Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary fat quality on the performance and health of fattening rabbits.

Three experiments were performed with 786 weaned rabbits (28-day old) in order to evaluate the effects of feeding recycled fatty materials on the performance (690 rabbits) and health status (96 rabbits) during the fattening period. Six experimental feeds for rabbits were formulated including 3% of fats with low (L) or high (H) levels of trans fatty acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or lipid oxidation. Weight gain and feed intake were recorded between 28 and 56 days and between 57 and 63 days. In 63-day old animals, the caecal ambient was assessed by measuring pH, NH3 and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in caecal content, and the hepatic and renal functions by determining gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine on serum samples. Because of Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy, a very high mortality rate was recorded (varying between trials from 31% to 60%), with no statistically significant differences between L and H treatments in any experiment. No statistically significant differences in performance were linked to the dietary levels of trans fatty acids (body weight gain and feed intake in this experiment averaged 46.8 g/day and 121 g dry matter/day, respectively), PAHs (45.1 g/day and 107 g dry matter/day) or lipid oxidation (45.1 g/day and 108 g dry matter/day). Similarly, blood levels of the hepatic or renal function markers were not affected by the dietary levels of trans fatty acids (GGT, GOT, GPT, ALP, urea and creatinine averaged 7.29 IU/l, 64.7 IU/l, 65.4 IU/l, 156 IU/l, 20.7 mg/dl and 0.82 mg/dl, respectively), PAHs (6.43 IU/l, 76.0 IU/l, 64.0 IU/l, 148 IU/l, 19.7 mg/dl and 0.73 mg/dl) or lipid oxidation (6.32 IU/l, 69.3 IU/l, 59.4 IU/l, 155 IU/l, 17.5 mg/dl and 0.79 mg/dl). However, some dietary effects on caecal ambient were detected. Thus, a higher level of trans fatty acids (and saturated fatty acids) was associated with lower SCFA concentration in caecal content (164 vs. 215 mmol/l, P<0.01). On the other hand, caecal NH3 concentration was higher in rabbits receiving the diet high in PAHs (11.7 vs. 5.56 mmol/l, P=0.04). No effects of dietary lipid oxidation on caecal parameters were detected.
Ceria nanoparticles that can protect against ischemic stroke.

Uniform 3 nm-sized ceria nanoparticles can protect against ischemic stroke by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reducing apoptosis. PEGylated ceria nanoparticles showed protective effects against ROS-induced cell death in vitro. Optimal doses of ceria nanoparticles reduced infarct volumes and the rate of ischemic cell death in vivo.
A Generic Online Parallel Learning Framework for Large Margin Models

To speed up the training process, many existing systems use parallel technology for online learning algorithms. However, most research mainly focus on stochastic gradient descent (SGD) instead of other algorithms. We propose a generic online parallel learning framework for large margin models, and also analyze our framework on popular large margin algorithms, including MIRA and Structured Perceptron. Our framework is lock-free and easy to implement on existing systems. Experiments show that systems with our framework can gain near linear speed up by increasing running threads, and with no loss in accuracy.
Interferon Induction by RNA Viruses and Antagonism by Viral Pathogens

Interferons are a group of small proteins that play key roles in host antiviral innate immunity. Their induction mainly relies on host pattern recognition receptors (PRR). Host PRR for RNA viruses include Toll-like receptors (TLR) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) like receptors (RLR). Activation of both TLR and RLR pathways can eventually lead to the secretion of type I IFNs, which can modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses against viral pathogens. Because of the important roles of interferons, viruses have evolved multiple strategies to evade host TLR and RLR mediated signaling. This review focuses on the mechanisms of interferon induction and antagonism of the antiviral strategy by RNA viruses.
Research on power control algorithm based on game theory in cognitive radio system

The power control in multi-antenna cognitive radio system has been researched with the idea of game theory. In the system, to gain its own maximal utility, every user improves the transmitting power selfishly not considering other users, so the other users choose the corresponding strategies, the interactive and repeated process is actually a kind of non-cooperative game, that will reach a balanced state that is called Nash equilibrium, which makes the system achieves maximal utility. Establish the game theory model for power control problem, construct the global information transmission rate as the utility function, and prove the existence of Nash equilibrium in the game process, then propose to search the Nash equilibrium point making use of the chaotic optimization algorithm, derive the transmission power of all users. The experimental results illustrate that this method gets the transmission power that makes the global information transmission rate maximal with finite game iterations, which proves the proposed algorithm efficient.
Detection of Surface and Subsurface Cracks in Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials Using a Complementary Split-Ring Resonator

Available microwave techniques for crack detection have some challenges, such as design complexity and working at a high frequency. These challenges make the sensing apparatus design complex and relatively very expensive. This paper presents a simple method for surface and subsurface crack detection in metallic and non-metallic materials based on complementary split-ring resonators (CSRRs). A CSRR sensor can be patterned on the ground plane of a microstrip line and fabricated using printed circuit board technology. Compared to available microwave techniques for sub-millimeter crack detection, the methods presented here show distinct advantages, such as high spatial resolution, high sensitivity and design simplicity. The response of the CSRR as a sensor for crack detection is studied and analysed numerically. Experimental validations are also presented.
Fear and Loathing in Orthodontics: Notes on the Death of Theory*

The planners of this year's Symposium have asked that we turn our attention to a classic topic: the relationship between craniofacial growth theory and orthodontic treatment. Given that we now grow jaws and claim dominion over the field of 'dentofacial orthopaedics', a scholarly analysis of contemporary craniofacial biology should be of surpassing interest to the specialty. Unfortunately, it has been many years since theory, especially craniofacial growth theory, has exerted any marked influence on the details of treatment. In a posttheoretical era of intense competition for patients, a discussion of, say, the vagaries of the lateral pterygoid muscle or the mysteries of the 'functional matrix' would probably fall on deaf, or at the very least distracted, ears. I think it appropriate, therefore, to comment instead on the practical significance of this apparent lack of concern for the theoretical underpinnings of clinical practice.
Gene polymorphisms involved in triptans pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in migraine therapy

Importance of the field: Migraine is a debilitating and painful neurological disorder affecting millions of people worldwide and often worsened by chronification. Triptans represent a powerful pharmacological resource in migraine management; nevertheless, a significant portion of treated patients do not obtain consistent pain relief through triptans. Pharmacogenomics may offer a new way to rationalise triptans administration, based on characterisation of the individual genomic profile. Areas covered in this review: The review summarises the results of association studies between polymorphisms in genes involved in the kinetics and dynamics of triptans, and clinical response to them in migraineurs. What the reader will gain: A summary of data available at present from genetic studies in the field of triptan therapy in migraine, and a picture of the difficulties facing research into the pharmacogenomics of triptans. Take home message: Pharmacogenomic studies of triptans suggest that some genetic determinants influence drug response, but the complexity of the field calls for application of a systematic approach to genetic association studies, allowing identification of a therapy response prediction panel with adequate predictive power.
Extrahepatic High-Density Lipoprotein Receptor SR-BI and ApoA-I Protect Against Deep Vein Thrombosis in Mice

Objective—Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are frequent causes of morbidity and mortality. The goal of our study was to determine whether plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which inversely correlates with the risk of cardiovascular events, affects DVT. Methods and Results—Using a murine DVT model of inferior vena cava stenosis, we demonstrated that deficiency of the HDL receptor, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), promotes venous thrombosis. As SR-BI−/− mice have increased plasma cholesterol levels and abnormal HDL particles, we tested SR-BI−/− mice with an SR-BI liver transgene that normalizes both parameters. These mice also exhibited increased susceptibility to DVT, indicating a protective role of extrahepatic SR-BI. Mice lacking the major HDL apolipoprotein apoA-I or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (a downstream target of endothelial SR-BI signaling) also had a prothrombotic phenotype. Intravenous infusion of human apoA-I, an HDL component and SR-BI ligend, prevented DVT in wild-type but not SR-BI−/− or eNOS−/− mice, suggesting that its effect is mediated by SR-BI and eNOS. Intravenous apoA-I infusion abolished histamine-induced platelet–endothelial interactions, which are important for DVT initiation. Conclusion—An apoA-I (HDL)–SR-BI–eNOS axis is highly protective in DVT and may provide new targets for prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis.
The 3L Algorithm for Fitting Implicit Polynomial Curves and Surfaces to Data

We introduce a completely new approach to fitting implicit polynomial geometric shape models to data and to studying these polynomials. The power of these models is in their ability to represent nonstar complex shapes in two(2D) and three-dimensional (3D) data to permit fast, repeatable fitting to unorganized data which may not be uniformly sampled and which may contain gaps, to permit position-invariant shape recognition based on new complete sets of Euclidean and affine invariants and to permit fast, stable single-computation pose estimation. The algorithm represents a significant advancement of implicit polynomial technology for four important reasons. First, it is orders of magnitude taster than existing fitting methods for implicit polynomial 2D curves and 3D surfaces, and the algorithms for 2D and 3D are essentially the same. Second, it has significantly better repeatability, numerical stability, and robustness than current methods in dealing with noisy, deformed, or missing data. Third, it can easily fit polynomials of high, such as 14th or 16th, degree. Fourth, additional linear constraints can be easily incorporated into the fitting process, and general linear vector space concepts apply.
Fast-moving bimorph actuator based on electrochemically treated millimeter-long carbon nanotube electrodes and ionic liquid gel

The development is described of an electromechanical bimorph actuator composed of ionic liquid gel sandwiched by electrochemically treated millimeter-long single-walled carbon nanotubes (SG-SWNT). Electrochemical doping of the SG-SWNT and electrochemical polymerization of polypyrrole on the surface of the SG-SWNT improved the performance of a previously reported actuator using non-treated SG-SWNTs. The conductivity of the SG-SWNT sheets treated at the anodic potential (doped) was found to be three times larger than that of the original film. The generated strain of the actuator prepared from the doped SG-SWNT sheets was increased compared to that prepared from non-doped sample. Moreover, the generated strain of the actuator from the doped SG-SWNT sheets swelled with ionic liquid (IL) was increased to twice that without ILs. The electropolymerization of pyrrole on the surface of the SG-SWNT sheet was carried out. The conductivity of the SG-SWNT was seven times larger after the electropolymerization. The generated strain of the SG-SWNT actuator prepared from the SG-SWNT sheets with electropolymerization was twice as large as that without the electropolymerization at low frequency. At higher frequency, both actuators provide almost the same performance. Both actuators exhibit mechanical resonance at about 100 Hz.
Glottal pathology discrimination using ANN and SVM

Use of modern technological advances in real-time biomedical analysis is very crucial. Current work focuses on glottal pathology discrimination based on non-invasive speech analysis techniques. Primary set back in developing such method is irregular performance depreciation of several state of the art acoustic features. To excuse such problems, we have used glottal to noise excitation ratio, which predicts the breathiness quotient of the speech signal and is supported by characteristic mean pitch value. To build a judicial model, we have used Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Categorization performance is compared using well known parameters like true positive rate, true negative rate and accuracy. Results of the analysis show slightly favored performance for SVM based decisive system.
A Study on Dynamic Adjustment Behavior of Asset-Liability Ratio of Manufacturing Listed Companies in China

The paper studies on adjustment behavior of asset-liability ratio of manufacturing listed companies in China from a dynamic perspective. Based on the panel data from 2001 to 2008, this paper conducts system GMM methods to estimate. Results show that asset liquidity, non-debt tax shield, growth and net profit are negatively correlated with asset-liability ratio of China’s manufacturing listed companies, company size and asset structure are positively correlated with the asset-liability ratio, macroeconomic situation also has a significant impact on the asset-liability ratio; Companies can only make partial adjustment after deviating from optimal asset-liability ratio level because of the adjustment costs, the adjustment speed is about 0.345，the corresponding adjustment half-period is 2.01 years, the adjustment costs of asset-liability ratio of manufacturing listed companies in China are higher than that in the developed countries.
Signed Laplacian Embedding for Supervised Dimension Reduction

Manifold learning is a powerful tool for solving nonlinear dimension reduction problems. By assuming that the high-dimensional data usually lie on a low-dimensional manifold, many algorithms have been proposed. However, most algorithms simply adopt the traditional graph Laplacian to encode the data locality, so the discriminative ability is limited and the embedding results are not always suitable for the subsequent classification. Instead, this paper deploys the signed graph Laplacian and proposes Signed Laplacian Embedding (SLE) for supervised dimension reduction. By exploring the label information, SLE comprehensively transfers the discrimination carried by the original data to the embedded low-dimensional space. Without perturbing the discrimination structure, SLE also retains the locality.Theoretically, we prove the immersion property by computing the rank of projection, and relate SLE to existing algorithms in the frame of patch alignment. Thorough empirical studies on synthetic and real datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of SLE.
Determination of security limits with respect to voltage instability at RTE

This paper reports on the implementation of Voltage Security Assessment tools in the energy management system of RTE, the French transmission system operator. In particular, secure operation limits are determined in voltage sensitive regions. This involves a load increase in the region of concern, covered by a power transfer from various locations throughout the system. The limit is the maximum load power increase such that the system can withstand every contingency of a list. A salient feature of the tool is the use of a simplified, fast time simulation based on the quasi steady-state approximation. This is justified by the presence of controls reacting to the load power increase and the contingency, which makes standard power flow computations inappropriate. The paper also describes the implementation of the tools in the energy management platform of RTE and shows some typical results.
Manufacturing technique for robust and modular smart composites

Smart composites are composite structures that possess sensory and actuating properties through embedded transducers. In engineering practice the embedded transducers are often lead zirconium titanate (PZT) wafers coated on both sides with sputtered nickel or silver electrodes, employing the direct and inverse piezoelectric effect to sense and actuate strain, respectively. Structural composites provide the fragile PZT wafers with needed protection for practical use. A robust electrical connection to each wafer side is the primary challenge, particularly when embedding multiple wafer layers. Previous efforts involved attaching single wire leads to the electrode surfaces, leading to wire breakage or wafer micro-cracking under the high-pressure composite cure. A new approach uses conductive wire mesh layers throughout the composite ply area. Such meshes are advantageous in both the manufacturing process and the performance of the finished product. Standard composite manufacturing techniques are used. Multiple layers of PZT wafers can be robustly embedded with each having its own electrical address. The resulting smart composite is entirely modular: each embedded transducer can be reconfigured on the fly to serve as bimorph or unimorph strain sensor or actuator. Uses include active and passive structural health monitoring device and part of a high-precision active vibration damping system.
A Novel Function of Noc2 in Agonist-Induced Intracellular Ca2+ Increase during Zymogen-Granule Exocytosis in Pancreatic Acinar Cells

Noc2, a putative Rab effector, contributes to secretory-granule exocytosis in neuroendocrine and exocrine cells. Here, using two-photon excitation live-cell imaging, we investigated its role in Ca2+-dependent zymogen granule (ZG) exocytosis in pancreatic acinar cells from wild-type (WT) and Noc2-knockout (KO) mice. Imaging of a KO acinar cell revealed an expanded granular area, indicating ZG accumulation. In our spatiotemporal analysis of the ZG exocytosis induced by agonist (cholecystokinin or acetylcholine) stimulation, the location and rate of progress of ZG exocytosis did not differ significantly between the two strains. ZG exocytosis from KO acinar cells was seldom observed at physiological concentrations of agonists, but was normal (vs. WT) at high concentrations. Flash photolysis of a caged calcium compound confirmed the integrity of the fusion step of ZG exocytosis in KO acinar cells. The decreased ZG exocytosis present at physiological concentrations of agonists raised the possibility of impaired elicitation of calcium spikes. When calcium spikes were evoked in KO acinar cells by a high agonist concentration: (a) they always started at the apical portion and traveled to the basal portion, and (b) calcium oscillations over the 10 µM level were observed, as in WT acinar cells. At physiological concentrations of agonists, however, sufficient calcium spikes were not observed, suggesting an impaired [Ca2+]i-increase mechanism in KO acinar cells. We propose that in pancreatic acinar cells, Noc2 is not indispensable for the membrane fusion of ZG per se, but instead performs a novel function favoring agonist-induced physiological [Ca2+]i increases.
Nanomaterials for biosensing applications: a review

A biosensor device is defined by its biological, or bioinspired receptor unit with unique specificities toward corresponding analytes. These analytes are often of biological origin like DNAs of bacteria or viruses, or proteins which are generated from the immune system (antibodies, antigens) of infected or contaminated living organisms. Such analytes can also be simple molecules like glucose or pollutants when a biological receptor unit with particular specificity is available. One of many other challenges in biosensor development is the efficient signal capture of the biological recognition event (transduction). Such transducers translate the interaction of the analyte with the biological element into electrochemical, electrochemiluminescent, magnetic, gravimetric, or optical signals. In order to increase sensitivities and to lower detection limits down to even individual molecules, nanomaterials are promising candidates due to the possibility to immobilize an enhanced quantity of bioreceptor units at reduced volumes and even to act itself as transduction element. Among such nanomaterials, gold nanoparticles, semi-conductor quantum dots, polymer nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds, and graphene are intensively studied. Due to the vast evolution of this research field, this review summarizes in a non-exhaustive way the advantages of nanomaterials by focusing on nano-objects which provide further beneficial properties than “just” an enhanced surface area.
A comparative study of the turbulent Rayleigh-Taylor instability using high-resolution three-dimensional numerical simulations: The Alpha-Group collaboration

The turbulent Rayleigh–Taylor instability is investigated in the limit of strong mode-coupling using a variety of high-resolution, multimode, three dimensional numerical simulations (NS). The perturbations are initialized with only short wavelength modes so that the self-similar evolution (i.e., bubble diameter Db∝amplitude hb) occurs solely by the nonlinear coupling (merger) of saturated modes. After an initial transient, it is found that hb∼αbAgt2, where A=Atwood number, g=acceleration, and t=time. The NS yield Db∼hb/3 in agreement with experiment but the simulation value αb∼0.025±0.003 is smaller than the experimental value αb∼0.057±0.008. By analyzing the dominant bubbles, it is found that the small value of αb can be attributed to a density dilution due to fine-scale mixing in our NS without interface reconstruction (IR) or an equivalent entrainment in our NS with IR. This may be characteristic of the mode coupling limit studied here and the associated αb may represent a lower bound that is insensiti.
Assessment of anterior and posterior corneal indices using two Scheimpflug analyzers.

PURPOSE To assess the agreement between the elevation and curvature measurements of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces obtained using the Galilei Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer and those obtained using the Pentacam single Scheimpflug system. METHODS This prospective, noninterventional, diagnostic study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology at the American University of Beirut (Medical Center) and included 60 eyes of 60 consecutive patients. Measurements were obtained using 2 different Scheimpflug analyzers (Galilei and Pentacam). The best-fit sphere was set at 8 mm in both machines. Pachymetry (CCT), anterior elevation (AE) and posterior elevation (PE), and curvature were assessed. Pearson's correlation coefficients, comparison of means, and Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate agreement between the 2 systems. RESULTS The average CCT (at the corneal apex) was 533 ± 35 µm and 532 ± 37 µm (p=0.980), the average central AE was 1.25 ± 3.95 µm and 2.29 ± 5.28 µm (p=0.964), and the average central PE was 4.19 ± 8.18 µm and 5.42 ± 14.05 (p=0.956) µm with the Galilei and Pentacam, respectively. CONCLUSION The Scheimpflug analyzers correlated well in the assessment of pachymetry, elevation, and curvature.