Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyanobacterial Cyclopeptides as Lead Compounds to Novel Targeted Cancer Drugs

Cyanobacterial cyclopeptides, including microcystins and nodularins, are considered a health hazard to humans due to the possible toxic effects of high consumption. From a pharmacological standpoint, microcystins are stable hydrophilic cyclic heptapeptides with a potential to cause cellular damage following uptake via organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP). Their intracellular biological effects involve inhibition of catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and PP2, glutathione depletion and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, certain OATPs are prominently expressed in cancers as compared to normal tissues, qualifying MC as potential candidates for cancer drug development. In the era of targeted cancer therapy, cyanotoxins comprise a rich source of natural cytotoxic compounds with a potential to target cancers expressing specific uptake transporters. Moreover, their structure offers opportunities for combinatorial engineering to enhance the therapeutic index and resolve organ-specific toxicity issues. In this article, we revisit cyanobacterial cyclopeptides as potential novel targets for anticancer drugs by summarizing existing biomedical evidence, presenting structure-activity data and discussing developmental perspectives.
Solid deformation modeling techniques

Non-rigid solid object deformations techniques have been widely used in the computer graphics community to simulate and animate deformable objects. Both offline and real time applications have already benefited from deformation techniques evolutions. This paper discusses the most popular geometric deformation techniques used for both real time and offline applications such as virtual surgery and motion pictures. Deformations techniques are divided into two sub deformation type which is non-physical based deformations and physical based deformations.
Men’s Facial Width-to-Height Ratio Predicts Aggression: A Meta-Analysis

Recent research has identified men’s facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) as a reliable predictor of aggressive tendencies and behavior. Other research, however, has failed to replicate the fWHR-aggression relationship and has questioned whether previous findings are robust. In the current paper, we synthesize existing work by conducting a meta-analysis to estimate whether and how fWHR predicts aggression. Our results indicate a small, but significant, positive relationship between men’s fWHR and aggression.
Modern binary attacks and defences in the windows environment — Fighting against microsoft EMET in seven rounds

In this paper some basic elements of the “Eternal war in the memory” [1] are investigated from a practical perspective. While that article provides an excellent theoretical overview and surveys the contemporary attacks and defences, here some concrete examples of binary exploitation are presented as a case study. As a running example we take a recent buffer overflow vulnerability of the TestDisk application [2], and offer an easy-to-follow walkthrough of some exploitation techniques and tricks against Microsoft Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET).
Analytic Performability Model of Vertical Handoff in Wireless Networks

Problem statement: The next generation wireless systems should be designed to support heterogeneous traffic with seamless mobility. A single network alone cannot cope up with such heterogeneous requirements. Hence it is desirable to interoperate between diverse and complementary Radio Access Technologies (RATs). In such system, user will switch between different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to satisfy the User/application requirement and this process is known as Vertical Handoff (VHO). The process of network switching had three phases, network discovery, handoff decision and execution. The decision phase played a crucial role in resource utilization and user/application Quality of Service (QoS) requirement. Hence it was essential to model and evaluate the handoff decision system along with VHO system model. Approach: The traditional performance models were optimistic models and would evaluate the system performance under ideal condition by ignoring failures and recovery in the system. The availability models were conservative models and would assess the availability/reliability of the system. The performabality models were combined models of performance and reliability. The performablity models were more realistic models of the system due to the simultaneous consideration of performance and reliability. Here the VHO process of a next generation wireless system was modeled and evaluated by an analytic performablity model and performance of decision system is evaluated through the sensitivity analysis of VHO decision parameter. Results: In VHO performance evaluation, the metrics of performance evaluation are handoff dropping probability and new call blocking probability. The dynamics of these metrics are depends on set of wireless network parameter such as Available Bandwidth (ABW), users, Bit Error Rate (BER) and network traffic. The ABW, BER and network traffic is also parameter for VHO decisions. The results of performance evaluation are used to develop a novel intelligent vertical handoff decision technique to achieve optimum tradeoff between set of handoff decision criteria. Finally, sensitivity analysis of system parameters on four traffic classes and two vertical handoff decision algorithms along with intelligent vertical handoff decision method were presented. Conclusion: The results of sensitivity analysis depicted that the VHO process in next generation wireless system needs intelligent criteria based technique at the decision making phase of VHO process.
Influences in low-degree polynomials

Definition 3 A decision tree is a binary tree T. Each internal node of T is labeled with a variable xi and each leaf is labeled with a value −1 or 1. Given an input x ∈ {−1, 1}n, the tree is evaluated as follows. Start at the root; if this is a leaf then stop. Otherwise, query the value of the variable xi. If xi = −1 then recursively evaluate the left subtree, if xi = 1 then recursively evaluate the right subtree. The output of the tree is the value (−1 or 1) of the leaf that is reached eventually. Note that an input x deterministically determines the leaf, and thus the output, that the procedure ends up in. We say a decision tree computes p if its output equals p(x), for all x ∈ {−1, 1}n. We define D(p), the decision tree complexity of p, as the depth of an optimal (= minimal-depth) decision tree that computes p.
DRAGON: a direct manipulation interface for frame-accurate in-scene video navigation

We present DRAGON, a direct manipulation interaction technique for frame-accurate navigation in video scenes. This technique benefits tasks such as professional and amateur video editing, review of sports footage, and forensic analysis of video scenes. By directly dragging objects in the scene along their movement trajectory, DRAGON enables users to quickly and precisely navigate to a specific point in the video timeline where an object of interest is in a desired location. Examples include the specific frame where a sprinter crosses the finish line, or where a car passes a traffic light. Through a user study, we show that DRAGON significantly reduces task completion time for in-scene navigation tasks by an average of 19-42% compared to a standard timeline slider. Qualitative feedback from users is also positive, with multiple users indicating that the DRAGON interaction felt more natural than the traditional timeline slider for in-scene navigation.
Transaction Costs and Housing Affordability in Asia

Asia is home to some of the fastest growing cities in the world. As urbanization increases, demand for housing also increases. Well functioning housing markets can minimize problems associated with rapid urbanization such as unaffordable housing and urban slums. This paper explores the different aspects of the residential property sales markets in Asian countries. Using data gathered by the Global Property Guide, transaction costs associated with residential property purchases are analyzed. Housing markets are also examined in terms of tenure, protection of property rights, and openness and transparency. Roundtrip transaction costs for buying properties are high, above 10% in several countries in Asia. High transaction costs and unaffordable housing combined with weak protection of property rights are seen to be conducive to the creation of urban slums.
Simulation and correction of Triana-viewed Earth radiation budget with ERBE/ISCCP data

This paper describes the simulation of the Earth radiation budget (ERB) as viewed by Triana and the development of correction models for converting Triana-viewed radiances into a complete ERB. A full range of Triana views and global radiation fields are simulated using a combination of datasets from ERBE (Earth Radiation Budget Experiment) and ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) and analyzed with a set of empirical correction factors specific to the Triana views. The results show that the accuracy of global correction factors to estimate ERB from Triana radiances is a function of the Triana position relative to the Lagrange-1 (L1) or the Sun location. Spectral analysis of the global correction factor indicates that both shortwave (SW; 0.2-5.0 /spl mu/m) and longwave (LW; 5-50 /spl mu/m) parameters undergo seasonal and diurnal cycles that dominate the periodic fluctuations. The diurnal cycle, especially its amplitude, is also strongly dependent on the seasonal cycle. Based on these results, models are developed to correct the radiances for unviewed areas and anisotropic emission and reflection. A preliminary assessment indicates that these correction models can be applied to Triana radiances to produce the most accurate global ERB to date.
Minimizing transmit power for cooperative multicell system with massive MIMO

We consider the problem of designing transmit beamformer and power for downlink cooperative base-station (BS) system with a large antenna arrays. Since the design of the beamforming vector at the transmitter requires high computational complexity, in a large antenna arrays, we utilize the zero-forcing transmit beamformer, which is the simplest form and the optimal performance in a large antenna arrays. Therefore, this paper focuses on the design of power allocation with fixed transmit beamformer for minimizing the transmit power while meeting target signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR) of each user and power constraints. We consider two scenarios according to the power constraints of cooperative BSs. One scenario is the sum power constraint on the cooperative base-stations. In this case, the cooperative BSs share the total available transmit power. However, each BS exists a maximum available transmit power in practical implementations. Thus, we consider a more realistic per BS power constraints.We proposed the solution strategies for both scenarios: For the sum power constraint case, a simple intuitive solution, where the power is allocated without regard to the power constraint until the SINR constraints is satisfied, is presented. For the per BS power constraints case, we use the properties of a large antenna arrays to find the solution of closed form. We also demonstrate, via numerical simulation, the performance of proposed strategy is convergent to the optimal performance which is achieved by using the iterative algorithm.
Fast and Reversible Stimulation of Astrocytic Glycolysis by K+ and a Delayed and Persistent Effect of Glutamate

Synaptic activity is followed within seconds by a local surge in lactate concentration, a phenomenon that underlies functional magnetic resonance imaging and whose causal mechanisms are unclear, partly because of the limited spatiotemporal resolution of standard measurement techniques. Using a novel Förster resonance energy transfer-based method that allows real-time measurement of the glycolytic rate in single cells, we have studied mouse astrocytes in search for the mechanisms responsible for the lactate surge. Consistent with previous measurements with isotopic 2-deoxyglucose, glutamate was observed to stimulate glycolysis in cultured astrocytes, but the response appeared only after a lag period of several minutes. Na+ overloads elicited by engagement of the Na+-glutamate cotransporter with d-aspartate or application of the Na+ ionophore gramicidin also failed to stimulate glycolysis in the short term. In marked contrast, K+ stimulated astrocytic glycolysis by fourfold within seconds, an effect that was observed at low millimolar concentrations and was also present in organotypic hippocampal slices. After removal of the agonists, the stimulation by K+ ended immediately but the stimulation by glutamate persisted unabated for >20 min. Both stimulations required an active Na+/K+ ATPase pump. By showing that small rises in extracellular K+ mediate short-term, reversible modulation of astrocytic glycolysis and that glutamate plays a long-term effect and leaves a metabolic trace, these results support the view that astrocytes contribute to the lactate surge that accompanies synaptic activity and underscore the role of these cells in neurometabolic and neurovascular coupling.
Mining Up-to-Date Knowledge Based on Tree Structures

In the past, the up-to-date patterns is proposed to mine the frequent itemsets within its corresponding lifetime. This hybrid method is based on the Apriori-like approach, which requests high computational cost and memory requirement. In this paper, the up-to-date pattern tree (UDP tree) is proposed to keep the up-to-date patterns in a tree structure. The experimental results show that the proposed approach has a better performance than the level-wise up-to-date algorithm.
Morphological impairments in retinal neurons of the scotopic visual pathway in a monkey model of Parkinson's disease

Physiological abnormalities resulting from death of dopaminergic neurons of the central nervous system in Parkinson's disease also extend to the retina, resulting in impaired visual functions. In both parkinsonian patients and animal models, low levels of dopamine and loss of dopaminergic cells in the retina have been reported. However, the morphology and connectivity of their postsynaptic neurons, the amacrine cells, have not been analyzed. Here we report, with macaques chronically treated with 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) as a model of Parkinson's disease, that morphological impairments in dopaminergic retinal neurons and their plexus in the inner retina are accompanied by an immunoreactivity decrease in γ‐aminobutyric acidergic and glycinergic amacrine cells. Especially deteriorated were AII amacrine cells, the main neuronal subtype postsynaptic to dopaminergic cells, which exhibited a marked loss of lobular appendages and dendritic processes. Concomitantly, electrical synapses among AII cells, as well as chemical synapses between these and rod bipolar cells, were highly deteriorated in parkinsonian monkeys. These results highlight that the scotopic visual pathway is severely impaired in the parkinsonian condition and provide a morphological basis for a number of abnormalities found in electrophysiological and psychophysical trials in Parkinson's disease patients and animal models. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:261–273, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison between Mahalanobis distance and Kullback-Leibler divergence in clustering analysis

This paper shows a comparison between two clustering algorithms that use divergence measures to aid the clustering task. Both algorithms take a N-dimensional data set and uses competitive neural networks to separate them into isotropic clusters. Those clusters are then grouped based on a divergence measure. In this paper we compare that procedure using two different divergence measures, the Mahalanobis distance and the Kullback-Leibler divergence. The paper shows some results of clustering on both algorithms and make a few comments about the choice of the free parameters in both situations. Key-Words: clustering, neural networks, pattern classification, data mining, dada analysis
Attitude to Secondary Prevention and Concerns about Colonoscopy Are Independent Predictors of Acceptance of Screening Colonoscopy

Background: Colonoscopy in combination with endoscopic polypectomy has been shown to be an efficient measure for reducing colorectal cancer incidence. In Germany, a colorectal cancer screening program based on colonoscopy for individuals aged 55 and above was introduced in 2002. However, for largely unknown reasons, participation rates remain low. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing compliance with colorectal cancer screening. Methods: A structured survey of 239 individuals aged 55–79 years was performed. Statistical analysis included χ2 test, t test, principal component analysis, and logistic regression. Results: 56% of previously screened, but only 26% of non-screened individuals had received a recommendation to undergo screening colonoscopy. 50% of the non-screened believed a screening colonoscopy should only be performed in case of complaints. Univariate analysis identified participation in any secondary prevention measures (p < 0.001), concerns about colonoscopy (p < 0.012), and knowledge about colorectal cancer (p < 0.001) as critical issues distinguishing between groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that secondary prevention (p < 0.001) and concerns about colonoscopy (p = 0.026) were independent predictors of compliance with screening recommendations. Conclusion: Our survey has identified critical factors deterring compliance with colorectal cancer screening recommendations. This will help to direct future campaigns in order to increase participation in colorectal cancer screening.
Alterations in protein glycosylation in PMA-differentiated U-937 cells exposed to mineral particles.

Carbohydrate moieties of cell glycoconjugates play a pivotal role in molecular recognition phenomena involved in the regulation of most biological systems and the changes observed in cell surface carbohydrates during cell activation or differentiation frequently modulate certain cell functions. Consequently, some aspects of macrophage response to particle exposure might conceivably result from alterations in glycosylation. Therefore, the effect of mineral particles on protein glycosylation was investigated in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-differentiated U-937. Jacalin, a lectin specific for O-glycosylated structures, showed a global increase in O-glycosylation in particle-treated cells. In contrast, no significant modifications were observed with concanavalin A, a lectin that recognizes certain N-glycosylated structures. The sialic acid-specific lectins Sambucus nigra agglutinin and Maackia amurensis agglutinin and the galactose-specific lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin revealed a complex pattern of alterations in glycoprotein glycosylation after crystalline silica or manganese dioxide treatments. Expression of sialyl Lewis(x), a glycosylated structure implicated in leukocyte trafficking, could not be detected in control or treated cells. This finding was consistent with the decrease in sialyl Lewis(x) expression observed during PMA-induced differentiation. In conclusion, various treatments used in this study induced quantitative as well as qualitative changes in protein glycosylation. Whether these changes are due to glycosidase release or to an alteration in glycosyltransferase expression remains to be determined. The potential functional implications of these changes are currently under investigation. ImagesFigure 1. AFigure 1. BFigure 2. AFigure 2. BFigure 3. AFigure 3. BFigure 3. CFigure 4.
Algorithm xxx: The Matlab Postprocessing Toolkit 1

Spectral methods approximate functions by projection onto a space PN of orthogonal polynomials of degree ≤ N . When the underlying function is periodic trigonometric (Fourier) polynomials are employed while a popular choice for non-periodic functions are the Chebyshev polynomials. Legendre polynomials are another option in the non-periodic case but are not as popular in applications due to the lack of a fast transform method. However spectral methods based on other, nonclassical orthogonal polynomials are possible as well. For example see references [Chen et al. 2005] and [Weideman 1999]. Spectral methods yield extremely accurate approximations of smooth functions. Due to their excellent approximation properties, spectral methods have become popular in applications such as numerical partial differential equations. However, when functions are only piecewise smooth the well-known Gibbs phenomenon appears as an accuracy reduction to first order away from discontinuities andO (1) oscillations in the neighborhoods of jumps. The Gibbs phenomenon is illustrated in figure 1 for both the Fourier and Chebyshev approximation of the function
Contactless voltage detector development to be used as individual protection equipment applicable to 13,8kV distribution power lines

The service done by technicians on distribution power lines has a high risk of accidents. One common dangerous situation, which the technician is exposed, is when he passes over the minimum security distance, according to international recommendations. This article is based on a development study for an electronic device capable to detecting the electric field coming from 13,8kV distribution power lines and small enough to be installed on security helmets. This way, it can be classified as individual security equipment.
Linguistic-prosodic processing for text-to-speech synthesis in italian

The linguistic-prosodic processing applied to text-to-speech synthesis in Italian is described. It proceeds in 5 steps: tokenisation and normalisation of abbreviations, numbers, etc.; part-of-speech tagging, based on function words, terminations and contextual heuristics; shallow parsing, based on a chunk grammar; grapheme-to-phoneme conversion, lexical stress assignment and syllabification by an expert system, particular attention being paid to loanwords and proper names; at least, prosody generation. The last three steps are emphasised. part-of-speech terminations shallow of
Reflections on the Projection of Ions in Atom Probe Tomography

Abstract There are two main projections used to transform, and reconstruct, field ion micrographs or atom probe tomography data into atomic coordinates at the specimen surface and, subsequently, in three dimensions. In this article, we present a perspective on the strength of the azimuthal equidistant projection in comparison with the more widely used and well-established point projection (or pseudo-stereographic projection), which underpins data reconstruction in most software packages currently in use across the community. After an overview of the reconstruction methodology, we demonstrate that the azimuthal equidistant is more robust with regards to errors on the parameters used to perform the reconstruction and is therefore more likely to yield more accurate tomographic reconstructions.
Experimenting a reverse engineering technique for modelling the behaviour of rich internet applications

While the rapid and growing diffusion of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) with their enhanced interactive, responsive and dynamic behaviour is sharpening the distance between Web applications and desktop applications, at the same time, the maintenance community is experiencing the need for effective analysis approaches for understanding and modelling this behaviour adequately. This paper presents a reverse engineering technique based on dynamic analysis and supported by a tool that reconstructs a model of the RIA behaviour based on Finite State Machines. The technique is based on the analysis of the RIA user interface evolution shown in user sessions, and exploits user interface equivalence criteria for abstracting relevant states and state transitions to be included in the model. For assessing the effectiveness and the cost of this technique, an experiment involving four distinct RIAs implemented with AJAX technique was carried out.