Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lower bounds on representing Boolean functions as polynomials in Z/sub m/

The MOD/sub m/-degree of Boolean function F is defined to be the smallest degree of any polynomial P, over the ring of integers modulo m, such that for all 0-1 assignments x, F(x)=0 iff P(x)=0. By exploring the periodic property of the binomial coefficients module m, two new lower bounds on the MOD/sub m/-degree of the MOD/sub l/ and not-MOD/sub m/ functions are proved, where m is any composite integer and l has a prime factor not dividing m. Both bounds improve from n/sup Omega (1)/ in D.A.M. Barrington et al. (1992) to Omega (n). A lower bound, n/2, for the majority function and a lower bound, square root n, for the MidBit function are also proved. <<ETX>>
Taking sides: Learning and voting

We set out a simple Bayesian model for turnout at the polls by expressive voters. We show that it mathematically implies the standard empirical findings about turnout. We also show that it implies a new estimator for turnout, “double probit. ” Applications of the model to large American and Irish datasets demonstrate that the new model gives better statistical fits than conventional probit, more theoretically interpretable coefficients, more stable estimates across different surveys in the same election, and greater ability to forecast turnout patterns in new elections. Prepared for presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, April 12-15, 2007. Copyright by the authors.
A Clustering-Based Privacy-Preserving Method for Uncertain Trajectory Data

With the development of trajectory data mining, personal privacy information is facing a great threaten. To prevent privacy disclosure, some anonymous methods should be used before the raw trajectory data is published. Yet, most existing methods did not consider the uncertainty in trajectory, largely due to the inherent inaccuracy of data acquisition equipments, delayed update of mobile objects and so on. At present, only the (k, d) anonymity model solves the uncertain trajectory privacy-preserving problem. However, (k, d) anonymity model has two drawbacks. (1) It reckons the uncertain radius d as a constant value, which cannot capture dynamically changing uncertainty in trajectory data, (2) The object's movements between two consecutive positions are simply modeled as linear, which is not accurate for many actual situations. In this paper, we propose a new method called Restore Its True to protect the privacy of trajectory data in publishing. It is the first paper to present this idea that transforming the trajectory to an uncertain area to cluster. First, we use the method in probability statistics to model the trajectory to an uncertain area. Second, we put the similar uncertain area into a cluster and sanitize them in an equivalence class. Finally, we compare the performance of our proposal with (k, d) - anonymity model in real datasets. The analysis and simulation results prove that our proposal can protect trajectories privacy effectively with lower information loss than (k, d) - anonymity model.
Driver Steering Assistance for Lane-Departure Avoidance Based on Hybrid Automata and Composite Lyapunov Function

This paper presents the design and the practical implementation of vehicle steering assistance that helps the driver avoid unintended lane departure. A switching strategy is built to govern the driver-assistance interaction, and the resulting hybrid system is formalized as an input/output (I/O) hybrid automaton. Composite Lyapunov functions, polyhedral-like invariant sets, and linear matrix inequality (LMI) methods constitute the heart of the approach used to design the lane-departure avoidance (LDA) system. The practical implementation of this steering assistance in a prototype vehicle confirms the effectiveness of this approach.
Disc Rehydration after Dynamic Stabilization: A Report of 59 Cases

Study Design A retrospective study investigating decrease in the nucleus pulposus signal intensity or disc height on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and disc degeneration. Purpose Although a degenerated disc cannot self-regenerate, distraction or stabilization may provide suitable conditions for rehydration and possible regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and disc regeneration via MRI in a series of patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) who underwent lumbar stabilization with a dynamic stabilization system (DSS). Overview of Literature A dynamic system provides rehydration during early DDD. Methods Fifty-nine patients (mean age, 46.5 years) who undedwent stabilization with DSS for segmental instability (painful black disc) between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent MRI preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration grades at the implanted segment were categorized using the Pfirrmann classification system. Patients were followed for a mean of 6.4 years, and clinical outcomes were based on visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. Results Significant improvements in back pain VAS and ODI scores from before surgery (7 and 68%, respectively) were reported at 6 (2.85 and 27.4%, respectively) and 12 months postoperatively (1.8 and 16.3%, respectively). Postoperative IVD changes were observed in 28 patients. Improvement was observed in 20 patients (34%), whereas progressive degeneration was observed in eight patients (13.5%). Thirty-one patients (52.5%) exhibited neither improvement nor progression. Single Pfirrmann grade improvements were observed in 29% of the patients and two-grade improvements were observed in 5%. Conclusions Our observations support the theory that physiological movement and a balanced load distribution are necessary for disc regeneration. We conclude that DSS may decelerate the degeneration process and appears to facilitate regeneration.
An Application of Ramsey's Theorem to Proving Programs Terminate (An Exposition)

We describe an application of Ramsey’s Theorem to proving programs terminate. This paper is self contained; it does not require knowledge of either field. Our account is based on two articles, one by B. Cook, Podelski, and Rybalchenko [5] and one by Podelski and Rybalchenko [19]. Many other papers that also used this application [3, 4, 18, 20, 21]. Termination checkers that have used this application are Terminator [2], Loopfrog [14], and ARMC [24] In the summary below we refer to Programs 1,2,3 and 4 which appear later in the paper.
Proofs of Encrypted Data Retrievability with Probabilistic and Homomorphic Message Authenticators

When users store their data on a cloud, they may concern on whether their data is stored correctly and can be fully retrieved. Proofs of Retrivability (PoR) is a cryptographic concept that allows users to remotely check the integrity of their data without downloading. This check is usually done by attaching data with message authenticators that contain data integrity information. The existing PoR schemes consider only the retrievability of unencrypted data and their message authenticators are usually deterministic. In this paper, we propose a PoR scheme that is built over homomorphic encryption schemes. Our PoR scheme can prove the retrievability of homomorphically encrypted data by generating probabilistic and homomorphic message authenticators. Moreover, the homomorphically encrypted data can be processed by the cloud directly and our PoR scheme can verify the integrity of such outsourced computations over ciphertexts. A prototype of our scheme is implemented to evaluate its performance.
Anopheles gambiae APL1 Is a Family of Variable LRR Proteins Required for Rel1-Mediated Protection from the Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium berghei

Background We previously identified by genetic mapping an Anopheles gambiae chromosome region with strong influence over the outcome of malaria parasite infection in nature. Candidate gene studies in the genetic interval, including functional tests using the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, identified a novel leucine-rich repeat gene, APL1, with functional activity against P. berghei. Principal Findings Manual reannotation now reveals APL1 to be a family of at least 3 independently transcribed genes, APL1A, APL1B, and APL1C. Functional dissection indicates that among the three known APL1 family members, APL1C alone is responsible for host defense against P. berghei. APL1C functions within the Rel1-Cactus immune signaling pathway, which regulates APL1C transcript and protein abundance. Gene silencing of APL1C completely abolishes Rel1-mediated host protection against P. berghei, and thus the presence of APL1C is required for this protection. Further highlighting the influence of this chromosome region, allelic haplotypes at the APL1 locus are genetically associated with and have high explanatory power for the success or failure of P. berghei parasite infection. Conclusions APL1C functions as a required transducer of Rel1-dependent immune signal(s) to efficiently protect mosquitoes from P. berghei infection, and allelic genetic haplotypes of the APL1 locus display distinct levels of susceptibility and resistance to P. berghei.
Different outcome variables yield different results!

Truin et al. recently reported in Annals of Oncology on the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in postmenopausal women (aged 50–75 years) with invasive lobular (ILC) versus ductal (IDC) breast cancer using a very large nationwide cohort [1]. Patients with IDC receiving combined (endocrine (ET) and chemo (CT)) therapy had better overall survival compared with those receiving ET only. Combined treatment did not improve overall survival in ILC, which led the authors to conclude that there seems to be no benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with ILC who receive endocrine therapy. We would like to provide those interested in this manuscript with some important remarks allowing us to conclude that the study from Truin should not be used as a proof to omit adjuvant chemotherapy in ILC:
Neural mechanism for hypothalamic-mediated autonomic responses to light during migraine

Significance Many migraineurs report that their need to avoid light is driven mainly by how unpleasant it makes them feel. Seeking to understand why light is unpleasant, we show here that light can trigger the perception of chest tightness, shortness of breath, light-headedness, dry mouth, irritability, sadness, and fear (among other aversive symptoms identified), and that these perceptions are mediated by newly described neuronal pathways through which electrical signals generated by light travel from the eye through the hypothalamus to neurons that regulate autonomic functions and emotions. We conclude that the aversive nature of light during migraine is more complex than its association with headache intensification. Migraineurs avoid light because it intensifies their headache. However, this is not the only reason for their aversion to light. Studying migraineurs and control subjects, we found that lights triggered more changes in autonomic functions and negative emotions during, rather than in the absence of, migraine or in control subjects, and that the association between light and positive emotions was stronger in control subjects than migraineurs. Seeking to define a neuroanatomical substrate for these findings, we showed that, in rats, axons of retinal ganglion cells converge on hypothalamic neurons that project directly to nuclei in the brainstem and spinal cord that regulate parasympathetic and sympathetic functions and contain dopamine, histamine, orexin, melanin-concentrating hormone, oxytocin, and vasopressin. Although the rat studies define frameworks for conceptualizing how light triggers the symptoms described by patients, the human studies suggest that the aversive nature of light is more complex than its association with headache intensification.
Asymmetrical cross-resistance between Bacillus thuringiensis toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab in pink bollworm

Transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins kill some key insect pests and can reduce reliance on insecticide sprays. Sustainable use of such crops requires methods for delaying evolution of resistance by pests. To thwart pest resistance, some transgenic crops produce 2 different Bt toxins targeting the same pest. This “pyramid” strategy is expected to work best when selection for resistance to 1 toxin does not cause cross-resistance to the other toxin. The most widely used pyramid is transgenic cotton producing Bt toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab. Cross-resistance between these toxins was presumed unlikely because they bind to different larval midgut target sites. Previous results showed that laboratory selection with Cry1Ac caused little or no cross-resistance to Cry2A toxins in pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), a major cotton pest. We show here, however, that laboratory selection of pink bollworm with Cry2Ab caused up to 420-fold cross-resistance to Cry1Ac as well as 240-fold resistance to Cry2Ab. Inheritance of resistance to high concentrations of Cry2Ab was recessive. Larvae from a laboratory strain resistant to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab in diet bioassays survived on cotton bolls producing only Cry1Ac, but not on cotton bolls producing both toxins. Thus, the asymmetrical cross-resistance seen here does not threaten the efficacy of pyramided Bt cotton against pink bollworm. Nonetheless, the results here and previous evidence indicate that cross-resistance occurs between Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab in some key cotton pests. Incorporating the potential effects of such cross-resistance in resistance management plans may help to sustain the efficacy of pyramided Bt crops.
Dissecting the cryoprotection mechanisms for dehydrins

One of the common responses of plants to water deficit is the accumulation of the so-called late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins. In vitro studies suggest that these proteins can protect other macromolecules and cellular structural components from the impairments caused by water limitation. Their binding to phospholipids, nucleic acids and/or to divalent cations has suggested multi-functionality. Genetic analyses indicate that these proteins are required for an optimal adjustment of plants to this insult. This diverse information has conducted to propose different models for LEA proteins action mechanisms. Many of these properties are shared by group 2 LEA proteins or dehydrins (DHNs), one of the LEA protein families for which large amount of data is available. This manuscript focuses on the different mechanisms proposed for this LEA protein group by analyzing published data derived from in vitro cryoprotection assays. We compared the molar ratio of protectant:enzyme needed to preserve 50% of the initial activity per enzyme monomer to assess different mechanisms of action. Our results add evidence for protein–protein interaction as a protection mechanism but also indicate that some DHNs might protect by different means. The strength and weakness of the proposed protection mechanisms are discussed.
Inaugural Article: Organellar relationships in the Golgi region of the pancreatic beta cell line, HIT-T15, visualized by high resolution electron tomography

Three-dimensional (3-D) electron microscope (EM) studies have advanced our understanding of the correlation between Golgi organization and the role of this organelle in sorting and trafficking proteins and lipids (1–6). With few exceptions, these studies have used conventional chemical fixation protocols to stabilize cellular components for visualization. Because these methods take anywhere from seconds to minutes to immobilize cellular constituents, labile structures and dynamic events are unlikely to be accurately preserved. Detailed structural study of a rapidly changing organelle like the Golgi should rely on preservation methods like fast freezing that immobilize all cellular activity within milliseconds (7, 8). We have used high pressure freezing, freeze-substitution, and electron tomography to study the 3-D structure of the Golgi and surrounding organelles in a cell line (HIT-T15) that synthesizes insulin. These cells are often used to study the insulin secretory pathway because they retain the ability to secrete insulin in response to extracellular glucose (9). The relatively low insulin content of these cells (≈300 ng/106 cells), compared with normal adult rat pancreas (≈30,000 ng/106 cells) (10), permits detailed inspection of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton and the organelles involved in membrane traffic, by virtue of the fact that there are fewer granules to obscure other cellular components (11). However, the fact that these cells are modestly granulated has disadvantages. The frequency with which one observes granules attached to, and presumably forming from, the Golgi in samples prepared from HIT-T15 cells under steady state conditions is relatively low. Although we have observed this phenomenon in other reconstructions generated from HIT-T15 cells, it is noteworthy that no granules were attached to the Golgi in the reconstructed volume presented here. This result is despite the fact that the Golgi appears to have been actively budding both clathrin- and non-clathrin-coated vesicles and tubules when the cell was frozen. In the present study, part of a “representative” insulinoma cell was reconstructed, modeled, and quantitatively analyzed by spatial density analyses. We reasoned that the resulting detailed model would provide a high resolution “3-D snapshot” of the Golgi complex and surrounding organelles in one such cell maintained under steady state conditions. Our results identify some structural features that are similar to those previously observed in normal rat kidney cells (4, 6), whereas other features are novel. The data reveal the 3-D complexity of organellar relationships in the Golgi region of a fast frozen/freeze-substituted regulated secretory cell.
A Multi-Dimensional K-Anonymity Model for Hierarchical Data

For improving the usability of the anonymous result, it is important to comply with the hierarchical structure when generalizing quasi-identifying attributes with hierarchical characteristics. We propose an unrestricted multi-dimensional anonymization model which combines global recoding and local recoding methods. The bottom-up anonymization algorithm with the minimal coverage subgraph constraint and the anonymization metric are proposed. The experiment results justify the effectiveness and scalability of this model.
Potential of epigenetic therapies in non-cancerous conditions

There has been an explosion of knowledge in the epigenetics field in the past 20 years. The first epigenetic therapies have arrived in the clinic for cancer treatments. In contrast, much of the promise of epigenetic therapies for non-cancerous conditions remains in the laboratories. The current review will focus on the recent progress that has been made in understanding the pathogenic role of epigenetics in immune and inflammatory conditions, and how the knowledge may provide much needed new therapeutic targets for many autoimmune diseases. Dietary factors are increasingly recognized as potential modifiers of epigenetic marks that can influence health and diseases across generations. The current epigenomics revolution will almost certainly complement the explosion of personal genetics medicine to help guide treatment decisions and disease risk stratification.
Human-Level Artificial Intelligence ? Be Serious !

68 AI MAGAZINE ■ I claim that achieving real human-level artificial intelligence would necessarily imply that most of the tasks that humans perform for pay could be automated. Rather than work toward this goal of automation by building special-purpose systems, I argue for the development of general-purpose, educable systems that can learn and be taught to perform any of the thousands of jobs that humans can perform. Joining others who have made similar proposals, I advocate beginning with a system that has minimal, although extensive, built-in capabilities. These would have to include the ability to improve through learning along with many other abilities.
Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Upper Airway in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome During Oral Appliance Therapy

AbstractObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) represents a frequent and common respiratory disease characterized by repeated episodes of complete and/or partial obstruction of upper airways during sleep, normally associated with reduction of oxygen saturation in blood. The oral appliances (OAs) are considered to be an effective treatment modality thanks to the upper airway enlargement. Lateral cephalometry has been used for the 2-dimensional evaluation of upper airway form with several limits. We obtained an accurate 3-dimensional (3D) volume analyses with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to confirm the effects of OA on the upper airway in patients with OSAS.Ten Italian patients with moderate or severe OSA (3 males and 7 females, 53.4 ± 11.3 years of age, and BMI 24.5 ± 2.7), who cannot tolerate continuous positive air pressure therapy and rejected a surgical approach, were treated with non-adjustable customized OAs and evaluated with CBCT and polysomnography. Upper airway form was examined in the presence and absence of OA and the volume was measured and compared in 2 different areas. Specific planes have been considered to match the data and calculate the benefit obtained with therapy.Nine out of ten patients showed an improvement of total upper airway volume and an improvement in apnea-hypopnea index. Volume increased both in the posterior soft palate region and in the posterior tongue region. In the inferior area, we observed greater differences.3D image reconstruction accurately confirmed morphological changes in the upper airway during OA therapy. The use of this 3D evaluation is expected to improve the results of OA therapy in the future.