Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semantic Location Analysis

Location analysis has so far been limited to spatial, and in some cases spatio-temporal, constraints. For example, the optimal site for a shopping center can be determined by taking the location of other centers and of potential customers into account, and factoring in transportation networks, as well as land use and zoning restrictions. Some solutions, like the relatively unknown but seminal work of Dovetrovo, allow for including dynamic constraints. We propose to extend the basis of classical locationallocation models through semantic constraints. Specifically, we are generalizing Dovetrovo’s algorithm to include the semantics related to network nodes and areal features (land use, land cover, and population data). Applying this algorithm to typical allocation problems will allow for socially and cognitively more adequate siting of infrastructure elements in urban and rural areas. A first test case involved modeling the semantic categories of the location nodes themselves, and revealed a high potential for our general approach. The contribution of this work lies not only in the development of semantically aware location-allocation methods, but also in the application of the idea of semantic reference systems to the core of spatial analysis. The full paper will reveal details of the algorithm and two worked-out applications: one to the traditional problem of static infrastructure allocation under semantic constraints, and one to dynamic event allocation.
A Computational Model for Declarative Recognition and Imperative Action

Sita is a novel agent language for modeling intelligent beha viour in dynamic environments. The central modeling principle is the distinction of recognition a d action as the two complementary basic skills essential for situated behaviour. The underlying co mputational model combines an incremental bottom-up logic programming mechanism with a concurren t process calculus. This principle allows the clear separation and natural description of decl arative knowledge about situations and procedural knowledge about acting.
IL-4-Deficient and Transgenic Mice Demonstrated by Studies of IL-10- and Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis as IL-10 Is Critical in the Regulation of

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and other organ-speciﬁc autoimmune diseases are induced by autoantigen-speciﬁc Th1 cells. In contrast, transfer of autoantigen-reactive Th2 cells that produce IL-4 and IL-10 can prevent and/or reverse EAE. The relative roles of these two Th2 cytokines in the regulation of EAE has not been evaluated. Utilizing IL-4 and IL-10 knockout mice deﬁcient for these cytokines and IL-10 and IL-4 transgenic mice overexpressing these cytokines, we demonstrate that IL-10-deﬁcient mice (IL-10 2 / 2 ) are more susceptible and develop a more severe EAE when compared with IL-4-deﬁcient mice (IL-4 2 / 2 ) or wild-type mice. T cells from IL-10 2 / 2 mice exhibit a stronger Ag-speciﬁc proliferation, produce more proinﬂammatory cytokines (IFN- g and TNF- a ) when stimulated with an encephalitogenic peptide, and induce very severe EAE upon transfer into wild-type mice. In contrast, while IL-4 transgenic mice develop similar disease compared with their nontransgenic littermates, mice transgenic for IL-10 are completely resistant to the development of EAE. Taken together, our data suggest that IL-10 plays a more critical role in the regulation of EAE by regulating autopathogenic Th1 responses. The Journal of Immunology, 1998, 161: 3299–3306. of IL-10 transgenic transgenic signiﬁcantly
Pedagogy of the Block: The Aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement and the Negation of the old

The constraining role of racial, social, and economic stratification on the lives and education of African American males has been argued both theoretically and empirically (Massey, 2007; MacLeod, 1987; Noguera, 2001). Some have argued that one important mechanism is the perception of limited opportunity structures (Noguera, 2004; Ogbu, 1987). This dissertation explored how real and perceived opportunity structures were shaped by political, social, and economic forces in an urban neighborhood. Specifically, this study focused on a core group of Black males in a bounded historical time and geographic locale and explored how life pathways were identified, conveyed, and chosen. This study was historically situated in the period starting with the inception of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in 1966, until the time of the death of its co-founder, Huey P. Newton in 1989. This study argued that the complex interplay of competing ideologies that arose during that time period was at the crux of redefining Black life pathways to achieving the American Dream, also conveying the outcomes from that pursuit. This study took place in Oakland, California as this was the birthplace of the Black Panthers and it focused on the Oak Knoll neighborhood. I explored the ways in which the Black Power movement, the burgeoning drug epidemic, and State suppression in post-industrial Oakland informed how a cohort of over 40 Black males made sense of their societal positionality and how that 'sense making' influenced their choice of pathways and life outcomes. I will draw on Critical Race Theory in order to examine the ways in which race and power were central in the choices youth perceived, communicated, and enacted (Crenshaw, 1995; Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1995). Methodologically, I will utilize interviews with members of the cohort, biographical narratives, primary and secondary sources, with the dissertation taking the form of an autoethnography of the block cohort. Primary and secondary sources will be employed to give a historical context to the time period and to contextualize the differing pathways. Interviews with cohort members and the development of autoethnographical narratives will focus on what I am calling 'block pedagogy', which I define as the organic community discourse that reflects the constant negotiation of identity, power and privileged knowledge, informed by the historical context. A focus on 'block pedagogy' (as remembered by informants) will be used to illuminate alternative/oppositional life pathways that were available to this cohort and how those options were developed and conveyed across the cohort through the use of privileged knowledge. Ultimately, this study will contribute to our understanding of the ways in which the multiple spheres of societal contact--with the power structure, Black radicalism, and criminality--resulted in identity-shaping knowledge. In doing so, it will document the ever-changing nature of oppression and community response to it: both in ways that subvert and reproduce existing oppressive social structures.
Outcomes following surgical intervention for impending and gross instability caused by multiple myeloma in the spinal column.

OBJECT Multiple myeloma is the most common primary tumor of the spine and is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone. Although spinal myeloma is classically a radiosensitive lesion, clinical or radiographic signs of instability merit surgical intervention. The authors present the epidemiology, surgical indications, and outcome data of a series of consecutive cases involving 31 surgically treated patients with diagnoses of multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma of the spine (the largest such series reported to date). METHODS Surgical instability was the criterion for operative intervention in this patient cohort. The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) was used to make this assessment of instability. The cases were analyzed using location of the lesion, spinal levels involved, Frankel score, adjuvant therapy, functional outcome, and patient survival. RESULTS All patients undergoing surgical intervention were determined to have indeterminate or gross spinal column instability according to SINS criteria. The median survival was 78.9 months. No significant difference in survival was seen for patients with higher SINS scores or for older patients (> 55 years). There was a statistically significant difference in survival benefit observed for patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation versus radiation alone as an adjuvant to surgery (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS In this 10-year analysis, the authors report outcomes of surgical intervention for patients with indeterminate or gross spinal instability due to multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma of the spine with improved neurological function following surgery and low rates of instrumentation failure.
The Friction Reducing Effect of Square-Shaped Surface Textures under Lubricated Line-Contacts—An Experimental Study

Surface texturing has been shown to be an effective modification approach for improving tribological performance. This study examined the friction reduction effect generated by square dimples of different sizes and geometries. Dimples were fabricated on the surface of ASP2023 steel plates using femtosecond laser-assisted surface texturing techniques, and reciprocating sliding line contact tests were carried out on a Plint TE77 tribometer using a smooth 52100 bearing steel roller and textured ASP2023 steel plates. The tribological characterization of the friction properties indicated that the textured samples had significantly lowered the friction coefficient in both boundary (15% improvement) and mixed lubrication regimes (13% improvement). Moreover, the high data sampling rate results indicated that the dimples work as lubricant reservoirs in the boundary lubrication regime.
Quelle implication des adhérents de coopératives agricoles dans le nouveau paradigme coopératif

Le secteur cooperatif connait de profondes mutations, en particulier dans le domaine de la cooperation agricole. Des exigences de competitivite economique, de plus en plus saillantes, viennent bouleverser le paysage cooperatif en favorisant le developpement de grands groupes mixtes melant logiques cooperative et capitaliste. Dans de telles structures, l’adherent cherche sa place et se sent de plus en plus depasse : il semble se desengager du fonctionnement de sa cooperative. La question du sens de l’action collective se pose alors avec une accuite toute particuliere puisque l’on assiste a une remise en question du modele cooperatif qui repose fondamentalement sur l’implication de ses adherents. Une voie semble cependant possible qui concilierait imperatifs economiques et principes cooperatifs : celle d’un paradigme cooperatif renouvele qui replace l’adherent et sa loyaute au centre de la demarche en revivifiant les valeurs de la cooperation (Cote, 2007). Ces constatations nous ont amenees a etudier un modele liant confiance dans les dirigeants, implication organisationnnelle des adherents et fidelite a la cooperative. Le propos de cet article est de tester la pertinence du concept d’implication organisationnelle applique aux adherents de cooperatives agricoles dans ce contexte. Il presente une etude menee sur un echantillon de 322 cooperateurs, dans le secteur cerealier, en Midi-Pyrenees et compare des modeles alternatifs d’equations structurelles mesurant leur implication organisationnelle. Cette methodologie nous a permis de verifier que non seulement l’implication des adherents de cooperatives agricoles est bien mesurable a travers les trois dimensions issues des travaux de Meyer et Allen (1991) : implication affective, implication normative, implication calculee et ses deux sous dimensions ; mais que la dimension d’internalisation des valeurs (O’Reilly et Chatman, 1986) vient encore ameliorer notre perception du phenomene dans ce cas particulier. Le fait qu’une dimension renforcant la prise en compte de la convergence des valeurs entre adherents et cooperatives permette de cerner plus completement le phenomene de l’implication des adherents ouvre des voies de reflexion quant a la maniere de chercher de nouveaux leviers d’action pour favoriser leur engagement.
Expression of Notch 1, 2 and 3 is regulated by epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and retinoic acid in the developing mouse tooth and associated with determination of ameloblast cell fate

Notch 1, Notch 2, and Notch 3 are three highly conserved mammalian homologues of the Drosophila Notch gene, which encodes a transmembrane protein important for various cell fate decisions during development. Little is yet known about regulation of mammalian Notch gene expression, and this issue has been addressed in the developing rodent tooth during normal morphogenesis and after experimental manipulation. Notch 1, 2, and 3 genes show distinct cell-type specific expression patterns. Most notably, Notch expression is absent in epithelial cells in close contact with mesenchyme, which may be important for acquisition of the ameloblast fate. This reveals a previously unknown prepatterning of dental epithelium at early stages, and suggests that mesenchyme negatively regulates Notch expression in epithelium. This hypothesis has been tested in homo- and heterotypic explant experiments in vitro. The data show that Notch expression is downregulated in dental epithelial cells juxtaposed to mesenchyme, indicating that dental epithelium needs a mesenchyme-derived signal in order to maintain the downregulation of Notch. Finally, Notch expression in dental mesenchyme is upregulated in a region surrounding beads soaked in retinoic acid (50-100 micrograms/ml) but not in fibroblast growth factor-2 (100-250 micrograms/ml). The response to retinoic acid was seen in explants of 11-12-d old mouse embryos but not in older embryos. These data suggest that Notch genes may be involved in mediating some of the biological effects of retinoic acid during normal development and after teratogenic exposure.
The Broadly Neutralizing Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 4E10 Monoclonal Antibody Is Better Adapted to Membrane-Bound Epitope Recognition and Blocking than 2F5

ABSTRACT The broadly neutralizing 2F5 and 4E10 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognize epitopes within the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) that connects the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope gp41 ectodomain with the transmembrane anchor. By adopting different conformations that stably insert into the virion external membrane interface, such as helical structures, a conserved aromatic-rich sequence within the MPER is thought to participate in HIV-1-cell fusion. Recent experimental evidence suggests that the neutralizing activity of 2F5 and 4E10 might correlate with the MAbs' capacity to recognize epitopes inserted into the viral membrane, thereby impairing MPER fusogenic activity. To gain new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying viral neutralization by these antibodies, we have compared the capacities of 2F5 and 4E10 to block the membrane-disorganizing activity of MPER peptides inserted into the surface bilayer of solution-diffusing unilamellar vesicles. Both MAbs inhibited leakage of vesicular aqueous contents (membrane permeabilization) and intervesicular lipid mixing (membrane fusion) promoted by MPER-derived peptides. Thus, our data support the idea that antibody binding to a membrane-inserted epitope may interfere with the function of the MPER during gp41-induced fusion. Antibody insertion into a cholesterol-containing, uncharged virion-like membrane is mediated by specific epitope recognition, and moreover, partitioning-coupled folding into a helix reduces the efficiency of 2F5 MAb binding to its epitope in the membrane. We conclude that the capacity to interfere with the membrane activity of conserved MPER sequences is best correlated with the broad neutralization of the 4E10 MAb.
Using SMT solvers to automate design tasks for encryption and signature schemes

Cryptographic design tasks are primarily performed by hand today. Shifting more of this burden to computers could make the design process faster, more accurate and less expensive. In this work, we investigate tools for programmatically altering existing cryptographic constructions to reflect particular design goals. Our techniques enhance both security and efficiency with the assistance of advanced tools including Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) solvers. Specifically, we propose two complementary tools, AutoGroup and AutoStrong. AutoGroup converts a pairing-based encryption or signature scheme written in (simple) symmetric group notation into a specific instantiation in the more efficient, asymmetric setting. Some existing symmetric schemes have hundreds of possible asymmetric translations, and this tool allows the user to optimize the construction according to a variety of metrics, such as ciphertext size, key size or computation time. The AutoStrong tool focuses on the security of digital signature schemes by automatically converting an existentially unforgeable signature scheme into a strongly unforgeable one. The main technical challenge here is to automate the "partitioned" check, which allows a highly-efficient transformation. These tools integrate with and complement the AutoBatch tool (ACM CCS 2012), but also push forward on the complexity of the automation tasks by harnessing the power of SMT solvers. Our experiments demonstrate that the two design tasks studied can be performed automatically in a matter of seconds.
Cell‐specific differences in the processing of the R14W CAIV mutant associated with retinitis pigmentosa 17

Retinitis pigmentosa is a highly heterogeneous form of inherited blindness which affects more than 1.3 million individuals worldwide. The RP17 form of the disease is caused by an arginine to tryptophan (R14W) mutation in the signal sequence of carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV). While CAIV is expressed in the choriocapillaries of the eye and renal epithelium, the R14W mutation results in an exclusively ocular phenotype in affected individuals. In order to investigate the mechanism of disease in RP17 and the lack of kidney phenotype, we compared the subcellular localization and post‐translational processing of wild‐type (WT)‐ and mutant‐CAIV in three cell types. We show using immunocytochemistry that unlike WT CAIV which is transported to the plasma membrane of transfected COS‐7 and HT‐1080 cells, the R14W mutant CAIV is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Western blot analyses further reveal that whereas the WT CAIV is processed to its mature form in both these cell lines, significant levels of the R14W mutant protein remain in its immature form. Importantly, flow cytometry experiments demonstrate that compared to WT CAIV protein, expression of specifically the R14W CAIV results in an S and G2/M cell‐cycle block, followed by apoptosis. Interestingly, when the above experiments were repeated in the human embryonic kidney cell line, HEK‐293, strikingly different results were obtained. These cells were unaffected by the expression of the R14W mutant CAIV and were able to process the mutant and WT protein equally effectively. This study has important implications for our understanding of the RP17 phenotype. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 735–741, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
When should the Ask be a Nudge? The Effect of Default Amounts on Charitable Donations

How does setting a donation option as the default in a charitable appeal affect people's decisions? In eight studies, comprising 11,508 participants making 2,423 donation decisions in both experimental settings and a large-scale natural field experiment, the authors investigate the effect of “choice-option” defaults on the donation rate, average donation amount, and the resulting revenue. They find (1) a “scale-back” effect, in which low defaults reduce average donation amounts; (2) a “lower-bar” effect, in which defaulting a low amount increases donation rate; and (3) a “default-distraction” effect, in which introducing any defaults reduces the effect of other cues, such as positive charity information. Contrary to the view that setting defaults will backfire, defaults increased revenue in the field study. However, the findings suggest that defaults can sometimes be a “self-canceling” intervention, with countervailing effects of default option magnitude on decisions and resulting in no net effect on revenue. The authors discuss the implications of the findings for research on fundraising specifically, for choice architecture and behavioral interventions more generally, and for the use of “nudges” in policy decisions.
Designing the Language Liszt for Building Portable Mesh-based PDE Solvers

Complex physical simulations have driven the need for exascale computing, but reaching exascale will require more power-efficient supercomputers. Heterogeneous hardware offers one way to increase efficiency, but is difficult to program and lacks a unifying programming model. Abstracting problems at the level of the domain rather than hardware offers an alternative approach. In this paper we describe the design of Liszt, a domain-specific language (DSL) for solving partial differential equations on meshes. Many domain-specific languages and frameworks have been proposed for physical simulation. Liszt is unique in that it targets current and future heterogeneous platforms. We have found that designing a DSL requires a careful balance between features that allow for automatic parallelization and features that make the language flexible.
Capsaicin, a novel inhibitor of the NorA efflux pump, reduces the intracellular invasion of Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES To delineate the role of capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) as an inhibitor of the NorA efflux pump and its impact on invasion of macrophages by Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS Capsaicin in combination with ciprofloxacin was tested for activity against S. aureus SA-1199B (NorA overproducing), SA-1199 (wild-type) and SA-K1758 (norA knockout). The role of NorA in the intracellular invasion of S. aureus and the ability of capsaicin to inhibit this invasion was established in J774 macrophage cell lines. The three-dimensional structure of NorA was predicted using an in silico approach and docking studies of capsaicin were performed. RESULTS Capsaicin significantly reduced the MIC of ciprofloxacin for S. aureus SA-1199 and SA-1199B. Furthermore, capsaicin also extended the post-antibiotic effect of ciprofloxacin by 1.1 h at MIC concentration. There was a decrease in mutation prevention concentration of ciprofloxacin when combined with capsaicin. Inhibition of ethidium bromide efflux by NorA-overproducing S. aureus SA-1199B confirmed the role of capsaicin as a NorA efflux pump inhibitor (EPI). The most significant finding of this study was the ability of capsaicin to reduce the intracellular invasion of S. aureus SA-1199B (NorA overproducing) in J774 macrophage cell lines by 2 log(10). CONCLUSIONS This study, for the first time, has shown that capsaicin, a novel EPI, not only inhibits the NorA efflux pump of S. aureus but also reduces the invasiveness of S. aureus, thereby reducing its virulence.
Authentic mobile-biometric signature verification system

This is an undeniable fact that in the coming years a considerable percentage of organisations are drifting toward mobile devices for authentication. Banking sector as an additional offshoot has shifted to mobile devices with their applications for e-banking and mobile-banking, giving rise to an emergent requirement of a foolproof and authentic mobile-biometric system. This study presents an authentic mobile-biometric signature verification system and a comparative analysis of the performance of the proposed system for the two datasets; one using the standard device that is used for capturing biometric signatures and the other one is a mobile database taken from a smart phone for biometric signature authentication. The results presented demonstrate that the proposed system outperforms existing mobile-biometric signature verification systems based on dynamic time warping and hidden Markov model. Moreover, this study presents a comprehensive survey of mobile-biometric systems, different devices and hardware needed to support mobile biometrics along with open issues and challenges faced by the mobile-biometric systems. The experiments presented establish that the performance of mobile devices is low as compared with normal biometric signature capturing devices and the major reason the authors found is the absence of pen-tilt angle information in the mobile device datasets.