Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arithmetic Circuits: A survey of recent results and open questions

A large class of problems in symbolic computation can be expressed as the task of computing some polynomials; and arithmetic circuits form the most standard model for studying the complexity of such computations. This algebraic model of computation attracted a large amount of research in the last five decades, partially due to its simplicity and elegance. Being a more structured model than Boolean circuits, one could hope that the fundamental problems of theoretical computer science, such as separating P from NP, will be easier to solve for arithmetic circuits. However, in spite of the appearing simplicity and the vast amount of mathematical tools available, no major breakthrough has been seen. In fact, all the fundamental questions are still open for this model as well. Nevertheless, there has been a lot of progress in the area and beautiful results have been found, some in the last few years. As examples we mention the connection between polynomial identity testing and lower bounds of Kabanets and Impagliazzo, the lower bounds of Raz for multilinear formulas, and two new approaches for proving lower bounds: Geometric Complexity Theory and Elusive Functions. The goal of this monograph is to survey the field of arithmetic circuit complexity, focusing mainly on what we find to be the most interesting and accessible research directions. We aim to cover the main results and techniques, with an emphasis on works from the last two decades. In particular, we discuss the recent lower bounds for multilinear circuits and formulas, the advances in the question of deterministically checking polynomial identities, and the results regarding reconstruction of arithmetic circuits. We do, however, also cover part of the classical works on arithmetic circuits. In order to keep this monograph at a reasonable length, we do not give full proofs of most theorems, but rather try to convey the main ideas behind each proof and demonstrate it, where possible, by proving some special cases.
A Note on the Construction of Constant Order Predictor Corrector Algorithm for the Solution of y' = f(x, y)

This paper examines the development of one step, five hybrid point method for the solution of first order initial value problems. We adopted the method of collocation and interpolation of power series approximate solution to generate a continuous linear multistep method. The continuous linear multistep method was evaluated at selected grid points to give the discrete linear multistep method. The method was implemented using a constant order predictor of order seven over an overlapping interval. The basic properties of the derived corrector was investigated and found to be zero stable, consistent and convergent. The region of absolute stability was also investigated. The method was tested on some numerical experiments and found to compare favorably with the existing methods.
Effects of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐&bgr;/&dgr; on sepsis induced acute lung injury

Background Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are the first steps in the development of multiple organ failure induced by sepsis. A systemic excessive inflammatory reaction is currently the accepted mechanism of the pathogenesis of sepsis. Several studies have suggested a protective role of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor‐&bgr;/&dgr; (PPAR‐&bgr;/&dgr;) in related inflammatory diseases. But the role of PPAR&bgr;/&dgr; in ALI remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and possible mechanism of PPAR&bgr;/&dgr; in ALI induced by sepsis. Methods Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used as a sepsis model. Rats were randomly divided into four groups, the control group (CON, n=6), sham‐operation group (SHAM, n=12), cecal ligation and puncture group (CLP, n=30), GW501516 group (CLP+GW, n=25), which underwent CLP and were subcutaneously injected with the PPAR‐&bgr;/&dgr; agonist GW501516 (0.05 mg/100 g body weight). Survival was monitored to 24 hours after operation. Blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotrasferase and alanine aminotrasferase were measured after CLP. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor &agr; (TNF‐&agr;) and interleukin (IL)‐1&bgr; in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Lung tissue samples were stained with H&E and scored according to the degree of inflammation. Bacterial colonies were counted in the peritoneal fluid. Alveolar macrophages were cultured and incubated with GW501516 (0.15 &mgr;mol/L) and PPAR&bgr;/&dgr; adenovirus and then treated with Lipopolysaccharide (2 &mgr;g/ml) for 2 hours. The TNF‐&agr;, IL‐1&bgr; and IL‐6 RNA in lung and alveolar macrophages were determined by real‐time PCR. Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in lung and alveolar macrophages was detected by Western blotting. Results GW501516 significantly increased the survival of septic rats, decreased histological damage of the lungs, reduced inflammatory cytokines in serum and lung tissues of septic rats and did not increase counts of peritoneal bacteria. In vitro, GW501516 and over‐expression of PPAR&bgr;/&dgr; attenuated gene expression of TNF‐&agr;, IL‐1&bgr; and IL‐6 in alveolar macrophages. Both in vivo and in vitro, PPAR&bgr;/&dgr; inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3. Conclusion PPAR&bgr;/&dgr; plays a protective role in sepsis induced ALI via suppressing excessive inflammation.
Hepatoprotective effect of Cichorium intybus on CCl 4 - induced liver damage in rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcholic extract of Cichorium intybus (Cichorium intybus) using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) - induced liver injury in rats. The leaf extract at oral dosage of 200, 400 and 500 mg/kg exhibited significant (P<0.05) protective effect against CCl4 induced hepatoxocity. Level of serum markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminitransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) were significantly increased in CCl4 treated rats. Simultaneously, C. intybus extract significantly suppressed mainly the increase in plasma activities of AST, ALT, ALP and TB concentration, which are considered as markers of liver functional state. The results of this study confirmed the hepatoprotective activity effect of the hydroalcholic extract of C. intybus.
Iron Status and Red Cell Parameters in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa).

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate iron metabolism and compare iron stores between pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents in Cote d’Ivoire. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken with 187 volunteers adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years. For this study, adolescents were divided into 2 groups with 75 non-pregnant adolescents and 112 pregnant adolescents. Study population was recruited January 2006 to January 2008 in 4 urban community health centers, of Abidjan. Assays of blood samples were performed in Laboratory of Physiology, Pharmacology and Phytotherapy (Nangui Abrogoua University) and in Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry of University Hospital Centre (Cocody, Felix Houphouet-Boigny University). Original Research Article Bleyere et al.; IBRR, Article no. IBRR.2014. 002 9 Methodology: In each pregnant adolescent a blood sample was collected by venipuncture on a dry and EDTA tubes of 5 ml. With these blood samples, haematological and biochemical parameters were determined. Results: Haematological parameters were decreased in pregnant adolescents at the third trimester of pregnancy compared with control adolescents. Pregnant adolescents were more anaemic during pregnancy (77.7 %) compared with non-pregnant adolescents (42.7 %). Iron stores were greatly decreased in 72.3 %, 83.9 % and 95.6 % of adolescents respectively during the 3 trimesters of pregnancy compared with non-pregnant adolescents (34.7 %). In addition, high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was recorded throughout pregnancy in adolescents. Therefore, iron status was more altered in pregnant adolescents (11.6 %, 9.8 % and 0.0 % respectively) compared with nonpregnant adolescents (13.3 %). The results of this study show that the causes of pronounced degradation in iron status are insufficient in size of iron stores in pregnant adolescents and non-pregnant adolescents. Conclusion: Iron metabolism alteration is important in pregnant adolescents in Cote d’Ivoire, causing severe anaemia in this group of population.
Compensation of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants after damage to their buds and pods

Summary The relationship has been investigated between the yield of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants and (a) the proportion of podless stalks, (b) the proportion of pods infested by seed weevil larvae and (c) the effect of removing a proportion of buds and pods. Plants compensated for damage and, although late removal of buds or pods sometimes caused greater yield loss than early removal, only plants with more than 60% podless stalks or buds removed had diminished yields. The numbers of podless stalks per plant increased with plant size. Removal of 60 % of a plant's pods caused no yield loss; in the field a maximum infestation of only 25% of the plant's pods with seed weevil larvae occurred. The results are discussed in relation to damage by pollen beetles (Meligethes aeneus Fab.) and seed weevils (Ceutorhynch.ua ossimilis Payk.)
Student use of PeerWise: A multi-institutional, multidisciplinary evaluation

This study explores the relationship between engagement with an online, free-to-use question-generation application (PeerWise) and student achievement. Using PeerWise, students can create and answer multiple-choice questions and can provide feedback to the question authors on question quality. This provides further scope for students to engage in discussion about the question with their peers. Data on PeerWise use and examination performance were collected from over 3000 students across six large undergraduate courses (in physics, chemistry and biology) over three academic years in three research-intensive UK universities. A reliable and valid measure of overall PeerWise activity was created and a multilevel model developed describing the relationship between PeerWise activity and student performance in end of course examinations. Using this approach, a significant positive association was found between students? engagement with PeerWise and their academic attainment in end of course exams, even controlling for prior ability. The implications of these findings for educators are discussed.
Change in chlorophylls composition and some morphological attributes of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch cv. Camarosa) in response to salicylic acid spray

In order to study the effect of salicylic (SA) acid on the strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch cv. Camarosa) plants, a two-factorial field experiment was carried out according to completely randomized design with three replications in 2011 and 2012. The factors included different concentrations of SA (0, 0.5 and 1 mM) and number of SA application (1, 2 and 3 times). Chlorophylls content and fresh and dry weights of leaf and root were performed at the harvest time. The results showed that chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content significantly increased with increasing the SA concentration and the number of SA application as the highest amount was found in 1% SA and thrice sprays. The numbers of SA application significantly enhanced leaf fresh and dry weights, whereas different SA concentration had no significantly effect. Moreover, root fresh and dry weights had not significantly affected by SA sprays. Overall, the results suggested that thrice spays of SA in 1 mM concentration, which showed the better growth characters, could be more appropriate to use in strawberry spraying programs.
ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACIST MEDIATED EDUCATION ON HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN RURAL SOUTH INDIAN POPULATION

Objective: To assess the influence of pharmacist mediated education on health-related quality of life in rural patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: This is a prospective, randomized interventional study approved by the institutional ethics committee. Eligible type 2 diabetic patients with written informed consent were enrolled and randomized into control and test group. Diabetic health profile-18 (DHP-18) questionnaire was administered to all patients at baseline and three subsequent follow-ups. Patients in the test group received structured education at every follow up whereas the control group patients received education only at the final follow up. SPSS software was used to evaluate the data. Results: Among the 72 patients enrolled, 35 were randomized into control group and 37 into test group. Majority of the study patients were males (65.2%) with an age range of 30 to 72 years and were from agriculture profession (34.72%) with school-level education (59.7%). The mean BMI of the study patients was 25.01. At baseline, the mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) values of patients were 6.48±1.39% in the control group and 6.23±1.16% in the test group. During the last follow-up, a significant ( p <0.05) improvement was observed in the DHP-18 scores in test group patients compared to control group patients which were supported by statistically significant ( p <0.05) improvement in capillary blood glucose (CBG) values. Conclusion: Pharmacist mediated structured education has shown a positive impact on health-related quality of life in test group patients towards their disease management. Keywords: Diabetes, Therapeutic Outcome, Health-Related Quality of Life.
Earliest hog-nosed skunk, Conepatus (Mephitidae, Carnivora), from the early Pliocene of Guanajuato, Mexico and origin of South American skunks

The hog-nosed skunk, Conepatus Gray, 1837, is one of the most widespread carnivorans in the New World, and one of the first to arrive in South America during the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI). We report a basal hog-nosed skunk, Conepatus sanmiguelensis sp. nov., from the early Pliocene San Miguel de Allende Basin, Guanajuato State, central Mexico. The Mexican species greatly extends the first appearance of Conepatus from Irvingtonian to early Blancan in North America, more than doubling the time period of previously known appearances. The new species of Conepatus is also geographically closer to the Panamanian land bridge than previous records from the United States and northern Mexico, and permits a better sense of the faunal exchange during the early phase of the GABI. The new species is represented by two individuals, including a nearly complete skull and a partial mandible with most of the cheek teeth, as well as a large portion of the skeleton. Such a nearly complete representation of cranial, dental and skeletal materials enables us to conduct a species-level phylogenetic analysis. C. sanmiguelensis is characterized by its large size, condyloid foramen confluent with posterior lacerate foramen, presence of a P2, an M1 not very elongated and long trigonid on m1. This combination of primitive and derived characters suggests a phylogenetic position basal to a North American clade [C. sanmiguelensis (C. robustus, C. leuconotus)]. The new phylogenetic reconstruction suggests that Central and South American Conepatus form a sister group to the North American clade, and as such, must have equally ancient divergence time that dates back to at least 4–5 Ma. As a result, C. altiramus from coastal marine cliffs of Argentina should be seriously reconsidered to be from the Chapadmalal Formation in the early Pliocene, a notion dismissed by some recent authors. If this is correct, South American Conepatus represents the first known carnivoran immigrant during the first wave of the GABI. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 154, 386–407.
Effect of Drying Temperatures on Physicochemical Properties and Oil Yield of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum alibidum) Seeds

African Star Apple seeds (Chrysophyllum albidum) were subjected to sun-drying and tunnel drying at 50 0C, 600C, 700C and 800C. The oil in these seeds were extracted and subjected to physical and chemical analysis. The results showed that increase in drying temperature of the seed decreased percentage oil yield, saponification value, free fatty acid, acid value, and iodine value. Boiling and flash point increases with increasing the drying temperature of the seeds. The properties evaluated indicated that the oil can have long shelf life and resistance to rancidity.
Litter decomposition and nutrient release in a tropical rainforest, Southern Bakundu Forest Reserve, Cameroon

ABSTRACT Decomposition of litter on the forest floor and of leaves of five species, Celtis zenkeri, Cola lepidota, Desbordesia glaucescens, Ceiba pentandra and Terminalia superba in nylon mesh bags, as well as wood decay were studied in the tropical rainforest at Southern Bakundu Forest Reserve, Cameroon. The rate of loss of dry matter was fastest in Celtis zenkeri which was significantly different from the other species, while potassium was the most rapidly released element from all species with more than 50% being released in the first two months of the experiment. Nitrogen and phosphorus showed initial increases in bagged leaf litter independent of dry weight losses and while nitrogen was later released phosphorus continued to increase reaching 2–3 times the initial concentration. Decomposition constant (k) of litter on the forest floor was found to be 2.23 whereas the mean decomposition constants of the different species were as follows: Celtis zenkeri 4.18, Cola lepidota 2.18, Desbordesia glaucescens 1.60 and Ceiba pentandra 2.16 for the two experiments. Termites were found to have a very great influence on the decay of the wood of Terminalia superba with decay due to micro-organisms being negligible.
A Revisit into the DEN2 NS2B/NS3 Virus Protease Homology Model: Structural Verification and Comparison with Crystal Structure of HCV NS3/4A and DEN2 NS3

Although the crystal structure of DEN2 NS3 serine protease has been reported, the proteolytic mechanism of this enzyme in the presence of NS2B as co-factor which greatly enhances its activity is not well-understood. Using the homology model of DEN2 NS3 co-complexed with NS2B co-factor based on HCV NS3/4A as the proposed template, the model of the DEN2 NS2B/3 complex was reproduced and its structure evaluated through PROCHECK, VERIFY3D and ERRAT. Comparison of the homology model with the crystal structure of DEN2 NS3 revealed that this homology model served as a better choice for the NS2B/3 protein model in drug design.
"I am working-class": subjective self-definition as a missing measure of social class and socioeconomic status in higher education research

This review provides a critical appraisal of the measurement of students’ social class and socioeconomic status (SES) in the context of widening higher education participation. Most assessments of social class and SES in higher education have focused on objective measurements based on the income, occupation, and education of students’ parents, and they have tended to overlook diversity among students based on factors such as age, ethnicity, indigeneity, and rurality. However, recent research in psychology and sociology has stressed the more subjective and intersectional nature of social class. The authors argue that it is important to consider subjective self-definitions of social class and SES alongside more traditional objective measures. The implications of this dual measurement approach for higher education research are discussed.
Further Studies on the Composition of Commercially Prepared Mechanically Deboned Poultry Meat

Abstract Mechanically deboned poultry meat (MDPM) from several areas in the United States produced by three different deboning machines was obtained from commercial plants and analyzed for proximate composition, purines, and amino acids. Adenine, guanine, and xanthine levels were very similar to those found in poultry breast and thigh meats. Hypoxanthine was lower in MDPM than what has been reported in breast or thigh. The amino acid profile was also similar to the typical animal muscle amino acid profile except MDPM contained about . 3% hydroxyproline. This level of hydroxyproline indicates that 2.3% collagen was present in the MDPM. Proximate composition values ranged from 62.2 to 70.0% moisture, 13.8 to 22.9% fat, and 11.9 to 16.7% protein.
Risk-taking behavior in juvenilemyoclonic epilepsy

Objective: Patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) often present with risk-taking behavior, suggestive of frontal lobe dysfunction. Recent studies confirm functional and microstructural changes within the frontal lobes in JME. This study aimed at characterizing decision-making behavior in JME and its neuronal correlates using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: We investigated impulsivity in 21 JME patients and 11 controls using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), which measures decision making under ambiguity. Performance on the IGT was correlated with activation patterns during an fMRI working memory task. Results: Both patients and controls learned throughout the task. Post hoc analysis revealed a greater proportion of patients with seizures than seizure-free patients having difficulties in advantageous decision making, but no difference in performance between seizure-free patients and controls. Functional imaging of working memory networks showed that overall poor IGT performance was associated with an increased activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in JME patients. Impaired learning during the task and ongoing seizures were associated with bilateral medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and presupplementary motor area, right superior frontal gyrus, and left DLPFC activation. Significance: Our study provides evidence that patients with JME and ongoing seizures learn significantly less from previous experience. Interictal dysfunction within “normal” workingmemory networks, specifically, within theDLPFC andmedial PFC structures, may affect their ability to learn.
Mise en évidence d’une androdioécie morphologique et d’une « hétérostigmatie » chez Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst

Introduction . Sclerocarya birrea (Anacardiaceae) est une espece dont les fruits font l’objet d’un important commerce au Sahel. Son amelioration a travers les programmes d’hybridation est entravee par l’absence d’informations sur sa strategie de reproduction. Nos travaux ont etudie l’anatomie florale de l’espece au sein d’un essai de quatre provenances ouest-africaines mis en place dans la foret de Gonse (Burkina Faso). Materiel et methode . L’echantillonnage a porte sur 100 fleurs de chaque provenance. Nous avons observe la morphologie des fleurs mâles et des fleurs hermaphrodites a la loupe binoculaire, compte les differentes formes du pistil en fonction des diverses provenances et etudie, par coloration a la fushine, la viabilite in vitro des grains de pollen issus d’individus mâles et d’individus hermaphrodites. Resultats . Les populations saheliennes de Sclerocarya birrea se sont revelees androdioiques. Les fleurs hermaphrodites montrent un ovaire volumineux surmonte de un, deux ou trois stigmates distincts a style court. Leurs grains de pollen sont viables in vitro et ils ont les memes caracteristiques morphologiques que ceux des fleurs mâles. Discussion et conclusion . L’androdioecie morphologique mise en evidence pourrait avoir une fonction adaptative en palliant l’insuffisance de pollinisation. Elle pourrait etre exploitee pour des programmes d’hybridation et pour la conception des plans d’amenagement.