Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RANKING BY COMPETITIVE REPETITION SUPPRESSION LEARNING WITH APPLICATION TO GENE DATA ANALYSIS

The paper presents feature-wise Competitive Repetition-suppression (CoRe) clustering, a novel unsupervised algorithm that deals with the automatic determination of the unknown cluster number and simultaneous feature ranking. The proposed model addresses the limitations of the original CoRe learning algorithm when dealing with high dimensional data, extending the repetition suppression competition on a feature-wise basis. The effectiveness of the approach is tested on gene expression data from DNA microarrays: the results show that the feature-wise CoRe clustering algorithm is able to detect the known data partitioning in a completely unsupervised fashion. Moreover, it simultaneously develops a gene ranking that is consistent with the state-of-the-art list of gene relevance for the selected benchmark datasets.
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Activates Cardiac L-Type Ca2+ Channels via Phosphorylation of Serine 1829 in the Rabbit Cav1.2 Subunit

We have previously reported that leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) gradually increased cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel current (ICaL), which peaked at 15 minutes in both adult and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and this increase was blocked by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059. This study investigated the molecular basis of LIF-induced augmentation of ICaL in rodent cardiomyocytes. LIF induced phosphorylation of a serine residue in the α1c subunit (Cav1.2) of L-type Ca2+ channels in cultured rat cardiomyocytes, and this phosphorylation was inhibited by PD98059. When constructs encoding either a wild-type or a carboxyl-terminal–truncated rabbit Cav1.2 subunit were transfected into HEK293 cells, LIF induced phosphorylation of the resultant wild-type protein but not the mutant protein. Cotransfection of constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase also resulted in phosphorylation of the Cav1.2 subunit in the absence of LIF stimulation. In ingel kinase assays, extracellular signal–regulated kinase phosphorylated a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein of the carboxyl-terminal region of Cav1.2 (residues 1700 through 1923), which contains the consensus sequence Pro-Leu-Ser-Pro. A point mutation within this consensus sequence, which results in a substitution of alanine for serine at residue 1829 (S1829A), was sufficient to abolish the LIF-induced phosphorylation. LIF increased ICaL in HEK cells transfected with wild-type Cav1.2 but not with the mutated version. These results provide direct evidence that LIF phosphorylates the serine residue at position 1829 of the Cav1.2 subunit via the actions of extracellular signal–regulated kinase and that this phosphorylation increases ICaL in cardiomyocytes.
Asymptotic entanglement capacity of the ising and anisotropic Heisenberg interactions

We calculate the asymptotic entanglement capacity of the Ising interaction σz ⊗ σz, the anisotropic Heisenberg interaction σx ⊗ σx + σy ⊗ σy, and more generally, any two-qubit Hamiltonian with canonical form K = µx σx ⊗ σx + µy σy ⊗ σy. We also describe an entanglement assisted classical communication protocol using the Hamiltonian K with rate equal to the asymptotic entanglement capacity.
Non-FDI Capital Inflows in Low-Income Developing Countries: Catching the Wave?

Low-income countries (LIDCs) are typically characterized by intermittent and very modest access to private external funding sources. Motivated by recent developments in private flows to LIDCs this paper makes two contributions: First, it constructs a new comprehensive dataset on gross private capital flows with special focus on non-FDI flows in LIDCs. Concentrating on LIDCs and more specifically on gross non-FDI private flows is intentionally aimed at closing a gap in existing datasets where country coverage of developing economies is limited mainly to emerging markets (EMs). Second, using the new data, it identifies several shifting patterns of gross non-FDI private inflows to LIDCs. A surprising fact emerges: since the mid 2000's periods of surges in gross non-FDI private inflows in LIDCs are broadly comparable to those of EMs. Moreover, while gross non-FDI inflows to LIDCs are on average much lower than those to EMs, we show that the LIDC top quartile gross non-FDI inflow is comparable to the EM median inflow and converging to the EM top quartile inflow.
On linear balancing sets

Let n be an even positive integer and F be the field GF(2). A word in F<sup>n</sup> is called balanced if its Hamming weight is n=2. A subset C ⊆ F<sup>n</sup> is called a balancing set if for every word y ∈ F<sup>n</sup> there is a word x ∈ C such that y + x is balanced. It is shown that most linear subspaces of F<sup>n</sup> of dimension slightly larger than 3/2 log<inf>2</inf> n are balancing sets. An application of linear balancing sets is presented for designing efficient error-correcting coding schemes in which the codewords are balanced.
Homeostatic effects of coagulation protease‐dependent signaling and protease activated receptors

A homeostatic function of the coagulation system in regard to hemostasis is well established. Homeostasis of blood coagulation depends partially on protease activated receptor (PAR)‐signaling. Beyond coagulation proteases, numerous other soluble and cell‐bound proteases convey cellular effects via PAR signaling. As we learn more about the mechanisms underlying cell‐, tissue‐, and context‐specific PAR signaling, we concurrently gain new insights into physiological and pathophysiological functions of PARs. In this regard, regulation of cell and tissue homeostasis by PAR signaling is an evolving scheme. Akin to the control of blood clotting per se (the fibrin–platelet interaction) coagulation proteases coordinately regulate cell‐ and tissue‐specific functions. This review summarizes recent insights into homeostatic regulation through PAR signaling, focusing on blood coagulation proteases. Considering the common use of drugs altering coagulation protease activity through either broad or targeted inhibitory activities, and the advent of PAR modulating drugs, an in‐depth understanding of the mechanisms through which coagulation proteases and PAR signaling regulate not only hemostasis, but also cell and tissue homeostasis is required.
A low complexity adaptive interpolated FIR echo canceller

A novel composite FIR-based filter structure is proposed to reduce the complexity of echo cancellers. The proposed filter consists of an FIR filter, an interpolated FIR (IFIR) filter, and a tap-weight overlapping method. The FIR filter is used to model the short rapidly changing head echo portion while IFIR filter is for the long slowly decaying tail echo. About 55% complexity reduction is obtained compared to a conventional transversal filter while this design inherits stable convergence advantages. Simulation results show that an average 75.1 dB ERLE performance is achieved for the 2320-kbps SDSL system.
Impact of in utero environment on the offspring of lupus patients

The number of patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that decide to have children has greatly increased probably because of recent improvements in the diagnosis and management of the disease. This has stimulated our interest in defining the outcome of children, focusing both on neonatal problems and long term development. SLE patients still carry a risk of pregnancy loss. However, due to careful monitoring and treatment by a multidisciplinary team, the number of losses has dramatically decreased, but an increased number of preterm deliveries is still a problem. Neonatal lupus is linked to the presence of anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B antibodies in the mother, although other factors probably of fetal origin are important. Neonatal lupus is a complex condition whose most serious manifestation is the congenital heart block (CHB). Usually, children with complete CHB need permanent pacing, but apparently do not have neuropsychological problems. Studies focusing on the neuropsychological development of SLE offspring show an increased number of learning disabilities in children with normal intelligence levels. Fetal consequence of maternal treatment need to be considered choosing non teratogenic drugs, but the withdrawal of medications just because the patient is pregnant should be avoided to avoid SLE flares.
Newscast Computing

Monitoring large computer networks often involves aggregation of various sorts of data that are distributed across network components. Finding extreme values, counting discrete observations or computing an average or a sum of some parameter values are typical examples of such “background” activities that provide input to monitoring systems. Another aspect of network management is fast and reliable information dissemination, like propagation of alarm signals. We present a novel approach to information aggregation and dissemination. It is based on a concept of a highly distributed, anonymous, democratic and non-deterministic form of collaborative information processing: newscast computing. The main properties of this approach are scalability, robustness, adaptivity, and speed. The underlying protocol is very simple and can be implemented and run on huge networks of small computing devices, such as mobile phones, PDA’s, sensors, etc. The usefulness of the newscast approach is illustrated by two algorithms for finding the maximum and the average of values that are distributed along the nodes of a network. The algorithms are formally proven to converge exponentially fast and numerous simulation experiments provide additional insights into their behavior. Finally, we demonstrate their applicability to several network monitoring tasks: finding the size of a network, counting nodes that left or joined the network, system load estimation, and fast propagation of alarms.
A new insight on reciprocal relationship between microRNA expression and epigenetic modifications in human lung cancer

Lung cancer stands among the leading causes of cancer-related death in the world. Although the molecular network implicated in lung cancer development is extensively revealed, the mortality rate is only slightly improved. MicroRNAs are small, endogenous single-stranded evolutionary conserved non-coding RNAs which involve in a wide variety of biological processes including cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and differentiation. MicroRNAs, as novel biomarkers, have multiple functions in normal lung tissue development, and aberrant expression profiles of certain microRNAs could induce lung tumorigenesis. Similar to that of protein-coding genes, microRNA expression and function are regulated by multiple factors as well as the epigenetic network including DNA methylation and histone modification mechanisms. Furthermore, microRNAs can themselves regulate key enzymes which drive epigenetic modifications and have a pivotal effect on the cell biology. In this review, we will look into the regulatory loop linkage between microRNA expression and epigenetic modifications, and then, we will discuss the effects of epigenetics on the miRNome, as well as the role of epi-microRNAs in controlling the epigenome in human lung cancer. Better knowledge of reciprocal connection between microRNAs and epigenome will help to develop novel microRNA-orientated diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic strategies related to human lung cancer in future.
Assisted Reproductive Technology after the Birth of Louise Brown

Background Public interest in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has remained high since the birth of the world’s first in vitro fertilization baby, Louise Brown, in the United Kingdom. ART allows scientists to manipulate the fertilization process in order to bypass some pathological obstacles such as blocked fallopian tubes and non-functioning ovaries in the females, and blocked vas deferens and low sperm count in the males. The purpose was to provide a historical outline and identify the researches that most contributed to ART. Methods A review of published experimental and clinical studies of assisted reproduction carried out at the University of Bristol library website (MetaLib®). A cross-search of seven different medical databases (AMED-Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, BIOSIS Previews on Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library, Embase, and the Medline on Web of Knowledge, OvidSP and PubMed) was completed by using the key words to explore the major milestones and progress in the development and implementation of ART. Results A speedy advancement in the development of different assisted reproductive techniques makes infertility problem more treatable than it ever had been. Conclusion Although no other field in the medicine has integrated new knowledge into the daily practice more quickly than ART yet, there is a need for social research to counterbalance the dominance of biomedical one, in particular the people’s actual experiences and expectations of ART.
Treatment of tobacco dependence.

BACKGROUND 110 000 to 140 000 people die in Germany each year of tobacco-related diseases. Thus, measures should be taken to lower the number of persons who start smoking, encourage smokers to stop, and keep those who have stopped from starting again, in order to achieve a sustained benefit in public health. METHOD We present recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation, counseling, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy of smokers, derived from the findings of current Cochrane meta-analyses and from the pertinent German-language and American guidelines. RESULTS Motivational interviewing by a physician, including a recommendation to stop smoking and counseling on how to do this, can reinforce a smoker's motivation to quit. Behavioral therapeutic approaches support changes in behavior, while medical aids such as nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline help former smokers overcome the initial withdrawal symptoms. Low-threshold measures such as self-help books, telephone counseling, and Internet-based cessation programs complement the evidence-based treatments. With a combination of medications and psychotherapeutic support, abstinence rates of up to approximately 40% can be achieved at the end of one year. CONCLUSION Smokers who decide to quit can benefit from their doctors' support. Physicians should be taught about tobacco dependency and how to treat it as part of their undergraduate medical education, residency training, and continuing medical education.
Adaptively Detecting Malicious Queries in Web Attacks

Web request query strings (queries), which pass parameters to the referenced resource, are always manipulated by attackers to retrieve sensitive data and even take full control of victim web servers and web applications. However, existing malicious query detection approaches in the current literature cannot cope with changing web attacks with constant detection models. In this paper, we propose AMODS, an adaptive system that periodically updates the detection model to detect the latest unknown attacks. We also propose an adaptive learning strategy, called SVM HYBRID, leveraged by our system to minimize manual work. In the evaluation, an up-to-date detection model is trained on a ten-day query dataset collected from an academic institute's web server logs. Our system outperforms existing web attack detection methods, with an F-value of 94.79% and FP rate of 0.09%. The total number of malicious queries obtained by SVM HYBRID is 2.78 times that by the popular Support Vector Machine Adaptive Learning (SVM AL) method. The malicious queries obtained can be used to update the Web Application Firewall (WAF) signature library.
Strategies to Mitigate Knowledge Leakage Risk caused by the use of mobile devices: A Preliminary Study

Information and knowledge leakage has become a significant security risk to organizations. Each security incident in business costs an average US$2.8 million. Furthermore, organizations spend on average US$1.2 million investigating and assessing information breaches. The leakage of sensitive organizational knowledge occurs through different avenues, such as social media, cloud computing and mobile devices. In this study, we (1) analyze the knowledge leakage risk (KLR) caused by the use of mobile devices in knowledge-intensive organizations, (2) present a conceptual research model to explain the determinants that influence KLR through the use of mobile devices grounded in the literature, (3) conduct interviews with security and knowledge managers to understand what strategies they use to mitigate KLR caused by the use of mobile devices and (4) present preliminary findings drawing on the conceptual model and the interviews.
Early Warning of Cotton Bollworm Resistance Associated with Intensive Planting of Bt Cotton in China

Transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins kill some key insect pests, but evolution of resistance by pests can reduce their efficacy. The predominant strategy for delaying pest resistance to Bt crops requires refuges of non-Bt host plants to promote survival of susceptible pests. To delay pest resistance to transgenic cotton producing Bt toxin Cry1Ac, farmers in the United States and Australia planted refuges of non-Bt cotton, while farmers in China have relied on “natural” refuges of non-Bt host plants other than cotton. Here we report data from a 2010 survey showing field-evolved resistance to Cry1Ac of the major target pest, cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), in northern China. Laboratory bioassay results show that susceptibility to Cry1Ac was significantly lower in 13 field populations from northern China, where Bt cotton has been planted intensively, than in two populations from sites in northwestern China where exposure to Bt cotton has been limited. Susceptibility to Bt toxin Cry2Ab did not differ between northern and northwestern China, demonstrating that resistance to Cry1Ac did not cause cross-resistance to Cry2Ab, and implying that resistance to Cry1Ac in northern China is a specific adaptation caused by exposure to this toxin in Bt cotton. Despite the resistance detected in laboratory bioassays, control failures of Bt cotton have not been reported in China. This early warning may spur proactive countermeasures, including a switch to transgenic cotton producing two or more toxins distinct from Cry1A toxins.
Reconfigurable bi-frequency DPWM with custom spectral shaping in a synchronous buck converter

Majority of spread spectrum techniques employ chaos-based PWM schemes in a switching power converter, in which neither dynamic performance nor ripple parameter can be correctly predicted so as for efficiency. This paper proposes a bifrequency DPWM controller which uses two discrete frequencies as guided by a modulating signal fm(t). Fourier analysis shows that discrete frequencies only contribute to power spectrum at fundamental and harmonic contents of fm(t). The controller can be easily reconfigured to achieve custom spread spectrum with predictable ripple parameters and insignificant performance impact. Discrete-time models are derived for stability analysis. Design guidelines are discussed for a synchronous buck converter. The proposed method has been implemented using an FPGA device.
G to A hypermutation of hepatitis B virus

G to A hypermutation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) is induced by a deaminase APOBEC3G and is related to host antiviral defense. APOBEC3G has also been found to reduce the replication of HIV‐1 by an unknown mechanism. This enzyme also reduces the production of hepatitis B virus, although the mechanism for this action has not been clearly elucidated. The hypermutated hepatitis B virus (HBV) is rarely found in usual sequencing analyses. Using peptide nucleic acid mediated by polymerase chain reaction clamping, we detected the hypermutated HBV DNA in 1 of 8 patients with acute HBV infection and 4 of 10 with chronic HBV infection. In the latter group, hypermutated genomes were found only in eAb‐positive patients. As much as 72.5% of G residues were mutated in the hypermutated clones. G to A substitutions were predominant in almost all clones sequenced compared with other substitutions. G to A mutated viral genomes also were found in HepG2–derived cell lines that continuously produced HBV into the supernatant. Both alpha and gamma interferon reduced virus production in these cell lines, but they did not alter the frequency of the hypermutation. Transcripts of APOBEC3G, as well as some other deaminases, were found in these cell lines. In conclusion, our results show that part of the minus strand DNA of HBV is hypermutated both in vitro (HepG2 cell lines) and in vivo. The role and mechanism of hypermutation in reducing HBV replication should be further investigated to understand the anti‐HBV defense system. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;41:626–633.)
An Investigation of Early Reflection’s Effect on Front-Back Localization in Spatial Audio

In a natural sonic environment a listener is accustomed to hearing reflections and reverberation. It is conceived that early reflections could reduce front-back confusion in synthetic 3-D audio. This paper describes an experiment to determine whether or not simulated reflections can reduce front-back confusion for audio presented with nonindividualized HRTFs via headphones. Although the simple addition of a single-order reflection is not shown to eliminate all front-back confusions, some cases of lateral reflections from a side boundary can be shown to both assist and inhibit localization ability depending on the relationship of the source, observer and reflective boundary.
Decline of vasopressin immunoreactivity and mRNA levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis following castration

Vasopressinergic (VP) neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) of the rat are regulated by gonadal steroids. Gonadectomy causes the projections of the BNST to lose their VP immunoreactivity gradually over a period lasting more than 2 months. Here we have compared the rate of decline of VP mRNA and VP immunoreactivity in the BNST of adult male rats following castration. In experiment 1, the peak number of VP-immunoreactive cells and the level of VP gene expression were compared in sham-operated controls and at 1, 3, or 8 weeks postcastration. The number of VP-immunoreactive cells was not decreased at 1 week postcastration but was significantly reduced (p less than 0.0001) at 3 and 8 weeks postcastration. VP gene expression declined more rapidly, and both the total number of labeled cells (p less than 0.0001) and the average number of grains per cell (p less than 0.01) were significantly reduced by 1 week postcastration. No VP-expressing cells were detectable at 3 or 8 weeks. The difference in the rate of decline in the number of cells labeled by the two techniques following castration did not appear to be due to colchicine pretreatment. In experiment 2, VP mRNA in the BNST was compared in sham- operated controls or at 1, 3, or 7 d postcastration. A significant decrease (p less than 0.01) in the average number of grains per cell was detectable by just 1 d following castration, and the number of labeled cells was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) by 3 d postcastration. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)