Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gut-bone axis response to dietary replacement of soybean meal with raw low-tannin faba bean seeds in broiler chickens

It seems that faba bean (FB) seeds could be a good protein-energy component in animal feed, but the presence of anti-nutritional substances limits their use as a substitute of soybean meal. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of different concentrations of raw, low-tannin, FB seeds on the gut-bone axis in Ross 308 broilers. One-day old chickens were randomly subjected to one of the 3 dietary treatments: the control group was fed standard diet based on soybean meal and without FB seeds, and two groups were fed 8%/15% and 16%/22% of raw low-tannin FB seeds in the starter and grower, respectively. On the 35th day, hematological and serum biochemical analyses as well histomorphometry of the small intestine and liver tissue and bone mechanical tests were performed. The diet type had no effect on the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. However, the basal intestinal structures were significantly reduced in birds fed the lower concentration of FB. The enlargement of nerve plexuses was dependent on the concentration used in the diet and, additionally, on the kind of plexus and location in the intestinal tract. The liver was characterized by an increase in non-hepatocytes. There was no influence of the low-tannin FB seeds on most of the analyzed serum parameters in the 35-day-old broiler chickens, except the decreased concentration of total cholesterol and Ca in both experimental groups, triglycerides in group I, and P and uric acid in group II. Furthermore, the increasing concentration of the dietary low-tannin FB did not influence the activities of AspAT (except the group fed the higher amount of FB), ALAT, and LDH. The broiler chickens had no visible leg lesions and no problem in the locomotor function, but the tibiae were lighter mainly in birds fed the higher concentration of FB seeds. Geometric analysis revealed reduction of the cross section area and wall thickness, indicating a decline in the bone midshaft, which influenced the densitometric parameters and the results of mechanical tests. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of raw low-tannin FB seeds had no negative effects on broiler growth, but disturbed the intestine structure and tibia characteristics. Therefore, all these negative effects necessitate additional examinations before inclusion of raw low-tannin FB seed into poultry diet.
Rate-Optimal Perturbation Bounds for Singular Subspaces with Applications to High-Dimensional Statistics

Perturbation bounds for singular spaces, in particular Wedin's $\sin \Theta$ theorem, are a fundamental tool in many fields including high-dimensional statistics, machine learning, and applied mathematics. In this paper, we establish separate perturbation bounds, measured in both spectral and Frobenius $\sin \Theta$ distances, for the left and right singular subspaces. Lower bounds, which show that the individual perturbation bounds are rate-optimal, are also given. The new perturbation bounds are applicable to a wide range of problems. In this paper, we consider in detail applications to low-rank matrix denoising and singular space estimation, high-dimensional clustering, and canonical correlation analysis (CCA). In particular, separate matching upper and lower bounds are obtained for estimating the left and right singular spaces. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first result that gives different optimal rates for the left and right singular spaces under the same perturbation. In addition to these problems, applications to other high-dimensional problems such as community detection in bipartite networks, multidimensional scaling, and cross-covariance matrix estimation are also discussed.
Verifiable conditions for the irreducibility and aperiodicity of Markov chains by analyzing underlying deterministic models

We consider Markov chains that obey the following general non-linear state space model: $\Phi_{k+1} = F(\Phi_k, \alpha(\Phi_k, U_{k+1}))$ where the function $F$ is $C^1$ while $\alpha$ is typically discontinuous and $\{U_k: k \in \mathbb{Z}_{> 0} \}$ is an independent and identically distributed process. We assume that for all $x$, the random variable $\alpha(x, U_1)$ admits a density $p_x$ such that $(x, w) \mapsto p_x(w)$ is lower semi-continuous. We generalize and extend previous results that connect properties of the underlying deterministic control model to provide conditions for the chain to be $\varphi$-irreducible and aperiodic. By building on those results, we show that if a rank condition on the controllability matrix is satisfied for all $x$, there is equivalence between the existence of a globally attracting state for the control model and $\varphi$-irreducibility of the Markov chain. Additionally, under the same rank condition on the controllability matrix, we prove that there is equivalence between the existence of a steadily attracting state and the $\varphi$-irreducibility and aperiodicity of the chain. The notion of steadily attracting state is new. Those results hold under considerably weaker assumptions on the model than previous ones that would require $(x,u) \mapsto F(x,\alpha(x,u))$ to be $C^\infty$ (while it can be discontinuous here). Additionally the establishment of a \emph{necessary and sufficient} condition for the $\varphi$-irreducibility and aperiodicity without a structural assumption on the control set is novel---even for Markov chains where $(x,u) \mapsto F(x,\alpha(x,u))$ is $C^\infty$. We illustrate that the conditions are easy to verify on a non-trivial and non-artificial example of Markov chain arising in the context of adaptive stochastic search algorithms to optimize continuous functions in a black-box scenario.
CT Angiography for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Does Not Increase Risk of Acute Nephropathy

Background and Purpose— CT angiography (CTA) is receiving increased attention in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) for its role in ruling out vascular abnormalities and potentially predicting ongoing bleeding. Its use is limited by the concern for contrast induced nephropathy (CIN); however, the magnitude of this risk is not known. Methods— We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected cohort of consecutive patients with ICH presenting to a single tertiary care hospital from 2002 to 2007. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were prospectively collected for all patients. Laboratory data and clinical course over the first 48 hours were retrospectively reviewed. Acute nephropathy was defined as any rise in creatinine of >25% or >0.5 mg/dL, such that the highest creatinine value was above 1.5 mg/dL. Results— 539 patients presented during the study period and had at least 2 creatinine measurements. 348 (65%) received a CTA. Acute nephropathy developed in 6% of patients who received a CTA and in 10% of those who did not (P=0.1). Risk of nephropathy was 14% in those receiving no contrast (130 patients), 5% in those receiving 1 contrast study (124 patients), and 6% in those receiving >1 contrast study (244 patients). Neither CTA nor any use of contrast predicted nephropathy in univariate or multivariate analysis. Conclusion— The risk of acute nephropathy after ICH was not increased by use of CTA. Studies of CIN that do not include a control group may overestimate the influence of contrast. Patients with ICH appear to have an 8% risk of developing “Hospital-Acquired Nephropathy. ”
Thermal metrology development and thermal conductance limits of low dimensional nanostructures

With the advancement of synthetic nanostructures, more attention has been directed toward probing low-dimensional transport phenomena. Recently, multiple techniques have been established for thermal transport measurements at the nanoscale domain. Sensitivity analysis however remains an experimental challenge for both high and low conductance materials. Achieving precise thermometry remains an obstacle due to influence of thermal contact resistance particularly at cryogenic temperatures where boundary scattering is more dominant. The contribution of radiation heat exchange is also a concern which is more critical at higher temperatures exceeding 800 K. Here we report the limitations of thermal conductance measurements in silicon nanowires and other common nanostructures by evaluating the thermal conductance limit according to the geometrical characteristics and temperature. This study will illustrate experimental results of thermal conductivity measurements using a suspended micro-device with built-in resistive thermometers and report the measurement limitations computationally for probing thermal transport in 1-D and 2-D nanostructures
Brown adipose tissue activity as a target for the treatment of obesity/insulin resistance

Presence of brown adipose tissue (BAT), characterized by the expression of the thermogenic uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), has recently been described in adult humans. UCP1 is expressed in classical brown adipocytes, as well as in “beige cells” in white adipose tissue (WAT). The thermogenic activity of BAT is mainly controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. Endocrine factors, such as fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and bone morphogenic protein factor-9 (BMP-9), predominantly produced in the liver, were shown to lead to activation of BAT thermogenesis, as well as to “browning” of WAT. This was also observed in response to irisin, a hormone secreted by skeletal muscles. Different approaches were used to delineate the impact of UCP1 on insulin sensitivity. When studied under thermoneutral conditions, UCP1 knockout mice exhibited markedly increased metabolic efficiency due to impaired thermogenesis. The impact of UCP1 deletion on insulin sensitivity in these mice was not reported. Conversely, several studies in both rodents and humans have shown that BAT activation (by cold exposure, β3-agonist treatment, transplantation and others) improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Interestingly, similar results were obtained by adipose tissue-specific overexpression of PR-domain-containing 16 (PRDM16) or BMP4 in mice. The mediators of such beneficial effects seem to include FGF21, interleukin-6, BMP8B and prostaglandin D2 synthase. Interestingly, some of these molecules can be secreted by BAT itself, indicating the occurrence of autocrine effects. Stimulation of BAT activity and/or recruitment of UCP1-positive cells are therefore relevant targets for the treatment of obesity/type 2 diabetes in humans.
Tracing changes in atmospheric moisture supply to the drying Southwest China

Abstract. Precipitation over Southwest China (SWC) significantly decreased during 1979–2013. The months from July to September (JAS) contributed the most to the decrease in precipitation. By tracing moisture sources of JAS precipitation over the SWC region, it is found that most moisture originates in regions from the northern Indian Ocean to SWC and from South China Sea to SWC. The major moisture contributing area is divided into an extended west region, SWC, and an extended east region. The extended west region is mainly influenced by the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) and the westerlies, while the extended east region is mainly influenced by the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). The extended west, SWC, and extended east regions contribute 48.2, 15.5, and 24.5 % of the moisture for the SWC precipitation, respectively. Moisture supply from the extended west region decreased at a rate of −7.9 mm month−1 decade−1, whereas that from the extended east increased at a rate of 1.4 mm month−1 decade−1, resulting in an overall decrease in moisture supply. Further analysis reveals that the decline of JAS precipitation is mainly caused by change in the seasonal-mean component rather than the transient component of the moisture transport over the SWC region. In addition, the dynamic processes (i.e., changes in wind) rather than the thermodynamic processes (i.e., changes in specific humidity) are dominant in affecting the seasonal-mean moisture transport. A prevailing easterly anomaly of moisture transport that weakened moisture supply from the Indian Ocean is to a large extent responsible for the precipitation decrease over the SWC region.
Evaluation of Satellite Image Correction Methods Caused by Differential Terrain Illumination

The problem due to differential terrain illumination on satellite imagery is experienced by most of areas which are on mountainous terrain. This may cause variations in reflectance of similar ground features which lead to a misclassification of land cover classes due to different topographic positions. This phenomenon most commonly occurred in the areas which are located on southern and northern hemisphere because of the low sun inclination. This problem has been a major interest for researchers to be solved prior to the land cover classification process. For satellite images which experience this kind of problem, topographic correction need to be applied in order to reduce the illumination effects prior to land cover classification process. This research is aimed at conducting topographic correction of multi spectral SPOT satellite data as well as evaluating the three topographic correction methods. They are Cosine which is based on Lambertian reflectance assumption, as well as Minnaert correction and C correction methods which are based on non-Lambertian reflectance assumption. The data used in this study are two scenes of SPOT images of forested mountainous area of Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Research steps had been conducted in this study including geometric correction, sample data collection for calculating Minnaert constants and C constants at location which represents the whole study area, topographic correction for two scenes SPOT images, and results analysis. The results show that Cosine method did not show good performance for the study area which is topographically dominated by rugged terrain. Whereas Minnaert method and C method gave satisfactory results as is indicated by the statistical data as well as visual interpretation. However the Minnaert correction method showed slightly better performance than the C correction method.
Distributed Delay and Sum Beamformer in Regular Networks Based on Synchronous Randomized Gossip

In this paper, we review and propose an improvement on an earlier proposed distributed delay and sum beamformer (DDSB). In the original DDSB, each pair of neighboring nodes updates their estimates asynchronously, which may yield a relatively slow convergence, especially when the size of network is large. When multiple pairs of neighboring nodes update simultaneously, the algorithm converges potentially faster. We propose an improved synchronous DDSB in a regular network based on synchronous randomized gossip. Moreover, we provide a comparison of the convergence rate of the asynchronous DDSB with the original and with the improved synchronous DDSB. The simulation results show the faster convergence results and show that the DDSB using the different updating schemes converges to the centralized beamformer.
Development of unfamiliar accent comprehension continues through adolescence

Abstract School-age children's understanding of unfamiliar accents is not adult-like and the age at which this ability fully matures is unknown. To address this gap, eight- to fifteen-year-old children's (n = 74) understanding of native- and non-native-accented sentences in quiet and noise was assessed. Children's performance was adult-like by eleven to twelve years for the native accent in noise and by fourteen to fifteen years for the non-native accent in quiet. However, fourteen- to fifteen-year old's performance was not adult-like for the non-native accent in noise. Thus, adult-like comprehension of unfamiliar accents may require greater exposure to linguistic variability or additional cognitive–linguistic growth.
On the Revision of Argumentation Systems: Minimal Change of Arguments Statuses

In this paper, we investigate the revision of argumentation systems a la Dung. We focus on revision as minimal change of the arguments status. Contrarily to most of the previous works on the topic, the addition of new arguments is not allowed in the revision process, so that the revised system has to be obtained by modifying the attack relation only. We introduce a language of revision formulae which is expressive enough for enabling the representation of complex conditions on the acceptability of arguments in the revised system. We show how AGM belief revision postulates can be translated to the case of argumentation systems. We provide a corresponding representation theorem in terms of minimal change of the arguments statuses. Several distance-based revision operators satisfying the postulates are also pointed out, along with some methods to build revised argumentation systems. We also discuss some computational aspects of those methods.
Effect of displacement on kinetic frictional behaviour between electro-deposited coating and AISI 52100 steel under fretting conditions

This article investigates the effect of imposed displacement on the evolution of the kinetic friction coefficient between an epoxy-based cathodic electro-deposited coating and a steel ball. Small-amplitude reciprocal sliding is induced until the friction coefficient reaches a critical value. The kinetic friction coefficient is measured at various imposed displacements. Slip ratio, defined as the ratio of an actual sliding distance to imposed displacement, is determined to identify a slip regime. Experimental results show that a friction coefficient evolution varies in a gross slip regime according to imposed displacement amplitude. It is identified that the critical number of cycles to coating failure decreases with increased imposed displacement amplitude. The relation between the critical number of cycle and imposed displacement amplitude is found to be inverse power law.
Prognosis of preoperative positron emission tomography uptake in hepatectomy patients

Purpose Preoperative F-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) imaging results appear to predict tumor recurrence and patient survival. The present study compared outcomes between PET-positive and PET-negative groups with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent curative hepatectomy and assessed the prognostic value of positive PET-CT for HCC recurrence and death. Methods This study included patients who underwent liver resection of solitary HCC between 2007 and 2014 based on preoperative radiological images. There were 133 patients in the PET-positive group and 93 in the PET-negative group. Results There were no statistically significant differences in baseline, perioperative, or pathologic characteristics between the 2 groups except HBsAg titer, tumor size, and presence of bile duct tumor thrombi. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size >3.5 cm and HBsAg titer >1,000 cutoff index were predisposing factors of positive PET-CT. Disease-free survival and overall survival rate at 1, 3, and 5 years were 76.3%, 64.4%, 60.3% and 96.8%, 91.1%, 85.1% in the PET-negative group, respectively, compared with 70.7%, 62.2%, 58.9% and 98.5%, 97.0%, 97.0% in the PET-positive group (P = 0.547 and P = 0.046). Multivariate analysis showed that positive PET-CT was closely associated with increased patient survival, but was not related to HCC recurrence. Conclusion These results suggest that positive PET findings are not a predisposing factor for recurrence of HBV-related HCC patients, but appear to be associated with improved patient survival. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET in these patients.
Vector Transmission of Xylella fastidiosa: Applying Fundamental Knowledge to Generate Disease Management Strategies

Abstract Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited bacterium transmitted to plants by xylem sap-feeding insects. This pathogen has a wide host range, causing disease in crops such as grape, citrus, almond, and coffee; ornamental plants; and trees. Sharpshooter leafhoppers are the major vectors of X. fastidiosa to crops of economic importance. Transmission characteristics include the lack of a latent period, no transstadial or transovarial transmission, persistence in adults, and multiplication in the foregut of vectors. Various factors influence vector transmission of X. fastidiosa, including the distribution and density of bacterial populations in host plants, insect host range and plant preference, season of inoculation, and climatic conditions. The ecology of vectors can affect epidemics, as demonstrated by the large increase in Pierce’s disease of grapevine incidence in California after the introduction of Homalodisca coagulata (Say). Disease control strategies should incorporate basic knowledge of transmission biology, vector ecology, and other interactions involved in X. fastidiosa diseases. We discuss basic aspects of X. fastidiosa transmission by vectors, the ecology of insects in relation to transmission and disease spread, and how basic research can be applied to the development of management strategies for a X. fastidiosa disease.
Psychometric Properties and Concurrent Validity of the Schizotypal Ambivalence Scale

The Schizotypal Ambivalence Scale (SAS) is a 19-item revision of the Intense Ambivalence Scale, which was designed to identify ambivalence described by Meehl as characteristic of schizotypy and schizophrenia. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the SAS in a sample of 997 college students. The study also provided preliminary evidence regarding the concurrent validity of the measure for identifying schizophreniclike symptoms and other forms of psychopathology in a sample of 131 students. The SAS has good internal consistency reliability (.84) and correlates moderately with other psychometric indices of schizotypy. High SAS scores were associated with schizotypal, schizoid, and paranoid symptoms, and with poorer overall functioning (after the removal of variance associated with other schizotypy scales), but were not associated with major depressive disorder or ratings of substance use and abuse.
A Connexin 40 Mutation Associated with a Malignant Variant of Progressive Familial Heart Block Type-1

Author(s) Makita, Naomasa; Seki, Akiko; Sumitomo, Naokata; Chkourko, Halina; Fukuhara, Shigetomo; Watanabe, Hiroshi; Shimizu, Wataru; Bezzina, Connie R. ; Hasdemir, Can; Mugishima, Hideo; Makiyama, Takeru; Baruteau, Alban; Baron, Estelle; Horie, Minoru; Hagiwara, Nobuhisa; Wilde, Arthur A.M.; Probst, Vincent; Le Marec, Hervé; Roden, Dan M. ; Mochizuki, Naoki; Schott, Jean-Jacques; Delmar, Mario Citation Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 5(1), pp.163-172; 2012
A Simple Model for the Evolution of Evolution

A simple model of macroevolution is proposed exhibiting both the property of punctuated equilibrium and the dynamics of potentialities for different species to evolve towards increasingly higher complexity. It is based on the phenomenon of fractal evolution which has been shown to constitute a fundamental property of nonlinear discretized systems with one memory- or random-based feedback loop. The latter involves a basic "cognitive" function of each species given by the power of distinction of states within some predefined resolution. The introduction of a realistic background noise limiting the range of the feedback operation yields a pattern signature in fitness space with a distribution of temporal boost/mutation distances according to a randomized devil's staircase function. Introducing a further level in the hierarchy of the system's rules, the possibility of an adaptive evolutionary change of the resolution itself is implemented, thereby providing a time-dependent measure of the species' cognitive abilities: an additional feedback loop makes use of the inevitable intrinsic fluctuations within the fitness landscape to direct the temporal change of the resolution. Feeding back the small adaptive changes of resolution into the essentially directionless variations of the patterns' lifetimes in fitness space effectively leads to a clear tendency towards increasing evolution potentials for each species ("hierarchically emergent fractal evolution").