Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the threats to Cloud-based online service users (and what we can do about them)

In this paper we highlighted some threats that affect the users of cloud-based online services. We then presented a handful of systems that we developed over the last years to detect and block malicious activity on online services. Although the threat landscape is constantly evolving, we believe that such techniques constitute a good foundation to increasing the security of online service users.
Clinical Significance of Upsloping ST Segments in Exercise Electrocardiography

Conventional exercise electrocardiographic criteria usually involve patterns with a horizontal or downsloping ST segment. In the present study we present criteria based on upsloping ST segments and compared these criteria with the conventional criteria. Using upsloping ST-segment criteria, the amount of STsegment depression at 80 msec after the end of the QRS complex is used as a parameter (ST criterion E, with a depression of 100 mV, and ST criterion F, with a depression of 200 mV). In the graded exercise test a bicycle ergometer was used. The ECG leads were CM5 and CC. The results of exercise electrocardiography were compared with the findings from coronary arteriography.In 623 selected patients (565 males and 58 females), application of conventional ST criteria gave a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 94%; with application of the ST criteria E or F, sensitivity was 75% and specificity 90%. In the 58 females use of these new criteria resulted in a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 88%. Ninety-three patients (15%) could be classified as positive exercise responders by the sole presence of an upsloping ST segment (type E or F). Sixty-eight percent of the patients with type E and 75% with type F had two- or three-vessel disease (coronary obstructions 2 50%). We conclude that ST criteria based on upsloping ST segments significantly increase the diagnostic yield of the exercise ECG.
Neuronal and non-neuronal functions of the AP-3 sorting machinery

Vesicles selectively exchange lipids, membrane proteins and luminal contents between organelles along the exocytic and endocytic routes. The repertoire of membrane proteins present in these vesicles is crucial for their targeting and function. Vesicle composition is determined at the time of their biogenesis by cytosolic coats. The heterotetrameric protein adaptor protein complex 3 (AP-3), a coat component, participates in the generation of a diverse group of secretory organelles and lysosome-related organelles. Recent work has shed light on the mechanisms that regulate AP-3 and the trafficking pathways controlled by this adaptor. Phenotypic analysis of organisms carrying genetic deficiencies in the AP-3 pathway highlight its role regulating the targeting of lysosomal, melanosomal and synaptic vesicle-specific membrane proteins. Synaptic vesicles from AP-3-deficient mice possess altered levels of neurotransmitter and ion transporters, molecules that ultimately define the type and amount of neurotransmitter stored in these vesicles. These findings reveal a complex picture of how AP-3 functions in multiple tissues, including neuronal tissue, and expose potential links between endocytic sorting mechanisms and the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor 1 (Apaf-1)–Independent Cell Death Suppression by Bcl-2

Reportedly, antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins suppress apoptosis by binding to and inhibiting members of the CED-4 family of caspase activators. To explore this question, we used embryonic stem (ES) cells in which one (−/+) or both (−/−) copies of the gene encoding apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (Apaf-1), a CED-4 homologue, were disrupted by homologous recombination. Stable clones of heterozygous (−/+) and homozygous (−/−) Apaf-1 knockout ES cells that overexpressed Bcl-2 were generated. Withdrawal of serum growth factors or stimulation of heterozygous ES cells with staurosporine (STS), ultraviolet (UV)B irradiation, etoposide (VP16), or cisplatin induced apoptosis followed by cell death (determined by failure to exclude propidium iodide dye). These cell death stimuli also induced activation of several types of caspases and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) in heterozygous (+/−) Apaf-1 knockout ES cells. In addition, overexpression of Bcl-2 protected against these events in Apaf-1–expressing ES cells. In contrast, STS, UVB, and VP16 induced little or no caspase activation and apoptosis in homozygous (−/−) Apaf-1 knockout ES cells. Nevertheless, Apaf-1–deficient ES cells subjected to these cell death stimuli or deprived of growth factors did eventually die through a nonapoptotic mechanism associated with loss of ΔΨ. Moreover, Bcl-2 overprotection preserved ΔΨ, reduced the percentage of Apaf-1−/− ES cells undergoing cell death, and increased clonigenic survival. The extent of Bcl-2–mediated cytoprotection was not significantly different for heterozygous (−/+) versus homozygous (−/−) Apaf-1 knockout cells. Furthermore, although Bcl-2 could be readily coimmunoprecipitated with Bax, associations with Apaf-1 were undetectable under conditions where Apaf-1 interactions with procaspase-9 were observed. We conclude that Bcl-2 has cytoprotective functions independent of Apaf-1, preserving mitochondrial function through a caspase-independent mechanism.
Early Jawless Vertebrates and Cyclostome Origins

Abstract Undoubted fossil lampreys are recorded since the Late Devonian (358 Ma), and probable fossil hagfishes since the Late Carboniferous (300 Ma), but molecular clock data suggest a much earlier divergence times for the two groups. In the early 20th century, hagfishes and lampreys were generally thought to have diverged much later from unknown ancestral cyclostomes, in turn derived through ‘degeneracy’ from some Paleozoic armored jawless vertebrates, or ‘ostracoderms. ’ However, current vertebrate phylogenies suggest that most, if not all, ‘ostracoderms’ are in fact jawless stem gnathostomes, which retain certain features that were once regarded as unique to the cyclostomes, such as gill pouches or lack of horizontal semicircular canal. The dorsal, median, nasohypophysial complex of osteostracans has been regarded as identical and homologous to that of lampreys, but recent investigation (notably on the galeaspid braincase) now suggests that this resemblance is in fact a convergence. The anatomy and physiology of lampreys and hagfishes are so different that it is difficult to reconstruct an ancestral morphotype of the cyclostomes, assuming that they are a clade, and there is no clear evidence of any fossil taxon that is neither a fossil hagfish nor a fossil lamprey, but would be more closely related to the cyclostomes than to the gnathostomes. A possible exception is the Silurian-Devonian euphaneropids (or ‘naked anaspids’).
Gated networks: an inventory

Gated networks are networks that contain gating connections, in which the outputs of at least two neurons are multiplied. Initially, gated networks were used to learn relationships between two input sources, such as pixels from two images. More recently, they have been applied to learning activity recognition or multi-modal representations. The aims of this paper are threefold: 1) to explain the basic computations in gated networks to the non-expert, while adopting a standpoint that insists on their symmetric nature. 2) to serve as a quick reference guide to the recent literature, by providing an inventory of applications of these networks, as well as recent extensions to the basic architecture. 3) to suggest future research directions and applications.
Radiotherapy for Stage I or II hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, and early-stage HPSCC is relatively rare. Because of the rarity of early-stage HPSCC, few reports have been published on the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) in its treatment. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 45 consecutive patients with Stage I and II HPSCC from May 1991 to June 2010. Patient characteristics were as follows: median age, 66 years (range, 44–90 years); male/female, 39/6; and T1/T2, 27/18. The irradiation dose ranged from 60 to 72 Gy (median: 70 Gy). Of the 45 patients, 21 underwent concurrent chemotherapy. With a median follow-up period of 62 months, the 5-year overall survival rate was 81%. Local failure occurred in 5 patients, and the 5-year local control rate was 83%. All local recurrences were successfully salvaged by surgery. The 5-year functional larynx preservation rate was 92%. Acute toxicity was manageable. Grade 3 laryngeal edema and Grade 3 hypothyroidism occurred in 1 patient each. No other late adverse events of Grade 3 or greater were observed. Based on these results, RT seemed to be an effective treatment modality for early HPSCC, with favorable organ preservation and acceptable adverse events. Early detection and accurate management of local recurrence and second malignancy was deemed to be critical.
Multifractal and R/S Analysis of Protein Structure

The spacing distance of amino acids is used to study the relationship between the primary structure and structural classification of large proteins. Rescaled-range (R/S) analysis was adopted to examine long-range correlation property of proteins. And multifractal property is then discussed by the spacing distance of amino acids. A classification of proteins by assigning to each sequence a point in two-dimensional space (Aa,H) is given to construct a phylogenetic tree. This result is shown to be reasonably satisfactory to alpha + beta class.
Intermediate and deep layers of the macaque superior colliculus: A golgi study

We studied the intermediate and deep laayers of the macaque superior colliculus by means of the Golgi technique in an attempt to better understand the structural features of this important oculomotor center. For this study, we examined the optic (stratum opticum, SO), intermediate gray (stratum griseum intermedium, SGI), intermediate white (stratunm album intermedium, SAI), and deep gray (stratum griseum profundum, SGP) layers. These are the four layers in which neurons having saccade‐related activity are localized. We identified eight neuronal types on the basis of differences in somatic and dendritic morphologies: large multipolar neurons (Type I); large pyramidal neurons (Type II); large fusiform neurons (Type III); medium fusiform neurons with spiny, radially. Oriented dendrites (Type IV); dedium round neurons with fan‐shaped dendritic trees (Type V); medium stellate neurons with varicose dendrites (Type VI); medium multipolar neurons with robust, spiny dendrites (Type VII); and local interneurons (Type VIII). Most neuronal, tyupes possessed features thakt are homologous to presynaptic dendritic features in other brain centers. With the exception of the kedium stellate neurons (Type VI), Which are aspinous, and the local interneurons (Type VIII), which are sparsely spinous, all other types had a moderate number of spines on their dendrites. Dendrites, that terminated in the optic layer had specializations not observed elsewhere, suggesting that these tips may sample a tectala afferent that is not present in the more ventral layers. These eight types comprise all the neuronala morphologies observed in a large number of Golgi‐impregnated macaque brains (n = 50). We suggest that they represent the full rage of neuron types in the saccade‐related layers of the macaque tectum.
New Strategies for Carcinoma of Unknown Primary: The Role of Tissue-of-Origin Molecular Profiling

The taxonomy and management of carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) has matured over the past decade with the use of sophisticated imaging and pathologic tools. In the era of tailored therapeutics, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Tissue-of-origin (ToO) molecular profiling has an important role in the diagnostic armamentarium of CUP cancers, and its niche continues to evolve with ongoing prospective studies. Despite the inability to conduct direct validation (i.e., primary tumor), the use of the indirect validation methods with immunohistochemistry (IHC), imaging, and treatment response has allowed us to evaluate the performance accuracy of ToO profiling assays in CUP cancers. Despite advances, we struggle with the undifferentiated neoplasms, which often remain unclassifiable after an exhaustive use of IHC and ToO profiling assays. Genomic characterization of these and other select CUP cancers using next-generation sequencing techniques may reveal actionable biomarkers outside the (tissue specific) cellular framework. Also, going forward, using data from comparative effectiveness research, one could envision using a streamlined, cost-effective algorithm that integrates IHC and ToO molecular profiling in patients with limited (or difficult-to-access) biopsies and difficult-to-diagnose cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 19(15); 4027–33. ©2013 AACR.
Applications of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography in petrology, meteoritics and palaeontology

Abstract High-resolution and ultra-high-resolution X-ray computed tomography are rapid, non-destructive and extremely powerful techniques for three-dimensional examination and measurement of a great variety of geological materials and specimens with sizes from several millimetres to several decimetres. A review of recent applications in petrology, meteoritics and palaeontology, which utilized an instrument optimized for geological studies (High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility of the University of Texas at Austin), documents an abundance of novel scientific results and illuminates the potential for still broader application of these techniques in the earth sciences.
Solute Movement through Quartz‐Diorite Saprolite Containing Quartz Veins and Biological Macropores

Saprolite is not permitted for use in on-site wastewater disposal in North Carolina if quartz veins occur within 60 cm (2 ft) of the septic trench bottom because such features might transmit raw sewage quickly to groundwater. This study evaluated the time of travel (TOT) of a Br solute through quartz veins in saprolite. Two 150 by 150 cm drainfields were constructed over saprolite containing quartz veins. Following saturation of the saprolite, a Br tracer and dye were applied for a specific time period. The drainfields were then excavated to 90 cm, the dye pattern mapped, and soil samples collected for Br analysis. There was no signilicant difference (α = 0.10) in depth of Br penetration in saprolite with and without quartz veins. On the other hand, mean depth of Br penetration increased from 14 cm for saprolite without macropores to 40 cm in saprolite with macropores (root channels) that extended to depths between 40 to 90 cm. A simple time of travel model predicted maximum depth of solute movement accurately where macropores were not present. To improve predictions for macropores, effective saturated hydraulic conductivities for saprolite with and without macropores were calculated and then used to estimate different rates of solute movement through saprolite when macropores were and were not present.
Influence of the Arctic Circumpolar Vortex on the Mass Balance of Canadian High Arctic Glaciers

Abstract Variability in July mean surface air temperatures from 1963 to 2003 accounted for 62% of the variance in the regional annual glacier mass balance signal for the Canadian High Arctic. A regime shift to more negative regional glacier mass balance occurred between 1986 and 1987, and is linked to a coincident shift from lower to higher mean July air temperatures. Both the interannual changes and the regime shifts in regional glacier mass balance and July air temperatures are related to variations in the position and strength of the July circumpolar vortex. In years when the July vortex is “strong” and its center is located in the Western Hemisphere, positive mass balance anomalies prevail. In contrast, highly negative mass balance anomalies occur when the July circumpolar vortex is either weak or strong without elongation over the Canadian High Arctic, and its center is located in the Eastern Hemisphere. The occurrence of westerly positioned July vortices has decreased by 40% since 1987. The associat.
The Culture of Connectivity: A Critical History of Social Media

Table of Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Engineering Sociality in a Culture of Connectivity 1.1 Introduction 1.2 From Networked Communication to Platformed Sociality 1.3 Making the Web Social: Coding Human Connections. 1.4 Making Sociality Saleable: Connectivity as a Resource 1.5 The Ecosystem of Connective Media in a Culture of Connectivity Chapter 2: Disassembling Platforms, Reassembling Sociality 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Combining Two Approaches 2.3 Platforms as Techno-cultural Constructs 2.4 Platforms as Socio-economic Structures 2.5 Connecting Platforms, Reassembling Sociality Chapter 3: Facebook and the Imperative of Sharing 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Coding Facebook: The Devil is in the Default 3.3 Branding Facebook: What You Share Is What You Get 3.4 Shared norms in the Ecosystem of Connective Media Chapter 4: Twitter and the Paradox of Following and Trending 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Asking the Existential Question: What is Twitter? 4.3 Asking the Strategic Question: What Does Twitter Want? 4.4 Asking the Ecological Question: What Will Twitter Be? Chapter 5: Flickr between Communities and Commerce 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Flickr Between Connedtedness and Connectivity 5.3 Flickr Between Commons and Commerce 5.4 Flickr Between Participatory and Connective Culture Chapter 6: YouTube: The Intimate Connection between Television and Video-sharing 6.1 Introduction 179-215 6.2 Out of the Box: Video-sharing Challenges Television 6.3 Boxed In: Channeling Television into the Connective Flow 6.4 YouTube as A Gateway to Connective Culture Chapter 7: Wikipedia and the Principle of Neutrality 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The Techno-cultural Construction of Consensus 7.3 A Consensual Apparatus between Democracy and Bureaucracy 7.4 A Nonmarket Space in the Ecosystem? Chapter 8: The Ecosystem of Connective Media: Locked In, Fenced Off, Opt Out? 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Locked In: The Algorithmic Basis of Sociality 8.3 Fenced Off: Vertical Integration and Interoperability 8.4 Opt Out? Connectivity as Ideology Bibliography Index
Pilot study of resveratrol in older adults with impaired glucose tolerance.

BACKGROUND Resveratrol, a plant-derived polyphenol, has shown promising effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in animal models and is also reported to have cardioprotective properties, but human studies are limited. In a pilot study, we tested the hypothesis that resveratrol improves glucose metabolism and vascular function in older adults with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS Ten subjects aged 72 ± 3 years (M ± SD) with IGT were enrolled in a 4-week open-label study of resveratrol (daily dose 1, 1.5, or 2 g). Following a standard mixed meal (110 g carbohydrate, 20 g protein, 20 g fat), we measured 3-hour glucose and insulin area under the curve (AUC), insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), and secretion (corrected insulin response at 30 minutes). Endothelial function was assessed by reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (reactive hyperemia index) before and 90 minutes postmeal. Results did not differ by dose, so data were combined for analysis. RESULTS At baseline, body mass index was 29 ± 5 kg/m(2), fasting plasma glucose 110 ± 13 mg/dL, and 2-hour glucose 183 ± 33 mg/dL. After 4 weeks of resveratrol, fasting plasma glucose was unchanged, but peak postmeal (185 ± 10 vs 166 ± 9 mg/dL, p = .003) and 3-hour glucose AUC (469 ± 23 vs 428 ± 19, p = .001) declined. Matsuda index improved (3.1 ± 0.5 vs 3.8 ± 0.5, p = .03), and corrected insulin response at 30 minutes was unchanged (0.6 ± 0.1 vs 0.5 ± 0.5, p = .49). There was a trend toward improved postmeal reactive hyperemia index (baseline vs resveratrol postmeal delta -0.4 ± 0.2 vs 0.2 ± 0.3, p = .06). Weight, blood pressure, and lipids were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS At doses between 1 and 2 g/day, resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity and postmeal plasma glucose in subjects with IGT. These preliminary findings support the conduct of larger studies to further investigate the effects of resveratrol on metabolism and vascular function.
On the Power of the Randomized Iterate

We consider two of the most fundamental theorems in Cryptography. The first, due to Hastad et al. [HILL99], is that pseudorandom generators can be constructed from any one-way function. The second due to Yao [Yao82] states that the existence of weak one-way functions (i.e. functions on which every efficient algorithm fails to invert with some noticeable probability) implies the existence of full fledged one-way functions. These powerful plausibility results shape our understanding of hardness and randomness in Cryptography. Unfortunately, the reductions given in [HILL99, Yao82] are not as security preserving as one may desire. The main reason for the security deterioration is the input blow up in both of these constructions. For example, given one-way functions on n bits one obtains by [HILL99] pseudorandom generators with seed length Ω(n8). This paper revisits a technique that we call the Randomized Iterate, introduced by Goldreich, et. al.[GKL93]. This technique was used in to give a construction of pseudorandom generators from regular one-way functions. We simplify and strengthen this technique in order to obtain a similar reduction where the seed length of the resulting generators is as short as ${\cal{O}}(n \log n)$ rather than Ω(n3) in [GKL93]. Our technique has the potential of implying seed-length ${\cal{O}}(n)$, and the only bottleneck for such a result is the parameters of current generators against space bounded computations. We give a reduction with similar parameters for security amplification of regular one-way functions. This improves upon the reduction of Goldreich et al. [GIL+90] in that the reduction does not need to know the regularity parameter of the functions (in terms of security, the two reductions are incomparable). Finally, we show that the randomized iterate may even be useful in the general context of [HILL99]. In Particular, we use the randomized iterate to replace the basic building block of the [HILL99] construction. Interestingly, this modification improves efficiency by an n3 factor and reduces the seed length to ${\cal{O}}(n^7)$ (which also implies improvement in the security of the construction).
In Vitro Parasite-Monocyte Interactions in Human Leishmaniasis: Possible Role of Fibronectin in Parasite Attachment

Leishmania spp. must attach to mononuclear phagocyte surfaces before entering this host cell. We investigated the potential role of fibronectin in facilitating parasite attachment. Human plasma fibronectin bound to axenically cultured promastigotes, and promastigotes and amastigotes preferentially bound to fibronectin-coated cover slips. Promastigotes grown in the absence of fibronectin were strikingly deficient in their ability to attach to human monocytes compared with promastigotes grown in the presence of fibronectin. Rabbit anti-human plasma fibronectin antiserum decreased promastigote and amastigote attachment to monocytes. Immunoglobulin G F(ab')2 and Fab fragments also reduced the ability of amastigotes to bind to monocytes. Antiserum pretreatment of amastigotes followed by washing resulted in reduced parasite binding, whereas antibody pretreatment of monocytes did not. Addition of exogenous fibronectin did not enhance parasite attachment to monocytes. These findings suggest that Leishmania spp. can bind fibronectin and may utilize this glycoprotein to facilitate attachment to the mononuclear phagocytes that they infect.