Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of diet composition on chick growth response to different antibiotics, feed additives and combination of the additives.

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of different diet formulations on the growth response of chicks to different antibiotics and antimicrobials as single diet supplements or in combinations. The first experiment involved the use of a corn-soybean type diet and a diet containing a high level of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Both diets were supplemented with two levels of MD bacitracin and procaine penicillin, and each of the antibiotic levels was also fed in combination with a low level of 3-nitro phenylarsonic acid. In the second experiment, starter and finisher broiler diets containing a high level of dry beans were singly supplemented with two levels of MD bacitracin or the two levels in combination with a low level of 3-nitro phenylarsonic acid. In the third experiment, growth obtained with diets containing a high level of rye or beans and supplemented with procaine penicillin and nitrovin (Payzone) was compared with that obtained with a corn based diet. The results obtained indicate significant effects of diet on chick growth. Diets containing corn gave better growth than those containing rye or beans. Growth response to antibiotic supplements was greater with the diets containing rye or beans, as compared with those based on corn. A high level of MD bacitracin supplement (50 p.p.m.) was significantly more effective than lower dosage levels (4 to 10 p.p.m.), regardless of diet type. Evidence for an additive effect of MD bacitracin and 3-nitro phenylarsonic acid was stronger when bacitracin was used at the higher dosage level. Procaine penicillin and nitrovin were equally effective in promoting chick growth, regardless of diet type.
Flawed Study Design and Incorrect Presentation of Data Negatively Impact Potentially Useful Interventional Treatments for Patients with Low Back Pain: A Critical Review of JAMA's MinT Study

Recently, an article describing 3 randomized clinical trials on the effect of radiofrequency (RF) denervation added to a standardized exercise program compared to the standardized exercise program alone for patients suffering from chronic low back pain was published. The results were stratified by trial, with each trial specific for the origin of the pain: facet joints, sacroiliac (SI) joints, and a combination of facet joints, SI joints, or intervertebral discs. The authors concluded that in none of the 3 trials did the combination of RF denervation and a standardized exercise program result in a clinically important improvement in chronic low back pain compared to the exercise program alone. However, based on the design of their trial, what they should have concluded was that both the combination of RF denervation and a standardized exercise program and a standardized exercise program alone result in a clinically important improvement in chronic low back pain; the study was underpowered to detect the superiority or inferiority of one treatment over the other. There are a number of flaws and study errors related to these prospective randomized trials of MinT that resulted in erroneous conclusions. These issues are not only related to how the patients were recruited and diagnosed, but also to the technique applied to perform RF denervation, the design of the studies, the statistical analyses that were performed, and the conclusions that were drawn. For reasons of brevity, we focus on the flaws we thought have not yet received sufficient attention. For an in-depth discussion on the RF techniques that were used in the MinT trials, we kindly refer the reader to a recently published editorial by Provenzano et al.
Psychosocial predictors in the transition from acute to chronic pain: a systematic review

Abstract Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a major health problem which psychosocial factors have significant implications in. There is a gap in regards to evidence for the prevention of chronicity specifically addressing psychological and social domains. Four databases were searched with terms related to “psychosocial”, “acute pain”, and “chronic pain”. A total of 1,389 studies were identified in which titles, abstracts, and full texts were assessed for inclusion criteria. A data template was used to capture pertinent details, and overall themes and patterns were organized according to type of pain examined and psychosocial variables measured. Of the 18 articles that met inclusion criteria, fifteen (83%) of the articles reported an association between psychosocial factors and chronicity. A total of 5 of the studies (29%) demonstrated that depression was a possible predictor and 6 (35%) of the studies found fear-avoidance to be associated with chronicity. This review provides evidence that psychosocial factors are associated with chronicity within CNCP. These results suggest a need for targeting psychosocial predictors in prevention and early intervention through clinical guidelines and a national strategy to support a cultural change in pain care.
Carbon nanofiber type and content dependence of the physical properties of carbon nanofiber reinforced polypropylene composites

Financial support for this work has been provided by Conselleria de Educacion e Ordenacion Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia through grant CN2011/008. The support of Applied Sciences Inc. for generously supplying the CNFs used. We would also like to thank Carla Leer and Patrick Lake for their assistance in the production of the CNF composites.
Novel cognitive insights from the first year after bi-thalamic infarct

ABSTRACT Neuropsychological consequences of bi-thalamic damage are scarcely known. This case study documents cognitive (in particular memory and executive) functioning in a man with a medial bi-thalamic infarct in the first year (8 and 12 months) post injury. NG showed persistent memory (including autobiographical) impairment, but improved executive functions at one year post injury. On a response inhibition task his speed of response improved but his ability to inhibit a “prepotent” automatic response declined, corresponding to an increase in behavioral disinhibition. Despite this, he showed intact performances on several social cognition tasks. This case contributes to our understanding of the role of the thalamus in mediating retrograde memory, executive, and social cognition functions.
THE M31 PIXEL LENSING PLAN CAMPAIGN: MACHO LENSING AND SELF-LENSING SIGNALS

We present the final analysis of the observational campaign carried out by the PLAN (Pixel Lensing Andromeda) collaboration to detect a dark matter signal in form of MACHOs through the microlensing effect. The campaign consists of about 1 month/year observations carried out over 4 years (2007–2010) at the 1.5 m Cassini telescope in Loiano (Astronomical Observatory of BOLOGNA, OAB) plus 10 days of data taken in 2010 at the 2 m Himalayan Chandra Telescope monitoring the central part of M31 (two fields of about 13′ × 12.′6). We establish a fully automated pipeline for the search and the characterization of microlensing flux variations. As a result, we detect three microlensing candidates. We evaluate the expected signal through a full Monte Carlo simulation of the experiment completed by an analysis of the detection efficiency of our pipeline. We consider both “self lensing” and “MACHO lensing” lens populations, given by M31 stars and dark matter halo MACHOs, in M31 and the Milky Way, respectively. The total number of events is consistent with the expected self-lensing rate. Specifically, we evaluate an expected signal of about two self-lensing events. As for MACHO lensing, for full 0.5(10−2) M☉ MACHO halos, our prediction is for about four (seven) events. The comparatively small number of expected MACHO versus self-lensing events, together with the small number statistics at our disposal, do not enable us to put strong constraints on that population. Rather, the hypothesis, suggested by a previous analysis, on the MACHO nature of OAB-07-N2, one of the microlensing candidates, translates into a sizeable lower limit for the halo mass fraction in form of the would-be MACHO population, f, of about 15% for 0.5 M☉ MACHOs.
Bactericidal activity, eggshell conductance, and hatchability effects of ozone versus formaldehyde disinfection.

Ozone and formaldehyde were evaluated as disinfectants in a prototype laboratory setter against microorganisms that are naturally present on fertile, freshly laid, broiler hatching eggs. Significantly lower microbial counts of over 2.5 log10 (P less than .05) were observed for water-misted and ozonated (2.83% by weight) eggs or formaldehyde-fumigated (triple strength) eggs than for control and water-misted eggs. Eggshell conductance studies as measured by egg moisture losses in a desiccator showed no significant differences (P greater than .05) among untreated, water misted, ozonated (3.06% by weight) with water mist, or formaldehyde (triple strength)-fumigated eggs. Hatchability was significantly reduced (26.5 to 37.5%) following ozonation (3.03% ozone by weight, 2 h) in comparison with effects of no treatment or water misting. Misting with ozonation was equally as effective as formaldehyde fumigation in reducing microbial counts. However, ozone treatment at the concentrations tested significantly reduced hatchability when compared with results of either no treatment, water misting, or an average hatchability figure for formaldehyde fumigation. These findings indicate that ozone is a good disinfectant yet may adversely affect embryo development when given in the gaseous form.
Decompressive Surgery for Diabetic Neuropathy: Waiting for Incontrovertible Proof.

: Triple decompression surgery has been advocated as a treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). A practice advisory published in 2006 by the American Academy of Neurology concluded that "this treatment alternative should be considered unproven. " Since then, multiple cohort studies involving several thousands of patients and 1 nonblind, randomized, controlled trial have been published, suggesting that surgical treatment of DPN has become commonplace in many centers globally. The results of these observational studies suggest that decompressive surgery could result in a substantial reduction of pain and the restoration of sensation in patients with DPN. However, as these studies are all observational in design, the utility of surgery remains unproven. Furthermore, the selection of patients for surgery is based on the incorrect assumption that the presence of a Tinel sign at sites of potential entrapment indicates nerve compression. The utility of surgery could be determined through a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial in which 1 leg is treated with surgical decompression and the other with sham surgery. This design would eliminate a large number of possible confounders and would therefore require only a small number of patients. Such a trial is currently being performed at the University of Texas. The true beneficiaries will be patients with DPN: either decompressive surgery will be established as an evidence-based treatment for millions of patients or they will be spared from potentially harmful surgery with no significant benefit. ABBREVIATION DPN, diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Effects of Compaction Effort, Inclusion Stiffness, and Rubber Size on the Shear Strength and Stiffness of Expansive Soil-Rubber (ESR) Mixtures

The effects of compaction effort, inclusion stiffness and rubber size on the shear strength and stiffness of expansive soil-rubber (ESR) mixtures was evaluated in this study in undrained axisymmetric compression. The materials tested included an expansive soil from Loveland, Colorado, two granulated rubber samples with 4.8- or 6.7-mm nominal maximum particle size and a 50/50 mix of broken auto glass and crushed bottle glass. The effect of compaction effort was investigated by preparing and testing identical ESR mixtures compacted to either 95 percent of the standard or modified Proctor maximum dry densities at optimum water content. The effect of granulated rubber size was investigated by preparing and testing specimens with either 4.8- or 6.7-mm granulated rubber. The effect of inclusion stiffness was investigated by replicating the gradation of the 6.7-mm granulated rubber with two types of glass and testing an expansive soil-glass (ESG) mixture compacted to 95 percent of the standard Proctor maximum dry density for the ESG mixture. Specimens were evaluated for strength and stiffness by performing isotropically consolidated undrained triaxial tests at a mean effective stress equal to 25 kPa. Peak and critical state friction angles increased with increasing compaction of the ESR specimens in addition to a slight increase in stiffness. The stress-strain response is shown to be similar for both sizes of granulated rubber but the 6.7-mm granulated rubber particle size resulted in slightly higher peak and critical state friction angles. The stiffness of the inclusions is shown to change the material stress-strain response and stiffness substantially.
Beyond the One Step Greedy Approach in Reinforcement Learning

The famous Policy Iteration algorithm alternates between policy improvement and policy evaluation. Implementations of this algorithm with several variants of the latter evaluation stage, e.g, $n$-step and trace-based returns, have been analyzed in previous works. However, the case of multiple-step lookahead policy improvement, despite the recent increase in empirical evidence of its strength, has to our knowledge not been carefully analyzed yet. In this work, we introduce the first such analysis. Namely, we formulate variants of multiple-step policy improvement, derive new algorithms using these definitions and prove their convergence. Moreover, we show that recent prominent Reinforcement Learning algorithms are, in fact, instances of our framework. We thus shed light on their empirical success and give a recipe for deriving new algorithms for future study.
Targeting highly expressed extracellular HSP90 in breast cancer stem cells inhibits tumor growth in vitro and in vivo

ABSTRACT Breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) have been identified in breast carcinoma as CD44+/CD24−/low cells, which display tumorigenic activity and have the ability to self-renew, differentiate and metastasize. Previous studies showed that extracellular HSP90 (eHSP90) participates in the invasion and metastatic processes of various cancers including breast cancer. Here, we show for the first time that eHSP90 is over-expressed in mammosphere cultures that are derived from the MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. These mammospheres are highly enriched in cells of the CD44+/CD24−/low BCSC phenotype and additionally show high expression of the BCSC markers CD49f and Sox2. Thus our results indicate that eHSP90 represents a potential novel BCSC marker. Moreover, we present evidence that eHSP90 is functionally involved in BCSC activity in vitro and in vivo. Selective neutralization of eHSP90, using the monoclonal antibody mAb 4C5, has the capacity to inhibit stem cell activity in vitro because the formation of mammosphere-derived colonies is dramatically reduced in its presence. In vivo, the treatment of mice with mAb4C5 using a prophylactic protocol, significantly inhibited the primary growth of MDA-MB-231 and mammosphere-derived tumors. More importantly, administration of this antibody in a therapeutic protocol caused a statistically significant regression of established tumors derived from MDA-MB-231 originating mammospheres. Tumor regression was even greater when mAb 4C5 was administered in combination with paclitaxel. Overall, our findings implicate eHSP90 as a potential novel BCSC biomarker. Moreover they show that eHSP90 participates in BCSC-derived primary tumor growth. Finally, we provide additional support for the possible therapeutic value of mAb4C5 in the treatment of breast cancer.
Affective Correlates of Psychosis in Parkinson's Disease

In Parkinson's disease (PD), psychosis and affective disorders are common and independently impact quality of life and mortality. Both depression and psychosis are correlated with the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that they may share neurobiological substrates. Anxiety has not been examined as a correlate of psychosis. The objective of this study was to examine the nature of the association between affective disorders and psychosis in patients with PD.
Effect of duration of fasting on postmolt laying hen performance.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of varying length of feed withdrawal on postmolt laying hen performance. Commercial laying hens (65 wk of age) were fed continuously or fasted for 4 or 10 days in Experiment 1 and fed continuously or fasted for 4, 7, or 14 days in Experiment 2. Egg production performance was evaluated for 35 wk of production following initiation of fasting. Hen-day egg production (Weeks 1 to 35) and egg weight (Weeks 5 to 35) did not differ between treatments in Experiment 1; however, in Experiment 2, egg production was depressed for the 14-day fasted hens compared with the fed hens. Lower egg weight also occurred for the 14-day fasted hens compared with the fed, 4-, or 7-day fasted hens in Experiment 2. Egg yield (grams of egg per hen per day) for Weeks 5 to 35 was lower for fed hens versus the 4- or 10-day fasted groups in Experiment 1, but no treatment differences occurred in Experiment 2. Feed efficiency (grams of egg per gram of feed) for Weeks 5 to 13 was not affected by length of fasting in Experiment 1, but feed efficiency of hens fasted for 14 days was lower (P less than .05) than that of hens on other treatments in Experiment 2. Egg specific gravity was highest for hens fasted for 10 or 14 days and was lowest for fed hens, with egg specific gravity for hens fasted for 4 or 7 days being intermediate (P less than or equal to .05). The results indicated that fasting periods of less than 10 days may yield satisfactory egg production and egg weight but that eggshell quality may be enhanced by using fasting periods of 10 days or longer.
IMPALA: Scalable Distributed Deep-RL with Importance Weighted Actor-Learner Architectures

In this work we aim to solve a large collection of tasks using a single reinforcement learning agent with a single set of parameters. A key challenge is to handle the increased amount of data and extended training time. We have developed a new distributed agent IMPALA (Importance Weighted Actor-Learner Architecture) that not only uses resources more efficiently in single-machine training but also scales to thousands of machines without sacrificing data efficiency or resource utilisation. We achieve stable learning at high throughput by combining decoupled acting and learning with a novel off-policy correction method called V-trace. We demonstrate the effectiveness of IMPALA for multi-task reinforcement learning on DMLab-30 (a set of 30 tasks from the DeepMind Lab environment (Beattie et al., 2016)) and Atari-57 (all available Atari games in Arcade Learning Environment (Bellemare et al., 2013a)). Our results show that IMPALA is able to achieve better performance than previous agents with less data, and crucially exhibits positive transfer between tasks as a result of its multi-task approach.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? We Need Your Help

I generalize a model of children strategizing where to live by Konrad et al. (2002) (KKLR) to include more variation in family size and to allow for uncertainty in how each family member behaves. The inclusion of uncertainty has large eÂ¤ects on the predictions of a KKLR-type model. I find that the KKLR model does not explain American data well, but an alternative model with the same reduced form does explain the data. Finally, the estimated amount of uncertainty has larger welfare implications than imperfections associated with the sequential structure of the KKLR game.
On Strategies for Source Information Transmission over MIMO Systems

We consider strategies for the lossy transmission of a zero mean Gaussian source over a 2times2 MIMO channel with Rayleigh fading. The source is represented either using a single description or a multiple description code, depending on each strategy characteristic. Performance is evaluated using normalized expected distortion at the receiver, as a function of outage probability. The first strategy employs repetition coding over the two transmit antennas for the transmission of a single description representation of the source. The second strategy uses a time-shared approach to the two transmit antennas, allowing for the transmission of a multiple description representation of the source. The third and fourth strategies are based on, respectively, the Alamouti scheme and spatial multiplexing, and both of these strategies are used for the transmission of a single description representation of the source. The results show that the spatial multiplexing strategy is able to achieve the lowest distortion, and also that it is possible, with the Alamouti strategy, to obtain similar performance at a lower complexity. We finally consider the outage rates of the different strategies and observe that if a system is designed to maximize the outage rate, the corresponding distortion observed at the receiver will not be minimized.
Survival rates and bone loss after immediate loading of implants in fresh extraction sockets (single gaps). A clinical prospective study with 4 year follow-up

Background The aim of this prospective study was to report the outcome of treatment with implants inserted after tooth extraction and immediately loaded. Material and Methods Fifty-six patients with single tooth loss were treated with 116 IPX Galimplant® implants with internal connections and a sandblasted, acid-etched surface. All implants were placed after tooth extraction using a flapless approach without bone regeneration, and they were then immediately loaded with cemented acrylic prostheses. After a period of three months, definitive cemented ceramic prostheses were placed. Patients were examined throughout a total of 4 years of follow-up. Marginal bone loss and survival rates were evaluated using digital periapical radiographs, taking into account clinical variables such as age, gender, smoking, history of periodontitis, etiology of extraction, placement site, diameter, and implant length. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric tests were used to compare differences between subgroups created based on the different clinical variables identified. Results Clinical results indicate an implant survival and success rate of 97.4%. Three implants were lost. Of the 116 immediate acrylic single crowns initially placed, 113 were replaced with definitive ceramic crowns after 3 months. A total of 77.8% of implants were inserted in the maxilla, while 22.2% were inserted in the mandible. No further complications were reported after the follow-up period (4 years). The mean marginal bone loss was 0.67 mm ± 0.40 mm. No differences were found among the subgroups of study patients. Conclusions This study indicates that dental implants that are inserted after tooth extraction and immediately loaded may constitute a successful and predictable alternative implant treatment. Key words:Dental implants, post-extraction implants, fresh sockets, immediate loading, immediate prostheses, implant dentistry.