Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrostatic deposition of graphene

Loose graphene sheets, one to a few atomic layers thick, are often observed on freshly cleaved HOPG surfaces. A straightforward technique using electrostatic attraction is demonstrated to transfer these graphene sheets to a selected substrate. Sheets from one to 22 layers thick have been transferred by this method. One sheet after initial deposition is measured by atomic force microscopy to be only an atomic layer thick (∼0.35 nm). A few weeks later, this height is seen to increase to ∼0.8 nm. Raman spectroscopy of a single layer sheet shows the emergence of an intense D band which dramatically decreases as the number of layers in the sheet increase. The intense D band in monolayer graphene is attributed to the graphene conforming to the roughness of the substrate. The disruption of the C–C bonds within the single graphene layer could also contribute to this intense D band as evidenced by the emergence of a new band at 1620 cm−1.
Brand Data Gathering From Live Social Media Streams

Social media streams, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Sina Weibo, have become essential real-time information resources with a wide range of users and applications. The rapidly increasing amount of live information in social media streams has important societal and marketing values for large corporations and government organizations. There is a strong need for effective techniques for data gathering and content analysis. This problem is particularly challenging due to the short and conversational nature of posts, the huge data volume, and the increasing heterogeneous multimedia content in social media streams. Moreover, as the focus of "conversation" often shifts quickly in social media space, the traditional keywords based approach to gather data with respect to a target brand is grossly inadequate. To address these problems, we propose a multi-faceted brand tracking method that gathers relevant data based on not just evolving keywords, but also social factors (users, relations and locations) as well as visual contents as increasing number of social media posts are in multimedia form. For evaluation, we set up a large scale microblog dataset (Brand-Social-Net) on brand/product information, containing 3 million microblogs with over 1.2 million images for 100 famous brands. Experiments on this dataset have demonstrated that the proposed framework is able to gather a more complete set of relevant brand-related data from live social media streams. We have released this dataset to promote social media research.
Multifractal estimators of short-time autonomic control of the heart rate

Understanding of real world phenomena needs to incorporate the fact that observations on different scales each carry essential information. Multifractal formalism is tested if it can work as a robust estimator of monofractal properties when scaling interval is consistent with low-frequency (LF) band of power spectral analysis used in estimates of heart rate variability. Tests with fractional Brownian motions are performed to validate two popular multifractal methods: Wavelet Transform Modulus Maxima (WTMM) and Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis. Only WTMM method passes the tests when scaling is limited to LF band. Then WTMM method is applied in analysis of short-time control processes driving the heart rate. The significant difference is found between multifractal spectra describing healthy hearts and hearts suffering from left ventricle systolic dysfunction.
pH-Dependent Expression of Periplasmic Proteins and Amino Acid Catabolism in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli grows over a wide range of pHs (pH 4.4 to 9.2), and its own metabolism shifts the external pH toward either extreme, depending on available nutrients and electron acceptors. Responses to pH values across the growth range were examined through two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-D gels) of the proteome and through lac gene fusions. Strain W3110 was grown to early log phase in complex broth buffered at pH 4.9, 6.0, 8.0, or 9.1. 2-D gel analysis revealed the pH dependence of 19 proteins not previously known to be pH dependent. At low pH, several acetate-induced proteins were elevated (LuxS, Tpx, and YfiD), whereas acetate-repressed proteins were lowered (Pta, TnaA, DksA, AroK, and MalE). These responses could be mediated by the reuptake of acetate driven by changes in pH. The amplified proton gradient could also be responsible for the acid induction of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) enzymes SucB and SucC. In addition to the autoinducer LuxS, low pH induced another potential autoinducer component, the LuxH homolog RibB. pH modulated the expression of several periplasmic and outer membrane proteins: acid induced YcdO and YdiY; base induced OmpA, MalE, and YceI; and either acid or base induced OmpX relative to pH 7. Two pH-dependent periplasmic proteins were redox modulators: Tpx (acid-induced) and DsbA (base-induced). The locus alx, induced in extreme base, was identified as ygjT, whose product is a putative membrane-bound redox modulator. The cytoplasmic superoxide stress protein SodB was induced by acid, possibly in response to increased iron solubility. High pH induced amino acid metabolic enzymes (TnaA and CysK) as well as lac fusions to the genes encoding AstD and GabT. These enzymes participate in arginine and glutamate catabolic pathways that channel carbon into acids instead of producing alkaline amines. Overall, these data are consistent with a model in which E. coli modulates multiple transporters and pathways of amino acid consumption so as to minimize the shift of its external pH toward either acidic or alkaline extreme.
Camera Calibration from Points and Lines in Dual-Space Geometry

Camera calibration is essential to many computer vision applications. Most existing calibration algorithms in the literature consist of estimating both intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameters through non-linear iterative minimizations using only point features. We show that using lines and planes in a consistant framework allows to (cid:12)rst entirely decouple intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameters, and then extract closed form solutions for them making optimal use of the geometrical constraints existing in the scene. We introduce a new formalism, which we call `dual space', that allows one to represent cleanly and intuitively many useful geometrical relashionships between planes, lines and points in space, and lines and points on the image plane. Calibration results are presented on real images retrieved from a standard image database.
Decreased ternary complex formation and predominance of a 29 kDa IGFBP-3 fragment in human fetal serum.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has been proposed to be important in the endocrine control of fetal growth in humans, although serum IGF-I concentrations are 10-fold lower than during rapid pubertal growth. However, the bioavailability of IGF-I in fetal serum may be increased by changes in the specific IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). We have recently suggested that the bioavailability of circulating IGF-I is increased in the human fetus due to the molar excess of IGF-I plus IGF-II relative to IGFBP-3 as well as the increased concentrations of IGFBP-2, which does not form a long-lived ternary complex. We have presently studied ternary complex formation between IGF, IGFBP-3, and acid labile subunit (ALS) to further assess if IGF-I bioavailability is increased in human fetal serum. In 19-35 week gestation fetal sera, a markedly decreased formation of the ternary complex was demonstrated by the general absence of IGFBP-3 (detected by Western immunoblotting) in the approximately 130-150 kDa ternary complex after neutral size chromatography. The predominant form of IGFBP-3 in fetal serum was a 29 kDa fragment, which, following deglycosylation by Endoglycosidase-F, was demonstrated to consist of a approximately 20 kDa protein core. Despite the predominance of the 29 kDa IGFBP-3 fragment, we have previously demonstrated that the IGFBP-3 protease activity is not increased in fetal serum, in contrast to pregnancy or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) sera. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dopamine and Effort-Based Decision Making

Motivational theories of choice focus on the influence of goal values and strength of reinforcement to explain behavior. By contrast relatively little is known concerning how the cost of an action, such as effort expended, contributes to a decision to act. Effort-based decision making addresses how we make an action choice based on an integration of action and goal values. Here we review behavioral and neurobiological data regarding the representation of effort as action cost, and how this impacts on decision making. Although organisms expend effort to obtain a desired reward there is a striking sensitivity to the amount of effort required, such that the net preference for an action decreases as effort cost increases. We discuss the contribution of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) toward overcoming response costs and in enhancing an animal's motivation toward effortful actions. We also consider the contribution of brain structures, including the basal ganglia and anterior cingulate cortex, in the internal generation of action involving a translation of reward expectation into effortful action.
Non-monotonic Pre-fixed Points and Learning

We consider the problem of finding pre-fixed points of interactive realizers over arbitrary knowledge spaces, obtaining a relative recursive procedure. Knowledge spaces and interactive realizers are an abstract setting to represent learning processes, that can interpret non-constructive proofs. Atomic pieces of information of a knowledge space are stratified into levels, and evaluated into truth values depending on knowledge states. Realizers are then used to define operators that extend a given state by adding and possibly removing atoms: in a learning process states of knowledge change nonmonotonically. Existence of a pre-fixed point of a realizer is equivalent to the termination of the learning process with some state of knowledge which is free of patent contradictions and such that there is nothing to add. In this paper we generalize our previous results in the case of level 2 knowledge spaces and deterministic operators to the case of omega-level knowledge spaces and of non-deterministic operators.
Thermal hyperalgesia in association with the development of morphine tolerance in rats: roles of excitatory amino acid receptors and protein kinase C

In a rat model of morphine tolerance, we examined the hypotheses that thermal hyperalgesia to radiant heat develops in association with the development of morphine tolerance and that both the development and expression of thermal hyperalgesia in morphine-tolerant rats are mediated by central NMDA and non-NMDA receptors and subsequent protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine was developed in rats utilizing an intrathecal repeated treatment regimen. The development of morphine tolerance and thermal hyperalgesia was examined by employing the tail-flick test and paw- withdrawal test, respectively. Intrathecal MK 801 (an NMDA receptor antagonist), 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX; a non-NMDA receptor antagonist), or GM1 ganglioside (an intracellular PKC inhibitor) treatment was given to examine the effects of these agents on the development and expression of thermal hyperalgesia in morphine- tolerant rats. Tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine was reliably developed in rats following once daily intrathecal (onto the lumbosacral spinal cord) injection of 10 micrograms of morphine sulfate for 8 consecutive days as demonstrated by the decreased analgesia following morphine administration on day 8 as compared to that on day 1. In association with the development of morphine tolerance, thermal hyperalgesia to radiant heat developed in these same rats. Paw- withdrawal latencies were reliably decreased in morphine-tolerant rats as compared to nontolerant (saline) controls when tested on day 8 before the last morphine treatment and on day 10 (i.e., 48 hr after the last morphine treatment). The coincident development of morphine tolerance and thermal hyperalgesia was potently prevented by intrathecal coadministration of morphine with MK 801 (10 nmol) or GM1 (160 nmol), and partially by CNQX (80 nmol). MK 801 (5, 10 nmol, not 2.5 nmol) and CNQX (80, 160 nmol, not 40 nmol), but not GM1 (160 nmol), also reliably reversed thermal hyperalgesia in rats rendered tolerant to morphine when tested 30 min after each drug treatment on day 10 (48 hr after the last morphine treatment). The data indicate that thermal hyperalgesia develops in association with the development of morphine tolerance and that the coactivation of central NMDA and non-NMDA receptors is crucial for both the development and expression of thermal hyperalgesia in morphine-tolerant rats. Furthermore, intracellular PKC activation plays a critical role in the development of thermal hyperalgesia in morphine-tolerant rats. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Estimation of Time-Variant Channels for OFDM Systems Using Kalman and Wiener Filters

In this paper, two channel estimation schemes for OFDM systems are investigated in a time-variant channel. The orthogonality of the subcarriers is destroyed in a time-variant channel, resulting in intercarrier interference (ICI). To mitigate the ICI, the 2D Kalman filtering (2D KF) scheme estimates the channel in time domain by using the Kalman filters in both time and frequency domains and the iterative Wiener filtering (IWF) scheme calculates the ICI through the iteration. To mitigate error propagation, comb-type pilots are adopted in the two proposed schemes. Simulation results show that the proposed schemes have better performance than the conventional schemes.
Alcohol use disorders: tracts, twins, and trajectories.

gray matter reduction in the cortical lateral frontal and temporal lobes and attenuated white matter growth of the corpus callosum and pons relative to nondrinking control subjects. In a study by Ruggeri et al. (2), alcohol use disorders were associated with hypermethylation in the 3:-protein-phosphatase-1G (PPM1G )g ene locus; more specifically, PPM1G hypermethylation was associated with the escalation of alcohol use, increased impulsiveness, and increased activity in the right subthalamic nucleus. How are thesetwoobservations—oneonneurocircuitryimagingchanges in adolescents and one on protein phosphatase methylation in adolescents—related? Theadolescentbrainundergoeswidespreadchangesinform and function, both within individual regions and in the connections betweenthem. Studies have shown that a reduction of cortical gray matter begins in preadolescence and continues into the mid-20s, possibly reflecting a normal pruning process(3,4). Equallycompellingaredatashowingthatwhite matter volume increases over the course of adolescence, presumably reflecting connectivity changes, including axonal extension and myelination (4). Mounting evidence suggests that the complex changes underlying neurodevelopment render the adolescent brain particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of alcohol. Heavy alcohol use during adolescence is associated with a range of neurobehavioral sequelae, including impairments in visuospatial processing, attention, and memory (5,6)andanincreased riskfor future alcoholuse disorders.
Genetic Analysis of Lice Supports Direct Contact between Modern and Archaic Humans

Parasites can be used as unique markers to investigate host evolutionary history, independent of host data. Here we show that modern human head lice, Pediculus humanus, are composed of two ancient lineages, whose origin predates modern Homo sapiens by an order of magnitude (ca. 1.18 million years). One of the two louse lineages has a worldwide distribution and appears to have undergone a population bottleneck ca. 100,000 years ago along with its modern H. sapiens host. Phylogenetic and population genetic data suggest that the other lineage, found only in the New World, has remained isolated from the worldwide lineage for the last 1.18 million years. The ancient divergence between these two lice is contemporaneous with splits among early species of Homo, and cospeciation analyses suggest that the two louse lineages codiverged with a now extinct species of Homo and the lineage leading to modern H. sapiens. If these lice indeed codiverged with their hosts ca. 1.18 million years ago, then a recent host switch from an archaic species of Homo to modern H. sapiens is required to explain the occurrence of both lineages on modern H. sapiens. Such a host switch would require direct physical contact between modern and archaic forms of Homo.
BLOOD COAGULATION AND PLATELET ECONOMY IN SUBJECTS WITH PRIMARY GOUT.

Previous studies have suggested that there is an increased incidence of degenerative vascular disease in patients with gout and an increased rate of turnover of blood platelets in patients and animals with atherosclerosis. A disturbed uric acid metabolism and "secondary" gout have long been known to occur with bone marrow diseases. A study of platelet economy and blood clotting factors in subjects with primary gout was therefore undertaken.Twenty-two male subjects with gout but with no clinical evidence of vascular disease were studied. Half of these had a negative family history for vascular disease and half had less fortunate ancestors. The most striking differences were found when gouty patients with a negative family history for vascular disease were compared with similar control subjects. The mean platelet half-life was 2.85 days in the gouty subjects and 3.74 days in the controls. The mean platelet turnover (number/c.mm./day) was 58,750 in gouty subjects, 42,370 in controls. Platelet adhesiveness and plasma thromboplastic activity were correspondingly increased in the gouty subjects. Control subjects with a positive family history all showed relatively active clotting system and platelet turnover, similar to the values found in atherosclerotic subjects. The data indicated that there is increased platelet destruction and production in some patients with primary gout. The relation between this anomaly and the vascular disease, and disturbed urate metabolism in gouty subjects, remains to be investigated.
A deep bag-of-features model for the classification of melanomas in dermoscopy images

Deep learning and unsupervised feature learning have received great attention in past years for their ability to transform input data into high level representations using machine learning techniques. Such interest has been growing steadily in the field of medical image diagnosis, particularly in melanoma classification. In this paper, a novel application of deep learning (stacked sparse auto-encoders) is presented for skin lesion classification task. The stacked sparse auto-encoder discovers latent information features in input images (pixel intensities). These high-level features are subsequently fed into a classifier for classifying dermoscopy images. In addition, we proposed a new deep neural network architecture based on bag-of-features (BoF) model, which learns high-level image representation and maps images into BoF space. Then, we examine how using this deep representation of BoF, compared with pixel intensities of images, can improve the classification accuracy. The proposed method is evaluated on a test set of 244 skin images. To test the performance of the proposed method, the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) is utilized. The proposed method is found to achieve 95% accuracy.
TIM29 is a subunit of the human carrier translocase required for protein transport

Hydrophobic inner mitochondrial membrane proteins with internal targeting signals, such as the metabolite carriers, use the carrier translocase (TIM22 complex) for transport into the inner membrane. Defects in this transport pathway have been associated with neurodegenerative disorders. While the TIM22 complex is well studied in baker's yeast, very little is known about the mammalian TIM22 complex. Using immunoprecipitation, we purified the human carrier translocase and identified a mitochondrial inner membrane protein TIM29 as a novel component, specific to metazoa. We show that TIM29 is a constituent of the 440 kDa TIM22 complex and interacts with oxidized TIM22. Our analyses demonstrate that TIM29 is required for the structural integrity of the TIM22 complex and for import of substrate proteins by the carrier translocase.
ADAM and ADAMTS family proteins and their role in the colorectal cancer etiopathogenesis

The ADAM and ADAMTS families, also called adamalysins belong to an important group of extracellular matrix proteins. The ADAMs family belong to both the transmembrane and secreted proteins, while ADAMTS family only contains secreted forms. Adamalysins play an important role in the cell phenotype regulation via their activities in signaling pathways, cell adhesion and migration. The human proteome contains 21 ADAM, and 19 ADAMTS proteins, which are involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, shedding of various substrates such as: adhesion ligands, growth factors, their receptors and diverse cytokines. Recent studies provide evidence that adamalysins play a crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC) etiopathogenesis. It seems possible that adamalysins might be used as CRC prediction markers or potential pharmaceutical targets. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(3): 139-150]
Bounded coordinate system indexing for real-time video clip search

Recently, video clips have become very popular online. The massive influx of video clips has created an urgent need for video search engines to facilitate retrieving relevant clips. Different from traditional long videos, a video clip is a short video often expressing a moment of significance. Due to the high complexity of video data, efficient video clip search from large databases turns out to be very challenging. We propose a novel video clip representation model called the Bounded Coordinate System (BCS), which is the first single representative capturing the dominating content and content—changing trends of a video clip. It summarizes a video clip by a coordinate system, where each of its coordinate axes is identified by principal component analysis (PCA) and bounded by the range of data projections along the axis. The similarity measure of BCS considers the operations of translation, rotation, and scaling for coordinate system matching. Particularly, rotation and scaling reflect the difference of content tendencies. Compared with the quadratic time complexity of existing methods, the time complexity of measuring BCS similarity is linear. The compact video representation together with its linear similarity measure makes real-time search from video clip collections feasible. To further improve the retrieval efficiency for large video databases, a two-dimensional transformation method called Bidistance Transformation (BDT) is introduced to utilize a pair of optimal reference points with respect to bidirectional axes in BCS. Our extensive performance study on a large database of more than 30,000 video clips demonstrates that BCS achieves very high search accuracy according to human judgment. This indicates that content tendencies are important in determining the meanings of video clips and confirms that BCS can capture the inherent moment of video clip to some extent that better resembles human perception. In addition, BDT outperforms existing indexing methods greatly. Integration of the BCS model and BDT indexing can achieve real-time search from large video clip databases.