Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Converse-PDL with regular inclusion axioms: a framework for MAS logics

In this paper we study automated reasoning in the modal logic CPDLreg which is a combination of CPDL (Propositional Dynamic Logic with Converse) and REGc (Regular Grammar Logic with Converse). The logic CPDL is widely used in many areas, including program verification, theory of action and change, and knowledge representation. On the other hand, the logic REGc is applicable in reasoning about epistemic states and ontologies (via Description Logics). The modal logic CPDLreg can serve as a technical foundation for reasoning about agency. Even very rich multi-agent logics can be embedded into CPDLreg via a suitable translation. Therefore, CPDLreg can serve as a test bed to implement and possibly verify new ideas without providing specific automated reasoning techniques for the logic in question. This process can to a large extent be automated. The idea of embedding various logics into CPDLreg is illustrated on a rather advanced logic TEAMLOGK designed to specify teamwork in multi-agent systems. Apart from defining informational and motivational attitudes of groups of agents, TEAMLOGK allows for grading agents' beliefs, goals and intentions. The current paper is a companion to our paper (Dunin-Kęplicz et al., 2010a). The main contribution are proofs of soundness and completeness of the tableau calculus for CPDLreg provided in (Dunin-Kęplicz et al., 2010a).
Alternative pulping process for producing dissolving pulp from jute

Dissolving pulps are the raw materials of cellulose derivatives and of many other cellulosic products. Jute is a very good source of cellulose and worthy of consideration for the production of dissolving pulp. In this investigation jute fiber, jute cuttings, and jute caddis were used as raw materials to prepare dissolving pulp by a formic acid process. A very high bleached pulp yield (49 to 59%) was obtained in this process. The alpha-cellulose content was 93 to 98%, with a high pulp viscosity. Also a good brightness (81 to 87%) was achieved in totally chlorine free bleaching. Jute fiber showed the best and jute caddis showed lowest performance in producing dissolving pulp via the formic acid process. R18-R10 values were much lower than for conventional dissolving pulp.
EVALUATION OF PEARL MILLET AND MUNGBEAN INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS IN ARID REGION OF RAJASTHAN (INDIA)

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season, 2011 to evaluate different row ratio of pearl millet with mungbean in the arid region of Rajasthan. The treatments comprised of sole pearl millet at 45 cm spacing, one sole mungbean and ten pearl millet with mungbean treatments row in different ratio. The intercropping of pearl millet with mungbean in 1 : 7, followed by 2 : 6 and 1: 3 row ratio produced maximum pearl millet equivalent yield (PMEY), land equivalent ratio (LER), aggresivity , net returns,benefit cost (B : C) ratio and also better nutrient uptake by these treatments compared to sole and other intercropping treatments. Aggressivity values showed that inter crop mungbean did not offer any competition to pearl millet in different row ratio, while relative crowding coefficient (RCC) values indicated was a yield disadvantage in mungbean in all the intercropping system except 1: 7 row ratio. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjb.v43i3. 21616 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43 (3): 367-370, 2014 (December)
Chronic Stress and Neuronal Pathology : Neurochemical , Molecular and Genetic Factors 6

IZZO E. , SANNA P.P., KOOB G.F. Impairment of dopaminergic system function after chronic treatment with corticotropin-releasing factor. PHARMACOL. BIOCHEM. BEHAV. Mounting evidence suggests that chronic stress may have a detrimental effect on dopaminergic function and, in certain individuals, could contribute to the pathophysiology of central nervous system disorders like depression, schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Therefore, the effects of chronic elevated brain levels of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a crucial mediator of the behavioral stress response, on dopaminergic function were investigated. Rats treated intracerebroventricularly (ICV) with 1 |xg of CRF per day for 13 days displayed a decreased stereotypic response to d-amphetamine and an increased cataleptic response to eticlopride, consistent with decreased functional activity in the dopaminergic systems. CRF treatment also induced a transient decrease of dopamine (DA) tissue levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an increase in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and no change in the striatum (ST). A transient increase of the dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)/DA ratio, an indicator of dopamine turnover, also was seen in the PFC and in the striatum in CRF-treated animals. Since the dopaminergic system is very sensitive to oxidative insults, levels of malondiadyaldehyde (MDA), a membrane lipid peroxidation marker, were also measured in the same brain areas. In the PFC, we observed a decrease of MDA at 1 week after chronic CRF treatment preceded by a slight, but not statistically significant, increase in MDA. This result may indicate an activation of the antioxidant system in response to chronic stress. Taken together, these results show that a chronic hyperactivity of the CRF system leads to a transient dysfunction of the dopaminergic systems, possibly through 2 oxidative mechanisms, and suggest that stress could be a cofactor in the pathogenesis and/or progression of disorders of the dopaminergic systems.
Flow Based Enumeration of Plasmablasts in Peripheral Blood After Vaccination as a Novel Diagnostic Marker for Assessing Antibody Responses in Patients with Hypogammaglobulinaemia

Hypogammaglobulinaemic patients are often started on immunoglobulin substitution therapy before antibody production is adequately evaluated. In such a situation, it is difficult to segregate transferred from antigen-induced specific antibody. Therefore we characterized changes in B-cell subpopulations in hypogammaglobulinaemic patients, including plasmablasts, in peripheral blood by flow cytometry after in vivo antigen challenge. We investigated the specificity of antibody production on the B-cell level by ELISPOT, which is independent of substitution therapy.
Insights from genomic microarrays into structural chromosome rearrangements

Array‐based comparative genomic hybridization allows high‐resolution screening of copy number abnormalities in the genome, and becomes an increasingly important tool to detect deletions and duplications in tumor and post‐natal cytogenetics. Here we illustrate that genomic arrays can also provide novel clues regarding the structural basis of chromosome rearrangement, including instability and mechanisms of formation of ring chromosomes. We also showed that array results might impact the recurrence risks for relatives of affected individuals. Our data indicate that chromosome rearrangements frequently involve more breaks than current cytogenetic models assume. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changements climatiques et productions agricoles dans l'Ouest de la République Centrafricaine

La presente etude traite de la problematique des changements climatiques actuels et futurs et de leur incidence sur les productions agricoles dans l'Ouest de la Republique Centrafricaine. Les donnees d'observation, de simulation et de projection climatiques ont ete analysees dans le but d'appliquer les resultats a l'estimation des rendements culturaux aux horizons temporels futurs. La demarche methodologique est basee sur l'utilisation du modele agronomique STICS, qui simule les rendements agricoles, decrit les physionomies climatiques futures ainsi que l'ecart existant entre les situations climatiques de demain et celles connues (situation de reference). Les sorties agronomiques revelent que les changements climatiques constituent une menace serieuse pour le developpement agricole dans l'Ouest de la Centrafrique. L'analyse des observations et des projections climatiques montre une variabilite des precipitations, une elevation des temperatures et une recrudescence des phenomenes meteorologiques extremes. Les impacts des changements climatiques sur les productions agricoles sont d'ores et deja evidents. En depit de leurs incertitudes, les tendances futures des precipitations indiquent une baisse pouvant atteindre 20 a 42 % notamment dans les secteurs soudaniens et soudano-saheliens de la region d'etude. La severite de la secheresse qui s'en suivra pourrait engendrer une diminution des reserves en eau disponibles des terres cultivables et des modifications de la duree de la periode de croissance vegetative. Les effets attendus de ce changement seront les modifications de la duree des saisons de culture, la perturbation des cycles biologiques des cultures et autres micro-organismes utiles a l'environnement, des stress hydriques et thermiques plus intenses sur des periodes plus longues. Ce dysfonctionnement des saisons agricoles aura une grande influence sur la capacite des agriculteurs a planifier leurs activites. Des baisses de rendement des cultures cerealieres et oleagineuses de l'ordre de 20 a 50 % sont attendues dans la region d'etude aux horizons futurs proches et lointains. L'analyse des rendements simules et compares a ceux observes indique, avec un scenario climatique pessimiste, une forte baisse des rendements, necessitant ainsi des strategies adaptives proactives plus appropriees afin de reduire la vulnerabilite agroalimentaire des populations. Les efforts sont desormais portes sur l'integration de l'adaptation au changement climatique dans la planification au niveau tant regional, national que local. En matiere d'adaptation, un large eventail d'experiences novatrices existant aujourd'hui est capitalise, en particulier dans le domaine de la gestion durable des terres, des eaux et des forets. La mise en œuvre a grande echelle necessite des financements importants provenant des fonds d'adaptation et une cooperation regionale et sous regionale soutenue.
In vivo 3.0‐tesla magnetic resonance T1ρ and T2 relaxation mapping in subjects with intervertebral disc degeneration and clinical symptoms

The purpose of this study is (1) to determine the correlation between T1ρ and T2 and degenerative grade in intervertebral discs using in vivo 3.0‐T MRI, and (2) to determine the association between T1ρ and T2 and clinical findings as quantified by the SF‐36 Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index. Sixteen subjects participated in this study, and each completed SF‐36 and Oswestry Disability Index questionnaires. MRI T1ρ and T2 mapping was performed to determine T1ρ (77 discs) and T2 (44 discs) in the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, and T2‐weighted images were acquired for Pfirrmann grading of disc degeneration. Pfirrmann grade was correlated with both T1ρ (r = −0.84; P < 0.01) and T2 (r = −0.61; P < 0.01). Mixed‐effects models demonstrate that only T1ρ was associated with clinical questionnaires (R2SF‐36 = 0.55, R2O.D.I. = 0.56; P < 0.05). Although the averaged values of T1ρ and T2 were significantly correlated, they presented differences in spatial distribution and dynamic range, thus suggesting different sensitivities to tissue composition. This study suggests that T1ρ may be sensitive to early degenerative changes (corroborating previous studies) and clinical symptoms in intervertebral disc degeneration. Magn Reson Med 63:1193–1200, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Total antioxidant status value and superoxide dismutase activity in human colorectal cancer tissue depending on the stage of the disease: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in developed countries. Oxidative stress can cause damage to colonocytes by inducing cell cytokine synthesis and triggering the process of carcinogenesis. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to analyze relationships between: 1] total antioxidant status (TAS) value in CRC tissue and healthy colon tissue; 2] superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in CRC tissue and healthy colon tissue; 3] TAS value in CRC tissue and the stage of colorectal cancer; and 4] SOD activity in CRC tissue and the stage of colorectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS Adult patients undergoing colonic surgery for CRC were studied. The patients were divided into four groups according to the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors. Spectrophotometric methods were used to measure TAS values and SOD activity, using diagnostic kits produced by Randox Laboratories. RESULTS The mean TAS value in CRC tissue was 0.0073 ± 0.0038 mmol/g of tissue, which was not significantly different from the mean value in healthy tissue (0.0067 ± 0.0035 mmol/g of tissue). SOD activity was 170 ± 32 U/g of tissue and was significantly higher in CRC than in healthy tissue (107 ± 25 U/g of tissue). In stages I, II and III of CRC, SOD activity as well as TAS value were increased in tumor tissue as compared to healthy tissue. Both SOD activity and TAS value markedly decreased in stage IV in contrast to the other stages of the disease. CONCLUSIONS The study results suggest that TAS and SOD monitoring could be valuable during the treatment of CRC.
Improved delay-dependent stability criteria for linear system with interval time-varying delay

The problem of delay-dependent asymptotic stability for linear system with interval time-varying delay is investigated. Based on delay decomposition method, a new type of Lyapunov functional is constructed, which make use of the information on the lower bound of the delay and some delayed state sufficiently. Several less conservative delay-dependent stability criteria are presented by using the piecewise analysis method and a new convex combination technique. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and less conservatism of the proposed method.
Studying the Effects of Polymer Crystallization and Blending on Conductive Network Formation in CNT-Based Conductive Polymer Composites

The main objective of this thesis was to reduce the percolation threshold of conductive polymer composites (CPCs) through selective localization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), taking advantage of (i) polymer-filler interactions and (ii) polymer blending. The first part of this study reports on the effects of polymer-filler interactions, particularly the effects of the conductive fillers on the matrix crystallization behavior, on the evolution of the conductive networks. Experimental results indicated that changes in the crystallization behavior and crystal nucleation of a PP matrix in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) had substantial effects on the formation or destruction of the conductive networks. Based on our experimental results, promotion of heterogeneous crystal nucleation ability of CNTs in CPCs with semicrystalline matrices resulted in wrapping of the conductive fillers with insulating layers of polymer crystals. Such effects resulted in disruption of conductive network formation in CPCs even at high filler contents. Interestingly, current-voltage characterizations showed that in such CPCs, even at a high CNT content of 10 wt. %, electron tunneling was the dominant electron conduction mechanism, signifying a lack of direct contact between the adjacent CNTs.
Different patterns of 5-HT receptor and transporter dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders – a comparative analysis of in vivo imaging findings

Abstract Impairment of serotonin receptor and transporter function is increasingly recognized to play a major role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases including anxiety disorder (AD), major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ). We conducted a PubMed search, which provided a total of 136 in vivo studies with PET and SPECT, in which 5-HT synthesis, 5-HT transporter binding, 5-HT1 receptor binding or 5-HT2 receptor binding in patients with the primary diagnosis of acute AD, MDD, BD or SZ was compared to healthy individuals. A retrospective analysis revealed that AD, MDD, BD and SZ differed as to affected brain region(s), affected synaptic constituent(s) and extent as well as direction of dysfunction in terms of either sensitization or desensitization of transporter and receptor binding sites.
A Prospective Study Comparing Whole-Body FDG PET/CT to Combined Planar Bone Scan With 67Ga SPECT/CT in the Diagnosis of Spondylodiskitis

Purpose This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of PET/CT using 18F-FDG in comparison to bone scan and 67Ga in the diagnosis of spondylodiskitis. Material and Methods This prospective study included 34 patients (15 women and 19 men) aged 59 (18) years with clinical symptoms of spondylodiskitis. Whole-body PET/CT and bone scan combined with planar and SPECT/CT 67Ga was performed in all patients. Diagnosis of spondylodiskitis was made by microbiology and/or on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings and imaging follow-up. Results Spondylodiskitis was confirmed in 18 of 34 patients. In the other 16 patients, spondylodiskitis was finally excluded, and the most frequent findings observed were degenerative spondyloarthropathy (n = 7), vertebral fracture (n = 3), endocarditis (n = 2), and other processes (n = 4). The sensitivity and specificity of combined bone scan and 67Ga were 78% and 81%, with a positive predictive value of 82%, a negative predictive value of 76%, and an overall accuracy of 79%. SPECT/CT with 67Ga helped identify soft tissue involvement in 10 of 18 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT were 89% and 88%, with a positive predictive value of 89%, a negative predictive value of 87%, and an overall accuracy of 88%. Concordance between 67Ga and PET/CT was good (&kgr; = 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–0.94). PET/CT was able to detect soft tissue involvement in 12 of 18 patients. In 2 patients, a multifocality was found, which was only diagnosed by PET/CT. Conclusions PET/CT is useful in the diagnosis of spondylodiskitis, with more accurate results than combined bone scan and 67Ga. SPECT/CT with 67Ga is recommended, especially when planar bone scan and 67Ga pattern is suggestive of spondylodiskitis.
Prosodic signalling of (un)expected information in South Swedish - an interactive manipulation experiment

Starting from the German pitch peak timing categories and their communicative functions, it is asked how these functions would be expressed in South Swedish. The aim is to get a first impression as regards potentially relevant prosodic parameters associated with the expression of expected vs. unexpected information in South Swedish. For that, an interactive manipulation experiment is conducted, where subjects manipulate the pitch contour and duration of monosyllabic test utterances until the sound output adequately represents a given communicative function. Swedish has a tonal word accent distinction, and all test words have accent 1, normally produced with an early pitch fall. It is thus hypothesized that in South Swedish, expected vs. unexpected information will not be expressed through a different pitch peak timing, as in German. The results indeed clearly hint at unexpected information being signalled by means of a higher, rather than a later pitch peak.
The Impact of Audit Committee Characteristics on Environmental and Social Disclosures

The main reasons for corporate participation in environmental and social disclosure are stability, development, and continuity through participation in protecting the environment and optimizing the use of available resources. As well as the company practices and participation in society of the most important means to create a good image of the company in the community. There is a rise demand for companies to take accountability for their environmental and societal impacts. A core role of the Audit Committee (AC) is to help the board of directors in overseeing the company's reporting policy and oversees the quality of financial reporting in the company. This study examined the impact of audit committee characteristics on the level of environmental and social disclosures in listed banks in Borsa Istanbul. The results of the study showed that there is no statistically significant relationship between the characteristics of the audit committee and the environmental and social disclosures. Consequently, these characteristics have no effect on the volume or type of disclosure and their inability to predict them.
Genome-Wide Screen for Inner Nuclear Membrane Protein Targeting in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Appropriate nuclear membrane structure is important for all eukaryotic organisms as evidenced by the numerous human diseases and alterations in gene expression caused by inappropriate targeting of proteins to the inner nuclear membrane (INM). We report here the first genome-wide screen to identify proteins functioning in INM targeting. We transformed to near completion the 4850 members of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion collection of unessential genes in the 96-well format with a plasmid encoding a reporter protein, Trm1-II-GFP, which normally resides at the INM. We found that deletion of genes encoding subunits of the N-terminal acetyltransferase, NatC, cause mislocation of Trm1-II-GFP from the INM to the nucleoplasm. Mass spectroscopic analysis indicates that Trm1-II-GFP is N-acetylated. N-terminal mutations of Trm1-II-GFP predicted to ablate N-acetylation cause nucleoplasmic location, whereas a variant with an N-terminal alteration predicted to allow N-acetylation by NatC is located at the INM, providing genetic support that Trm1p-II N-acetylation is necessary for its subnuclear INM location. However, because N-acetylation appears not to be sufficient for INM targeting, it may provide a necessary role for INM targeting by affecting Trm1-II-GFP structure and exposure of cis-acting INM targeting motifs. We also discovered that YIL090W/Ice2p, an integral membrane protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum, is necessary for efficient targeting of Trm1-II-GFP to the INM. YIL090W/Ice2p may serve as a tether for INM proteins or as a regulator of INM tethers. Our methodology can be extrapolated to obtain genome-wide perspectives of mechanisms necessary to achieve appropriate subcellular and/or suborganellar location for any resident protein.
Serum vitamin D levels are lower in Australian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes than in children without diabetes

Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin through the action of UVB radiation (sunlight), and 25‐hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) measured in serum as a marker of vitamin D status. Several studies, mostly conducted in high latitudes, have shown an association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and low serum 25OHD. We conducted a case–control study to determine whether, in a sub‐tropical environment with abundant sunlight (latitude 27.5°S), children with T1DM have lower serum vitamin D than children without diabetes. Fifty‐six children with T1DM (14 newly diagnosed) and 46 unrelated control children participated in the study. Serum 25OHD, 1,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and selected biochemical indices were measured. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms Taq1, Fok1, and Apa1 were genotyped. Fitzpatrick skin classification, self‐reported daily hours of outdoor exposure, and mean UV index over the 35 d prior to blood collection were recorded. Serum 25OHD was lower in children with T1DM (n = 56) than in controls (n = 46) [mean (95%CI) = 78.7 (71.8–85.6) nmol/L vs. 91.4 (83.5–98.7) nmol/L, p = 0.02]. T1DM children had lower self‐reported outdoor exposure and mean UV exposure, but no significant difference in distribution of VDR polymorphisms. 25OHD remained lower in children with T1DM after covariate adjustment. Children newly diagnosed with T1DM had lower 1,25(OH)2D [median (IQR) = 89 (68–122) pmol/L] than controls [121 (108–159) pmol/L, p = 0.03], or children with established diabetes [137 (113–153) pmol/L, p = 0.01]. Children with T1DM have lower 25OHD than controls, even in an environment of abundant sunlight. Whether low vitamin D is a risk factor or consequence of T1DM is unknown.