Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synaptic plasticity and learning: selective impairment of learning rats and blockade of long-term potentiation in vivo by the N-methyl-D- aspartate receptor antagonist AP5

This paper reports a series of 5 experiments concerned with a possible role for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in certain types of learning. The results show that chronic intraventricular infusion of the NMDA receptor antagonist D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D,L- AP5) caused an impairment of spatial but not of visual discrimination learning in rats. Such selectivity of the learning impairment occurred despite widespread distribution of the drug throughout the CNS. AP5 sometimes caused a disturbance of sensorimotor function during learning, but one experiment addressing whether this disturbance could be responsible for the spatial learning impairment established that it was statistically independent. Another experiment showed that AP5 did not affect the retention of previously acquired spatial information. These behavioral effects were all obtained with a concentration of AP5 that, in a final study, was found to be sufficient to block hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in vivo without affecting normal synaptic transmission. Taken together, these observations (1) implicate NMDA receptors in certain types of learning, and (2) extend recent work showing that saturation of LTP causes an anterograde spatial amnesia (McNaughton et al., 1986). A preliminary report of parts of this work has been published (Morris et al., 1986a).
Topoisomerase II is a structural component of mitotic chromosome scaffolds

We have obtained a polyclonal antibody that recognizes a major polypeptide component of chicken mitotic chromosome scaffolds. This polypeptide migrates in SDS PAGE with Mr 170,000. Indirect immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation experiments confirm that it is present in both mitotic chromosomes and interphase nuclei. Two lines of evidence suggest that this protein is DNA topoisomerase II, an abundant nuclear enzyme that controls DNA topological states: anti-scaffold antibody inhibits the strand-passing activity of DNA topoisomerase II; and both anti-scaffold antibody and an independent antibody raised against purified bovine topoisomerase II recognize identical partial proteolysis fragments of the 170,000-mol-wt scaffold protein in immunoblots. Our results suggest that topoisomerase II may be an enzyme that is also a structural protein of interphase nuclei and mitotic chromosomes.
Proactive Vulnerability Finding via Information Flow Tracking

Software vulnerability is the major root of security issues which results in serious attacks such as DDOS and worms. How to find vulnerability especially on binaries has been an alluring but challenging topic. Traditional black-box fuzzing heavily relies on input format so that it cannot work on unknown formats, more severely, it cannot generate effective test cases because it randomly change input values. Therefore, fuzzing is rarely effective in real-world circumstances. Information flow tracking, namely taint analysis, has been used in recent years in attack detection and malware analysis but no prior work has used this technique to actively find software vulnerability on binaries. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to find software vulnerability via dynamic tainting consisting of three steps. First execute target program with a seed input being independent of input format. Then identify relevant bytes by back tracking from vulnerability points, defined as dangerous library or system calls, to the original input. Finally generate new test cases by mutating relevant bytes while irrelevant parts remain unchanged. It guarantees that new inputs are able to divert execution flow to vulnerability points. We implemented the system in Windows and evaluated two real-world vulnerabilities. Compared with black-box fuzzing, experiment results show our approach can generate effective test inputs to expose vulnerabilities in short time, which also incurs low overhead.
A 550µW 10b 40MS/s SAR ADC with multistep addition-only digital error correction

A speed-enhanced 10b asynchronous SAR ADC with multistep addition-only digital error correction (ADEC) is presented in this paper. Three virtually divided sub-DACs have a 0.5 LSB over-range between stages owing to additional decision phases incorporating DAC rearrange only. These redundancies make it possible to guarantee 10b linearity with a 37% speed enhancement under a 4b-accurate DAC settling condition at MSB decision. A prototype ADC was implemented in CMOS 0. 13µm technology. The chip consumes 550µW and achieves a 50.6dB SNDR at 40MS/s under a 1.2V supply. The figure-of-merit (FOM) is 42fJ/conv-step.
In their own words: Analyzing the extents and origins of absolute pitch

Although tests of absolute pitch (AP) possessors’ abilities have been studied extensively in the laboratory, few researchers have focused their study on the experiences of AP possessors engaging in musical and nonmusical activities in their daily lives. We recorded semi-structured interviews with 30 AP musicians to investigate three research questions: what is it like to experience AP, how does AP impact musicianship and performance, and how do first-hand accounts correspond with published findings on AP types and acquisition? Recorded interviews were transcribed and coded by two independent researchers; after coding, we determined themes and connections that emerged from the data. These fall into three areas: AP associations (cross-modal); AP strength (including limitations); and AP applications (to music-making). These themes are described, illustrated with quotations, and related to current research. We document the positive and negative impacts of AP on musicianship and performance. Finally, AP possessors’ accounts lead us to endorse theories of distinct AP types and to posit an important role for implicit learning (daily updating or reinforcement of AP).
Service composition architecture for programmability and flexibility in ubiquitous communication networks

This paper addresses a new service composition method suitable for the forthcoming ubiquitous computing era. The latest developments in network computer technology have made various entities connected to the Internet, such as Web services, sensors, and home information appliances, accessible to those who want to create their own service capabilities. The architecture we have thus far proposed is a key to achieving the ubiquitous concept, but approaches that spread the use of the architecture are required. We establish the architecture more widely usable in mobile Internet environments and suggest applicable domains for two types of proxy servers to compensate for the shortage of mobile terminal capacities. Practical service examples and business models are also discussed
AN ACCELERATED ALGORITHM FOR DENSITY ESTIMATION IN LARGE DATABASES USING GAUSSIAN MIXTURES

Today, with the advances of computer storage and technology, there are huge datasets available, offering an opportunity to extract valuable information. Probabilistic approaches are specially suited to learn from data by representing knowledge as density functions. In this paper, we choose Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) to represent densities, as they possess great flexibility to adequate to a wide class of problems. The classical estimation approach for GMMs corresponds to the iterative algorithm of expectation maximization (EM). This approach, however, does not scale properly to meet the high demanding processing requirements of large databases. In this paper we introduce an EM-based algorithm, that solves the scalability problem. Our approach is based on the concept of data condensation which, in addition to substantially diminishing the computational load, provides sound starting values that allow the algorithm to reach convergence faster. We also focus on the model selection problem. We test our algorithm using synthetic and real databases, and find several advantages, when compared to other standard existing procedures.
WISP-1 Contributes to Fractionated Irradiation-Induced Radioresistance in Esophageal Carcinoma Cell Lines and Mice

Cancer cells that survive fractionated irradiation can be radioresistant and cause tumor recurrence. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of radioresistance in cancer cells remain elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of WISP-1 in the development of radioresistance in esophageal carcinoma during fractionated irradiation. Radioresistant esophageal cancer cells were generated from normal esophageal cancer cells via fractionated irradiation, and expression levels of related proteins were determined by Western blot. Radiosensitivity of cells was established by clonogenic cell survival assays, and cell cycle distribution was evaluated by flow cytometry. Protein distributions were determined by immunofluorescence, and cell toxicity was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 assays. In vivo validations were performed in a xenograft transplantation mouse model. Our data indicate that WISP-1 plays an important role in the development of radioresistance in esophageal cancer cells during fractionated irradiation. The overexression of WISP-1 in esophageal cancer cells was associated with radioresistance. Depletion of extracellular WISP-1 by antibody neutralizing reversed radioresistance and directly induced mitotic catastrophe resulting in cell death. WISP-1 may be a candidate therapeutic target in the treatment of recurrent esophageal carcinoma after radiotherapy.
The Capsule Sensitizes Streptococcus pneumoniae to α-Defensins Human Neutrophil Proteins 1 to 3

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its polysaccharide capsule causes resistance to phagocytosis and interferes with the innate immune system's ability to clear infections at an early stage. Nevertheless, we found that encapsulated pneumococci are sensitive to killing by a human neutrophil granule extract. We fractionated the extract by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified α-defensins by mass spectrometry as the proteins responsible for killing pneumococci. Analysis of sensitivity to the commercial α-defensins human neutrophil proteins 1 to 3 (HNP1-3) confirmed these findings. We analyzed the sensitivities of different pneumococcal strains to HNP1-3 and found that encapsulated strains are efficiently killed at physiological concentrations (7.5 μg/ml). Surprisingly, nonencapsulated, nonvirulent pneumococci were significantly less sensitive to α-defensins. The proposed mechanisms of α-defensin resistance in nonencapsulated pneumococci is surface charge modification, e.g., by introduction of positive charge by d-alanylation of surface-exposed lipoteichoic acids. These mechanisms are surmounted by the presence of the capsule, which we hypothesize is masking these charge modifications. Hence, α-defensins in the phagolysosome of neutrophils possibly contribute to intracellular killing after antibody-mediated opsonophagocytosis of encapsulated pneumococci.
Demonstrating the Use of High-Volume Electronic Medical Claims Data to Monitor Local and Regional Influenza Activity in the US

Introduction Fine-grained influenza surveillance data are lacking in the US, hampering our ability to monitor disease spread at a local scale. Here we evaluate the performances of high-volume electronic medical claims data to assess local and regional influenza activity. Material and Methods We used electronic medical claims data compiled by IMS Health in 480 US locations to create weekly regional influenza-like-illness (ILI) time series during 2003–2010. IMS Health captured 62% of US outpatient visits in 2009. We studied the performances of IMS-ILI indicators against reference influenza surveillance datasets, including CDC-ILI outpatient and laboratory-confirmed influenza data. We estimated correlation in weekly incidences, peak timing and seasonal intensity across datasets, stratified by 10 regions and four age groups (<5, 5–29, 30–59, and 60+ years). To test IMS-Health performances at the city level, we compared IMS-ILI indicators to syndromic surveillance data for New York City. We also used control data on laboratory-confirmed Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity to test the specificity of IMS-ILI for influenza surveillance. Results Regional IMS-ILI indicators were highly synchronous with CDC's reference influenza surveillance data (Pearson correlation coefficients rho≥0.89; range across regions, 0.80–0.97, P<0.001). Seasonal intensity estimates were weakly correlated across datasets in all age data (rho≤0.52), moderately correlated among adults (rho≥0.64) and uncorrelated among school-age children. IMS-ILI indicators were more correlated with reference influenza data than control RSV indicators (rho = 0.93 with influenza v. rho = 0.33 with RSV, P<0.05). City-level IMS-ILI indicators were highly consistent with reference syndromic data (rho≥0.86). Conclusion Medical claims-based ILI indicators accurately capture weekly fluctuations in influenza activity in all US regions during inter-pandemic and pandemic seasons, and can be broken down by age groups and fine geographical areas. Medical claims data provide more reliable and fine-grained indicators of influenza activity than other high-volume electronic algorithms and should be used to augment existing influenza surveillance systems.
PML body meets telomere

The unlimited proliferation potential of cancer cells requires the maintenance of their telomeres. This is frequently accomplished by reactivation of telomerase. However, in a significant fraction of tumors an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism is active. The molecular mechanism of the ALT pathway remains elusive. In particular, the role of characteristic complexes of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) with telomeres, the ALT-associated PML-NBs (APBs), is currently under investigation. Here, we review recent findings on the assembly, structure and functions of APBs. It is discussed how genomic aberrations in ALT-positive cancer cells could result in the formation of APBs and in ALT activity. We conclude that they are important functional intermediates in what is considered the canonical ALT pathway and discuss deregulations of cellular pathways that contribute to the emergence of the ALT phenotype.
New exploration strategy for cooperative mobile robots

In this paper, a frontier-based technique is used with team of cooperating mobile robots to explore unknown environment. The aim is to decrease the exploration time. The exploration algorithm explicitly coordinates the robots. It tries to maximize overall utility by minimizing the potential of overlap in information gain amongst the robots. The proposed frontier-based exploration algorithm is based on a new bidding function in which a special parameter was introduced to decrease the overlap between the robots in addition to the utility and cost parameters. The special parameter depends on the future positions of the robots. The proposed algorithm has been tested with different environments. The new technique led to promising results.
EulerView: a non-hierarchical visualization component

The Treeview control is the traditional way of visualizing hierarchical information in user interfaces, but in situations such as managing bookmarks in browsers, more general classifications may be more appropriate than hierarchies. We have developed a component called EulerView which is an extension of Treeview, with a similar look and feel, addressing migration, navigation and overspecificity issues amongst 2D or 3D visualisations of classifications. It has familiar characteristics, and an underlying model, based on Euler diagrams, enabling more general classifications. We found, via user testing, that users of EulerView appear to grasp a fairly accurate internal representation of Euler diagrams and that they could organise bookmarks well within in a given classification using EulerView.
Introgressive Hybridization between Anciently Diverged Lineages of Silene (Caryophyllaceae)

Hybridization has played a major role during the evolution of angiosperms, mediating both gene flow between already distinct species and the formation of new species. Newly formed hybrids between distantly related taxa are often sterile. For this reason, interspecific crosses resulting in fertile hybrids have rarely been described to take place after more than a few million years after divergence. We describe here the traces of a reproductively successful hybrid between two ancestral species of Silene, diverged for about six million years prior to hybridization. No extant hybrids between the two parental lineages are currently known, but introgression of the RNA polymerase gene NRPA2 provides clear evidence of a temporary and fertile hybrid. Parsimony reconciliation between gene trees and the species tree, as well as consideration of clade ages, help exclude gene paralogy and lineage sorting as alternative hypotheses. This may represent one of the most extreme cases of divergence between species prior to introgressive hybridization discovered yet, notably at a homoploid level. Although species boundaries are generally believed to be stable after millions of years of divergence, we believe that this finding may indicate that gene flow between distantly related species is merely largely undetected at present.
The Security and Efficiency of Micciancio's Cryptosystem

We report experiments on the security of the GGH-like cryptosystem proposed by Micciancio. Based on these experiments, we conclude that the system can be securely used only in lattice dimensions ≥ 782. Further experiments on the efficiency of the system show that it requires key sizes of 1MByte and more and that the key generation as well as the decryption take inacceptibly long. Therefore, Micciancio’s cryptosystem seems currently far from beeing practical.
Overexpression in Neurons of Human Presenilin-1 or a Presenilin-1 Familial Alzheimer Disease Mutant Does Not Enhance Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). DNA damage was assessed in primary cortical neurons infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors expressing the familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) gene presenilin-1 (PS-1) or an FAD mutant of this gene, A246E. After infection, immunoreactivity for PS-1 was shown to be enhanced in infected cells. The infected cells exhibited no cytotoxicity, as evaluated by trypan blue exclusion and mitochondrial function assays. Quantitative analysis of cells that were immunohistochemically labeled using a Klenow DNA fragmentation assay or the TUNEL method revealed no enhancement of apoptosis in PS-1-infected cells. This result was confirmed using assays for chromatin condensation and for DNA fragmentation. Expression of PS-1 protected against induction of apoptosis in the cortical neurons by etoposide or staurosporine. The specificity of this phenotype was demonstrated by the fact that cortical cultures infected with recombinant HSV vectors expressing the amyloid precursor protein (APP-695) showed, in contrast, a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells and an increase in DNA fragmentation for all parameters tested. Our results indicate that overexpression of wild-type or A246E mutant PS-1 does not enhance apoptosis in postmitotic cortical cells and suggest that the previously reported enhancement of apoptosis by presenilins may be dependent on cell type.
In interaction with wearable activity recognition technologies

I introduce an interdisciplinary research project that bridges research in computer science and social science in the field of activity recognition. In specific focus here is the technology of wearable activity recognition, including its usage in everyday contexts and its design practice. The motivation for this work are the challenges coming with the problems detecting complex activities in real life settings, especially with the possibilities of combining isolated recognition systems to more ambitious technologies. For that I provide a framework, influenced by network theory, in which I discuss ideas on how interaction between users and the wearable activity recognition system can take place, especially concerning applications for self-reflection and self-management.
Analysis of the Compression Method “ ECG Data Compression Using Truncated Singular Values Decomposition ”

The objective of this paper is to analyze the compression method proposed in [1], which is based on the application of the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) over the isolated heartbeats of the electrocardiogram (ECG) to be compressed. Each step of the method that can be changed or improved will be discussed in this paper. The sections are organized as follows: Section 2 presents a brief overview of the method presented in [1]. The SVD is presented in the section 3, as well the advantages and disadvantages of the compression method based on this decomposition. Section 4 analyzes the effect of preprocessing the signal before the compression procedure. The effect of the beat detection on the method is analyzed in the section 5 and the section 6 analyzes the period normalization of the heartbeats. Section 7 analyzes the encoding of the basis obtained by the SVD and section 8 concludes the paper.
How to Challenge Intuitions Empirically Without Risking Skepticism

Using empirical evidence to attack intuitions can be epistemically dangerous, because various of the complaints that one might raise against them (e.g., that they are fallible; that we possess no non-circular defense of their reliability) can be raised just as easily against perception itself. But the opponents of intuition wish to challenge intuitions without at the same time challenging the rest of our epistemic apparatus. How might this be done? Let us use the term “hopefulness” to refer to the extent to which we possess a good capacity for the detection and correction of the errors of any fallible source of evidence. I argue that we should not trust putative sources of evidence that are substantially lacking in hopefulness (even if they are basically reliable), and that we are indeed already operating under such a norm in our ordinary and scientific practices. I argue further that the philosophical practice of the appeal to intuitions is, in these terms, badly hopeless. But perception is very hopeful. Thus, recognizing the norm of hopefulness allows the opponents to challenge intuitions without thereby risking skepticism.