Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance analysis of a computational off-lattice tumor growth model

This paper presents a performance analysis of a three dimensional off-lattice agent based model of tumor growth. The model uses short range potential functions to handle mechanical interactions. This computationally intensive process can be accelerated by various reduction techniques. We focus on two different methods, a spatial decomposition which is extremely useful for simulating low density suspended cell cultures, and a heuristic to reduce computations for simulating solid tumors. We show that these techniques can significantly improve simulation performance in appropriate situations.
More intelligent extraverts are more likely to deceive

The tendency to lie is a part of personality. But are personality traits the only factors that make some people lie more often than others? We propose that cognitive abilities have equal importance. People with higher cognitive abilities are better, and thus more effective liars. This might reinforce using lies to solve problems. Yet, there is no empirical research that shows this relationship in healthy adults. Here we present three studies in which the participants had free choice about their honesty. We related differences in cognitive abilities and personality to the odds of lying. Results show that personality and intelligence are both important. People low on agreeableness and intelligent extraverts are most likely to lie. This suggests that intelligence might mediate the relationship between personality traits and lying frequency. While personality traits set general behavioral tendencies, intelligence and environment set boundaries.
[Prevalence and risk factors for smoking among adolescents].

OBJECTIVE Tobacco smoking is one of the main causes of preventable disease and premature disability. The study was aimed at measuring smoking prevalence and related risk factors among adolescents. METHODS A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a representative sample of 1,187 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years living in the urban area of Pelotas, southern Brazil. All adolescents were interviewed separately using a confidential coded questionnaire. Kaplan-Meier test was performed for survival curve analysis. RESULTS The overall smoking prevalence rate in the sample was 12.1% (95% CI 10.3%-14%). Boys and girls had similar prevalence rates. The following were the risk factors for smoking found in the multivariate logistic regression analysis: older age (OR=28.7; 95% CI 11.5-71.4), older smoking siblings (OR=2.4; 95% CI 1.5-3.8), three or more smoking friends (OR=17.5; 95% CI 8.8-34.8) and low schooling (OR=3.5; 95% CI 1.5-8.0). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of smoking among adolescents in the city of Pelotas was high. Campaigns against tobacco use should be aimed at the community and families, targeting adolescents. The government must adopt legal actions in order to prevent adolescents to have access to to smoking.
Distribution, markers, and functions of retinal microglia

Retinal microglia originate from hemopoietic cells and invade the retina from the retinal margin and the optic disc, most likely via the blood vessels of the ciliary body and iris, and the retinal vasculature, respectively. The microglial precursors that appear in the retina prior to vascularization are major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I- and II-positive and express the CD 45 marker, but lack specific macrophage markers. They differentiate into ramified parenchymal microglia in the adult retina. A second category of microglial precursors, which do express specific macrophage markers, migrate into the retina along with vascular precursors. They appear around blood vessels in the adult retina and are similar to macrophages or cells of the mononuclear phagocyte series (MPS). Microglia are distributed in the outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and nerve fiber layer (NFL) of the primate retina. The pattern of microglial distribution in the avascular retina of the quail indicates that blood vessels are not responsible for the final location of microglia in the retina. In the human retina, microglia express MHC class I, MHC class II, CD 45 , CD68, and S22 markers. In the rat and mouse retina, OX 41 , OX 42 , OX 3 , OX6, OX18, ED1, Mac-1, F 4 /80, 5 D 4 anti-keratan sulfate, and lectins are used to recognize microglia. Microglial cells play an important role in host defense against invading microorganisms, immunoregulation, and tissue repair. During neurodegeneration, activated microglial cells participate in the phagocytosis of debris and facilitate regenerative processes. In autoimmune disease, microglia have dual functions: initiating uveoretinitis, but also limiting subsequent inflammation. Retinal microglia may be associated with vitreoretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. The goal of this article was to review the present knowledge about retinal microglia and the function of retinal microglia in pathological conditions.
FORECAST CARBON EMISSIONS OF PROVINCES IN CHINA BASED ON LOGISTIC MODEL

With the hypothesis that carbon emission is proportional to energy consumption,this research calculated gross and per capita carbon emissions of 30 provinces in China from 1987 to 2010,and divided provincial carbon emissions into five types by using K-means clustering analysis.When provincial data curves of carbon emissions over past 20 years were drawn and analyzed,it is found that there was a dramatic change in the developing trend of carbon emissions around 2002.This phenomenon implicates that the data curve of carbon emissions before 2002 could not characterize the future trends.Therefore,data of carbon emissions from 2002 to 2010 were employed,based on the Logistic model,to forecast and analyze provincial carbon emissions from 2011 to 2020.Compared forecasted data with actual ones,the margin of error in all provinces surveyed was below 7%,except for Ningxia 14.58%. The average forecast error of provincial carbon emissions except for Ningxia was 6.22%. This result implies the accuracy of the Logistic prediction model.
Regulation of Sialyltransferase Activities by Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation

Abstract: The composition of tissue gangliosides is thought to result mainly from the active regulation and selective expression of specific enzymes responsible for their metabolism. In the last few years, we have purified several rat brain sialyltransferases to homogeneity; the availability of these highly purified enzymes enabled us to investigate their regulation and expression at the molecular level. Thus, we studied the regulation of sialyltransferase activities, in particular, CMP‐NeuAc:GM1 and CMP‐NeuAc:LacCer sialyltransferases by a phosphorylation/dephosphorylation mechanism. Protein kinase C was added to a standard enzyme assay mixture containing [γ‐32P]ATP, and the activity of the enzyme was measured after various incubation times. We found that treatment of several sialyltransferases by protein kinase C decreased their activities in a time‐dependent manner. Analyses of 32P‐labeled amino acids revealed that the major phosphorylation site of CMP‐NeuAc:GM1 α2→3 sialyltransferase (ST‐IV) was serine and that for CMP‐NeuAc:LacCer α2→3 sialyltransferase (ST‐I) was primarily threonine. Partial recovery of the enzyme activity could be achieved by treatment of the phosphorylated sialyltransferases with rat brain protein phosphatase. We conclude that the activities of sialyltransferases can be modulated by protein kinase C and protein phosphatase and this may represent a potential regulatory mechanism for ganglioside biosynthesis.
Internet traffic classification using MOEA and online refinement in voting on ensemble methods

Internet Traffic Classification is one of the most important issues in network management. Until now, many methods have been proposed to this end, but studies show that machine learning based algorithms have a good performance in comparison to other methods. Selecting the best feature subset causes better accuracy and efficiency in machine learning algorithms. In this paper, in order to obtain higher classification accuracy, effective features are selected using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. In this evolutionary algorithm, some objectives such as minimizing feature number, maximizing classification accuracy, maximizing true positive rate (maximizing TPR), and minimizing false positive rate (minimizing FPR) are satisfied simultaneously and with no conflicts with each other. In the proposed method, selected features subset is given to a new ensemble algorithm with online refinement during training and testing phases. Final result of each new ensemble algorithm is obtained by the vote of the majority with respect to the accuracy of any voter. Results show the high efficiency and performance of proposed method in comparison with other methods. So that the WWW traffic classification accuracy ascend to 99.93%. The results for 8 other traffics such as P2P indicate high accuracy of the proposed method.
YAP1 over‐expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhances glutathione accumulation at its biosynthesis and substrate availability levels

Microbiological production of glutathione using genetically engineered yeast strains has a potential to satisfy the increasing industrial demand of this tripeptide. In the present work accumulation of glutathione in response to YAP1 over‐expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied. The over‐expression resulted in intracellular glutathione level over two times higher than in the parent strain. Transcript analyses revealed that, in addition to the genes encoding enzymes in the glutathione biosynthesis pathway (GSH1 and GSH2), the expression levels of the genes in the cysteine biosynthesis pathway (CYS3 and CYS4) were also significantly higher in the YAP1 over‐expressed strain. This suggests that YAP1 over‐expression affects glutathione accumulation at both its biosynthesis and substrate availability levels.
Action of some bisquaternary derivatives of phthalic acids and related substances on neuromuscular transmission

1 All the bisquaternary derivatives of terephthalic acid with three methyl groups on each nitrogen atom (PK‐107, PK‐95, PK‐97 and PK‐126) were depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents. The most active was the compound PK‐97, in which the two quaternary groups are separated by sixteen atoms and are about 20 Å (2 nm) apart. Activity was reduced many fold either by decreasing the separation to twelve atoms or by increasing it to eighteen atoms. It was also reduced several hundred fold when one trimethylammonium group in PK‐97 was replaced by a hydrogen atom (as in PK‐119). 2 The presence and position of the ester groups in these compounds is important; depolarizing activity is in most cases greatest when the ester groups are the same distance from the quaternary nitrogen atoms as in acetylcholine, that is, in carbolonium, sebacoyldicholine and PK‐154. The monoquaternary analogues of carbolonium and sebacoyldicholine are appreciably active, having between about one‐tenth to one‐fifth of the activity of their bisquaternary analogues. 3 The relationships between the structure and activity of these compounds are discussed, particular consideration being given to the structure of the chain separating the quaternary groups and the arrangement of acetylcholine receptors on cells and of esterbinding groups within these receptors.
Source Code Analysis to Remove Security Vulnerabilities in Java Socket Programs: A Case Study

This paper presents the source code analysis of a file reader server socket program (connection-oriented sockets) developed in Java, to illustrate the identification, impact analysis and solutions to remove five important software security vulnerabilities, which if left unattended could severely impact the server running the software and also the network hosting the server. The five vulnerabilities we study in this paper are: (1) Resource Injection, (2) Path Manipulation, (3) System Information Leak, (4) Denial of Service and (5) Unreleased Resource vulnerabilities. We analyze the reason why each of these vulnerabilities occur in the file reader server socket program, discuss the impact of leaving them unattended in the program, and propose solutions to remove each of these vulnerabilities from the program. We also analyze any potential performance tradeoffs (such as increase in code size and loss of features) that could arise while incorporating the proposed solutions on the server program. The proposed solutions are very generic in nature, and can be suitably modified to correct any such vulnerabilities in software developed in any other programming language. We use the Fortify Source Code Analyzer to conduct the source code analysis of the file reader server program, implemented on a Windows XP virtual machine with the standard J2SE v.7 development kit.
Comparative Investigation of Pseudorandom High-Frequency Signal Injection Schemes for Sensorless IPMSM Drives

The fixed-frequency signal is employed in conventional high-frequency (HF) signal injection-based sensorless control schemes for interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drives, which causes significant electromagnetic and acoustic noises. In order to diminish the additional noises, a novel pseudorandom HF (PRHF) signal injection method is investigated in this paper. Comparative analysis of the power spectra density of the induced HF currents is carried out among three different schemes: fixed-frequency HF, full-period-switch (FPS) PRHF, and half-period-switch (HPS) PRHF square-wave voltage injection. The principles and the spectral characteristics of the three PRHF injection schemes are described. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results are provided, which can agree with each other well. A theoretical basis of frequency determination is presented. Comparison of the spectral performance shows that the HPS-PRHF scheme has continuous spectra and the electromagnetic and acoustic noises can be suppressed significantly. The method is verified via a 2.2-kW IPMSM drive platform.
Effects of hypothermic machine perfusion on rat liver function depending on the route of perfusion.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) to preserve rat livers according to the route of perfusion, i.e., via portal vein, hepatic veins (retrograde), or hepatic artery. Livers were preserved for 24 or 48 hr by simple cold storage (SCS) or by HMP. Preservation solution was supplemented with (HMP) or without (SCS) hydroxyethyl starch. After preservation, grafts were reperfused for 2 hr with an oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer. RESULTS After 24 hr of preservation, total glutathione concentrations in HMP livers were similar (1287+/-37, 1418+/-118, and 1471+/-62 nmol/g in hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein HMP livers, respectively) and higher than in the SCS (833+/-118 nmol/g, P<0.05) group. These higher total glutathione values were due to higher reduced glutathione concentrations. ATP concentrations in the liver tissue were similar in HMP groups (0.75+/-0.4, 0.64+/-0.1, and 0.77+/-0.1 micromol/g in hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein HMP livers, respectively) and higher than in SCS (0.32+/-0.06 micromol/g, P<0.05). After 2 hr of normothermic reperfusion, bile production in the HMP portal and HMP retrograde groups were similar (391+/-29 ml and 372+/-25 ml) and higher than in the HMP artery or SCS groups (275+/-25 ml and 277+/-32 ml, respectively; P<0.05). Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and purine nucleoside phosphorylase release into the perfusate of HMP portal and HMP retrograde perfused livers was similar and significantly lower compared to the HMP artery and SCS groups. At the end of reperfusion, no statistical differences were found for glutathione concentration and energetic reserves in the livers of each group. After 48 hr of preservation, livers from the HMP portal and HMP retrograde groups did significantly better than livers from the HMP artery or SCS groups. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the superiority of HMP over SCS to preserve the liver graft. It shows that retrograde perfusion is similar to PV perfusion and that perfusion by HA is less beneficial.
Triggering of TLR‐3, ‐4, NOD2, and DC‐SIGN reduces viral replication and increases T‐cell activation capacity of HIV‐infected human dendritic cells

A variety of signals influence the capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) to mount potent antiviral cytotoxic T‐cell (CTL) responses. In particular, innate immune sensing by pathogen recognition receptors, such as TLR and C‐type lectines, influences DC biology and affects their susceptibility to HIV infection. Yet, whether the combined effects of PPRs triggering and HIV infection influence HIV‐specific (HS) CTL responses remain enigmatic. Here, we dissect the impact of innate immune sensing by pathogen recognition receptors on DC maturation, HIV infection, and on the quality of HS CTL activation. Remarkably, ligand‐driven triggering of TLR‐3, ‐4, NOD2, and DC‐SIGN, despite reducing viral replication, markedly increased the capacity of infected DCs to stimulate HS CTLs. This was exemplified by the diversity and the quantity of cytokines produced by HS CTLs primed by these DCs. Infecting DCs with viruses harboring members of the APOBEC family of antiviral factors enhanced the antigen‐presenting skills of infected DCs. Our results highlight the tight interplay between innate and adaptive immunity and may help develop innovative immunotherapies against viral infections.
Propofol-induced sedation diminishes the strength of frontal-parietal-occipital EEG network

The level of conscious experience can be effectively and reversibly altered by the administration of sedative agents. Several studies attempted to explore the variations in frontal-parietal network during propofol-induced sedation. However, contradictory outcomes warrant further investigations. In this study, we implemented the Neural Gas algorithm-based delay symbolic transfer entropy (NG-dSTE) for investigation of frontal-parietal-occipital (F-P-O) network using scalp EEG signals recorded during altered levels of consciousness. Our results show significant disruption of the F-P-O network during mild and moderate levels of propofol sedation. In particular, the interaction between frontal and parietal-occipital region is highly disturbed. Moreover, we found measurable effect of sedation on local interactions in the frontal network whereas parietal-occipital network experienced least variations. The results support the conclusion that the connectivity based features can be utilized as reliable biomarker for assessment of sedation levels effectively.
The role of nebivolol in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with renal dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE This prospective study was designed to evaluate the potential protective effect of nebivolol compared with metoprolol on the development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following coronary angiography in patients with renal dysfunction. METHODS Ninety patients with stable coronary angina pectoris with renal insufficiency (creatinine value ≥1.2 mg/dl) were included for this prospective study. Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 (n=55) received oral administration of nebivolol 5 mg/daily for coronary artery disease and/or hypertension. Group 2 consisted of 35 patients who received metoprolol 50 mg/daily for the same indications. All patients were hydrated with 0.9% NaCl at a rate of 1 mL/kg/hr for 12 hours before and 24 hours after the procedure. Patients were also given N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 600 mg twice a day, beginning 24 hours before and continuing 48 hours after the procedure. All patients underwent routine coronary angiography. Serum creatinine was assessed just before, immediately after and 48 hours after the procedure. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration of ≥25% within 48 hours after the procedure compared to the patient's baseline value. Tests for significance between groups were conducted using the independent sample t-test for continuous variables and Chi-square test for categorical variables. RESULTS Baseline serum creatinine levels were statistically comparable in two groups. Following angiography, serum creatinine levels increased in both groups. Post-angiographic creatinine levels were not statistically different in the nebivolol and the metoprolol groups. Contrast induced nephropathy developed in 13 patients (24%) of the nebivolol group and in 12 patients (33%) of the metoprolol group. The incidence of CIN was statistically significantly lower in the nebivolol group comparing with the metoprolol group (p=0.03). CONCLUSION The use of oral nebivolol for one week at a dose of 5 mg per day may decrease the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients who underwent coronary angiography with renal dysfunction. The small numbers of this study do not allow to draw final conclusion on the use of nebivolol in the prevention of CIN. Therefore, larger studies may be necessary to address the definite role of nebivolol in this setting.
A 2.4μW input power electronic interface circuit for piezoelectric MEMS harvesters

Piezo-electric harvesting systems have proved to be a promising alternative to batteries for supplying portable devices. Recent trends focus on the reduction of the size of piezo-electric transducers through the development of nanostructured materials which exhibit output power levels in the order of few microwatts as well as maximum open voltage sources lower than 2 V. In this paper, we propose a circuit which combines the technique of Synchronous Electric Charge Extraction with negative voltage conversion and a peak detector with a resolution of hundreds of millivolts, and is able to harvest down to 2.4 μW input power. Moreover, the circuit features a start-up phase of about 200 ms, much faster than that with a single storage element, by means of two separate storage elements.
3β-Methoxy-pregnenolone (MAP4343) as an innovative therapeutic approach for depressive disorders

Emerging evidence suggests that the pathogenesis of depressive disorders (DDs) is associated with neuronal abnormalities in brain microtubule function, including changes in α-tubulin isoforms. Currently available antidepressant drugs may act by rescuing these alterations, but only after long-term treatment explaining their delayed therapeutic efficacy. The microtubule associated protein type-2 (MAP-2) modulates neuronal microtubule dynamics. Our hypothesis is that MAP-2 represents an innovative target for the treatment of DDs. The synthetic pregnenolone-derivative MAP4343 (3β-methoxy-pregnenolone) binds MAP-2 in vitro and increases its ability to stimulate tubulin assembly. Here, we show that MAP4343 has antidepressant efficacy in rats and advantages compared with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine. A single injection of MAP4343 changes the expression of α-tubulin isoforms indicative of increased microtubule dynamics in the hippocampus of naïve Sprague–Dawley rats, whereas fluoxetine had no effects. MAP4343 has positive efficacy in the rat forced swimming test (FST), the most used assay to screen potential antidepressant drugs by decreasing immobility behavior. In the rat isolation-rearing model of depression, administration of MAP4343 showed more rapid and more persistent efficacy compared with fluoxetine in recovering “depressive-like” behaviors. These effects were accompanied by modifications of α-tubulin isoforms in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. Our findings suggest the potential therapeutic use of MAP4343 for the treatment of DDs, based on a unique mechanism of action.