliminate activation of PI3Kγ by Gβγs without affecting the enzyme’s basal activity or its activation by the small G-protein Ras. Ablating the interaction of PI3Kγ with Gβγ heterodimers attenuates signaling, chemotaxis, and transformation driven by a GPCR agonist in cell lines. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) has profound roles downstream of G-protein–coupled receptors in inflammation, cardiac function, and tumor progression. To gain insight into how the enzyme’s activity is shaped by association with its p101 adaptor subunit, lipid membranes, and Gβγ heterodimers, we mapped these regulatory interactions using hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. We identify residues in both the p110γ and p101 subunits that contribute critical interactions with Gβγ heterodimers, leading to PI3Kγ activation. Mutating Gβγ-interaction sites of either p110γ or p101 ablates G-protein–coupled receptor-mediated signaling to p110γ/p101 in cells and severely affects chemotaxis and cell transformation induced by PI3Kγ overexpression. Hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry shows that association with the p101 regulatory subunit causes substantial protection of the RBD-C2 linker as well as the helical domain of p110γ. Lipid interaction massively exposes that same helical site, which is then stabilized by Gβγ. Membrane-elicited conformational change of the helical domain could help prepare the enzyme for Gβγ binding. Our studies and others identify the helical domain of the class I PI3Ks as a hub for diverse regulatory interactions that include the p101, p87 (also known as p84), and p85 adaptor subunits; Rab5 and Gβγ heterodimers; and the β-adrenergic receptor kinase.
Online Sequence-to-Sequence Active Learning for Open-Domain Dialogue Generation

We propose an online, end-to-end, neural generative conversational model for open-domain dialog. It is trained using a unique combination of offline two-phase supervised learning and online human-in-the-loop active learning. While most existing research proposes offline supervision or hand-crafted reward functions for online reinforcement, we devise a novel interactive learning mechanism based on a diversity-promoting heuristic for response generation and one-character user-feedback at each step. Experiments show that our model inherently promotes the generation of meaningful, relevant and interesting responses, and can be used to train agents with customized personas, moods and conversational styles.
How well does result relevance predict session satisfaction?

Per-query relevance measures provide standardized, repeatable measurements of search result quality, but they ignore much of what users actually experience in a full search session. This paper examines how well we can approximate a user's ultimate session-level satisfaction using a simple relevance metric. We find that thisrelationship is surprisingly strong. By incorporating additional properties of the query itself, we construct a model which predicts user satisfaction even more accurately than relevance alone.
N T ] 9 M ay 2 00 5 RAMANUJAN GRAPHS ON COSETS OF PGL 2 ( F q )

Abstract. In this paper we study Cayley graphs on PGL2(Fq) mod the unipotent subgroup, the split and nonsplit tori, respectively. Using the Kirillov models of the representations of PGL2(Fq) of degree greater than one, we obtain explicit eigenvalues of these graphs and the corresponding eigenfunctions. Character sum estimates are then used to conclude that two types of the graphs are Ramanujan, while the third is almost Ramanujan. The graphs arising from the nonsplit torus were previously studied by Terras et al. We give a different approach here.
Toward automated computer-based visualization and assessment of team-based performance

A considerable amount of research has been undertaken to provide insights into the valid assessment of team performance. However, in many settings, manual and therefore labor-intensive assessment instruments for team performance have limitations. Therefore, automated assessment instruments enable more flexible and detailed insights into the complex processes influencing team performance. The central objective of this study was to advance knowledge in automated assessment of team-based performance using a language-oriented approach. Fifty-six teams of learners (N = 224) in 3 experimental conditions solved 2 tasks in an online learning environment. They were analyzed with the Automated Knowledge Visualization and Assessment (AKOVIA) methodology. AKOVIA integrates a natural language-oriented algorithm and enables a structural and semantic compression of individual- and team-based knowledge representations. Findings indicate initial evidence of the feasibility and validity of the fully automated methodology. A framework for integrating research and methodology development is suggested for improving educational technology innovations such as computer-based assessment environments in international large-scale assessments.
Increased urinary excretion of nitric oxide metabolites in longitudinally monitored migraine patients

This study evaluated a relationship between nitric oxide (NO) and migraine attacks in order to gain insight into migraine pathomechanism. The study groups consisted of 12 migraineurs and eight controls. All subjects collected morning urine samples for 40 consecutive days. Urinary NO metabolites, nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels were measured with the vanadium‐based assay, whilst creatinine (Cr) and neopterin were determined with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The mean urinary NOx/Cr ratio and number of NOx peaks was significantly greater in the migraine group compared with controls (P = 0.01 and P = 0.007, respectively). In the second approach, high NOx values were re‐assessed in relation to raised neopterin, a marker of systemic infection or inflammation, and were excluded. The excretion of NOx persisted being pulsatile, and migraineurs had more peaks compared with controls (P = 0.01). In seven patients, NOx peaks coincided with headache days. This was more frequent than expected by random association in four patients (Monte‐Carlo simulation; odds ratios: 2.16–7.77; no overlap of 95% CI). In four patients, NOx peaks preceded or followed headache days. Although there is a difference in the pattern of urinary NOx excretion between control and migraine populations, the variable temporal association of NOx peaks and headaches suggests a complex role of NO in this condition.
Low power circuit design based on heterojunction tunneling transistors (HETTs)

The theoretical lower limit of subthreshold swing in MOSFETs (60 mV/decade) significantly restricts low voltage operation since it results in a low ON to OFF current ratio at low supply voltages. This paper investigates extremely-low power circuits based on new Si/SiGe HEterojunction Tunneling Transistors (HETTs) that have subthreshold swing < 60 mV/decade. Device characteristics as determined through Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) tools are used to develop a Verilog-A device model to simulate and evaluate a range of HETT-based circuits. We show that a HETT-based ring oscillator (RO) shows a 9--19X reduction in dynamic power compared to a CMOS RO. We also explore two key differences between HETTs and traditional MOSFETs, namely asymmetric current flow and increased Miller capacitance, analyzing their effect on circuit behavior and proposing methods to address them. Finally, HETT characteristics have the most dramatic impact on SRAM operation and hence we propose a novel 7-transistor HETT-based SRAM cell topology to overcome, and take advantage of, the asymmetric current flow. This new HETT SRAM design achieves 7-37X reduction in leakage power compared to CMOS.
Assessing IT-Business Alignment in Service-Oriented Enterprises

Nowadays, more and more businesses transform into service-oriented enterprises in order to sustain their competitive advantage. To ensure that the underlying information technology (IT) can best support the transformation, we aim to develop an IT-business alignment framework to assess the quality of alignment in the context of service-oriented enterprises. Based upon the existing literature, we propose three components of IT-business alignment: strategic alignment, operational alignment, and social alignment. We study their various contributions to the perfor-mance of service-oriented IT projects, together with the interactions with service integration level. Our data were collected from Web questionnaires. The total dataset is derived from 300 selected companies in an on-line technology management forum. Among the returned questionnaires, 104 were found to be complete and usable; this represented a response rate of 34 percent. A Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis is conducted and derives the following three research findings: (1) IT-business alignment plays a significant role in improving the performance of service-oriented IT; (2) the service integration level is an important performance moderator for strategic and operational alignment; (3) the service integration level is an important contributor to social alignment.
Reinforcement learning via approximation of the Q-function

Relational reinforcement learning (RRL) combines traditional reinforcement learning (RL) with a strong emphasis on a relational (rather than attribute-value) representation. Earlier work used RRL on a learning version of the classic Blocks World planning problem (a version where the learner does not know what the result of taking an action will be) and the Tetris game. Learning results based on the structure of training examples were obtained, such as learning in a mixed 3–5 block environment and being able to perform in a 3 or 10 block environment. Here, we instead take a function approximation approach to RL for the Blocks World problem. We obtain similar learning accuracies, with better running times, allowing us to consider much larger problem sizes. For instance, we can train on 15 blocks and then perform well on worlds with 100–800 blocks–using less running time than the relational method required to perform well for 3–10 blocks.
Passively Classifying Student Mood and Performance within Intelligent Tutors

It has been long recognized that successful human tutors are capable of adapting instruction to mitigate barriers (e.g., withdrawal or frustration) to learning during the one-to-one tutoring process. A significant part of the success of human tutors is based on their perception of student affect (e.g., mood or emotions). To at least match the capabilities of human tutors, computer-based intelligent tutoring system (ITS) will need to “perceive” student affect and improve performance by selecting more effective instructional strategies (e.g., feedback). To date, ITS have fallen short in realizing this capability. Much of the existing research models the emotions of virtual characters rather than assessing the affective state of the student. Our goal was to determine the context and importance of student mood in an adaptable ITS model. To enhance our existing model, we evaluated procedural reasoning systems used in virtual characters, and reviewed behavioral and physiological sensing methods and predictive models of affect. Our experiment focused on passive capture of behaviors (e.g., mouse movement) during training to predict the student’s mood. The idea of mood as a constant during training and predictors of performance are also discussed.
Random three-dimensional tilings of Aztec octahedra and tetrahedra: an extension of domino tilings

We present an extension of domino tilings of planar lattice regions to three dimensions. The tilings consist of filling "Aztec" octahedral and tetrahedral regions with triangular prisms. The set of tilings corresponds bijectively to a set of ordered domino tilings of planar regions, where the domino tilings are forced to respect a partial order based on a height function representation. We define a natural Markov Chain on the set of tilings and prove that it is rapidly mixing. This is the first nontrivial proof of rapid mixing for a Markov chain on configurations which correspond to a 4-dimensional height function. Simulations based on this Markov chain have shown that a class of octahedral and tetrahedral regions will have frozen regions akin to-the arctic circle theorem, which states that the nonfrozen regions of random tilings of the Aztec diamond converge to a circle. Next, we show that for a second class of tihngs, the octahedral and tetrahedral tilings will have equal entropy. This is surprising because they correspond to ordered tilings of square and Aztec diamond regions, respectively, which are known to have different entropy in two dimensions.
Synergy of Wind Energy Harvesting and Synchronized Switch Harvesting Interface Circuit

Due to the complex aero-electro-mechanical coupling involved in wind energy harvesting systems, power enhancing efforts in the literature are mostly devoted to structural modifications while the interface circuit is simplified to a resistive ac load. Yet the ac outputs are not applicable for practical usage. In this paper, we study the dynamics and dc power generation of galloping energy harvester. In particular, the enhancement of wind power extraction using the synchronized switching harvesting on inductor (SSHI) power conditioning circuit is emphasized. Analytical solution of the steady-state mechanical and electrical responses with the SSHI interface is derived explicitly and validated with wind tunnel experiment and circuit simulation. The performance of SSHI interface is compared to that of a standard bridge rectifier interface circuit. It shows that the SSHI interface achieves tremendous power enhancement in a weak-coupling system, and higher wind speeds render more significant power enhancement. Moreover, given the same wind condition and output power requirement, a system connected to the SSHI uses much less piezoelectric material compared to that connected to the standard circuit. With a weak-coupling harvester operating at a wind speed of 7 m/s, the SSHI can harvest up to 143% more wind power than the standard circuit.
CIDD: A Cloud Intrusion Detection Dataset for Cloud Computing and Masquerade Attacks

Masquerade attacks pose a serious threat for cloud system due to the massive amount of resource of these systems. Lack of datasets for cloud computing hinders the building of efficient intrusion detection of these attacks. Current dataset cannot be used due to the heterogeneity of user requirements, the distinct operating systems installed in the VMs, and the data size of Cloud systems. This paper presents a Cloud Intrusion Detection Dataset (CIDD) that is the first one for cloud systems and that consists of both knowledge and behavior based audit data collected from both UNIX and Windows users. With respect to current datasets, CIDD has real instances of host and network based attacks and masquerades, and provides complete diverse audit parameters to build efficient detection techniques. The final statistic tables for each user are built by Log Analyzer and Correlator System (LACS) that parses and analyzes user's binary log files, and correlates audits data according to user IP address(es) and audit time. We describe in details the components and the architecture of LACS and CIDD, and the attacks distribution in CIDD.
Discourses of minority francophone space: The emergent role of an Acadian cultural center

Abstract Recent studies documenting minority linguistic space in urban settings have focused on cities' linguistic landscapes, and external signage is often taken to index linguistic practices within businesses, government offices, and other establishments. To shed light on linguistic practices in culturally significant spaces of this sort, it is helpful to consider social actors' discursive construction of the spaces themselves. This article describes discourses of minority francophone space elicited from members and associates of Moncton, New Brunswick's Centre culturel Aberdeen. The data are analyzed according to Lefebvre's (1974/1991) conceived, perceived, and lived spaces and Heller & Labrie's (2004) modernizing and globalizing discourses. The present findings demonstrate that, while Aberdeen's conceived space is francophone, other languages are spoken in Aberdeen's perceived space. Participants also describe Aberdeen's lived space as bilingual, mediating between anglophones and francophones. These discourses, coupled with changes in the Centre's charter, suggest an emergent, plural conception of minority francophone space. (Francophone, minority, Canada, Acadian, discourse, social space)*
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ’ MENTAL REPRESENTATIONS OF FRACTIONS

Based on psychological approaches that evoke mental representations through verbal and visual cues, this paper investigates the different kinds of mental representations projected by 8 to 11 year old children of identified arithmetical achievement when responding to verbal and visual stimuli associated with fractions. It examines how the visual and verbal cues may affect the kind of mental representations the students’ project. The paper traces the way these mental representations may change from an immediate “first” response to a“30 seconds” response. The study reveals that different formats of the stimuli and the elapse of time not only evoke different kinds of mental representation but that these different kinds may be strongly associated with the level of mathematical achievement.