Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct vasoconstriction and endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Mechanisms of acetylcholine effects on coronary flow and arterial diameter in patients with nonstenotic coronary arteries.

An endothelium-dependent vasodilator response to acetylcholine has been described recently in patients with coronary artery disease. Those studies determined responses only of large epicardial arteries. Our study was designed to determine the integrated effects of acetylcholine on epicardial diameter, coronary flow, and vascular resistance. Patients (n = 64) with nonstenotic epicardial coronaries underwent coronary angiography with simultaneous recording of coronary flow velocity using a 3F subselective Doppler catheter. Measurements of epicardial arterial cross-sectional area (ECA), velocity, estimated flow (velocity times area), and vascular resistance were made before and after bolus administration of acetylcholine (100 micrograms i.c.). Similar measurements were made after papaverine (12-15 mg i.c.), a nonendothelium-dependent vasodilator. Acetylcholine resulted in a reduction of ECA of 19 +/- 3%, whereas papaverine increased ECA by 9 +/- 2%. Estimated flow increased 69 +/- 12% after acetylcholine and 147 +/- 12% after papaverine. Resistance fell after both agents (acetylcholine, -17 +/- 13%; papaverine, -61 +/- 2%). Transvascular resistance fell after acetylcholine in all but five patients. These patients had dramatic epicardial artery constriction (40 +/- 8% decrease in ECA). The effect of acetylcholine on both ECA and resistance was blocked by atropine (1 mg i.c.). Nitroglycerin (300 micrograms i.c.) resulted in epicardial dilatation (7.5 +/- 2.8%) in the same patients in whom acetylcholine caused constriction (-11.2 +/- 3.1%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dissociable Roles for Cortical and Subcortical Structures in Memory Retrieval and Acquisition

The relationship between anterograde and retrograde amnesia remains unclear. Previous data from both clinical neuropsychology and monkey lesion studies suggest that damage to discrete subcortical structures leads to a relatively greater degree of anterograde than retrograde amnesia, whereas damage to discrete regions of cortex leads to the opposite pattern of impairments. Nevertheless, damage to the medial diencephalon in humans is associated with both retrograde and anterograde amnesia. In the present study, we sought to reconcile this by assessing retention as well as subsequent relearning and new postoperative learning. Rhesus monkeys learned 300 unique scene discriminations preoperatively, and retention was assessed in a preoperative and postoperative one-trial retrieval test. Combined bilateral subcortical lesions to the magnocellular mediodorsal thalamus and fornix impaired postoperative retention of the preoperatively acquired information. In addition, subsequent relearning and new postoperative learning were also impaired. This contrasts with the effects of a discrete lesion to just one of these structures, after which retention is intact in both cases. Discrete bilateral ablations to the entorhinal cortex impaired retention but had no effect on new learning. Combined with previous work from our laboratory, these results support the hypothesis that subcortical damage has a relatively greater effect on new learning, and cortical damage has a relatively greater effect on retention. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that retrograde amnesia occurs as a result of subcortical damage only if it is widespread, leading to an extensive disruption of cortical functioning. Damage of this nature may account for dense amnesia.
Multi-interface Multi-channel wireless mesh networks

In this thesis we propose a multi-channel wireless network based on nodes that use multiple 802.11 radio interfaces. The proposed system is singular, as it does not require new hardware or a new MAC, but instead leverages commodity 802.11-based products. With this system, we target scenarios where the nodes are stationary and where their location can often be controlled. We evaluate the performance in this setup using an ad-hoc network approach whereby nodes generate as well as forward data. We also present and appraise a purely-wireless multi-channel infrastructure, which operates like the WLAN infrastructure-based networks in existence today, but without any fixed-line support. In such an infrastructure nodes dedicated for routing purposes provide wireless connectivity to users. We show that a multi-interface system provide significantly higher capacity in many scenarios. Our work puts forward various challenges, points to various anomalies in the operation of the 802.11 MAC protocol, and shows the need to tackle unfairness issues. Our experiments demonstrate that the mere use of more dual-interface nodes does not necessarily create higher capacity. We also show that traffic differentiation significantly increases aggregate throughput in realistic scenarios. Finally, we provide an example of how simple channel-allocation algorithms in controlled random topologies can allow us to take advantage of a multi-interface system.
An internal polypyrimidine-tract-binding protein-binding site in the hepatitis C virus RNA attenuates translation, which is relieved by the 3'-untranslated sequence.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA binds to several cellular proteins, which may regulate translation or replication of viral RNA. One of these is polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB), which binds to the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) and the 3'-end 98 nucleotides (nt) (X region) of HCV RNA. Both of these PTB-binding sites regulate HCV translation. In this study, we further investigated the nature of PTB binding on HCV RNA. UV cross-linking studies using HeLa cell extracts and a recombinant PTB showed that the PTB-5'-UTR binding was much weaker than the PTB-3'-UTR binding. Unexpectedly, we found an even stronger PTB-binding site in the core-protein-coding region of HCV RNA. The binding domain was mapped to the 3'-end of this region, which contains a pyrimidine-rich sequence highly conserved among HCV isolates. Using a set of synthetic HCV RNAs with or without this sequence in in vitro translation studies, we showed that the PTB-binding sequence in the core-coding region strongly inhibited translation of HCV RNA. This inhibition was relieved by the presence of the X region at the 3'-end. Furthermore, the previously reported translational enhancement by the HCV 3'-UTR was more pronounced when this PTB-binding site was present in the RNA. These results suggest that PTB binding to an internal site of HCV RNA provides another mechanism for regulation of HCV translation.
EVOLVING TEXT CLASSIFICATION RULES WITH GENETIC PROGRAMMING

ABSTRACT We describe a novel method for using genetic programming to create compact classification rules using combinations of N-grams (character strings). Genetic programs acquire fitness by producing rules that are effective classifiers in terms of precision and recall when evaluated against a set of training documents. We describe a set of functions and terminals and provide results from a classification task using the Reuters 21578 dataset. We also suggest that the rules may have a number of other uses beyond classification and provide a basis for text mining applications.
A kinematic analysis of directional effects on mouse control

The directional effects associated with cursor movement controlled by a computer mouse have long been studied to improve mouse performance during precise tasks. However, those studies have rarely considered the kinematic variables associated with directional effects and have only analysed the projection of trajectories along the main axes of movement, eventually reducing the original dimensions of the data. In addition, as the angle of approach has a limited number of levels, it has been difficult to observe singular behaviour in the horizontal directions. In this study, we investigated the directional effects on kinematic variables when using a mouse to select circular targets. In this experiment, the measured trajectory of 16 different angles of approach was measured after separating the x and y components. The results revealed interesting biomechanical and cognitive features of mouse control and led to the suggestion of two improvements to be made upon the typical mouse design. Practitioner Summary: The angle of approach was varied to determine its effect on the kinematic variables of a cursor trajectory. We analysed both the x and y coordinates separately without reducing the original dimensions of the data. Therefore, we succeeded in identifying previously unknown characteristics of mouse control.
Improved Server Storage Security Using Mobiflage with Verifiable Outsourced Decryption

Attribute-based encryption (ABE) is a new vision for public key encryption that allows users to encrypt and decrypt messages based on user attributes. An ABE scheme along with outsourced decryption is a better choice since it allows a third party to transform an ABE ciphertext into a short ciphertext using a public transformation key. Even this improved version of ABE does not guarantee the correctness of the transformation. In the proposed system, a security model is described which includes ABE with verifiable outsourced decryption with a highly improved server storage security through Mobiflage method. Mobiflage is a method of developing hidden volumes in the space within server storage. That is, an additional file system is created at an offset within the server storage and encrypted. With this method, the adversary can examine the storage but will not find any record of the hidden files, apps, or activities. Thus the storage security which is highly required in the case of a distributed environment can be maintained effectively to create a secure infrastructure.
Declarative coordination of graph-based parallel programs

Declarative programming has been hailed as a promising approach to parallel programming since it makes it easier to reason about programs while hiding the implementation details of parallelism from the programmer. However, its advantage is also its disadvantage as it leaves the programmer with no straightforward way to optimize programs for performance. In this paper, we introduce Coordinated Linear Meld (CLM), a concurrent forward-chaining linear logic programming language, with a declarative way to coordinate the execution of parallel programs allowing the programmer to specify arbitrary scheduling and data partitioning policies. Our approach allows the programmer to write graph-based declarative programs and then optionally to use coordination to fine-tune parallel performance. In this paper we specify the set of coordination facts, discuss their implementation in a parallel virtual machine, and show---through example---how they can be used to optimize parallel execution. We compare the performance of CLM programs against the original uncoordinated Linear Meld and several other frameworks.
A Distributed and Autonomic Virtual Network Mapping Framework

This paper addresses the challenge of assigning virtual networks, through network virtualisation, to the underlying physical network in a distributed and efficient manner. The paper reports on an implementation and evaluation of a distributed and autonomic framework with algorithms responsible for mapping virtual nodes and links to the physical resources. A virtual network (VN) mapping protocol is proposed for exchange of messages between autonomic substrate nodes. Results of the implementation and a performance evaluation of the distributed and autonomic VN mapping using a multi-agent approach are provided.
Adaptive Evolution of Mus Apobec3 Includes Retroviral Insertion and Positive Selection at Two Clusters of Residues Flanking the Substrate Groove

Mouse APOBEC3 (mA3) is a cytidine deaminase with antiviral activity. mA3 is linked to the Rfv3 virus resistance factor, a gene responsible for recovery from infection by Friend murine leukemia virus, and mA3 allelic variants differ in their ability to restrict mouse mammary tumor virus. We sequenced mA3 genes from 38 inbred strains and wild mouse species, and compared the mouse sequence and predicted structure with human APOBEC3G (hA3G). An inserted sequence was identified in the virus restrictive C57BL strain allele that disrupts a splice donor site. This insertion represents the long terminal repeat of the xenotropic mouse gammaretrovirus, and was acquired in Eurasian mice that harbor xenotropic retrovirus. This viral regulatory sequence does not alter splicing but is associated with elevated mA3 expression levels in spleens of laboratory and wild-derived mice. Analysis of Mus mA3 coding sequences produced evidence of positive selection and identified 10 codons with very high posterior probabilities of having evolved under positive selection. Six of these codons lie in two clusters in the N-terminal catalytically active cytidine deaminase domain (CDA), and 5 of those 6 codons are polymorphic in Rfv3 virus restrictive and nonrestrictive mice and align with hA3G CDA codons that are critical for deaminase activity. Homology models of mA3 indicate that the two selected codon clusters specify residues that are opposite each other along the predicted CDA active site groove, and that one cluster corresponds to an hAPOBEC substrate recognition loop. Substitutions at these clustered mA3 codons alter antiviral activity. This analysis suggests that mA3 has been under positive selection throughout Mus evolution, and identified an inserted retroviral regulatory sequence associated with enhanced expression in virus resistant mice and specific residues that modulate antiviral activity.
HmuY Haemophore and Gingipain Proteases Constitute a Unique Syntrophic System of Haem Acquisition by Porphyromonas gingivalis

Haem (iron protoporphyrin IX) is both an essential growth factor and virulence regulator for the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, which acquires it mainly from haemoglobin via the sequential actions of the R- and K-specific gingipain proteases. The haem-binding lipoprotein haemophore HmuY and its cognate receptor HmuR of P. gingivalis, are responsible for capture and internalisation of haem. This study examined the role of the HmuY in acquisition of haem from haemoglobin and the cooperation between HmuY and gingipain proteases in this process. Using UV-visible spectroscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, HmuY was demonstrated to wrest haem from immobilised methaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin. Haem extraction from oxyhaemoglobin was facilitated after oxidation to methaemoglobin by pre-treatment with the P. gingivalis R-gingipain A (HRgpA). HmuY was also capable of scavenging haem from oxyhaemoglobin pre-treated with the K-gingipain (Kgp). This is the first demonstration of a haemophore working in conjunction with proteases to acquire haem from haemoglobin. In addition, HmuY was able to extract haem from methaemalbumin, and could bind haem, either free in solution or from methaemoglobin, even in the presence of serum albumin.
Toward Active Cannulas: Miniature Snake-Like Surgical Robots

We have developed a new class of continuously flexible snake-like robots, called active cannulas, that consist of several telescoping pre-curved superelastic tubes. The devices derive bending actuation not from tendon wires or other external mechanisms, but from elastic energy stored in the backbone itself. This allows active cannulas to have a small diameter and a high degree of dexterity, which should enable them to navigate through complex anatomy to sites inaccessible by current surgical robotic devices. Active cannulas may also enhance patient safety because their inherent compliance mitigates potential trauma from inadvertent tool-tissue collision. A consequence of our design is that dexterity improves with miniaturization. A kinematic description of active cannula shape requires a model of the elastic interaction of telescoping pre-curved flexible tubes, and we derive a two-link beam mechanics-based model. Experiments using curved nitinol tubes and wires validate the model
Phosphates, DNA, and the search for nonterrean life: a second generation model for genetic molecules.

Phosphate groups are found and used widely in biological chemistry. We have asked whether phosphate groups are likely to be important to the functioning of genetic molecules, including DNA and RNA. From observations made on synthetic analogs of DNA and RNA where the phosphates are replaced by nonanionic linking groups, we infer a set of rules that highlight the importance of the phosphodiester backbone for the proper functioning of DNA as a genetic molecule. The polyanionic backbone appears to give DNA the capability of replication following simple rules, and evolving. The polyanionic nature of the backbone appears to be critical to prevent the single strands from folding, permitting them to act as templates, guiding the interaction between two strands to form a duplex in a way that permits simple rules to guide the molecular recognition event, and buffering the sensitivity of its physicochemical properties to changes in sequence. We argue that the feature of a polyelectrolyte (polyanion or polycation) may be required for a "self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution. " The polyelectrolyte structure therefore may be a universal signature of life, regardless of its genesis, and unique to living forms as well.
Nodal Dynamics, Not Degree Distributions, Determine the Structural Controllability of Complex Networks

Structural controllability has been proposed as an analytical framework for making predictions regarding the control of complex networks across myriad disciplines in the physical and life sciences (Liu et al., Nature:473(7346):167–173, 2011). Although the integration of control theory and network analysis is important, we argue that the application of the structural controllability framework to most if not all real-world networks leads to the conclusion that a single control input, applied to the power dominating set, is all that is needed for structural controllability. This result is consistent with the well-known fact that controllability and its dual observability are generic properties of systems. We argue that more important than issues of structural controllability are the questions of whether a system is almost uncontrollable, whether it is almost unobservable, and whether it possesses almost pole-zero cancellations.
Czy negatywne poprzedzanie może być użytecznym narzędziem w badaniach poznania społecznego

The article presents different aspects of using a popular research method, so-called negative priming (NP) and possibilities of using this method in the Þeld of social cognition. The development of the NP method is shortly described. Theoretical controversies around interpretations of research results obtained with NP method are discussed. First applications of NP in social cognition research are also described and potential new directions of its utilizing.
Local Edge Detectors: A Substrate for Fine Spatial Vision at Low Temporal Frequencies in Rabbit Retina

Visual acuity is limited by the size and density of the smallest retinal ganglion cells, which correspond to the midget ganglion cells in primate retina and the β-ganglion cells in cat retina, both of which have concentric receptive fields that respond at either light-On or light-Off. In contrast, the smallest ganglion cells in the rabbit retina are the local edge detectors (LEDs), which respond to spot illumination at both light-On and light-Off. However, the LEDs do not predominate in the rabbit retina and the question arises, what role do they play in fine spatial vision? We studied the morphology and physiology of LEDs in the isolated rabbit retina and examined how their response properties are shaped by the excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Although the LEDs comprise only ∼15% of the ganglion cells, neighboring LEDs are separated by 30–40 μm on the visual streak, which is sufficient to account for the grating acuity of the rabbit. The spatial and temporal receptive-field properties of LEDs are generated by distinct inhibitory mechanisms. The strong inhibitory surround acts presynaptically to suppress both the excitation and the inhibition elicited by center stimulation. The temporal properties, characterized by sluggish onset, sustained firing, and low bandwidth, are mediated by the temporal properties of the bipolar cells and by postsynaptic interactions between the excitatory and inhibitory inputs. We propose that the LEDs signal fine spatial detail during visual fixation, when high temporal frequencies are minimal.
Experiments in Control of a Flexible-Link Robotic Manipulator With Unknown Payload Dynamics: An Adaptive Approach

This article presents technology that extends the concept of end-point control of a flexible-link robot arm to handle payloads with unknown internal dynamics. The approach is based on merging high-performance control with an innovative identification algorithm in a self-tuning regulator framework. Payload dynamics are identified in real time using recently de veloped subspace fitting techniques. Sufficient excitation issues are addressed. End-point feedback controllers are formulated using frequency-weighted linear quadratic gaussian design methods. Experimental results demonstrating precision control of a very flexible single-link robot arm with unknown dynamic payloads are presented.
The future of binocular rivalry research: reaching through a window on consciousness

Binocular rivalry is often considered an experimental window on the neural processes of consciousness. We propose three distinct approaches to exploit this window. First, one may look through the window, using binocular rivalry as a passive tool to dissociate unaltered sensory input from wavering perceptual output. Second, the mechanisms underlying binocular rivalry may yield detailed knowledge of the neuronal underpinnings of binocular vision and increase the value of rivalry as a tool to study consciousness. Finally, smart experimental manipulations allow experimenters to 'reach through the window' and interact with mechanisms of conscious visual perception. Within this distinction, we discuss the major open questions in binocular rivalry research and examine how recent technological developments may be incorporated in future studies.
Parsing Ungrammatical Input: an Evaluation Procedure

This paper presents a procedure for evaluating a parser’s ability to produce an accurate parse for an ungrammatical sentence. It is based on the existence of a corpus of ungrammatical sentences, and a parallel corpus containing corrected, and hence grammatical, versions of the sentences in the first corpus. This procedure is applied to a wide-coverage probabilistic parser (Charniak, 2000), and the performance of this parser with respect to ungrammatical input is analysed.