Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Extent of Irradiation-Induced Long-Term Visceral Organ Damage Depends on Cranial/Brain Exposure

In case of high-dose radiation exposure, mechanisms controlling late visceral organ damage are still not completely understood and may involve the central nervous system. To investigate the influence of cranial/brain irradiation on late visceral organ damage in case of high-dose exposure, Wistar rats were irradiated at 12 Gy, with either the head and fore limbs or the two hind limbs protected behind a lead wall (head- and hind limbs-protected respectively), which allows long-term survival thanks to bone marrow protection. Although hind limbs- and head-protected irradiated rats exhibited similar hematopoietic and spleen reconstitution, a late body weight loss was observed in hind limbs-protected rats only. Histological analysis performed at this time revealed that late damages to liver, kidney and ileum were attenuated in rats with head exposed when compared to animals whose head was protected. Plasma measurements of inflammation biomarkers (haptoglobin and the chemokine CXCL1) suggest that the attenuated organ damage in hind limbs-protected rats may be in part related to reduced acute and chronic inflammation. Altogether our results demonstrate the influence of cranial/brain exposure in the onset of organ damage.
Recognizing Multi-talker Speech with Permutation Invariant Training

In this paper, we propose a novel technique for direct recognition of multiple speech streams given the single channel of mixed speech, without first separating them. Our technique is based on permutation invariant training (PIT) for automatic speech recognition (ASR). In PIT-ASR, we compute the average cross entropy (CE) over all frames in the whole utterance for each possible output-target assignment, pick the one with the minimum CE, and optimize for that assignment. PIT-ASR forces all the frames of the same speaker to be aligned with the same output layer. This strategy elegantly solves the label permutation problem and speaker tracing problem in one shot. Our experiments on artificially mixed AMI data showed that the proposed approach is very promising.
A Lipidomics Approach in the Characterization of Zika-Infected Mosquito Cells: Potential Targets for Breaking the Transmission Cycle

Recent outbreaks of Zika virus in Oceania and Latin America, accompanied by unexpected clinical complications, made this infection a global public health concern. This virus has tropism to neural tissue, leading to microcephaly in newborns in a significant proportion of infected mothers. The clinical relevance of this infection, the difficulty to perform accurate diagnosis and the small amount of data in literature indicate the necessity of studies on Zika infection in order to characterize new biomarkers of this infection and to establish new targets for viral control in vertebrates and invertebrate vectors. Thus, this study aims at establishing a lipidomics profile of infected mosquito cells compared to a control group to define potential targets for viral control in mosquitoes. Thirteen lipids were elected as specific markers for Zika virus infection (Brazilian strain), which were identified as putatively linked to the intracellular mechanism of viral replication and/or cell recognition. Our findings bring biochemical information that may translate into useful targets for breaking the transmission cycle.
The Essential Role of Primate Orbitofrontal Cortex in Conflict-Induced Executive Control Adjustment

Conflict in information processing evokes trial-by-trial behavioral modulations. Influential models suggest that adaptive tuning of executive control, mediated by mid-dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (mdlPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), underlies these modulations. However, mdlPFC and ACC are parts of distributed brain networks including orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and superior-dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (sdlPFC). Contributions of these latter areas in adaptive tuning of executive control are unknown. We trained monkeys to perform a matching task in which they had to resolve the conflict between two behavior-guiding rules. Here, we report that bilateral lesions in OFC, but not in PCC or sdlPFC, impaired selection between these competing rules. In addition, the behavioral adaptation that is normally induced by experiencing conflict disappeared in OFC-lesioned, but remained normal in PCC-lesioned or sdlPFC-lesioned monkeys. Exploring underlying neuronal processes, we found that the activity of neurons in OFC represented the conflict between behavioral options independent from the other aspects of the task. Responses of OFC neurons to rewards also conveyed information of the conflict level that the monkey had experienced along the course to obtain the reward. Our findings indicate dissociable functions for five closely interconnected cortical areas suggesting that OFC and mdlPFC, but not PCC or sdlPFC or ACC, play indispensable roles in conflict-dependent executive control of on-going behavior. Both mdlPFC and OFC support detection of conflict and its integration with the task goal, but in contrast to mdlPFC, OFC does not retain the necessary information for conflict-induced modulation of future decisions.
A lost conduit for intercultural education: school geography and the potential for transformation in the Australian Curriculum

Globalisation has increased the importance of schools as a space for developing cultural understandings within students. However, how this is translated into curriculum pathways within schools remains a matter for debate. Using the context of the new Australian national curriculum, this paper argues that notions of multicultural and intercultural education need to be updated to incorporate transculturalism. It further posits that the use of geography as a school-based forum for cultural education within national curriculum frameworks has been diminished, and that its reinvigoration ultimately depends upon a reaffirmation of ‘place’ that highlights a positive sense of difference.
Averaging and Invariant Measures

An important approach to establishing stochastic behavior of dynamical systems is based on the study of systems expanding a foliation and of measures having smooth densities along the leaves of this foliation [44], [46], [38]. We review recent results on this subject and present some extensions and open questions. 2000 Math. Subj. Class. Primary 34C29; Secondary 37D30.
Clusters of galaxies with modified Newtonian dynamics

I consider X-ray emitting clusters of galaxies in the context of modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND). Self-gravitating isothermal gas spheres are not good representations of rich clusters; the X-ray luminosity at a given temperature is typically an order of magnitude larger than observed, and the predicted X-ray surface brightness distribution is not well-matched by the standard ‘β-model’ fits to the observations. Pure gas spheres with a density distribution described by a β-model also fail because, with MOND, these objects are far from isothermal and again overluminous. These problems may be resolved by adding an additional dark mass component in the central regions, here modelled by a constant density sphere contained within two core radii and having a mass typically of one to two times the total cluster mass in the gas. With this additional component, the observed luminosity–temperature relation for clusters of galaxies is reproduced, and the typical mass discrepancy in actual clusters is three to four times smaller than implied by Newtonian dynamics. Thus, while MOND significantly reduces the mass of the dark component in clusters it does not remove it completely. I speculate on the nature of the dark component and argue that neutrinos, with mass near the experimental upper limit are a possible candidate.
A Combined EIS–NVSS Survey Of Radio Sources (CENSORS) – III. Spectroscopic observations

The Combined EIS-NVSS Survey Of Radio Sources (CENSORS) is a 1.4-GHz radio survey selected from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) and complete to a flux density of 7.2 mJy. It targets the ESO Imaging Survey (EIS) Patch D, which is a 3 x 2-deg 2 field centred on 09 h 51 m 36 s . 0-21°00'00" (J2000). This paper presents the results of spectroscopic observations of 143 of the 150 CENSORS sources. The primary motivation for these observations is to achieve sufficient spectroscopic completeness so that the sample may be used to investigate the evolution of radio sources. The observations result in secure spectroscopic redshifts for 63 per cent of the sample and likely redshifts (based on a single emission line, for example) for a further 8 per cent. Following the identification of the quasars and star-forming galaxies in the CENSORS sample, estimated redshifts are calculated for the remainder of the sample via the K - z relation for radio galaxies. Comparison of the redshift distribution of the CENSORS radio sources to distributions predicted by the various radio luminosity function evolution models of Dunlop & Peacock, results in no good match. This demonstrates that this sample can be used to expand upon previous work in that field.
Predicting protein localization in budding Yeast

MOTIVATION Most of the existing methods in predicting protein subcellular location were used to deal with the cases limited within the scope from two to five localizations, and only a few of them can be effectively extended to cover the cases of 12-14 localizations. This is because the more the locations involved are, the poorer the success rate would be. Besides, some proteins may occur in several different subcellular locations, i.e. bear the feature of 'multiplex locations'. So far there is no method that can be used to effectively treat the difficult multiplex location problem. The present study was initiated in an attempt to address (1) how to efficiently identify the localization of a query protein among many possible subcellular locations, and (2) how to deal with the case of multiplex locations. RESULTS By hybridizing gene ontology, functional domain and pseudo amino acid composition approaches, a new method has been developed that can be used to predict subcellular localization of proteins with multiplex location feature. A global analysis of the proteins in budding yeast classified into 22 locations was performed by jack-knife cross-validation with the new method. The overall success identification rate thus obtained is 70%. In contrast to this, the corresponding rates obtained by some other existing methods were only 13-14%, indicating that the new method is very powerful and promising. Furthermore, predictions were made for the four proteins whose localizations could not be determined by experiments, as well as for the 236 proteins whose localizations in budding yeast were ambiguous according to experimental observations. However, according to our predicted results, many of these 'ambiguous proteins' were found to have the same score and ranking for several different subcellular locations, implying that they may simultaneously exist, or move around, in these locations. This finding is intriguing because it reflects the dynamic feature of these proteins in a cell that may be associated with some special biological functions.
Pioneering Orientation and Firm Growth

An extensive amount of research has been conducted regarding the various advantages and disadvantages posed by engaging in market pioneering behavior at the product level. However, relatively little research examines factors that facilitate the relationship between a firm’s overall pioneering orientation and firm growth. This article investigates pioneering as an orientation that a firm adopts in pursuing a proactive introduction of new products to the market across product lines. In doing so, this study examines organizational and industry factors that impact the relationship between pioneering orientation and firm growth and proposes that this main effect relationship will be curvilinear (inverted U shaped). Further, this study hypothesizes that an organization’s ability to strategically learn will positively moderate the relationship between pioneering orientation and firm growth. Additionally, this study hypothesizes that the greater the technological sophistication of the industry, the more positive the relationship between pioneering orientation and firm growth. Hierarchical regression analysis was utilized to examine the hypotheses as observed within a grouping of 101 select firms. Findings indicate that all hypotheses are supported, except for that regarding strategic learning, which is shown to negatively moderate the relationship between pioneering orientation and firm growth. The authors conclude with a discussion of the findings and the potential implications of the study.
Available input for language-impaired children and younger children of matched language levels

Six children (ages 4;9 to 6;7) with specific language impairment (SLI) were matched to 7 children with non-delayed, languagenormal (LN) status (ages 2;2 to 4;0). In pre-intervention motherchild language samples the SLI children received fewer total recasts and fewer complex recasts that specifically expanded or reduced the child's sentence. The two groups of children in a prior report acquired new syntactic structures at comparable rates when given equated conversational recasting language therapy. Together these outcomes imply that when concurrent input to other SLI children of 5-7 years shows a strong «recast gap» relative to language-matched LN children, shifts upward at home or school or clinic in the availability of recasts to such SLI children has a high probability of aiding their language progress
The impact of ownership structure on bank credit risk: Evidence from Bangladesh

This study investigates the impact of ownership structure of Commercial Banks on bank credit risk in an emerging market like Bangladesh. Prais Winten regression model is applied to a sample of 32 commercial banks from the year of 2000 to 2014 with 390 observations. The result reveals that National Commercial Banks, depositors’ influence, shareholders’ influence, liquidity and profitability are negatively associated with credit risk whereas lag risk has a significant positive impact on credit risk. The effect of banks ownership structure on credit risk divulges a delicate governance of the banking sector. The study conveys a momentous implication of research findings in the national economy. It also found that national commercial banks have the tendency of violating the rules and absorbing heavy risk. It suggests that policy maker should rethink about the government ownership of banks. Therefore the denationalization or reducing government ownership structure is highly recommended.
Random Triangles and Polygons in the Plane

Abstract In 1997, Jean-Claude Hausmann and Allen Knutson introduced a natural and beautiful correspondence between planar n-gons and the Grassmann manifold of 2-planes in real n-space. This construction leads to a natural probability distribution and a natural metric on polygons which has been used in shape classification and computer vision. In this paper, we provide an accessible introduction to this circle of ideas by explaining the Grassmannian geometry of triangles. We use this to find the probability that a random triangle is obtuse, which was a question raised by Lewis Carroll. We then explore the Grassmannian geometry of planar quadrilaterals, providing an answer to Sylvester’s four-point problem, and describing explicitly the moduli space of unordered quadrilaterals.
Chinese-British Intermarriage: Disentangling Gender and Ethnicity

Exploring how people negotiate and reconcile, construct and re-construct their distinctive gender and ethnic identities in a cross-cultural context, Hu examines what happens when two distinct cultures meet at the intimate interface of marriage and family. Chinese-British Intermarriage reveals how gender and ethnic identities intersect in distinctive ways in shaping the lived experiences of intermarried couples. Through the kaleidoscope of first-generation Chinese-British inter-ethnic families in the UK, the book brings together family, gender, migration and ethnic studies, reflecting on ongoing social processes such as individualisation and globalisation.
A new robust nonlinear control algorithm for the regulation of blood glucose in diabetic patients

Diabetes mellitus is a growing health problem worldwide. Especially, the patients with Type 1 diabetes need strict glycemic control because they have deficiency of insulin production. Today, the aim of the researchers is to develop a fully automated closed loop control system (i. e., artificial pancreas which is capable of continuous glucose sensing and regulating) that replicates the function of pancreatic beta cells. This equipment is supposed to be capable of maintaining normal blood glucose level on a desired level (4-6.2 mmol/L) and taking all factors affecting glucose concentration into account without inducing hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. In this paper, control of the Bergman minimal mathematical model to regulate blood glucose level is discussed. The control problem is complicated by the fact that the model is considered to be uncertain. Furthermore, only the glucose level is assumed to be available for control development and other states such as insulin concentration and plasma insulin concentration are assumed to be unavailable for measurement. A novel robust controller is proposed that guarantees practical tracking of a desired glucose concentration.
Dishevelled activates Ca2+ flux, PKC, and CamKII in vertebrate embryos

Wnt ligands and Frizzled (Fz) receptors have been shown to activate multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Activation of the Wnt–β-catenin pathway has been described in greatest detail, but it has been reported that Wnts and Fzs also activate vertebrate planar cell polarity (PCP) and Wnt–Ca2+ pathways. Although the intracellular protein Dishevelled (Dsh) plays a dual role in both the Wnt–β-catenin and the PCP pathways, its potential involvement in the Wnt–Ca2+ pathway has not been investigated. Here we show that a Dsh deletion construct, XDshΔDIX, which is sufficient for activation of the PCP pathway, is also sufficient for activation of three effectors of the Wnt–Ca2+ pathway: Ca2+ flux, PKC, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CamKII). Furthermore, we find that interfering with endogenous Dsh function reduces the activation of PKC by Xfz7 and interferes with normal heart development. These data suggest that the Wnt–Ca2+ pathway utilizes Dsh, thereby implicating Dsh as a component of all reported Fz signaling pathways.
Effects of high‐protein diets on fat‐free mass and muscle protein synthesis following weight loss: a randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this work was to determine the effects of varying levels of dietary protein on body composition and muscle protein synthesis during energy deficit (ED). A randomized controlled trial of 39 adults assigned the subjects diets providing protein at 0.8 (recommended dietary allowance; RDA), 1.6 (2X‐RDA), and 2.4 (3X‐RDA) g kg–1 d–1 for 31 d. A 10‐d weight‐maintenance (WM) period was followed by a 21 d, 40% ED. Body composition and postabsorptive and postprandial muscle protein synthesis were assessed during WM (d 9‐10) and ED (d 30‐31). Volunteers lost (P<0.05) 3.2 ± 0.2 kg body weight during ED regardless of dietary protein. The proportion of weight loss due to reductions in fat‐free mass was lower (P<0.05) and the loss of fat mass was higher (P<0.05) in those receiving 2X‐RDA and 3X‐RDA compared to RDA. The anabolic muscle response to a protein‐rich meal during ED was not different (P>0.05) from WM for 2X‐RDA and 3X‐RDA, but was lower during ED than WM for those consuming RDA levels of protein (energy × protein interaction, P<0.05). To assess muscle protein metabolic responses to varied protein intakes during ED, RDA served as the study control. In summary, we determined that consuming dietary protein at levels exceeding the RDA may protect fat‐free mass during short‐term weight loss. —Pasiakos, S. M. , Cao, J. J., Margolis, L. M. , Sauter, E. R. , Whigham, L. D. , McClung, J. P., Rood, J. C. , Carbone, J. W. , Combs, G. F. , Jr., Young, A. J. Effects of high‐protein diets on fat‐free mass and muscle protein synthesis following weight loss: a randomized controlled trial. FASEB J. 27, 3837–3847 (2013). www.fasebj. org
Achilles: An autonomous lightweight ankle exoskeleton to provide push-off power

This paper presents the Achilles exoskeleton, an autonomous ankle exoskeleton that can generate 52% of the positive plantarflexion power around the ankle of a 80 kg individual with only 1.5 kg of mass added around the ankle joint. The mass of the exoskeleton is lower and the power density is higher than that of existing autonomous exoskeletons. This high power density was achieved by designing a series elastic actuator that consists of an electric motor and ball-screw gear with a carbon fiber reinforced leaf-spring as lever-arm. A dynamic model that includes the motor and gear properties, spring stiffness, and exoskeleton geometry was used to optimize the design parameters for positive power injection. Doing this for multiple combinations of preselected motors and gears and comparing their support to weight ratio, revealed the best drive combination. The performance of the realized exoskeleton was assessed in several tests. The actuator can track the optimized actuator stroke trajectory with a following error that has a RMS of 2.3 mm, it can track force reference signals with amplitudes of 1 N to 100 N with a bandwidth between 8.1 Hz and 20.6 Hz, and it outputs a maximum mechanical power of 80.2 W. These results show that the device is suitable for fulfilling its purpose: reducing the metabolic cost of walking with an autonomous device.
Low birthweight in New York City and upstate New York following the events of September 11th.

BACKGROUND We examined pregnancy outcomes in New York City (NYC) and upstate New York after the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center disaster. METHODS Using birth certificate data for NY residents (n = 1,660,401 births), we estimated risk of low birthweight (LBW: <2,500 g) and preterm birth (<37 weeks) one week after September 11th versus three weeks before, and for 10 four-week intervals post-disaster versus these intervals in the two previous years. To corroborate regression results, we used time-series analysis. RESULTS One week after September 11th in NYC, we observed an adjusted odds of 1.44 for births <1,500 g (P = 0.07) and 1.67 for births 1,500-1,999 g (P = 0.01), but a decreased odds of 2,000-2,499 g. We found no immediate change in LBW upstate or preterm in either location. In extended analyses, we found, in both locations, increased odds of <1,500-g births around New Year and 33-36 weeks post-disaster and decreased odds of moderate preterm for several weeks post-disaster. Time-series analyses yielded similar findings. CONCLUSIONS The events of September 11, 2001 in NYC were associated with immediate increases in births <2,000 g, slightly delayed decreased preterm delivery, and delayed increases in LBW among infants exposed periconception or in the first two trimesters. Stress may contribute to observed associations.