Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial localization of saccade targets. II. Activity of superior colliculus neurons preceding compensatory saccades.

1. Rhesus monkeys were trained to look to brief visual targets presented in an otherwise darkened room. Single-unit activity was recorded from the superior colliculus (SC) during the performance of two tasks for which successful completion was contingent on the combination of retinal-error and eyeposition signals. The first task required successive eye movements to serially flashed targets, each of which was extinguished prior to the initial eye movement. In the second task, electrical stimulation of the SC, delivered during the interval between target offset and saccade onset, drove the eyes to another position in the orbit, thereby requiring a compensatory saccade. The major purpose of this experiment was to determine whether or not neurons in the SC discharging before visually triggered saccades also discharge before saccades compensating for stimulation-induced perturbations in eye position. 2. Tungsten microelectrodes were introduced into the SC bilaterally. Extracellular unit activity was monitored until a cell with saccade-related activity was isolated in one colliculus and stimulation of the opposite colliculus elicited an eye movement. After a movement field was plotted for the unit, its behavior during the double-saccade and compensatory saccade tasks was evaluated. Target coordinates were arranged such that the vector of the second or compensatory movement was in the movement field of the particular unit under investigation. 3. We found that 49 of the 50 cells studied discharged before all saccades in their movement field, regardless of the type of trial that produced the saccade. The one neuron that did not fire before saccades compensating for the stimulation-induced movement was shown to require prior activation by a visual stimulus within its movement field. 4. The burst of activity occurring before compensatory saccades on stimulation trials was usually less vigorous than the burst preceding control saccades to a direct visual target. 5. Results are interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that the intermediate layers of the SC contain a spatial map of motor error, the vector of the saccade required to move the eyes to a desired orbital position. This implies that input signals reaching the intermediate layers of the SC may also be encoded in motor coordinates and that the SC may represent a site where signals from different sensory modalities are translated into a common motor frame of reference.
A compact model for Phase Change Memories

In this paper we present the first inherently single-piece model describing the phase change memories (PCM) electrical behavior. The model correctly reproduces for all bias and temperature conditions the behavior of both SET and RESET states, including the exponential pre-switching regime and the S-shaped negative differential resistance region. The model responds with resistance changes to different programming (SET or RESET) pulses, and retains the stored data. The proposed model provides a precious tool for the design of non-volatile memory products based on the new phase change memory concept
Retinal imaging by laser polarimetry and optical coherence tomography evidence of axonal degeneration in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDx) are similar yet provide information on different aspects of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) structure (thickness values similar to histology for OCT vs birefringence of microtubules for GDx). OBJECTIVES To compare the ability of OCT and GDx to distinguish eyes of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) from eyes of disease-free controls and thus identify RNFL abnormalities. We also sought to examine the capacity of these techniques to distinguish MS eyes from those without a history of optic neuritis and to correlate with visual function. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Academic tertiary care MS center. PARTICIPANTS Eighty patients with MS (155 eyes) and 43 disease-free controls (85 eyes) underwent both OCT and GDx imaging using protocols that measure RNFL thickness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Areas under the curve (AUC), adjusted for within-patient, intereye correlations, were used to compare the abilities of OCT and GDx temporal-superior-nasal-inferior-temporal average RNFL thicknesses to discriminate between MS and control eyes and to distinguish MS eyes with a history of optic neuritis. Visual function was evaluated using low-contrast letter acuity and high-contrast visual acuity. RESULTS Average peripapillary RNFL thickness (360 degrees around the optic disc) was reduced in patients with MS compared with controls for both methods. Age-adjusted AUC did not differ between OCT (0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.88) and GDx (0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.86; P = .38). Optical coherence tomography-measured RNFL thickness was somewhat better at distinguishing MS eyes with a history of optic neuritis from those without (OCT: AUC, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.64-0.82; GDx: AUC, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.57-0.66; P = .17). Linear correlations of RNFL thickness for OCT vs GDx were significant yet moderate (r = 0.67, P < .001); RNFL thickness measures correlated moderately and significantly with low-contrast acuity (OCT: r = 0.54, P < .001; GDx: r = 0.55, P < .001) and correlated less with high-contrast visual acuity (OCT: r = 0.44, P < .001; GDx: r = 0.32, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation measurements of RNFL thickness corroborates OCT evidence of visual pathway axonal loss in MS and provides new insight into structural aspects of axonal loss that relate to RNFL birefringence (microtubule integrity). These results support validity for RNFL thickness as a marker for axonal degeneration and support use of these techniques in clinical trials that examine neuroprotective and other disease-modifying therapies.
A Naturally Occurring rev1-vpu Fusion Gene Does Not Confer a Fitness Advantage to HIV-1

Background Pandemic strains of HIV-1 (group M) encode a total of nine structural (gag, pol, env), regulatory (rev, tat) and accessory (vif, vpr, vpu, nef) genes. However, some subtype A and C viruses exhibit an unusual gene arrangement in which the first exon of rev (rev1) and the vpu gene are placed in the same open reading frame. Although this rev1-vpu gene fusion is present in a considerable fraction of HIV-1 strains, its functional significance is unknown. Results Examining infectious molecular clones (IMCs) of HIV-1 that encode the rev1-vpu polymorphism, we show that a fusion protein is expressed in infected cells. Due to the splicing pattern of viral mRNA, however, these same IMCs also express a regular Vpu protein, which is produced at much higher levels. To investigate the function of the fusion gene, we characterized isogenic IMC pairs differing only in their ability to express a Rev1-Vpu protein. Analysis in transfected HEK293T and infected CD4+ T cells showed that all of these viruses were equally active in known Vpu functions, such as down-modulation of CD4 or counteraction of tetherin. Furthermore, the polymorphism did not affect Vpu-mediated inhibition of NF-кB activation or Rev-dependent nuclear export of incompletely spliced viral mRNAs. There was also no evidence for enhanced replication of Rev1-Vpu expressing viruses in primary PBMCs or ex vivo infected human lymphoid tissues. Finally, the frequency of HIV-1 quasispecies members that encoded a rev1-vpu fusion gene did not change in HIV-1 infected individuals over time. Conclusions Expression of a rev1-vpu fusion gene does not affect regular Rev and Vpu functions or alter HIV-1 replication in primary target cells. Since there is no evidence for increased replication fitness of rev1-vpu encoding viruses, this polymorphism likely emerged in the context of other mutations within and/or outside the rev1-vpu intergenic region, and may have a neutral phenotype.
The Maize y-Zein Sequesters a-Zein and Stabilizes Its Accumulation in Protein Bodíes of Transgenic Tobacco Endosperm

Zeins are seed storage proteins that form accretions called protein bodies in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of maize endosperm cells. Four types of zeins, a, p, y , and 6, aggregate in a distinctive spatial pattern within the protein body. We created transgenic tobacco plants expressing a-zein, y-zein, or both to examine the interactions between these proteins leading to the formation of protein bodies in the endosperm. Whereas y-zein accumulated in seeds of these plants, stable accumulation of a-zein required simultaneous synthesis of y-zein. The zein proteins formed accretions in the endoplasmic reticulum similar to those in maize endosperm. Protein bodies were also found in protein storage vacuoles. The accumulation of both types of zeins peaked early in development and declined during maturation. Even in the presente of y-zein, there was a turnover of a-zein, suggesting that the interaction between the two proteins might be transitory. We suggest that y-zein plays an important role in protein body formation and demonstrate the utility of tobacco for studying interactions between different zeins.
An Improved Performance Frequency Estimation Algorithm for Passive Wireless SAW Resonant Sensors

Passive wireless surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonant sensors are suitable for applications in harsh environments. The traditional SAW resonant sensor system requires, however, Fourier transformation (FT) which has a resolution restriction and decreases the accuracy. In order to improve the accuracy and resolution of the measurement, the singular value decomposition (SVD)-based frequency estimation algorithm is applied for wireless SAW resonant sensor responses, which is a combination of a single tone undamped and damped sinusoid signal with the same frequency. Compared with the FT algorithm, the accuracy and the resolution of the method used in the self-developed wireless SAW resonant sensor system are validated.
SATB2-Nanog axis links age-related intrinsic changes of mesenchymal stem cells from craniofacial bone

Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) senescence contributes to age-related bone loss. The alveolar bone in jaws originates from neural crest cells and possesses significant site- and age-related properties. However, such intrinsic characteristics of BMSCs from alveolar bone (AB-BMSCs) and the underlying regulatory mechanisms still remain unknown. Here, we found that the expression of special AT-rich binding protein 2 (SATB2) in human AB-BMSCs significantly decreased with aging. SATB2 knockdown on AB-BMSCs from young donors displayed these aging-related phenotypes in vitro. Meanwhile, enforced SATB2 overexpression could rejuvenate AB-BMSCs from older donors. Importantly, satb2 gene- modified BMSCs therapy could prevent the alveolar bone loss during the aging of rats. Mechanistically, the stemness regulator Nanog was identified as the direct transcriptional target of SATB2 in BMSCs and functioned as a downstream mediator of SATB2. Collectively, our data reveal that SATB2 in AB-BMSCs associates with their age-related properties, and prevents AB-BMSCs senescence via maintaining Nanog expression. These findings highlight the translational potential of transcriptional factor-based cellular reprogramming for anti-aging therapy.
The development economics reader

1. Introduction: Economic Growth, Economic Development and Human Development 2. Geography, Institutions and Governance 3. Beyond Growth: Inequality and Poverty 4. People in Development: Population Growth, Health, Education, and Child Labor 5. Agriculture, the Environment, and Sustainable Development 6. Financial Markets and Microcredit 7. Globalization and Financial Crises 8. Foreign Aid and Debt Relief
Searching Web Pages Based on Predefined Strings

In this paper, we have been developing a system that searches Web pages for various depths based on predefined strings within given time intervals. Problems encountered during development and their solutions are discussed. It is observed that the number of Web pages found increased proportionally to the number of strings searched, where the quality of the found pages did not increase as well as the number of strings increased. Consequently, it became a necessity to add artificial intelligence methods to evaluate the quality of Web pages found. Thus, Web pages found by searching the Internet sites can be ranked so that pages in interest are selected automatically
MOBILE SECURITY : DESIGNING A NEW FRAMEWORK LIMITING MALWARE SPREAD IN THE MOBILE CLOUD COMPUTING

Our study is primarily interested in limiting the spread of malwares via SMS/MMS, and Emails. It describes the steps leading to identify, analyze and secure traffic in mobile networks. For this purpose, a Framework MPSS has been used to be part of the network of the mobile network operator. MPSS aims to increase the level of information security across the telecom provider network in order to resolve the problems of the limited hardware and software resources on those mobiles devices. Finally, a new study based on MPSS Framework limitations, has driven a designing of a new Framework called MPSS2 based in the private Mobile Cloud Computing of the ISP. In addition, with the approach of MCC, the proposed security takes the form of a service provided by the mobile network operator (SaaS: Security as a Service). Therefore MPSS2 has the main objective to limit the risk of losses of personal and professional user’s data.
A Novel Image Encryption Supported by Compression Using Multilevel Wavelet Transform

In this paper we propose a novel approach for image encryption supported by lossy compression using multilevel wavelet transform. We first decompose the input image using multilevel 2-D wavelet transform, and thresholding is applied on the decomposed structure to get compressed image. Then we carry out encryption by decomposing the compressed image by multi-level 2-D Haar Wavelet Transform at the maximum allowed decomposition level. These results in the decomposition vector C and the corresponding bookkeeping matrix S. The decomposition vector C is reshaped into the size of the input image. The reshaped vector is rearranged by performing permutation to produce encrypted image. The vector C and the matrix S serve as key in the process of both encryption and decryption. In this analysis, we have noticed that the reconstructed image is a close replica of the input image.
The effect of uncertainty and variability on the economic appraisal of the Nura Clean Up Project in Northern Kazakhstan

The River Nura is typical internal steppe river of Kazakhstan. It is concluded by a system of closed lakes of the Tengiz-Kurgaldzhinskaya depression which includes wetlands, an important site for wildlife and internationally significant one for ornithology. The river is subjected to natural cyclic process of variation of its annual flow causing variation of both Lake Tengiz salinity and the area of wetland. In the past, large amounts of mercury were discharged into the River Nura at Temirtau resulting in contamination and prohibited use of the river. The mercury pollution seems not to be as serious as was first thought. So there is the possibility that the river can be cleaned up to the extent that its water could be used for the water needs of the new capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. This could have an adverse effect on Kurgal’dzhino due to the withdrawal of a part of the river flow and consequences of successive dry years. Several Cost Benefit Analyses suggest that the competing water needs can be adequately met. However, they use a Certainty Equivalence Principle which may be appropriate for river systems in Western Europe, but not those in steppe Central Asia. By averaging over years, they neglect variability in natural water flow in the river, and consequently the resilience of the non-convex ecosystem. Also, the effectiveness of cleaning the river and the costs of alternative water supplies for Astana are uncertain. However, eventually, learning would lead to these uncertainties being resolved. It is not appropriate to use a certainty equivalent analysis for this type of project, and uncertainty and learning should be considered explicitly. We consider a strategy that is ‘Robust’ in the presence of many uncertainties, enabling sustainable use of the river, and recognizing that decisions have to be made before uncertainties are resolved.
DAOMAP : A Distributed IPv 6 Multicast Address Allocating Protocol

Multicast address assignment is a limiting factor in multicast deployment, and previous research has shown that dynamic prefix-based addressing outperforms other models. In this paper we expound on the requirements for a scalable IPv6 multicast address allocation protocol, compute thresholds for security policies, and detail our protocol DAOMAP, which fulfills our listed requirements.
Binary systems and stellar mergers in massive star formation

We present a model for the formation of high-mass close binary systems in the context of forming massive stars through gas accretion in the centres of stellar clusters. A low-mass wide binary evolves under mass accretion towards a high-mass close binary, attaining system masses of the order of 30-50 M ○. at separations of the order of 1 au. The resulting high frequency of binary systems with two massive components is in agreement with observations. These systems are typically highly eccentric and may evolve to have periastron separations less than their stellar radii. Mergers of these binary systems are therefore likely and can lead to the formation of the most massive stars, circumventing the problem of radiation pressure stopping the accretion. The stellar density required to induce binary mergers is 10 6 stars pc -3 , or 0.01 that reauired for direct stellar collisions.
The influence of pv inverter reactive power injection on grid voltage regulation

Despite their increasing levels of penetration into electrical grid distribution systems, PV based distributed generation (DG) systems are still not yet well regarded as a useful contributor to grid voltage regulatory support. However, there is increasing recognition of the potential for these inverter based systems to not only inject real power into the grid, but also to inject/absorb reactive power to/from grid to help manage the voltage profile of a distribution feeder. Various reactive power management strategies have been recently proposed to address this issue, using alternative voltage-reactive power relationships. However, little comparative evaluation of these strategies has been presented to date. This paper addresses this issue by exploring the voltage regulation response of a number of alternative reactive power strategies when applied to a multi-bus grid feeder, with a PV DG system connected to each feeder bus. The investigation takes into account a variety of system characteristics such as feeder impedance, dynamic transformer tap changing, different load types and levels of PV penetration. A detailed power system model has been developed using the DIgSILENT power network simulation package, and results are presented using this simulation to illustrate the capability of PV DG units to assist with voltage regulation of LV feeders.
Educational reform for the 21st century

１ ＢＡＳＩＣ ＡＰＰＲＯＡＣＨ ＦＯＲ ＥＤＵＣＡＴＩＯＮＡＬ ＲＥＦＯＲＭ ＩＮ ＴＨＥ ２１ＳＴ ＣＥＮＴＵＲＹ ２ ＡＩＭＩＮＧ ＴＯ ＦＯＳＴＥＲ ＣＨＩＬＤＲＥＮ ＷＩＴＨ ＲＩＣＨ ＨＵＭＡＮＩＴＹ ３ ＢＲＩＮＧＩＮＧ ＯＵＴ ＴＡＬＥＮＴ ＡＮＤ ＢＲＩＮＧＩＮＧ ＵＰ ＣＲＥＡＴＩＶＩＴＹ ４ ＳＣＨＯＯＬ‐ＢＵＩＬＤＩＮＧ ＦＯＲ ＴＨＥ ＮＥＷ ＴＩＭＥＳ ５ ＢＵＩＬＤＩＮＧ Ａ ＤＩＳＴＩＮＧＵＩＳＨＥＤ ＵＮＩＶＥＲＳＩＴＹ ＩＮ ＴＨＥ ＴＩＭＥＳ ＯＦ ＩＮＴＥＬＬＥＣＴ ６ ＣＲＥＡＴＩＮＧ Ａ ＬＩＦＥＬＯＮＧ ＬＥＡＲＮＩＮＧ ＳＯＣＩＥＴＹ ７ ＮＥＷ ＩＮＩＴＩＡＴＩＶＥ ＦＯＲ ＥＤＵＣＡＴＩＯＮＡＬ ＲＥＦＯＲＭ ＴＡＫＥＮ ＢＹ ＬＯＣＡＬ ＣＯＭＭＵＮＩＴＩＥＳ ８ ＥＤＵＣＡＴＩＯＮＡＬ ＲＥＦＯＲＭ ＡＢＲＯＡＤ
Direct torque control of sensorless induction motor drives: a sliding-mode approach

Direct torque control (DTC) is known to produce fast response and robust control in ac adjustable-speed drives. However, in the steady-state operation, notable torque, flux, and current pulsations occur. A new, direct torque and flux control strategy based on variable-structure control and space-vector pulsewidth modulation is proposed for induction motor sensorless drives. The DTC transient merits and robustness are preserved and the steady-state behavior is improved by reducing the torque and flux pulsations. A sliding-mode observer using a dual reference frame motor model is introduced and tested. Simulations and comparative experimental results with the proposed control scheme, versus classic DTC, are presented. Very-low-speed sensorless operation (3 r/min) is demonstrated.
Exploiting Context in Location-Based Information Systems

The area of mobile location-based information systems enumerates many systems that enable their users to digitally annotate physical locations, providing in this way information to others about these locations, communicating with other people in the proximity and publicly expressing their opinions and thoughts. However, no attempts have been made to facilitate the user in describing important situations through annotations and further on, to analyze the textual data provided in the annotations, in order to extract useful information and exploit this information for the benefit of others. We argue that these annotations could be proved critical, as long as the system exploits their content and the context. In this work we propose a mobile location-based annotation system with enhanced context-aware functionality, which enables users to textually annotate public spaces, mainly streets and squares, in order to inform users and authorities about hazardous circumstances, public issues and other important information.
Single View Depth Estimation from Examples

We describe a non-parametric, "example-based" method for estimating the depth of an object, viewed in a single photo. Our method consults a database of example 3D geometries, searching for those which look similar to the object in the photo. The known depths of the selected database objects act as shape priors which constrain the process of estimating the object's depth. We show how this process can be performed by optimizing a well defined target likelihood function, via a hard-EM procedure. We address the problem of representing the (possibly infinite) variability of viewing conditions with a finite (and often very small) example set, by proposing an on-the-fly example update scheme. We further demonstrate the importance of non-stationarity in avoiding misleading examples when estimating structured shapes. We evaluate our method and present both qualitative as well as quantitative results for challenging object classes. Finally, we show how this same technique may be readily applied to a number of related problems. These include the novel task of estimating the occluded depth of an object's backside and the task of tailoring custom fitting image-maps for input depths.