Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional Role of Protein Kinase C in Regulating the Formation and Maturation of Specific Synapses

Target-dependent increases in axon growth and varicosities accompany the formation of functional synapses between Aplysia sensory neurons and specific postsynaptic neurons (L7 and not L11). The enhanced growth is regulated in part by a target-dependent increase in the secretion of sensorin, the sensory neuron neuropeptide. We report here that protein kinase C (PKC) activity is required for synapse formation by sensory neurons with L7 and for the target-dependent increases in sensorin synthesis and secretion. Blocking PKC activity reversibly blocked synapse formation and axon growth of sensory neurons contacting L7, but did not affect axon growth of sensory neurons contacting L11 or axon growth of the postsynaptic targets. Blocking PKC activity also blocked the target-induced increase in sensorin synthesis and secretion. Sensorin then activates additional signaling pathways required for synapse maturation and synapse-associated growth. Exogenous anti-sensorin antibody blocked target-induced activation and translocation into sensory neuron nuclei of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), attenuated synapse maturation, and curtailed growth of sensory neurons contacting L7, but not the growth of sensory neurons contacting L11. Inhibitors of MAPK or phosphoinositide 3-kinase also attenuated synapse maturation and curtailed growth and varicosity formation of sensory neurons contacting L7, but not growth of sensory neurons contacting L11. These results suggest that PKC activity regulated by specific cell–cell interactions initiates the formation of specific synapses and the subsequent synthesis and release of a neuropeptide to activate additional signaling pathways required for synapse maturation.
Mechanism of selectivity in aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins

Aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins form a family of pore proteins that facilitate the efficient and selective flux of small solutes across biological membranes. We studied the selectivity of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and the bacterial glycerol facilitator, GlpF, for O2, CO2, NH3, glycerol, urea, and water. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we calculated potentials of mean force for solute permeation along the aquaporin channels and compared them with the alternative pathway across the lipid bilayer. For small solutes permeating through AQP1, a remarkable anticorrelation between permeability and solute hydrophobicity was observed, whereas the opposite trend was observed for permeation through the membrane. This finding renders AQP1 a selective filter for small polar solutes, whereas GlpF was found to be highly permeable for small solutes and permeable for larger solutes. Surprisingly, not solute-channel but water-channel interactions were found to be the key determinant underlying the selectivity mechanism of aquaporins. Hence, a hydrophobic effect, together with steric restraints, determines the selectivity of aquaporins.
Parallel Implementation of Eye Detection Algorithm on Color Facial Images

As processing power becomes cheaper and more available by using cluster of computers, the need for parallel algorithms which can harness this computing potentials is increasing. Eye detection is an application ofparallel algorithms. Detecting eyes in images plays an important role in many applications such as face detection/recognition. In addition, its widespread usage as a part of series applications made it a nontrivial task which should be worked on. Moreover, existing algorithms are usually much time-consuming. In this paper we have proposed a parallel algorithm in EREW PRAM model for eye detection in color images. Using color characteristics is a useful way to detect br eyes. W e use special color space, YC C which its components give us worthwhile information about eyes. We make two maps in parallel according to their components and merge them to obtain a final map. The proposed algorithm has been examined with MPI and its implementation results on CVL and Iranian databases showed that parallel approach reduces the time of detection efficiently. Exploiting p processors has reduced the time of detection to n/p + c which c is the communication overhead between the processors and n is the number of pixels of a particular image.
FURTHER CONSTRAINTS ON THERMAL QUIESCENT X-RAY EMISSION FROM SAX J1808.4-3658

We observed SAX J1808.4-3658 (1808), the first accreting millisecond pulsar, in deep quiescence with XMM-Newton and (near simultaneously) Gemini-South. The X-ray spectrum of 1808 is similar to that observed in quiescence in 2001 and 2006, describable by an absorbed power law with photon index 1.74 ± 0.11 and unabsorbed X-ray luminosity LX = 7.9 ± 0.7 × 1031 ergs s−1, for NH = 1.3 × 1021 cm−2. Fitting all the quiescent XMM-Newton X-ray spectra with a power law, we constrain any thermally emitting neutron star (NS) with a hydrogen atmosphere to have a temperature less than 30 eV and LNS (0.01–10 keV) <6.2 × 1030 ergs s−1. A thermal plasma model also gives an acceptable fit to the continuum. Adding an NS component to the plasma model produces less stringent constraints on the NS; a temperature of 36+4−8 eV and LNS (0.01–10 keV) = 1.3+0.6−0.8 × 1031 ergs s−1. In the framework of the current theory of NS heating and cooling, the constraints on the thermal luminosity of 1808 and 1H 1905+000 require strongly enhanced cooling in the cores of these NSs. We compile data from the literature on the mass transfer rates and quiescent thermal flux of the largest possible sample of transient NS low-mass X-ray binaries. We identify a thermal component in the quiescent spectrum of the accreting millisecond pulsar IGR J00291+5934, which is consistent with the standard cooling model. The contrast between the cooling rates of IGR J00291+5934 and 1808 suggests that 1808 may have a significantly larger mass. This can be interpreted as arising from differences in the binary evolution history or initial NS mass in these otherwise similar systems.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided cryobiopsies in peripheral pulmonary lesions: a feasibility study

Peripheral lung lesions are sometimes difficult to reach even with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and insufficient material is often obtained by transbronchial forceps biopsy. Cryoprobes can be used for performing tissue biopsies. We evaluated the safety and feasibility of the cryoprobe in combination with EBUS for the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesion. Patients with peripheral lung lesions of up to 4 cm were enrolled. After identifying the lung lesion by radial EBUS, forceps biopsies and cryobiopsies were performed in a randomised order. We evaluated safety and feasibility, and compared diagnostic yield and sample size. 39 patients were randomised and the peripheral lung lesion was reached in 31. The overall diagnostic yield was 60.5% and, in the lesions reached by EBUS, it was 74.2%. In 19 cases, the diagnosis was made with forceps as well as cryobiopsy and, in four cases, only with cryobiopsy. Cryobiopsies were significantly larger than forceps biopsies (11.17 mm2 versus 4.69 mm2, p<0.001). We observed one case of moderate bleeding. Transbronchial cryobiopsy with EBUS guidance is safe and useful to obtain histological samples. Larger tissue samples can be obtained by cryoprobe. Transbronchial cryobiopsy with EBUS-guidance is safe and useful to obtain samples from peripheral lesions http://ow.ly/pPry9
Identity Mining vs Identity Discovering: a new approach

The economy of an advanced country is, every day more, based on complex information systems and interconnected networks that made its cyberspace. Security in this cyberspace is an essential requirement. In Italy a national lab for Italian government has been constituted. In this framework identity and identity management systems has been studied. The depicted scenario defines new open questions and new challenges. In this paper we propose to deal with identity management in complex systems using analytical tools coming from anomaly detection for big data.
The Role of Content and Context in Enterprise Repositories

In this paper we show how to utilize enterprise architectures to model relations between information sources of an enterprise. With our approach the enterprise architecture models are not passive entities anymore but can be operationalized to identify dependencies between the various models and to integrate information sources. It thus is the basis for agile enterprises. We show that the elements of an enterprise architecture and the referenced data can take the role of both context and content depending on the objectives of their use. We present two independent approaches for modeling an enterprise ontology.
Traffic load and QoS-oriented packet scheduling for WCDMA communications

In future wireless communications, there will be a mixture of different traffic classes, which have their own load and quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. In this paper, a traffic load and QoS-oriented packet scheduling (TLQS) is proposed for WCDMA communications, which consider the bit error rate (BER), packet loss, delay and traffic load requirements. The BER requirement can be guaranteed by ideal power control, while the packet loss, delay and traffic load are guaranteed by proper packet scheduling. The TLQS is to schedule the transmission of multimedia packets in the way that the TLQS introduces the traffic load and QoS to deciding the priority of the packets, which are more appropriate for designing the scheduler. The simulation results show that the TLQS is effective scheduler for WCDMA system
Reducing location update cost in a PCS network

Location tracking operations in a personal communications services network are expensive. Several strategies have been proposed to reduce the location update cost. This paper studies a special case of a location tracking algorithm called the alternative location algorithm. This special case is referred to as the two location algorithm (TLA). An analytical model is proposed to compare the performance of TLA and the IS-41 protocol. Our study indicates that the performance of TLA is significantly affected by the user moving patterns and the call traffic. If the user mobility is higher than the call frequency or the user tends to move back to the previously visited registration areas, then TLA may significantly outperform IS-41. We also observe that the variance of the portable residence times in registration areas has impact on the performance of TLA (i.e. better performance is expected for larger variance). The larger the variance the better the performance of TLA.
Knowledge Logistics in E-Business Environment : KSNet-Approach and Advanced Technologies

Today an intensive knowledge exchange between participants of the global information environment is required. Along with a large number of distributed knowledge sources representing knowledge in various formats this leads to appearance of a new direction in knowledge management called knowledge logistics. The paper describes Knowledge Source Network configuration approach (KSNet-approach) to knowledge logistics through knowledge fusion. Main principles of the multiagent ontology-driven methodology are given. The most important ideas of the proposed KSNet-approach were implemented and verified via developed research software prototype of the system “KSNet”. Comparison of the system “KSNet” with some other known knowledge/information integration systems is also presented.
Etimating Movie Rating From User Rating with Demographic Information

In an expansive multi-billion international film industry, online reviews inform audiences which films may be the most appealing, determining in part the success a film or franchise. Online reviewers and even review aggregations are biased by social or financial factors; this bias clouds the value of movie reviews by prioritizing and propagating highly visible user’s ratings of films, as compared to an ideal movie review independent of the individual’s social connections. This paper seeks to create a movie rating prediction model that minimizing the social bias of online movie ratings, while providing metrics that can adjust movie satisfaction ratings according to a user’s demographic and preference; these two approaches capture an effort to comprehensively capture the social impact on movie ratings. To compensate for the influence of hyper-visible user’s views on a film, we leverage user-movie rating matrix completion to penalize the weight of similar and related users. Then, to capture information on the social networks of online movie critics, to predict a demographic’s future reviews of a film, we use social network features such as influential factors, centrality, and more. Finally, we establish a statistical inference model that builds a rating for a film theoretically isolated from social bias.
Event Evoked Signal Classification in Frequency Domain for Brain Computer Interface

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) is an emerging research area which tries to capture the motor imagery thought process from brain using Electro-encephalogram (EEG) and process the data using signal processing techniques to classify the motor imagery thought process. Physically impaired people without any muscular activity can carry on their day to day operation with the use of BCI as it can be used to control devices including computers using the thoughts of the person. Devices such as wheelchair have been successfully connected to BCI system and these devices can be controlled using thought. In this paper, it is proposed to investigate EEG signals, extract features of motor imagery in the frequency domain using Hilbert transform, compute the maximum and minimum energies and classify the brain signal activity using pattern recognition techniques. General Terms Pattern Recognition, Brain Computer Interface.
Methods of measurement and evaluation of natural antioxidant capacity/activity (IUPAC Technical Report)

The chemical diversity of natural antioxidants (AOXs) makes it difficult to separate, detect, and quantify individual antioxidants from a complex food/biological matrix. Moreover, the total antioxidant power is often more meaningful to evaluate health beneficial effects because of the cooperative action of individual antioxidant species. Currently, there is no single antioxidant assay for food labeling because of the lack of standard quantification methods. Antioxidant assays may be broadly classified as the electron transfer (ET)- and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-based assays. The results obtained are hardly comparable because of the different mechanisms, redox potentials, pH and solvent dependencies, etc. of various assays. This project will aid the identification and quantification of properties and mutual effects of antioxidants, bring a more rational basis to the classification of antioxidant assays with their constraints and challenges, and make the results more comparable and understandable. In this regard, the task group members convey their own experiences in various methods of antioxidants measurement.
Rhythmic opening and closing of vesicles during constitutive exo‐ and endocytosis in chromaffin cells

Constitutive exo‐ and endocytic events are expected to increase and diminish the cell surface area in small spontaneous steps. Indeed, cell‐attached patch–clamp measurements in resting chromaffin cells revealed spontaneous upward and downward steps in the electrical capacitance of the plasma membrane. The most frequent step size indicated cell surface changes of <0.04 μm2, corresponding to vesicles of <110 nm diameter. Often downward steps followed upward steps within seconds, and vice versa, as if vesicles transiently opened and closed their lumen to the external space. Transient openings and closings sometimes alternated rhythmically for tens of seconds. The kinase inhibitor staurosporine dramatically increased the occurrence of such rhythmic episodes by making vesicle closure incomplete and by inhibiting fission. Staurosporine also promoted transient closures of large endocytic vesicles possibly representing remnants of secretory granules. We suggest that staurosporine blocks a late step in the endocytosis of both small and large vesicles, and that endocytosis involves a reaction cascade that can act as a chemical oscillator.
An Investigation into the Perceptions of International and Out-of-state Students on the University of Maine Campus

The present study was designed to investigate in-state students’ perceptions of two out-groups on the University of Maine campus: out-of-state students and international students and the experiences of international students. Two separate surveys were administered online over two semesters: the first’s goal was to evaluate perceptions host students might have of their peers and if these peers were perceived to be from distinct out-groups, while the second survey was an exploratory survey allowing international students to describe their experiences while studying at UMaine. Two hundred and fifty seven in-state students responded to the first survey. Results from this survey showed in-state students rated individuals from another state or country as members of distinct out-groups with different beliefs and worldviews than both each other and individuals from Maine. Participants also indicated they would experience anxiety, uncertainty, and other negative emotions if interacting with either out-group. Seventeen international students participated in a second, exploratory study. These student responses contained several common themes: a lack of transportation off campus, a desire to see more of the host culture, desire to befriend students from the United States, and positive encounters with host students. The results of the study may be connected: host students (those from Maine) may be hesitant to befriend international and out-of-state students because they perceive them as being different. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that the interactions between these out-groups on the University of Maine campus warrants further study.
Ontology-Driven Composition and Validation of Scientific Grid Workflows in Kepler: a Case Study of Hyperspectral Image Processing

Hyperspectral image processing based on grid computing technology is attractive due to the large data volumes of hyperspectral images and intensive computation requirements for processing. Many existing grid workflow tools do not provide integrated visual workflow composition environments and/or do not have workflow validation mechanisms to ensure structural and semantic correctness of composed grid workflows. In this study, we use Kepler scientific workflow system to compose and validate hyperspectral image processing grid workflows due to its integrated workflow composition environment, rich support for grid computing and built-in infrastructures for structural and semantic workflow validations. We have developed workflow component ontology and data type ontology and plugged them into Kepler. Experiments have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach
Heuristic evaluation quality score (HEQS): defining heuristic expertise

This paper identifies the factors affecting heuristic expertise and defines levels of expertise permissible to conduct an evaluation. It aims to standardize skills or define heuristic expertise worldwide and also suggests ways to improve issue categorization. An online heuristic evaluation competition was hosted on the World Usability Day website in November 2007 by Usability Professionals' Association (UPA), Bangalore. Twenty contestants from the U.S. and India with heuristic evaluation experience ranging from 0 to 10 years participated. Contestants were judged on a quantitative framework that assigns weights to the severity of the identified issues (Kirmani & Rajasekaran, 2007). Results indicated that the group with average heuristic experience of 2 years found a mean HEQS% of 8% in 1 hour. Previous studies identified that evaluators found a mean of 34% of issues but did not address issue quality (Nielsen & Landauer, 1993). Further studies on heuristic expertise quality would make the standards more reliable.
Design of a Micro-kernel Based Secure System Architecture

We describe the Trium secure system architecture. It is based on Fiasco an implementation of the L4 microkernel interface - and L4Env - a programming environment for L4 systems. Compared to previous work on microkernel based secure systems, such as TMach and DTOS, Trium tries to minimize the trusted computing base (TCB) of a secure system by moving most functions of an operating system (OS) out of the TCB, and it emphasizes on the reuse of legacy software. We also try to achieve better isolation, privilege control and flexible configuration of system components, taking advantage of the specific features of the L4 microkernel as a second generation microkernel
Research on Behavior Trust Based on Trustworthy Distributed System

With the increasing development of distributed system application, distributed system security is facing the heavy challenge. To arrive at the goal of intensifying the behavior trustworthiness and controllability of distributed systems, we focus on building the trustworthy model between distributed system and user behaviors and strengthening the manageability of distributed systems. By setting up the trustworthy computing circumstance and supplying the trustworthy validation and the active protection based on identity and behavior for trustworthy distributed system, we may defend the unaware viruses and intrusion. Furthermore, the controllability of behavior trust is studied. It can be predicted trust level under the multi-trust-attribute conditions. The experiment results show the . NET Framework of creating user behavior log to provide evidences for behavior trust forecast and control.
Anomaly Detection in Large Sets of High-Dimensional Symbol Sequences

This paper addresses the problem of detecting and describing anomalies in large sets of high-dimensional symbol sequences. The approach taken uses unsupervised clustering of sequences using the normalized longest common subsequence (LCS) as a similarity measure, followed by detailed analysis of outliers to detect anomalies. As the LCS measure is expensive to compute, the first part of the paper discusses existing algorithms, such as the Hunt-Szymanski algorithm, that have low time-complexity. We then discuss why these algorithms often do not work well in practice and present a new hybrid algorithm for computing the LCS that, in our tests, outperforms the Hunt-Szymanski algorithm by a factor of five. The second part of the paper presents new algorithms for outlier analysis that provide comprehensible indicators as to why a particular sequence was deemed to be an outlier. The algorithms provide a coherent description to an analyst of the anomalies in the sequence, compared to more normal sequences. The algorithms we present are general and domain-independent, so we discuss applications in related areas such as anomaly detection.
PORT RESTRUCTURING IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

In 1991-92, India embarked on an ambitious economic reform program aimed at transforming its inwardly-focused, centrally planned economy into a market-driven economic system based on export-led growth. Since then, economic performance and international competitiveness have greatly improved. External trade, currently in excess of 250 million tons of cargo, is projected to nearly double by the year 2001. This places on the port sector, already operating beyond capacity, the challenge of sustaining this growth in a seamless, cost effective and efficient manner. Significant port modernization and development will be required. In the current 5-year plan, India's Government has earmarked significant resources to port development that, however, fall short of requirements. Increased participation of the private sector is sought together with the accompanying institutional reforms. The latter should clearly define the parameters of port restructuring in a way that makes port investment in India an attractive business alternative to both national and international capital.