Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 from hematopoietic cells mediates progression from hepatic steatosis to steatohepatitis and fibrosis in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) plays a pivotal role in the development of the metabolic syndrome including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the mechanism underlying the contribution of JNK to the progression from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis is unresolved. METHODS Hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis were examined in wild-type, jnk1(-/-), or jnk2(-/-) mice fed a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet for 20 weeks. The functional contribution of JNK isoforms in Kupffer cells was assessed in vitro and in vivo using chimeric mice in which the hematopoietic compartment including Kupffer cells was replaced by wild-type, jnk1(-/-), or jnk2(-/-) cells. RESULTS CDAA diet induced significantly less hepatic inflammation and less liver fibrosis despite a similar level of hepatic steatosis in jnk1(-/-) mice as compared with wild-type or jnk2(-/-) mice. CDAA diet-induced hepatic inflammation was chronic and mediated by Kupffer cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of JNK or gene deletion of jnk1 but not jnk2 repressed the expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators in primary Kupffer cells. In vivo, CDAA diet induced less hepatic inflammation and liver fibrosis despite an equivalent level of hepatic steatosis in chimeric mice with jnk1(-/-) hematopoietic cells as compared with chimeric mice with wild-type or jnk2(-/-) hematopoietic cells. CONCLUSIONS jnk1(-/-) mice are resistant to diet-induced steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. JNK1 in hematopoietic cells, especially in Kupffer cells, contributes to the development of liver fibrosis by inducing chronic inflammation.
Real-Time Hierarchical Resource Allocation with Quadratic Costs

This Paper presents a model in which boundedly rational members of an administrative staff calculate resource allocations in real time. We consider a class of hierarchical procedures in which information about payoff functions flows up and is aggregated by a hierarchy, while allocations flow down and are disaggregated by the hierarchy with decentralized decision making. We assume that the payoff functions are quadratic and that the payoff parameters follow first-order autoregressive processes. We define a team statistical optimality condition that formalizes the notion of decentralized decision making. We derive a reduced form that can be used to address specific questions about organizational structure and returns to scale.
Perception space analysis: From color vision to odor perception

On the way to understanding complex perception tasks based on psychophysical data alone, we propose a general framework using multivariate analysis methods to derive a low-dimensional mapping of the underlying perception space. Psychophysical data can be interpreted in two fundamentally different ways: That is, the characterization of stimuli (e.g. colors) using several verbal descriptions (e.g. bright) — a stimuli-as-points view — and conversely, the characterization of the given verbal descriptions by several stimuli — a descriptors-as-points view. We argue that only the latter view enables us to reach an objective mapping of the perception space. For color perception, we show how it is possible to derive objective maps of the perception space, just based on non-comparative verbal descriptions of color stimuli. We also give an example where we analyze odor perception in the same way to derive a quantitative map of odor perception, a perceptual space that is still fairly unknown in its detailed structure.
Prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp isolated from pigs reared under antimicrobial-free and conventional production methods in eight states in the Midwestern United States.

OBJECTIVE To compare apparent prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp in feces collected from pigs reared with antimicrobial-free versus conventional production methods in 8 states in the Midwestern United States. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION 95 swine farms that used antimicrobial-free (n = 35) or conventional (60) production methods. PROCEDURES Fecal samples from 15 pigs/farm were collected. Biochemical and multiplex-PCR analyses were used to identify Campylobacter spp. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of erythromycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, and tetracycline for these organisms were determined by use of a commercially available antimicrobial gradient strip. The data were analyzed by use of population-averaged statistical models. RESULTS Campylobacter spp were isolated from 512 of 1,422 pigs. A subset (n = 464) of the 512 isolates was available for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The apparent prevalence of Campylobacter spp isolates from pigs on conventional farms (35.8%) and antimicrobial-free farms (36.4%) did not differ significantly. Resistances to azithromycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline were significantly higher on conventional farms (70.0%, 68.3%, and 74.5%, respectively) than antimicrobial-free farms (20.1%, 21.3%, and 48.8%, respectively). Resistances to azithromycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline declined as the number of years that a farm was antimicrobial-free increased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Production method did not affect the apparent prevalence of Campylobacter spp on swine farms. However, antimicrobial-free farms had a significantly lower prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Although cessation of antimicrobial drug use will lower resistance over time, investigation of other interventions designed to reduce resistance levels is warranted.
The Potential of Hellenic Australian Diaspora Entrepreneurial Networks

In Austral a’s econom c landscape, a key d mens on of trade act v ty can be found n the mportant l nk between cultural d vers ty and nternat onal bus ness. For example, new m grants are l kely to have strong l nks to bus ness commun t es back home. Moreover, there are no language barr ers, nor any cultural adjustments to make. Th s prov des the context for explor ng the role of ethn c bus ness commun t es n Austral a n enhanc ng nternat onal bus ness act v ty espec ally w th member countr es of the European Un on (EU), wh ch as a s ngle ent ty rema ns Austral a’s largest econom c partner. However, desp te the mportance of the EU to Austral a as an econom c partner, Engl sh-speak ng nat ons (e.g., Br ta n) dom nate Austral a’s exporter l st. In th s sp r t, we exam ne some of the features of d aspora/expatr ate commun t es w th n Austral a and Greece and cons der strateg es that can help enhance the role of Greek-Austral an d aspora entrepreneur al networks and expand Austral a’s econom c engagement w th the enlarged EU.
Optimum Design of Polymeric Thermal Microactuator With Embedded Silicon Skeleton

An SU-8 polymeric actuator with an embedded silicon skeleton has recently been reported to have good actuation performance. As a composite, it has room for performance improvements by design. Yet, it has not been optimized for the best performance. In this paper, we perform a parametric study, based on analytical and finite-element models, to find the optimum design. Properties and actuation capabilities are related to design parameters of the composite. In a design case to maximize work density, the parametric study found an optimum design consisting of 70% SU-8 and 30% Si. As compared with pure SU-8, the optimum composite design has a Young's modulus that is 2.2 times higher, a thermal stress that is 2.5 times higher, a work density that is 2.6 times higher, a coefficient of thermal expansion that is 5% higher, and a shorter thermal-response time. The optimum design can deliver a maximum strain of 2.77% and a maximum stress of 196 MPa at the maximum operating temperature of 200°C. Moreover, it has a rather high work density of 2.71 MJ/m3, which is comparable with other thermal phase-change actuators. In conclusion, this polymeric composite actuator is very powerful for microactuation.
Er3+ Sensitized 1530 nm to 1180 nm Second Near-Infrared Window Upconversion Nanocrystals for In Vivo Biosensing.

Fluorescent bioimaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) can probe deep tissue with minimum auto-fluorescence and tissue scattering. However, current NIR-II fluorophore-related biodetection in vivo is only focused on direct disease lesion or organ bioimaging, it is still a challenge to realize NIR-II real-time dynamic biosensing. A new type of Er3+ sensitized upconversion nanoparticles are presented with both excitation (1530 nm) and emission (1180 nm) located in the NIR-II window for in vivo biosensing. The microneedle patch sensor for in vivo inflammation dynamic detection is developed based on the ratiometric fluorescence by combining the effective NIR-II upconversion emission and H2 O2 sensing organic probes under the Fenton catalysis of Fe2+ . Owing to the large anti-Stokes shifting, low auto-fluorescence, and tissue scattering of the NIR-II upconversion luminescence, inflammation can be dynamically evaluated in vivo at very high resolution (200×200 μm).
Les fonctions cognitives du droit dans la pensée de Cass Sunstein

Cass Sunstein a ete l’un des principaux promoteurs aux Etats-Unis de l’economie du droit comportementale. En introduisant en economie du droit une hypothese de rationalite limitee, Sunstein en tire alors deux fonctions principales pour le droit : le redressement cognitif et le paternalisme liberal. En rappelant les fondements de la theorie du droit de Sunstein, l’article discute ces nouvelles fonctions economiques pour le droit en s’interrogeant sur leur compatibilite. On montre que leur contradiction apparente peut cependant etre attenuee dans le cadre d’une reflexion plus generale sur les conditions cognitives de la liberte.
Accounting regulation for charities: international responses to IFRS adoption

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine charity regulatory systems, including accounting standard setting, across five jurisdictions in varying stages of adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, and identifies the challenges of this process.Design/methodology/approach – Using a regulatory space approach, this paper relies on publicly available archival evidence from charity regulators and accounting standard setters in five common‐law jurisdictions in advanced capitalist economies, all with vibrant charity sectors: the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.Findings – The study reveals the importance of co‐operative interdependence and dialogue between charity regulators and accounting standard setters, indicating that jurisdictions with such inter‐relationships will better manage the transition to IFRS. It also highlights the need for those jurisdictions with not‐for‐profit or charity‐specific accounting standards to re‐configure those provisions as IFRSs are adopted.Res.
Astaxanthin Ameliorates Hepatic Damage and Oxidative Stress in Carbon Tetrachloride-administered Rats

Background: Astaxanthin is of carotenoids group which possess strong antioxidant properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of astaxanthin in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats. Materials and Methods: Female Long-Evans rats were administered with CCl4 orally (1 ml/kg) twice a week for 2 weeks and were treated with astaxanthin (10 mg/kg) every day for 2 weeks. Blood plasma samples were isolated from each group and were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase activities. Oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and advanced protein oxidation product (APOP) were measured. Several enzyme functions such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the plasma and liver tissues were also analyzed. Moreover, inflammation and tissue fibrosis were also confirmed by histological staining of liver tissues. Results: This investigation revealed that CCl4 administration in rats increased plasma AST, ALT, and ALP activities which were normalized by astaxanthin treatment. Moreover, CCl4 administration increased as MDA, NO, and APOP level both in plasma and tissues compared to control rats. Astaxanthin also exhibited a significant reduction of those parameters in CCl4-administered rats. Astaxanthin treatment also restored the CAT and SOD activities and lowered MPO activity in CCl4-administered rats. Histological assessment also revealed that the astaxanthin prevented the inflammatory cells infiltration, decreased free iron deposition, and fibrosis in liver of CCl4-administered rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that astaxanthin protects liver damage induced by CCl4 by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and stimulating the cellular antioxidant system.
Delayed Security Price Adjustments to Financial Analysts' Forecasts of Annual Earnings

This paper documents that the weighting of analysts' annual earnings forecasts implicit in security prices is lower than the historical relation between financial analysts' forecasts and realized earnings. Short positions in securities in the bottom decile and long positions in the top decile of the crosssectional distribution of analysts' early‐in‐the‐year earnings forecasts generate significant hedge‐portfolio returns in the year after portfolio formation. This delayed price response is more pronounced for firms with relatively low analyst coverage, consistent with the premise that low financial analyst coverage is associated with a variety of factors that impede the information efficiency of the security market. The hedge‐portfolio returns concentrate in the months of subsequent quarterly earnings announcements, suggesting that the delayed security price adjustments reflect the market's failure to incorporate information in analysts' forecasts about future earnings, rather than deficiencies in our cond.
Altered transcription in yeast expressing expanded polyglutamine

Expanded polyglutamine tracts are responsible for at least eight fatal neurodegenerative diseases. In mouse models, proteins with expanded polyglutamine cause transcriptional dysregulation before onset of symptoms, suggesting that this dysregulation may be an early event in polyglutamine pathogenesis. Transcriptional dysregulation and cellular toxicity may be due to interaction between expanded polyglutamine and the histone acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein. To determine whether polyglutamine-mediated transcriptional dysregulation occurs in yeast, we expressed polyglutamine tracts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Gene expression profiles were determined for strains expressing either a cytoplasmic or nuclear protein with 23 or 75 glutamines, and these profiles were compared to existing profiles of mutant yeast strains. Transcriptional induction of genes encoding chaperones and heat-shock factors was caused by expression of expanded polyglutamine in either the nucleus or cytoplasm. Transcriptional repression was most prominent in yeast expressing nuclear expanded polyglutamine and was similar to profiles of yeast strains deleted for components of the histone acetyltransferase complex Spt/Ada/Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA). The promoter from one affected gene (PHO84) was repressed by expanded polyglutamine in a reporter gene assay, and this effect was mitigated by the histone deacetylase inhibitor, Trichostatin A. Consistent with an effect on SAGA, nuclear expanded polyglutamine enhanced the toxicity of a deletion in the SAGA component SPT3. Thus, an early component of polyglutamine toxicity, transcriptional dysregulation, is conserved in yeast and is pharmacologically antagonized by a histone deacetylase inhibitor. These results suggest a therapeutic approach for treatment of polyglutamine diseases and provide the potential for yeast-based screens for agents that reverse polyglutamine toxicity.
Unified smoke and flame detection for intelligent surveillance system

This paper explains the way of unification of flame and smoke detection algorithms by merging the common steps into a single processing flow. Scenario, discussed in the current manuscript, considers using fixed surveillance cameras that allows using background subtraction to detect changes in a scene. Due to imperfection of background subtraction, foreground pixels, belonging to the same real object, are often separated. These pixels are united by morphological operations. All pixels are then labeled by connected components labeling algorithm, and tiny objects are removed since noticeable smoke and flames are to be detected. All the previous steps are processed only once, and then separate smoke and flame parts are started which use the same input image obtained after removing tiny objects. Smoke detection includes color probability, boundary roughness, edge density, and area variability filtering processes. Flame detection uses color probability, boundary roughness, and area variability filtering. Preliminary results show that applying unification to smoke and flame detection algorithms makes processing time similar to a single smoke detection algorithm if smoke and flame are processed in parallel. If the whole algorithm is implemented on a single thread, processing time is still lower comparing to running smoke and fire detection without unification. The result of unified processing part can also be used as input for multiple tasks of intelligent surveillance systems.
A novel periodic microstrip leaky-wave antenna with backward to forward scanning

A novel structure of printed periodic leaky-wave antenna is proposed in this article with the goal to provide a constant frequency scanning of the antenna beam from backward to forward, including the broadside. A new method based on the matching of a unit cell and the characteristic impedance of the transmission line has been proposed to systematically remove the open stop band. This method has been effectively implemented on a unit cell and a periodic leaky-wave antenna has been designed. Using the proposed technic the open stop band is completely removed and a relatively constant gain is achieved over the desired frequency band.
The determinants of patent citations: an empirical analysis of French and British patents in the US

The aim of the article is to investigate the determinants of patent citations which are reasonably good proxy for the technological value of an invention. The analysis is based on patents granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to French and British inventors from 1969 to 1998. Our aim is to explain the frequency of citations rather than why a patent may or may not be cited. This is achieved by examining some of the characteristics associated with highly cited patents. The models we estimate predict that a patent that is frequently cited, and therefore a technologically important patent, is a patent that it is quickly cited and more frequently cited by patent from other technological fields. When the patent is cited by patents from other technological fields this tends to indicate that the cited patent is broader.
Determinants of Farmers’ Participation in Contract Farming: The Cases of Gherkin and Paddy Seed in Andhra Pradesh, India

Since the last one and half decades, the terms “small farmer” and “contract farming” have come into common usage in academic and policy discussions. The concern is whether small farmers would benefit from contract farming. It is very likely that since firms initiate the contract, a farmer’s participation in contract farming depends largely on firm’s criteria rather than farmer’s choice. Though some studies have discussed this issue, it needs greater attention to identify the factors that influence farmers to be in such new mode of production. In this context, the present paper seeks to identify the characteristics of contract and non-contract farmers and factors that induce farmers to participate in contract farming. The analysis is based on 295 farm households (including both contract and non-contract) from two districts of Andhra Pradesh. Binary logit model was used to identify the determinants of farmers’ participation in contract farming. The results indicate that contract farmers were generally from better segments of farming community in terms of education level, productive assets and access to market as compared to the non-contract ones. The result of binary logit model confirmed that large farmers with better irrigation facilities are more likely to be in contract mode of production. In addition, farmers having bigger family size are more likely to be in contract mode of production as compared to others. It could be argued that in this scenario, contract farming practice may lead to higher inequality in the agrarian economy. There is a need for better institutional mechanisms to make contract farming more inclusive.
Business confidence and stock returns in the USA: a time-varying Markov regime-switching model

This article presents evidence in favour of time-varying Markov regime-Switching (MS) properties in all shares stock returns in the USA. The model specifications include the US Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Business Activity Index (NMBAI) in the transition equations. We find that the developments in the ISM manufacturing index affect the regime-switching probabilities in both bull and bear stock market periods. The business activity in nonmanufacturing sectors, on the other hand, has a bearing only on bull market periods. We also test for the possibility of a common factor influencing both stock returns and business confidence in the manufacturing sector by estimating a time-varying MS model with the US industrial production in the transition equation. We find that the null hypothesis of a fixed transition probability MS model cannot be rejected when the US industrial production index is included in the transition equation of a time-varying MS model. We conclude that the information content in the ISM manufacturing confidence index, such as expectational shifts, has a separate influence on the stock market regimes over and above that of actual developments in industrial production.
What we learn from learning - Understanding capabilities and limitations of machine learning in botnet attacks

With a growing increase in botnet attacks, computer networks are constantly under threat from attacks that cripple cyber-infrastructure. Detecting these attacks in real-time proves to be a difficult and resource intensive task. One of the pertinent methods to detect such attacks is signature based detection using machine learning models. This paper explores the efficacy of these models at detecting botnet attacks, using data captured from large-scale network attacks. Our study provides a comprehensive overview of performance characteristics two machine learning models --- Random Forest and Multi-Layer Perceptron (Deep Learning) in such attack scenarios. Using Big Data analytics, the study explores the advantages, limitations, model/feature parameters, and overall performance of using machine learning in botnet attacks / communication. With insights gained from the analysis, this work recommends algorithms/models for specific attacks of botnets instead of a generalized model.