Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Netrin-1 Receptor DCC Promotes Filopodia Formation and Cell Spreading by Activating Cdc42 and Rac1

Netrins are a family of secreted proteins that function as tropic cues directing cell and axon migration during neural development. We show that the netrin-1 receptor, deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC), is present at filopodia tips in growth cones of embryonic rat spinal commissural neurons. To further investigate DCC function, we characterized the expression of netrins and netrin receptors in HEK293T cells and NG108-15 cells and found that they express netrin-1 but do not express DCC. Ectopic expression of DCC produced a netrin-1-dependent increase in the number of filopodia and in cell surface area. Coexpression of DCC and dominant negative Cdc42 or dominant negative Rac1 blocked the increase in filopodia number and cell surface area, respectively. Furthermore, addition of netrin-1 to cells expressing DCC caused a persistent activation of Cdc42 and Rac1. These findings suggest that netrin-1, via DCC, influences cellular motility by regulating actin-based membrane extension through the activation of Cdc42 and Rac1.
Cumulative doses of radioiodine in the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: knowing when to stop.

OBJECTIVE Evaluate the efficacy of cumulative doses (CDs) of 131I-iodide therapy (RIT) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS The probability of progressive disease according to CDs was evaluated in patients < 45 years old and > 45 years old and correlated to tumor-node-metastasis (TNM), thyroglobulin values, histological types and variants, age, and zduration of the disease. RESULTS At the end of a follow-up period of 69 ± 56 months, 85 out of 150 DTC patients submitted to fixed doses RIT had no evidence of disease, 47 had stable disease and 18 had progressive disease. Higher CDs were used in the more aggressive variants (p < 0.0001), higher TNM stages (p < 0.0001), and follicular carcinomas (p = 0.0034). Probability of disease progression was higher with CDs > 600 mCi in patients > 45 years old and with CDs > 800 mCi in patients < 45 years. CONCLUSION Although some patients may still respond to high CDs, the impact of further RIT should be carefully evaluated and other treatment strategies may be warranted.
Comrades or Friends? On Friendship in the Armed Forces

Abstract This article discusses the difference between comradeship, brotherhood, and friendship in a military context. The difference between these bonds will be made clear with the help of the story of Achilles and Patroclus, poems of the war poets, and Aristotle's books on friendship in the Ethica Nicomachea, amplified with insightful reflections on this classical text by several present-day philosophers.
A TCP Connection Establishment Filter: Symmetric Connection Detection

Network measurement at 10+Gbps speeds imposes many restrictions on the resource consumption of the measurement application, making any filtering of input data highly desirable. Symmetric connection detection (SCD) is a method of filtering TCP sessions, passing only those sessions which become fully established. SCD can benefit network monitoring applications that are only interested fully established TCP connections by reducing processing requirements. Incomplete connection attempts, such as port scanning attempts, simply waste resources in many applications if they are not filtered. SCD filters out unsuccessful connection attempts using a combination of Bloom filters to track the state of connection establishment for every flow passing through a network device. Unsuccessful flows can be filtered out to a very high degree of accuracy, depending on the size of the Bloom filter and traffic rate, 99.5% is typical. Resource consumption, both memory and CPU is low. The core SCD algorithm is designed to work in high-speed routers, in real-time, and at line speed. Using an upper bound of 32 k bytes of RAM our experimental results indicate 99+% accuracy with 900,000 active flows.
Does neighborhood fast-food outlet exposure amplify inequalities in diet and obesity? A cross-sectional study12

Background: Greater exposures to fast-food outlets and lower levels of education are independently associated with less healthy diets and obesity. Little is known about the interplay between these environmental and individual factors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test whether observed differences in fast-food consumption and obesity by fast-food outlet exposure are moderated by educational attainment. Design: In a population-based cohort of 5958 adults aged 29–62 y in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, we used educational attainment–stratified regression models to estimate the food-frequency questionnaire–derived consumption of energy-dense “fast foods” (g/d) typically sold in fast-food restaurants and measured body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) across geographic information system–derived home and work fast-food exposure quartiles. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds of obesity (BMI ≥30) and calculated relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) on an additive scale. Participant data were collected during 2005–2013 and analyzed in 2015. Results: Greater fast-food consumption, BMI, and odds of obesity were associated with greater fast-food outlet exposure and a lower educational level. Fast-food consumption and BMI were significantly different across education groups at all levels of fast-food outlet exposure (P < 0.05). High fast-food outlet exposure amplified differences in fast-food consumption across levels of education. The relation between fast-food outlet exposure and obesity was only significant among those who were least educated (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.87; RERI = 0.88), which suggested a positive additive interaction between education and fast-food outlet exposure. Conclusion: These findings suggest that efforts to improve diets and health through neighborhood-level fast-food outlet regulation might be effective across socioeconomic groups and may serve to reduce observed socioeconomic inequalities in diet and obesity.
A study on functional characteristics of robotic system with morphology and intelligence

Robotic behavior emerges from not only intelligence but also the relationship between morphology, intelligence and the environment. We investigate and analyze the relationship between morphology and intelligence acquired from different tasks, and the characteristic differences of functions emerges from this relationship. Robotic morphology and intelligence are encoded using genetic programming: GP operations, and robot dynamics are handled using a two-dimensional dynamics simulation. As the robotic morphology, we utilize position-changeable visual sensors through evolution by GP operations, and as the robotic intelligence, we use a decision tree which is able to evolve by GP operations. A task of the robot is to keep a certain distance from an object. The simulation results clarify the importance of harmony and/or balance between morphology and intelligence, and show that a new function emerges as the result of harmony and/or balance between morphology, intelligence and a task.
Effect of lithium on the double‐quantum behavior of 23na in normal human erythrocytes

The doublé‐quantum behavior of 23Na in the presence of different concentrations of Li in human erythrocytes was investigated. The 23Na double‐quantum signal was quenched in both the extracellular and the intracellular compartments with increasing concentration of Li in each compartment, along with an increase in the 23Na T1 both intra‐ and extracellularly. Some extracellular quenching could be observed at the near therapeutic concentration of 2 mM Li. The ratio of slow to fast spin‐spin (T2) relaxation times, obtained from the dependence of the double‐quantum signal on creation time, approached unity at an overall Li concentration of 40 mM. These results provide evidence that Li and Na compete for both intra‐ and extracellular binding sites in erythrocytes.
Blood and desire: The secret of heteronormativity in adoption narratives of culture

In this article, we use narratives of cultural identity among U.S. parents of children adopted from China to conceptually explore the ideas that underwrite socially intelligible kinship. Although these narratives address the cultural heritage of the child, we find that they also perform a kind of social labor. The ways adoptive parents respond to the “culture question” (their children's birth heritage) also speak to family identity in relation to a foundational imaginary of heteronormative kinship, namely, the equivalence of biological and social family origins. We assert that the “secret” of socially intelligible kinship is revealed in the shifting meanings of blood and social desire in ideas of kinship, which has important implications for new kinship studies as well as for adoption scholarship. [kinship, heteronormativity, adoption, culture, race, desire]
Momentum Profits and Macroeconomic Risk

Previous work shows that the growth rate of industrial production is a common macroeconomic risk factor in the cross-section of expected returns. We demonstrate the connection between momentum profits and shifts in factor loadings on this macroeconomic variable. Winners have temporarily higher loadings on the growth rate of industrial production than losers. The loading dispersion derives mostly from the high, positive loadings of winners. Depending on model specification, this loading dispersion can explain up to 40% of momentum profits.
Isohexide derivatives from renewable resources as chiral building blocks.

The combination of rapidly depleting fossil resources and growing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming have stimulated extensive research on the use of biomass for energy, fuels, and chemicals. [1] Although biobased chemicals have the potential to reduce the amount of fossil feedstock consumed in the chemical industry today, the most abundant type of biobased feedstock, that is, carbohydrates, is often unsuitable for current high-temperature industrial chemical processes. Compared to hydrophobic aliphatic or aromatic feedstocks with a low degree of functionalization, carbohydrates such as polysaccharides are complex, overfunctionalized hydrophilic materials. One approach to overcome these drawbacks is to reduce the number of functional groups, resulting in more stable, industrially applicable bifunctional biobased building blocks,[2] such as furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid,[3] levulinic acid,[4] and isosorbide. [5] Isosorbide (1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol) is a rigid bicyclic diol that is derived from sorbitol and can ultimately be obtained from glucose-based polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose. [6] Apart from isosorbide, in which the hydroxyl groups on C2 and C5 are in the exo and endo positions, respectively, two other isohexides are known (Figure 1): the symmetrical endo-endo isomer isomannide (1,4:3,6-dianhydromannitol) and the exo-exo isomer isoidide (1,4:3,6-dianhydroiditol), derived from d-mannitol and l-iditol, respectively.
Improving cross language retrieval with triangulated translation

Most approaches to cross language information retrieval assume that resources providing a direct translation between the query and document languages exist. This paper presents research examining the situation where such an assumption is false. Here, an intermediate (or pivot) language provides a means of transitive translation of the query language to that of the document via the pivot, at the cost, however, of introducing much error. The paper reports the novel approach of translating in parallel across multiple intermediate languages and fusing the results. Such a technique removes the error, raising the effectiveness of the tested retrieval system, up to and possibly above the level expected, had a direct translation route existed. Across a number of retrieval situations and combinations of languages, the approach proves to be highly effective.
Pharmacological modulation of connexin‐formed channels in cardiac pathophysiology

Coordinated electrical activity in the heart is supported by gap junction channels located at the intercalated discs of cardiomyocytes. Impaired gap junctional communication between neighbouring cardiomyocytes contributes to the development of re‐entry arrhythmias after myocardial ischaemia. Current antiarrhythmic therapy is hampered by a lack of efficiency and side effects, creating the need for a new generation of drugs. In this review, we focus on compounds that increase gap junctional communication, thereby increasing the conduction velocity and decreasing the risk of arrhythmias. Some of these compounds also inhibit connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannels, thereby limiting adenosine triphosphate loss and volume overload following ischaemia/reperfusion, thus potentially increasing the survival of cardiomyocytes. The compounds discussed in this review are: (i) antiarrythmic peptide (AAP), AAP10, ZP123; (ii) GAP‐134; (iii) RXP‐E; and (vi) the Cx mimetic peptides Gap 26 and Gap 27. None of these compounds have effects on Na+, Ca2+ and K+ channels, and therefore have no proarrhythmic activity associated with currently available antiarrhythmic drugs. GAP‐134, RXP‐E, Gap 26 and Gap 27 are pharmalogical agents with a favorable clinical safety profile, as already confirmed in phase I clinical trials for GAP‐134. These agents show an excellent promise for treatment of arrhythmias in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy.
Effects of Intelligent Notification Scheduling

This work reports results from two studies investigating intelligent notification scheduling. The first study tested the performance of composite statistical models for detecting and differentiating three granularities (types) of breakpoints within novel task sequences. Results showed that the models detect breakpoints reasonably well, but do not perform as expected for differentiating their type. Our second study investigated how scheduling notifications at different types of breakpoints affects users and their tasks. Results showed that scheduling notifications to occur at breakpoints reduces frustration and reaction time relative to delivering them immediately. We also found that the content of a notification determines the type of breakpoint at which it should be scheduled. The overall concept of scheduling notifications at breakpoints matched well with how users preferred notifications to be managed. This indicates that users would be willing to adopt the use of notification scheduling systems in practice. Author
Unsupervised Mumford-Shah energy based hybrid of texture and nontexture image segmentation

In this paper, we extend Mumford-Shah energy, the most general model for image segmentation on the assumption that all visible surface patches have intensity which is slowly varying plus noise, to unsupervised texture segmentation by considering multiple channels including both colors and Gabor wavelets representations. The Mumford-Shah energy in the paper thus formalizes a tradeoff between region homogeneity in color and texture field and edge compactness. Numerical results are presented for synthesized and real images to reveal the validity of the proposed algorithm.
Avoiding Security Pitfalls with Functional Programming: A Report on the Development of a Secure XML Validator

While the use of XML is pervading all areas of IT, security challenges arise when XML files are used to transfer security data such as security policies. To tackle this issue, we have developed a lightweight secure XML validator and have chosen to base the development on the strongly typed functional language OCaml. The initial development took place as part of the LaFoSec Study which aimed at investigating the impact of using functional languages for security. We then turned the validator into an industrial application, which was successfully evaluated at EAL4+ level by independent assessors. In this paper, we explain the challenges involved in processing XML data in a critical context, we describe our choices in designing a secure XML validator, and we detail how we used features of functional languages to enforce security requirements.
Dynamic Hubs Show Competitive and Static Hubs Non-Competitive Regulation of Their Interaction Partners

Date hub proteins have 1 or 2 interaction interfaces but many interaction partners. This raises the question of whether all partner proteins compete for the interaction interface of the hub or if the cell carefully regulates aspects of this process? Here, we have used real-time rendering of protein interaction networks to analyse the interactions of all the 1 or 2 interface hubs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the cell cycle. By integrating previously determined structural and gene expression data, and visually hiding the nodes (proteins) and their edges (interactions) during their troughs of expression, we predict when interactions of hubs and their partners are likely to exist. This revealed that 20 out of all 36 one- or two- interface hubs in the yeast interactome fell within two main groups. The first was dynamic hubs with static partners, which can be considered as ‘competitive hubs’. Their interaction partners will compete for the interaction interface of the hub and the success of any interaction will be dictated by the kinetics of interaction (abundance and affinity) and subcellular localisation. The second was static hubs with dynamic partners, which we term ‘non-competitive hubs’. Regulatory mechanisms are finely tuned to lessen the presence and/or effects of competition between the interaction partners of the hub. It is possible that these regulatory processes may also be used by the cell for the regulation of other, non-cell cycle processes.
Experience, Purpose, and the Value of Vagueness: On C. S. Peirce's Contribution to the Philosophy of Communication

Recent decades have witnessed a growth of interest in the contribution of pragmatism to the study of communication. Yet, it is striking that C. S. Peirce, the founder of pragmatism and the father of one of the major strands of modern semiotics, is often ignored by communication scholars sympathetic to pragmatism. In this article, I explore some of the reasons for this neglect, and put forward the case for a recovery of some of the philosophical tools that Peircean pragmatism can provide for communication theory.
Reflecting on the self: an experience in a preschool

The identification of a problem is often assumed to be the starting point of the process of reflection. If reflection only began with the recognition of a problem, would there be situations where ‘problems’ are not recognized but reflection is still called for? This is especially pertinent to issues related to the self, where problems caused by one’s biases are unlikely to surface. The self is so integrated into teacher–student interactions that one is less conscious of how it shapes one’s thoughts, emotions and action; and often goes unexamined. Self‐awareness and self‐observation are proposed to be an essential part of the process of reflection. Illustrated with case examples from the author’s personal exploration, strategies such as ‘distancing’ and attention to one’s ‘automatic thoughts’ are discussed to facilitate self‐reflection. Conditions such as open‐mindedness and peer support are also considered as essential in the process of engaging in self‐reflection.
Preliminaly Evaluation of the SIR-B Response to Soil Moisture, Surface Roughness, and Crop Canopy Cover

stract-Two pre-dawn ascending data-akes (dt. 49.2 and 97.2) by the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) are used to evaluate the effects of soil moisture, surface roughness, and crop canopy cover on radar backscattering. The two images are separated in acquisition date by three days and were obtained at the same local angle of incidence (¿1 = 30°) but with opposite azimuth viewing directions (¿¿ = 180°). The digitally recorded and processed SIR-B imagery is externallyi-calibrated with respect to the radar backscattering coefficient ¿° via response to arrays of point and area-extended targets of known radar cross section. Extensive ancillary data pertaining to scene physical and biophysical al conditions were collected from approximately 400 agricultural fields within a 20 km × 20 km test site in west-central Illinois. The test site was largely agricultural and consisted primarily of corn and soybeans at harvest-ready conditions. For the agricultural portions of the scene, ¿°SIR-B is found to vary over a 16-to 20-dB dynamic range for a given observation date. The magnitude of ¿°SIR-B is found to be proportional to soil moisture, surface roughness, and canopy biomass. Although the SIR-B sensor parameters es ( L-band, HH polarization, ¿nd 0 ° 300) were not expected to be optimum for estimation of near-surface soil moisture, significant linear correlations are observed between ¿°SIR-B (in decibels) and 0-5-cm volumetric moisture m¿. For a given target class as broadly defined by surface roughness and canopy cover, linear regression of ¿°SIR-B (dB) to m¿ generally yields correlation coefficients of r2 0.8.
Repérage précoce des dysfonctionnements langagiers : enjeux et élaboration d'une action de prévention des troubles du langage au sein d'un Centre d'action médico sociale précoce (CAMSP)

EnglishIt is estimated that about 5% of French children are concerned by oral or written language disorders. Researches on the outcome of children with language disabilities show that early identification helps reduce social problems in later stages. Recommendations stress the need for identify and intervene before school learning, in addition to better information for the professionals. Recent studies are also attempting to determine if signs of language disorders can occur in the early stages of language development. The issues raised by the prevention of language disabilities have led a centre for early medicosocial action to create a work to make aware child professionals and parents of language development and its delays. The aim of the project was to providing better information for persons who spend time with young children and enabling an earliest care. francaisLes troubles du langage oral ou ecrit touchent environ 5 % d'enfants en France. Les recherches sur le devenir des enfants avec un dysfonctionnement langagier montrent que leur reperage precoce permet d'enrayer les problemes sociaux ulterieurs. Les recommandations des differents rapports sur le sujet soulignent toutes la necessite de detecter et d'intervenir avant le debut des apprentissages scolaires mais aussi d'informer davantage les professionnels. De recentes etudes cherchent egalement a determiner s'ils existent, dans les premieres etapes du langage, des signes d'un dysfonctionnement langagier a venir. Les enjeux souleves par la prevention des troubles du langage ont conduit un Centre d'action medico sociale precoce (CAMSP) a mener un travail pour sensibiliser les professionnels de l'enfance et les parents au developpement du langage et aux signes d'appel des retards. Ce projet avait pour but de mieux informer les personnes au contact de jeunes enfants et assurer ainsi une prise en charge la plus precoce possible.
Performance of Good and Poor Readers on Cognitive Tasks

Average and backward readers from Grades 2, 4, and 6 were examined for their performance on five cognitive tasks, three of which measured memory span. The subjects were selected in such a manner that backward readers in Grade 4 were matched on word-reading with average readers in Grade 2, and the backward readers in Grade 6 were matched with average readers in Grade 4. The purpose of the study was to determine if cognitive task performance improves with age and with reading ability; and further, if the matched groups have equivalent performance on the five tasks. Results were consistent with a developmental trend and increment with reading competence. No differences were obtained between matched groups, which would support a developmental lag rather than a deficit position in the interpretation of reading backwardness. Overall findings were discussed in the context of explaining reading disability in terms of strategies for allocating attentional resources.