Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural basis for the superior activity of the large isoform of snow flea antifreeze protein.

The snow flea (Hypogastrum harveyi) is protected from freezing at sub-zero temperatures by a glycine-rich antifreeze protein (AFP) that binds to seed ice crystals and prevents them from growing larger. This AFP is hyperactive and comprises two isoforms [Graham, L. A. , and Davies, P. L. (2005) Science 310, 461]. The larger isoform (15.7 kDa) exhibits several-fold higher activity than the smaller isoform (6.5 kDa), although it is considerably less abundant. To establish the molecular basis for this difference in activity, we determined the sequence of the large isoform. The primary sequences of these two isoforms are surprisingly divergent. However, both contain tripeptide repeats and turn motifs that enabled us to build a three-dimensional model of the large isoform based upon the six-polyproline helix structure of the small isoform. Our model contains 13 polyproline type II helices connected by proline-containing loops stacked into two flat sheets oriented antiparallel to one another. The structure is strictly amphipathic, with a hydrophilic surface on one side and a hydrophobic, putative ice-binding surface on the other. The putative ice-binding site is approximately twice as large in area as that of the small isoform, providing an explanation for the difference in activity that is consistent with other examples noted. By tagging the recombinant AFP with green fluorescent protein, we observed its binding to multiple planes of ice, especially the basal plane. This finding supports the correlation between AFP hyperactivity and basal plane binding first observed with spruce budworm AFP.
Biologically Inspired Feedforward Supervised Learning for Deep Self-Organizing Map Networks

In this study, we propose a novel deep neural network and its supervised learning method that uses a feedforward supervisory signal. The method is inspired by the human visual system and performs human-like association-based learning without any backward error propagation. The feedforward supervisory signal that produces the correct result is preceded by the target signal and associates its confirmed label with the classification result of the target signal. It effectively uses a large amount of information from the feedforward signal, and forms a continuous and rich learning representation. The method is validated using visual recognition tasks on the MNIST handwritten dataset.
Natural and Synthetic Modulators of the TRPM7 Channel

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7 (TRPM7) is a bi-functional protein comprising a TRP ion channel segment linked to an α-type protein kinase domain. Genetic inactivation of TRPM7 revealed its central role in magnesium metabolism, cell motility, proliferation and differentiation. TRPM7 is associated with anoxic neuronal death, cardiac fibrosis and tumor progression highlighting TRPM7 as a new drug target. Recently, several laboratories have independently identified pharmacological compounds inhibiting or activating the TRPM7 channel. The recently found TRPM7 modulators were used as new experimental tools to unravel cellular functions of the TRPM7 channel. Here, we provide a concise overview of this emerging field.
Adolescents with sickle cell anaemia: Experience in a private tertiary hospital serving a tertiary institution

Background: Many adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) have adjustment difficulties in the transition period from paediatric care to the adult system because they find themselves in unfamiliar waters where they have to learn to manage themselves. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalent crises and morbidities associated with SCD in adolescents in Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), to also assess the level of knowledge of these adolescents about SCD and to determine their emotional response to the disease. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of case notes of adolescents with sickle cell anaemia that were seen in BUTH, from May 2013 to April 2014. Data extracted from the case notes was entered into a Microsoft (MS) Excel and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results were presented in tables. Results: A total of 50 subjects were seen in the department during this study period. Vaso-occlusive crises in the form of bone pains (93.1%) were the commonest crises encountered. Associated morbidities were malaria 34 (85%), tonsilitis 1 (2.5%), pneumonia 1 (2.5%), leg ulcer 1 (2.5%), azotaemia 1 (2.5%) and subarachnoid haemorrhage 2 (5%). Majority (88%) had adequate knowledge about general health maintenance while knowledge on nutrition and appropriate analgesia use is still inadequate. Eleven (22%) had symptoms of depression, four (8%) had suicidal ideation while one (2%) had a history of attempted suicide. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of psychosocial intervention as part of a comprehensive health management for people with SCD.
p53 Mutant Human Glioma Cells Are Sensitive to UV-C-Induced Apoptosis Due to Impaired Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimer Removal

The p53 protein is a key regulator of cell responses to DNA damage, and it has been shown that it sensitizes glioma cells to the alkylating agent temozolomide by up-regulating the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, whereas it increases the resistance to chloroethylating agents, such as ACNU and BCNU, probably by enhancing the efficiency of DNA repair. However, because these agents induce a wide variety of distinct DNA lesions, the direct importance of DNA repair is hard to access. Here, it is shown that the induction of photoproducts by UV light (UV-C) significantly induces apoptosis in a p53-mutated glioma background. This is caused by a reduced level of photoproduct repair, resulting in the persistence of DNA lesions in p53-mutated glioma cells. UV-C-induced apoptosis in p53 mutant glioma cells is preceded by strong transcription and replication inhibition due to blockage by unrepaired photolesions. Moreover, the results indicate that UV-C-induced apoptosis of p53 mutant glioma cells is executed through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, with Bcl-2 degradation and sustained Bax and Bak up-regulation. Collectively, the data indicate that unrepaired DNA lesions induce apoptosis in p53 mutant gliomas despite the resistance of these gliomas to temozolomide, suggesting that efficiency of treatment of p53 mutant gliomas might be higher with agents that induce the formation of DNA lesions whose global genomic repair is dependent on p53. (Mol Cancer Res 2009;7(2):237–46)
Minimal founded semantics for disjunctive logic programs and deductive databases

In this paper, we propose a variant of stable model semantics for disjunctive logic programming and deductive databases. The semantics, called minimal founded, generalizes stable model semantics for normal (i.e. non-disjunctive) programs, but differs from disjunctive stable model semantics (the extension of stable model semantics for disjunctive programs). Compared with disjunctive stable model semantics, minimal founded semantics seems to be more intuitive, it gives meaning to programs which are meaningless under stable model semantics and is no harder to compute. More specifically, minimal founded semantics differs from stable model semantics only for disjunctive programs having constraint rules or rules working as constraints. We study the expressive power of the semantics, and show that for general disjunctive datalog programs it has the same power as disjunctive stable model semantics.
Potassium Channels in the Peripheral Microcirculation

Vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells, endothelial cells (EC), and pericytes that form the walls of vessels in the microcirculation express a diverse array of ion channels that play an important role in the function of these cells and the microcirculation in both health and disease. This brief review focuses on the K+ channels expressed in smooth muscle and endothelial cells in arterioles. Microvascular VSM cells express at least four different classes of K+ channels, including inward‐rectifier K+ channels (KIR), ATP‐sensitive K+ channels (KATP), voltage‐gated K+ channels (KV), and large conductance Ca2 +‐activated K+ channels (BKCa). VSM KIR participate in dilation induced by elevated extracellular K+ and may also be activated by C‐type natriuretic peptide, a putative endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Vasodilators acting through cAMP or cGMP signaling pathways in VSM may open KATP, KV, and BKCa, causing membrane hyperpolarization and vasodilation. VSM BKCa may also be activated by epoxides of arachidonic acid (EETs) identified as EDHF in some systems. Conversely, vasoconstrictors may close KATP, KV, and BKCa through protein kinase C, Rho‐kinase, or c‐Src pathways and contribute to VSM depolarization and vasoconstriction. At the same time KV and BKCa act in a negative feedback manner to limit depolarization and prevent vasospasm. Microvascular EC express at least 5 classes of K+ channels, including small (sKCa) and intermediate (IKCa) conductance Ca2 +‐activated K+ channels, KIR, KATP, and KV. Both sK and IK are opened by endothelium‐dependent vasodilators that increase EC intracellular Ca2 + to cause membrane hyperpolarization that may be conducted through myoendothelial gap junctions to hyperpolarize and relax arteriolar VSM. KIR may serve to amplify sKCa‐ and IKCa‐induced hyperpolarization and allow active transmission of hyperpolarization along EC through gap junctions. EC KIR channels may also be opened by elevated extracellular K+ and participate in K+‐induced vasodilation. EC KATP channels may be activated by vasodilators as in VSM. KV channels may provide a negative feedback mechanism to limit depolarization in some endothelial cells.
Patent foramen ovale: Standards for a preclinical model of prevalence, structure, and histopathologic comparability to human hearts

Background: This study evaluated and standardized a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) preclinical model in gross anatomic and histopathologic features. Methods: We examined 150 necropsy‐derived domestic porcine hearts, age 4–6 months for PFO prevalence, appearance, and size. Histopathologic preparations were standardized and processed identically to 24 post‐mortem human hearts aged 16–62 years. A measurement scheme was developed for PFO atrial openings, tunnel length, and histopathologic features to compare porcine and patient hearts. Results: PFO was found in 32 of the 150 porcine hearts (prevalence 21.3%). Twenty‐five porcine PFO underwent standard characterization by tunnel length, and right, and left atrial orifice diameters. Logarithmic regression analysis between porcine PFO tunnel length and left atrial orifice area demonstrated a significant positive relationship (P = 0.0162, R2 = 0.227). The porcine PFO tunnel length was significantly longer than in humans (12.0 ± 4.0 mm vs. 7.1 ± 3.1 mm respectively, P < 0.0001). Histopathologic comparison was made using serial sections perpendicular to the atrial septum and the tunnel long axis. Human and porcine PFO lesions demonstrated strong similarities in tissue cells, connective tissue, and matrix composition. Conclusions: PFO assessment was standardized in both macroscopically and histopathologically, with quantitative and qualitative comparisons feasible using a porcine preclinical model. PFO prevalence in domestic swine is identical to humans, and microscopic structures very similar to humans. The domestic swine PFO model appears useful to evaluate new interventional closure technologies due to comparability in microscopic features. Tunnel length should be carefully evaluated due to differences across pigs and patients. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Evil Copy: How the Loader Betrays You

Dynamic loading is a core feature used on current systems to (i) enable modularity and reuse, (ii) reduce memory footprint by sharing code pages of libraries and executables among processes, and (iii) simplify update procedures by eliminating the need to recompile executables when a library is updated. The Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) is a generic specification that describes how executable programs are stitched together from object files produced from source code to libraries and executables. Programming languages allow fine-grained control over variables, including access and memory protections, so programmers may write defense mechanisms assuming that the permissions specified at the source and/or compiler level will hold at runtime. Unfortunately, information about memory protection is lost during compilation. We identify one case that has significant security implications: when instantiating a process, constant external variables that are referenced in executables are forcefully relocated to a writable memory segment without warning. The loader trades security for compatibility due to the lack of memory protection information on the relocated external variables. We call this new attack vector CoReV for Copy Relocation Violation. An adversary may use a memory corruption vulnerability to modify such “read-only” constant variables like vtables, function pointers, format strings, and file names to bypass defenses (like FORTIFY_SOURCE or CFI) and to escalate privileges. We have studied all Ubuntu 16.04 LTS packages and found that out of 54,045 packages, 4,570 packages have unexpected copy relocations that change read-only permissions to read-write, presenting new avenues for attack. The attack surface is broad with 29,817 libraries exporting relocatable read-only variables. The set of 6,399 programs with actual copy relocation violations includes ftp servers, apt-get, and gettext. We discuss the cause, effects, and a set of possible mitigation strategies for the CoReV attack vector.
IPM / P-2002 / 004 SU-ITP-02 / 10 The PP-Wave Limits of Orbifolded AdS 5 × S 5

Using the supergravity solution of N1 D3-branes probing AN2−1 singularities we study the pp-wave limit of AdS5×S/ZN2 . We show that there are two different pp-wave limits. One is the orbifold of the pp-wave limit of AdS5×S. In this case there is no symmetry enhancement. The other case is the same as the pp-wave limit of AdS5 × S and therefore we again see the maximal supersymmetry. We will also identify operators in the four dimensional N = 2 SU(N1) N2 gauge theory which correspond to stringy excitations in the orbifolded pp-wave geometry. The existence of the maximal pp-wave geometry indicates that there is a subsector of the corresponding N = 2 gauge theories which has enhanced N = 4 supersymmetry. We also study the pp-wave limits of AdS7,4 × S/ZN .
Movement velocity as a measure of exercise intensity in three lower limb exercises

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between movement velocity and relative load in three lower limbs exercises commonly used to develop strength: leg press, full squat and half squat. The percentage of one repetition maximum (%1RM) has typically been used as the main parameter to control resistance training; however, more recent research has proposed movement velocity as an alternative. Fifteen participants performed a load progression with a range of loads until they reached their 1RM. Maximum instantaneous velocity (Vmax) and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) of the knee extension phase of each exercise were assessed. For all exercises, a strong relationship between Vmax and the %1RM was found: leg press (r2adj = 0.96; 95% CI for slope is [−0.0244, −0.0258], P < 0.0001), full squat (r2adj = 0.94; 95% CI for slope is [−0.0144, −0.0139], P < 0.0001) and half squat (r2adj = 0.97; 95% CI for slope is [−0.0135, −0.00143], P < 0.0001); for MPV, leg press (r2adj = 0.96; 95% CI for slope is [−0.0169, −0.0175], P < 0.0001, full squat (r2adj = 0.95; 95% CI for slope is [−0.0136, −0.0128], P < 0.0001) and half squat (r2adj = 0.96; 95% CI for slope is [−0.0116, 0.0124], P < 0.0001). The 1RM was attained with a MPV and Vmax of 0.21 ± 0.06 m s−1 and 0.63 ± 0.15 m s−1, 0.29 ± 0.05 m s−1 and 0.89 ± 0.17 m s−1, 0.33 ± 0.05 m s−1 and 0.95 ± 0.13 m s−1 for leg press, full squat and half squat, respectively. Results indicate that it is possible to determine an exercise-specific %1RM by measuring movement velocity for that exercise.
Online Handwriting Recognition by the Symbolic Histograms Approach

The classification of online handwriting samples can be effectively addressed by a granular computing approach. In fact, handwriting can be viewed as a sequence of information granules consisting in single strokes. In this paper, an automatic handwriting recognition system is proposed. An oriented sequence of nodes, as a particular directed labeled graph, is used to represent each handwritten pattern. Each node of the graph stores the feature vector describing a single stroke, while the edge connecting each node to the succeeding one stores information about the pen displacement between the two strokes (usually referred as virtual stroke). Once the handwritten patterns have been represented by labeled graphs, a general technique for automatic graph classification is used to perform different recognition tasks. The tackled tasks include word recognition, writer recognition and character set recognition. The tests have been carried out using real world data.
Towards Designing Privacy-Preserving Signature-Based IDS as a Service: A Study and Practice

With the advent of Cloud Computing, IDS as a service (IDSaaS) has been proposed as an alternative to protect a network (e.g., financial organization) from a wide range of network attacks by offloading the expensive operations such as the process of signature matching to the cloud. The IDSaaS can be roughly classified into two types: signature-based detection and anomaly-based detection. During the packet inspection, no party wants to disclose their own data especially sensitive information to others, even to the cloud provider, for privacy concerns. However, current solutions of IDSaaS have not much discussed this issue. In this work, focus on the signature-based IDSaaS, we begin by designing a promising privacy-preserving intrusion detection mechanism, the main feature of which is that the process of signature matching does not reveal any specific content of network packets by means of a fingerprint-based comparison. We further conduct a study to evaluate this mechanism under a cloud scenario and identify several open problems and issues for designing such a privacy-preserving mechanism for IDSaaS in a practical environment.
Multifocal electroretinogram in occult macular dystrophy.

PURPOSE Occult macular dystrophy (OMD) is an unusual macular dystrophy presenting with an essentially normal fundus and fluorescein angiography but with progressive central visual loss. The authors studied the function of local retinal areas in the posterior pole of patients with OMD using multifocal electroretinograms (ERGs). METHODS Multifocal ERGs were recorded using the Visual Evoked Response Imaging System with 61 hexagonal elements within a visual field of 30 degrees radius from 8 OMD patients and 20 age-matched, normal subjects. The amplitudes and implicit times of the patients and normal control subjects were compared at the various retinal eccentricities. RESULTs. The amplitudes of the multifocal ERGs in the OMD patients were markedly reduced in the central 7 degrees of the fovea. The difference of the ERG amplitudes between OMD and normal subjects became smaller toward the peripheral retina. Most OMD patients had slight but significantly delayed implicit times across the whole testing field, and the differences between the OMD and the normal subjects did not change with retinal eccentricity. CONCLUSIONS Our results for multifocal ERG amplitudes support the idea that OMD patients have localized retinal dysfunction distal to the ganglion cells in the central retina. The delayed implicit times across the whole test field suggest that the retinal dysfunction has a broader boundary than expected by ERG amplitudes and psychophysical perimetric results.
A Recognizer for Free-Hand Graph Drawings

Interactive multimedia such as computer simulations and animations received increased attention over the years as supplementary teaching tools and have now become integral components of most engineering and science curriculums. We believe one way to boost the utility of such simulations and animations is to make them easier to use. In this paper, we describe a pen-based interface for constructing weighted and unweighted graphs which functions as a front-end to shortest path and minimum spanning tree (MST) algorithm simulators that we have developed. We compare the usability of this pen-based interface to that of a WIMP-based interface and a hybrid interface that uses a mixture of pen-based and WIMP-based input methods. We report evaluation results on the usability of the three types of interfaces that we have developed. Our results show that a purely pen-based approach to graph creation may actually suffer from the relatively higher misrecognition rates of the harder-to-recognize symbols and inhibit usability. We conclude that a hybrid approach which combines a soft-keyboard with graph recognition outperforms interfaces that are purely pen-based or WIMP-based.
Narrative Comprehension, Causality, and Coherence : Essays in Honor of Tom Trabasso

Contents: S.R. Goldman, A.C. Graesser, P. van den Broek, Essays in Honor of Tom Trabasso. J.P. Magliano, P. van den Broek, Reflections on a Mentor, Colleague, and Friend. P. van den Broek, M. Gustafson, Comprehension and Memory for Texts: Three Generations of Reading Research. E.J. O'Brien, J.L. Myers, Text Comprehension: A View From the Bottom Up. J.P. Magliano, Revealing Inference Processes During Text Comprehension. A.C. Graesser, K. Wiemer-Hastings, Situation Models and Concepts in Story Comprehension. R.A. Zwaan, Five Dimensions of Narrative Comprehension: The Event-Indexing Model. G.H. Bower, M. Rinck, Goals as Generators of Activation in Narrative Understanding. S.R. Goldman, K.O. Varma, D. Sharp, The Cognition and Technology Group at Vanderbilt, Children's Understanding of Complex Stories: Issues of Representation and Assessment. P. Boscolo, L. Cisotto, On Narrative Reading-Writing Relationships: How Young Writers Construe the Reader's Need for Inferences. M. Singer, N. Gagnon, Detecting Causal Inconsistencies in Scientific Text. C.R. Fletcher, S. Lucas, C.M. Baron, Comprehension of Mathematical Proofs. M.A. Britt, C.A. Perfetti, R. Sandak, J-F. Rouet, Content Integration and Source Separation in Learning From Multiple Texts. J.F. Voss, J. Wiley, R. Sandak, On the Use of Narrative as Argument. H. Ross, M. Ross, A. Wilson, M. Smith, The Dandelion War. N.L. Stein, R.A. Sheldrick, S.C. Broaders, Predicting Psychological Well-Being From Beliefs and Goal Appraisal Processes During the Experience of Emotional Events.
Efficiënter fit door hoogintensieve training

'Beter hard en hevig' kopte Intermediair van 28 september 2006. Het betrof de steeds sterker wordende aanwijzingen, dat kortdurende, hoogintensieve inspanning net zo effectief kan zijn voor het verbeteren van de fysieke fitheid als langdurige inspanning op een matige intensiteit. Bij TNO in Soesterberg is de afgelopen maanden onderzoek gedaan naar de effectiviteit van hoogintensieve training op de zogenaamde ROM-machine. Een futuristisch ogend apparaat waarop drie maal per week acht minuten getraind werd. Kan met zo weinig trainingstijd de fysieke fitheid inderdaad verbeteren? En hoe verhoudt deze verbetering zich ten opzichte van de effecten van conventionele trainingsprogrammas?