Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein: Deciphering a Target in Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, is a myelin protein solely expressed at the outermost surface of myelin sheaths and oligodendrocyte membranes. This makes MOG a potential target of cellular and humoral immune responses in inflammatory demyelinating diseases. Due to its late postnatal developmental expression, MOG is an important marker for oligodendrocyte maturation. Discovered about 30 years ago, it is one of the best-studied autoantigens for experimental autoimmune models for multiple sclerosis (MS). Human studies, however, have yielded controversial results on the role of MOG, especially MOG antibodies (Abs), as a biomarker in MS. But with improved detection methods using different expression systems to detect Abs in patients’ samples, this is meanwhile no longer the case. Using cell-based assays with recombinant full-length, conformationally intact MOG, several recent studies have revealed that MOG Abs can be found in a subset of predominantly pediatric patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), aquaporin-4 (AQP4) seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), monophasic or recurrent isolated optic neuritis (ON), or transverse myelitis, in atypical MS and in N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-encephalitis with overlapping demyelinating syndromes. Whereas MOG Abs are only transiently observed in monophasic diseases such as ADEM and their decline is associated with a favorable outcome, they are persistent in multiphasic ADEM, NMOSD, recurrent ON, or myelitis. Due to distinct clinical features within these diseases it is controversially disputed to classify MOG Ab-positive cases as a new disease entity. Neuropathologically, the presence of MOG Abs is characterized by MS-typical demyelination and oligodendrocyte pathology associated with Abs and complement. However, it remains unclear whether MOG Abs are a mere inflammatory bystander effect or truly pathogenetic. This article provides deeper insight into recent developments, the clinical relevance of MOG Abs and their role in the immunpathogenesis of inflammatory demyelinating disorders.
Influence of Overlapping décollements, Syntectonic Sedimentation, and Structural Inheritance in the Evolution of a Contractional System: The Central Kuqa Fold‐and‐Thrust Belt (Tian Shan Mountains, NW China)

Contractional deformation in the Kuqa fold‐and‐thrust belt (southern foreland of the Tian Shan Mountains, NW China) is recorded by well‐preserved syntectonic continental sequences. In addition, its structural evolution was strongly controlled by synorogenic salt (Eocene in age) and presalt décollements with varying spatial distribution. We present a balanced and sequentially restored cross section across the central part of this fold‐and‐thrust belt that provides a new interpretation of the structure beneath the evaporites, in which Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata are deformed by a thrust stack involving (i) a thin‐skinned thrust system detached on Triassic‐Jurassic coal units and (ii) an ensemble of south‐directed basement thrusts. The latter formed from the inversion of Mesozoic extensional faults such as those preserved both in the Tarim foreland basin and beneath the frontal part of the Kuqa fold‐and‐thrust belt. The constructed section shows a total shortening of 35 km from the Late Cretaceous to the present. The restoration depicts a three‐stage evolution for the Kuqa fold‐and‐thrust belt: (i) minor Mesozoic extension, (ii) an early compressional stage (Late Cretaceous to early Miocene) with low shortening and syntectonic sedimentary rates, and (iii) a later compressional stage (late Pliocene‐Pleistocene) characterized by a greater and progressively increasing shortening rate and rapid deposition. Our results are discussed in light of previous analogue and numerical modeling studies and demonstrate the control exerted by the interplay between syntectonic sedimentation, the inversion of inherited basement structures, and the nature and extent of Triassic/Jurassic and Eocene décollements.
Journal of Information Science and Engineering Xx, Xxx-xxx (201x) as B-tree: a Study of an Efficient B + -tree for Ssds*

Recently, flash memory has been utilized as the primary storage device in mobile devices. SSDs have been gaining popularity as the primary storage device in laptop and desktop computers and even in enterprise-level server machines. SSDs have an array of NAND flash memory packages and are therefore able to achieve concurrent parallel access to one or more flash memory packages. In order to take advantage of the internal parallelism of an SSD, it is beneficial for DBMSs to request input/output (I/O) operations on sequential logical block addresses (LBAs). However, the B +-Tree structure, which is a representative index scheme of current relational DBMSs, produces excessive I/O operations in random order when its node structures are updated. Therefore, the conventional B +-Tree structure is unfavorable for use in SSDs. In this paper, we propose the Always Sequential (AS) B-tree which consists of the Legacy B +-Tree structure, a Sequential Writer, a Write Buffer, an Address Mapping Table, and a Node Validation Manager. All of the modified nodes in the Legacy B +-Tree are stored in the Write Buffer. If the Write Buffer is full, the Sequential Writer contiguously writes each node of the Write Buffer at the end of the file. To support this algorithm, the Address Mapping Table links NodeIDs of the Legacy B +-Tree to the LBA of the corresponding node. Because AS B-tree writes the modified nodes on sequential LBAs in this same manner, it is able to take advantage of the internal parallelism of SSDs. In the experiments presented as part of this paper, AS B-tree enhanced the insertion performance of the conventional B +-Tree by 21%. We also confirmed AS B-tree demonstrates better performance than other flash-aware indexes in search-oriented workloads.
Estimation of System Power Consumption on Mobile Computing Devices

The relationship between power consumption and parameters of system state on mobile computing devices is studied in this paper, using genetic algorithm and artificial neural network. Then based on this relationship, a run-time power consumption model is proposed to estimate the energy used on a per process basis. This result can help us to design an intrusion detection system for battery exhaustion attacks or give some advice on how to design a less power consumption program on mobile computing devices.
Evolution of Controllers for Robot-Plant Bio-Hybdrids: A Simple Case Study Using a Model of Plant Growth and Motion

In evolutionary robotics methods of evolutionary computation are applied to evolve robot controllers [1]. Evolutionary robotics is also our method of choice in the EU-funded project flora robotica [6, 8], which pushes research towards the evolution of a broad variety of artifacts and contraptions [4]. We are investigating how a distributed robot system and a group of biological plants can be tightly coupled to generate synergies and Ąnally result in a bio-hybrid system. We want to create a co-dependent and self-organized system with closely linked symbiotic relationships where plants support robots, for example, by providing scafolding and robots that direct plant growth towards desired areas. In addition to plant growth there is also plant motion which is often ignored, probably due to the fact that the motion of plants is slow compared to that of animals. It can be diicult sometimes to distinguish between a plantŠs motion and growth as both happen concurrently and usually in similar ways. They can difer, however, fundamentally in terms of time scales. Another important diference is the fact that motion can be reverted while growth is mostly permanent. Besides plant growth we also want to harness plant motion in our robotplant systems.
An overview of sequential Monte Carlo methods for parameter estimation in general state-space models

Abstract Nonlinear non-Gaussian state-space models arise in numerous applications in control and signal processing. Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) methods, also known as Particle Filters, provide very good numerical approximations to the associated optimal state estimation problems. However, in many scenarios, the state-space model of interest also depends on unknown static parameters that need to be estimated from the data. In this context, standard SMC methods fail and it is necessary to rely on more sophisticated algorithms. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview of SMC methods that have been proposed to perform static parameter estimation in general state-space models. We discuss the advantages and limitations of these methods.
A cognitive MAC for VANET based on the WAVE systems

The recent advance in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) has led the FCC to allocate 7 channels at 5.9 GHz band for Wireless Access for Vehicular Environments (WAVE) systems. The key challenge of multi-channel access in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANET) is to cope with the dynamic channel condition due to highly mobile nodes, while providing fair spectrum share among nodes. In this paper, we adhere to both these aspects by proposing a cognitiveMAC protocol for VANET (CMV). Through both analysis and simulations, we show that CMV outperforms previous multi-channel MAC protocols by up to 72%.
Creating Bridges: The Role of Exploratory Design Research in an Intelligent Tutoring System Project

Designers of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) have long been interested in delivering personalised teaching to individual students, typically by ensuring that the student receives content appropriate to their skills and knowledge. Nonetheless, a more holistic view on what constitutes good teaching practice has challenged whether this approach to user modelling is sufficient. Teaching is not only defined by what is taught, but also by how it is taught. In this paper, we demonstrate that exploratory design research can support this view by generating a more inclusive set of user attributes for purposes of user modelling. Through a case study, we show that design research for user modelling can function as a boundary object serving three important roles, that underpin more specifically the design of user modelling and more broadly ITS design. First, design research can establish common ground by encapsulating domain knowledge in an accessible form. This can support diverse project stakeholders to make decisions on what is to be modelled. Second, design research can reveal a wide range of teaching and learning perspectives that in turn introduce transparency to the decision-making process of user modelling and provoke a sense of criticality and accountability amongst project stakeholders. Third, design research can build new bridges between the design of the technology and the user model that underpins it. To this end, user attributes deemed important, yet too complex or cumbersome to develop, can become design principles in the context of the overall ITS design.
The use of a Thiry-Vella loop of jejunum to study the intestinal absorption of calcium and inorganic phosphate in the conscious pig

1. Pigs, each surgically prepared with a Thiry-Vella jejunal loop were used to study the absorption of calcium and inorganic phosphate from the intestine. 2. The loops were perfused daily for 6–8 h with a nutrient solution and absorption from the perfusate was measured. 3. The technique employed minimized atrophy of the jejunal mucosa and enabled the measurement of hourly or daily changes in absorption rate of components of the luminal fluid. 4. No differences were observed when polyethylene glycol (PEG; molecular weight 4000), [14C]PEG or 51Cr-EDTA were used as markers of net water movement. 5. Increasing the concentration of Ca in the perfusate resulted in the demonstration of a two-component relationship between net absorption rate of Ca and intraluminal Ca concentration. An initial rapid absorption rate from 0 to 4 mm was found, then a slower rate from approximately 5 mm upwards which did not saturate at the highest concentration tested (25 mm). 6. Increasing the concentration of phosphate in the perfusion solution increased the net absorption of phosphate from that solution. Although a two-component system, similar to that for Ca, was not evident, net absorption of phosphate was not saturated at the highest concentration tested (50 mm). 7. The absorption of Ca was unaffected by the presence of phosphate in the solution but Ca (2.5 mm) enhanced the absorption of phosphate.
A Formal Language for Specifying Policy Combining Algorithms in Access Control

Many access control policy languages, e.g., XACML, allow a policy to contain multiple sub-policies, and the result of the policy on a request is determined by combining the results of the sub-policies according to some policy combining algorithms (PCAs). Existing access control policy languages, however, do not provide a formal language for specifying PCAs. As a result, it is difficult to extend them with new PCAs. The lacking of a formal approach also makes the design of combining algorithms in XACML plagued with issues and subtleties that can be confusing and surprising for policy authors. Motivated by the need to provide a flexible and user-friendly mechanism for specifying PCAs, we propose a policy combining language PCL, which can succinctly and precisely express a variety of PCAs. We show that our approach avoids the pitfalls of XACML and that it is expressive enough to express both PCAs in XACML and other natural PCAs. A policy evaluation engine only needs to understand PCL to evaluate any PCA specified in it. In particular, we model the evaluation of PCAs using finite state automata. Using techniques from automata theory, we also develop systematic policy evaluation optimization techniques that improve evaluation efficiency.
Connections between signal transduction components and cellular responses initiated by antigen receptor on B lymphocytes

Cells translate environmental cues into various cellular responses, including proliferation, differentiation, and death. In many cases, these responses are initiated through a specific interaction between an extracellular ligand and a membrane-bound receptor, which then triggers a series of biochemical events collectively termed signal transduction. Much progress has been made in the identification of second messengers and understanding the interactions between signaling proteins. Moreover, correlations between specific biochemical signaling events and a cellular response can be observed; however, demonstration of a direct cause and effect relationship is more difficult to achieve. Two observations have complicated this analysis. First, the binding of a ligand to its receptor can result in several different responses within the same cell, e.g., changes in growth characteristics, transcription patterns, adhesion properties, cytokine secretion profiles, et cetera. Any intracellular biochemical event induced by the ligand-receptor interaction might be involved in signaling one of these downstream
Integrating Natural Language Processing into E-Learning - A Case of Czech

The paper deals with the application of NLP technology in e-learning. We report our research on intelligent platforms for computer-mediated education. Some of the methods described in the paper have already taken part in the end-user applications that are in everyday use, others still wait for their implementation in the form of software products. The main message of the paper is that the language technology, even in the imperfect form of the current state of the art, can significantly enhance today's computer-mediated teaching and learning activities. It is true especially for languages different from English, where the adopted learning management systems often do not support even the basic functionality of a language-oriented search and retrieval of learning objects. As a case study, this paper demonstrates the application of the given ideas for e-learning materials in Czech.
COMPARING COMMUNITY-PREFERENCE–BASED AND DIRECT STANDARD GAMBLE UTILITY SCORES: EVIDENCE FROM ELECTIVE TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY

Objectives: Do utility scores based on patient preferences and scores based on community preferences agree? The purpose is to assess agreement between directly measured standard gamble (SG) utility scores and utility scores from the Health Utilities Index Mark 2 (HUI2) and Mark 3 (HUI3) systems. Methods: Patients were assessed repeatedly throughout the process of waiting to see a surgeon, waiting for surgery, and recovery after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Group mean scores are compared using paired t-tests. Agreement is assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The mean SG, HUI2, and HUI3 (SD) scores at assessment 1 are 0.62 (0.31), 0.62 (0.19), and 0.52 (0.21); n=103. At assessment 2, the means are 0.67 (0.30), 0.68 (0.30), and 0.58 (0.22); n=84. There are no statistically significant differences between group mean SG and HUI2 scores. Mean SG and HUI3 scores are significantly different. ICCs are low. Conclusions: At the mean level for the group, SG and HUI2 scores match closely. At the individual level, agreement is poor. HUI2 scores were greater than HUI3 scores. HUI2 and HUI3 are appropriate for group level analyses relying on community preferences but are not a good substitute for directly measured utility scores at the individual leve.
SDBP : An easy-to-use R program package for assessing reliability of estimated phylogenetic trees based on the speedy double bootstrap method

Evaluating the reliability of estimated phylogenetic trees is of critical importance in the field of molecular phylogenetics, and for other endeavors that depend on accurate phylogenetic reconstruction. The bootstrap method is a well-known computational approach to assessing phylogenetic trees, and more generally for assessing the reliability of statistical models. However, it is known to be biased under certain circumstances, calling into question the accuracy of the method. Therefore, several advanced bootstrap methods have been developed to achieve higher accuracy, one of which is the speedy double bootstrap approach (sDBPmethod). In the phylogenetic tree selection problem, it has been shown that the sDBP-method has comparable accuracy to the double bootstrap approach and is much more computationally efficient. In this study, we thus develop an R package named SDBP, which is an implementation of our sDBP-method on a statistical software R to assesse the reliability of phylogenetic trees. We are confident that biologists will benefit from our sDBP-method and SDBP
Neurons in primary motor cortex engaged during action observation

Neurons in higher cortical areas appear to become active during action observation, either by mirroring observed actions (termed mirror neurons) or by eliciting mental rehearsal of observed motor acts. We report the existence of neurons in the primary motor cortex (M1), an area that is generally considered to initiate and guide movement performance, responding to viewed actions. Multielectrode recordings in monkeys performing or observing a well‐learned step‐tracking task showed that approximately half of the M1 neurons that were active when monkeys performed the task were also active when they observed the action being performed by a human. These ‘view’ neurons were spatially intermingled with ‘do’ neurons, which are active only during movement performance. Simultaneously recorded ‘view’ neurons comprised two groups: approximately 38% retained the same preferred direction (PD) and timing during performance and viewing, and the remainder (62%) changed their PDs and time lag during viewing as compared with performance. Nevertheless, population activity during viewing was sufficient to predict the direction and trajectory of viewed movements as action unfolded, although less accurately than during performance. ‘View’ neurons became less active and contained poorer representations of action when only subcomponents of the task were being viewed. M1 ‘view’ neurons thus appear to reflect aspects of a learned movement when observed in others, and form part of a broadly engaged set of cortical areas routinely responding to learned behaviors. These findings suggest that viewing a learned action elicits replay of aspects of M1 activity needed to perform the observed action, and could additionally reflect processing related to understanding, learning or mentally rehearsing action.
Statistical Mechanics of Linear Compression Codes in Network Communication

We analyze the performance of a linear code used for a data compression of Slepian-Wolf type. In our framework, two correlated data are separately compressed into codewords employing Gallager-type codes and casted into a communication network through two independent input terminals. At the output terminal, the received codewords are jointly decoded by a practical algorithm based on the Thouless-Anderson-Palmer approach. Our analysis shows that the achievable rate region presented in the data compression theorem by Slepian and Wolf is described as first-order phase transitions among several phases. The typical performance of the practical decoder is also well evaluated by the replica method.
Exploring the Mechanism of Microarteriogenesis in Porous Silk Fibroin Film

Purpose. Based on the experiment of the microarteriogenesis that is associated with angiogenesis during tissue repair process in porous silk fibroin films (PSFFs), we investigate the characteristics of micro-arteriogenesis and explore its mechanism. Methods. After the porous silk fibroin materials are implanted into the back hypodermal tissue of SD rats, the arteriole development and the morphogenesis of smooth muscle cell are histologically monitored and the micro-arteriogenesis is quantitatively analyzed. Results. 10 days after implantation, the arteriole density reaches the highest level in the junction of silk fibroin materials with tissues. Three weeks later, the arteriolar density in the materials reaches the maximum, and the arterioles in the junction of materials with tissues appear to be in a mature and upgrading state. Modeling of Microarteriogenesis. The arterioles in materials are generated after capillary angiogenesis. It is inferred that arteriolar development does not start until the network of the capillaries is formed. At first, the arterioles grow in the conjunct area of precapillaries with arterioles. Then with the extension of the arterioles, the upgrade of arterioles in connecting area is observed at a later stage. Based on the observation, the conditions and the mechanism of microarterializations as well as the upgrade of arterioles are analyzed.