Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sulong - execution of LLVM-based languages on the JVM: position paper

For the last decade, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) has been a popular platform to host languages other than Java. Language implementation frameworks like Truffle allow the implementation of dynamic languages such as JavaScript or Ruby with competitive performance and completeness. However, statically typed languages are still rare under Truffle. We present Sulong, an LLVM IR interpreter that brings all LLVM-based languages including C, C++, and Fortran in one stroke to the JVM. Executing these languages on the JVM enables a wide area of future research, including high-performance interoperability between high-level and low-level languages, combination of static and dynamic optimizations, and a memory-safe execution of otherwise unsafe and unmanaged languages.
Effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii in a rat model of colitis.

AIM To investigate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) in an experimental rat model of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. METHODS Thirty-two Wistar albino female rats were categorized into five groups. On the first day of the study, 50 mg TNBS was administered via a rectal catheter in order to induce colitis in all rats, except those in the control group. For 14 d, the rats were fed a standard diet, without the administration of any additional supplements to either the control or TNBS groups, in addition to 1 mg/kg per day S. boulardii to the S. boulardii group, 1 mg/kg per day methyl prednisolone (MP) to the MP group. The animals in the S. boulardii + MP group were coadministered these doses of S. boulardii and MP. During the study, weight loss, stool consistency, and the presence of obvious blood in the stool were evaluated, and the disease activity index (DAI) for colitis was recorded. The intestines were examined and colitis was macro- and microscopically scored. The serum and tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined, and fungemia was evaluated in the blood samples. RESULTS The mean DAI scores for the MP and S. boulardii + MP groups was significantly lower than the TNBS group (3.69 ± 0.61 vs 4.46 ± 0.34, P = 0.018 and 3.77 ± 0.73 vs 4.46 ± 0.34, P = 0.025, respectively). While no significant differences between the TNBS and the S. boulardii or MP groups could be determined in terms of serum NO levels, the level of serum NO in the S. boulardii + MP group was significantly higher than in the TNBS and S. boulardii groups (8.12 ± 4.25 μmol/L vs 3.18 ± 1.19 μmol/L, P = 0.013; 8.12 ± 4.25 μmol/L vs 3.47 ± 1.66 μmol/L, P = 0.012, respectively). The tissue NO levels in the S. boulardii, MP and S. boulardii + MP groups were significantly lower than the TNBS group (16.62 ± 2.27 μmol/L vs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L, P = 0.002; 14.66 ± 5.18 μmol/L vs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L, P = 0.003; 11.95 ± 2.34 μmol/L vs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L, P = 0.002, respectively). The tissue NO levels in the S. boulardii, MP and S. boulardii + MP groups were similar. The mean serum and tissue TNF-α levels were determined to be 12.97 ± 18.90 pg/mL and 21.75 ± 15.04 pg/mL in the control group, 18.25 ± 15.44 pg/mL and 25.27 ± 11.95 pg/mL in the TNBS group, 20.59 ± 16.15 pg/mL and 24.39 ± 13.06 pg/mL in the S. boulardii group, 9.05 ± 5.13 pg/mL and 24.46 ± 10.85 pg/mL in the MP group, and 13.95 ± 10.17 pg/mL and 24.26 ± 10.37 pg/mL in the S. boulardii + MP group. Significant differences in terms of the levels of serum and tissue TNF-α and the macroscopic and microscopic scores were not found between the groups. S. boulardii fungemia was not observed in any of the rats. However, Candida fungemia was detected in one rat (14%) in the TNBS group, two rats (28%) in the S. boulardii group, three rats (50%) in the MP group, and three rats (42%) in S. boulardii + MP group. CONCLUSION S. boulardii does not demonstrate considerable effects on the DAI, pathological scores, or cytokine levels but does decrease the tissue NO levels.
Progress on Re-generable Field Emission Cathodes for Low- Power Electric Propulsion

The research reported here explores the possibility of field-emission cathodes for use in EP that have the ability to be re-generated when the emitter tip becomes damaged. The method for re-generation takes advantage of Taylor cone formation in an effort to solidify, or quench, an operating liquid-metal-ion-source (LMIS) to preserve the sharp Taylor cone tip for use as a field-emission cathode. Electron emission I-V curves were taken after Taylor cones were formed by quenching the LMIS at different discharge currents. It is shown that quenching the LMIS at as low as 2 μA produced an increase in electron discharge current as compared with the unquenched emitter, 53 nA as compared with 25 nA at an extraction voltage of 2.7 kV. When the ion emission current at quench was increased to 3 μA and then 25 μ μ μ μA, the discharge that was measured increased to 210 nA for the 3 μA emitter and 1.02 μA for the 25 μ μ μ μA emitter at an extraction voltage of 2.7 kV. Fitting the electron emission I-V characteristics using Fowler-Nordheim theory indicated tip radii as small as 80 nm were formed during the LMIS quenching process.
The induction of liver cancer by dietary deficiency of choline and methionine without added carcinogens.

Fischer 344 male rats fed a choline-methionine deficient diet for from 13 to 24 months developed a 100% incidence of putative preneoplastic hepatocyte nodules and a 51% incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. The addition of 0.8% choline chloride completely prevented the development of both the nodules and the cancer. The diet contained no added known carcinogen. Analysis of the deficient and supplemented diets revealed no detectable volatile nitrosamines or nitrosamides, nitrite, nitrate or malonaldehyde, less than 0.9 p.p.b. aflatoxin B1 and barely detectable levels of Ames positive material with one strain of Salmonella typhimurium. These findings indicate that a dietary deficiency of choline and methionine can be a major rate limiting factor in the development of liver cancer.
valuation of a simple approach for crop evapotranspiration artitioning and analysis of the water budget distribution for several rop species

Climate variability and climate change induce important intraand inter-annual variability of precipitation that significantly alters the hydrologic cycle. The surface water budgets and the plant or ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) are in turn modified. Obtaining greater insight into how climatic variability and agricultural practices affect water budgets and regarding their components in croplands is, thus, important for adapting crop management and limiting water losses. Therefore, the principal objectives
Avian scale development XVII: The epidermis of the scaleless (sc/sc) anterior metatarsal skin is determined, but the dermis lacks permissive cues for the patterned expression of the determined state

Embryos homozygous for the gene scaleless (sc/sc) completely lack scutate scales and the beta strata which characterize terminal differentiation of the scale ridges located on the anterior metatarsal region of the foot. Although the sc/sc epidermis cannot undergo scale morphogenesis, it can respond to the inductive dermal ridges of normal scutate scales by generating beta strata. Recently, we discovered that the anterior metatarsal epidermis of normal embryos becomes committed to the formation of beta strata prior to morphogenesis of definitive scale ridges. Here, we examined the possibility that the sc/sc anterior metatarsal epidermis also becomes determined, i.e., committed to scutate scale‐specific terminal differentiation. Experimental tissue recombinants were used to assess the ability of the sc/sc epidermis to generate beta strata. The results show that the germinative cells of the 15‐day sc/sc epidermis are committed to generating beta strata, even though they have not undergone scutate scale morphogenesis. Thus, the mechanisms involved in establishing epidermal determination must differ form those regulating scale morphogenesis.
An improved classification model based on covering algorithm and SVM

In order to overcome some shortages of SVM, an improved classification model is introduced in this paper. For the first problem about isolated points or noises mixed in training data sets which will cause overfitting problem and decrease the capability of generalization for SVM, we proposed modified covering algorithm to find out the isolated points and deal with it by the definition of covering sample density. As for the second problem, time cost for training SVM on large data sets usually is high; we introduce modified CA as the pre-classification step to reduce the training sample scale, by constructing a series of covers and deleting the isolated points, and then use the centroids of the rest covers as the new training data sets for SVM training. By the experiments on the real world data sets, results show the training time can drop significantly, and the accuracy is very close to Lib-SVM. So, CA-SVM is an efficient classification model.
Mechanical Characteristics of Rat Vibrissae: Resonant Frequencies and Damping in Isolated Whiskers and in the Awake Behaving Animal

We investigated the natural resonance properties and damping characteristics of rat macrovibrissae (whiskers). Isolated whiskers rigidly fixed at the base showed first-mode resonance peaks between 27 and 260 Hz, principally depending on whisker length. These experimentally measured resonant frequencies were matched using a theoretical model of the whisker as a conical cantilever beam, with Young's modulus as the only free parameter. The best estimate for Young's modulus was ∼3-4 GPa. Results of both vibration and impulse experiments showed that the whiskers are strongly damped, with damping ratios between 0.11 and 0.17. In the behaving animal, whiskers that deflected past an object were observed to resonate but were damped significantly more than isolated whiskers. The time course of damping varied depending on the individual whisker and the phase of the whisking cycle, which suggests that the rat may modulate biomechanical parameters that affect damping. No resonances were observed for whiskers that did not contact the object or during free whisking in air. Finally, whiskers on the same side of the face were sometimes observed to move in opposite directions over the full duration of a whisk. We discuss the potential roles of resonance during natural exploratory behavior and specifically suggest that resonant oscillations may be important in the rat's tactile detection of object boundaries.
Research of Task Scheduling of Ad hoc Cluster Computing Based on Genetic Algorithm

The system of Ad hoc cluster computing is a flexible, self-organization and expandable applications. The request of a task may have more than one back-up resources to meet demand in the Ad hic cluster computing system. How to choose the best resources available to users is the core of system. This paper proposes a kind of genetic algorithm for task scheduling in Ad hoc cluster computing in view of mathematical description and analysis of the capacity of the nodes, network resources and energy of the nodes. The experimental results show that the algorithm can make full use of limited bandwidth resources and maximize the continual ability of network.
Treatment failure and resistance with direct‐acting antiviral drugs against hepatitis C virus

Current treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is based on the combination of pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin. The recent development of direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) molecules that are active on HCV, together with in vitro and in vivo studies showing that these drugs may lead to the selection of resistant viruses if administered alone, has raised concerns that resistance may undermine therapy based on DAAs. A new standard‐of‐care treatment will soon be available for both treatment‐naive and treatment‐experienced patients infected with HCV genotype 1, based on a triple combination of pegylated interferon‐α, ribavirin, and a protease inhibitor (either telaprevir or boceprevir). With this therapy, most failures to eradicate infection in treatment‐adherent patients are due to an inadequate response to pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin, in the context of a low genetic barrier to resistance of first‐generation protease inhibitors. This article reviews patterns of resistance to HCV DAA drugs in development, the mechanisms underlying treatment failure when these drugs are combined with pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin, the consequences of treatment failure, and possible means of optimizing future therapies that use DAAs. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;)
A search algorithm of bifurcation point in an impact oscillator with periodic threshold

In this paper, we propose a search algorithm of bifurcation point in an impact oscillator with periodic threshold. The algorithm based on the Poincaré map approach. In particular, we target the periodic threshold as the bifurcation analysis parameter. First, we define the composite Poincaré map of the two-dimensional impact oscillator. Next, we show the derivative of the Poincaré map with a parameter of the threshold. Finally, we apply the algorithm for a rigid overhead wire-pantograph system. The validity of the algorithm will be verified by the analyses results.
Selective Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor‐2 (VEGFR‐2) Identifies a Central Role for VEGFR‐2 in Human Aortic Endothelial Cell Responses to VEGF

Abstract Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) are considered essential for angiogenesis. The VEGFR‐family proteins consist of VEGFR‐1/Flt‐1, VEGFR‐2/KDR/Flk‐1, and VEGFR‐3/Flt‐4. Among these, VEGFR‐2 is thought to be principally responsible for angiogenesis. However, the precise role of VEGFRs1–3 in endothelial cell biology and angiogenesis remains unclear due in part to the lack of VEGFR‐specific inhibitors. We used the newly described, highly selective anilinoquinazoline inhibitor of VEGFR‐2 tyrosine kinase, ZM323881 (5‐[[7‐(benzyloxy) quinazolin‐4‐yl]amino]‐4‐fluoro‐2‐methylphenol), to explore the role of VEGFR‐2 in endothelial cell function. Consistent with its reported effects on VEGFR‐2 [IC(50) < 2 nM], ZM323881 inhibited activation of VEGFR‐2, but not of VEGFR‐1, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor. We studied the effects of VEGF on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), which express VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2, but not VEGFR‐3, in the absence or presence of ZM323881. Inhibition of VEGFR‐2 blocked activation of extracellular regulated‐kinase, p38, Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS) by VEGF, but did not inhibit p38 activation by the VEGFR‐1‐specific ligand, placental growth factor (PlGF). Inhibition of VEGFR‐2 also perturbed VEGF‐induced membrane extension, cell migration, and tube formation by HAECs. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 inhibition also reversed VEGF‐stimulated phosphorylation of CrkII and its Src homology 2 (SH2)‐binding protein p130Cas, which are known to play a pivotal role in regulating endothelial cell migration. Inhibition of VEGFR‐2 thus blocked all VEGF‐induced endothelial cellular responses tested, supporting that the catalytic activity of VEGFR‐2 is critical for VEGF signaling and/or that VEGFR‐2 may function in a heterodimer with VEGFR‐1 in human vascular endothelial cells.
Individual and Group Selection in Symmetric 2-Player Games

A population of individuals is divided into groups. Individuals are recurrently randomly matched with individuals from their group to play a generic symmetric 2-player game. Deterministic interand intragroup dynamics are derived from a model of individual imitation within groups and individual migration between groups. Conditions are identified under which subsets (components) of the set of stationary states are (interior) asymptotically stable. The results are then applied to generic coordination games and the prisoners’ dilemma. The unique asymptotically stable set of stationary states in coordination games is such that every individual in non-extinct groups plays the Paretooptimal equilibrium. In the multi-group prisoners’ dilemma there is no asymptotically stable subset of the set of stationary states. JEL classification: C62, C72, C73
Comparative Study between Setting Position Versus Left Lateral Position Effects During Spinal Anesthesia Block in Caesarean Section

Background: A caesarean section is recommended when vaginal delivery is a threat to the mother or child. Aim of study: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of position (sitting versus left lateral) during spinal anesthesia application in cesarean section. The sample of the study was 60 patients. Patients and Methods: Half of the patients received spinal analgesia consisting of 2 ml (10 mg) of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 25μg fentanyl in the sitting position, while the other half received spinal analgesia consisting of 2 ml (10 mg) of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 25μg fentanyl in the left lateral position. Results: both Left lateral and sitting position in spinal anesthesia in cesarean section have the same effect on hemodynamics, also satisfactory sensory and motor block can be achieved in both positions. So left lateral position is safe and can be performed in parturient who are sedated, in pain or using entonox. Conclusion: Satisfactory sensory and motor blockade were successfully achieved in both sitting and lateral positions during intrathecal injection in cesarean section without significant difference in the hemodynamic changes or motor blockade. With superiority of faster onset of sensory blockade in lateral position, while sitting position is more comfortable for he parturient.
Changes in the miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Precede Motor Symptoms in a Mouse Model of Multiple System Atrophy: Clinical Implications

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal rapidly progressive α-synucleinopathy, characterized by α-synuclein accumulation in oligodendrocytes. It is accepted that the pathological α-synuclein accumulation in the brain of MSA patients plays a leading role in the disease process, but little is known about the events in the early stages of the disease. In this study we aimed to define potential roles of the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in the early pre-motor stages of the disease, i.e., downstream of α-synuclein accumulation in oligodendroglia, as assessed in a transgenic mouse model of MSA. We investigated the expression patterns of miRNAs and their mRNA targets in substantia nigra (SN) and striatum, two brain regions that undergo neurodegeneration at a later stage in the MSA model, by microarray and RNA-seq analysis, respectively. Analysis was performed at a time point when α-synuclein accumulation was already present in oligodendrocytes at neuropathological examination, but no neuronal loss nor deficits of motor function had yet occurred. Our data provide a first evidence for the leading role of gene dysregulation associated with deficits in immune and inflammatory responses in the very early, non-symptomatic disease stages of MSA. While dysfunctional homeostasis and oxidative stress were prominent in SN in the early stages of MSA, in striatum differential gene expression in the non-symptomatic phase was linked to oligodendroglial dysfunction, disturbed protein handling, lipid metabolism, transmembrane transport and altered cell death control, respectively. A large number of putative miRNA-mRNAs interaction partners were identified in relation to the control of these processes in the MSA model. Our results support the role of early changes in the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in the pathogenesis of MSA preceding the clinical onset of the disease. The findings thus contribute to understanding the disease process and are likely to pave the way towards identifying disease biomarkers for early diagnosis of MSA.
Monte Carlo methods of PageRank computation

We describe and analyze an on-line Monte Carlo method of PageRank computation. The PageRank is being estimated basing on results of a large number of short independent simulation runs initiated from each page that contains outgoing hyperlinks. The method does not require any storage of the hyperlink matrix and is highly parallelizable. We study confidence intervals, and discover drawbacks of the absolute error criterion and the relative error criterion. Further, we suggest a so-called weighted relative error criterion, which ensures a good accuracy in a relatively small number of simulation runs. Moreover, with the weighted relative error measure, the complexity of the algorithm does not depend on the web structure.
Dopamine is a key regulator in the signalling pathway underlying predator-induced defences in Daphnia

The waterflea Daphnia is a model to investigate the genetic basis of phenotypic plasticity resulting from one differentially expressed genome. Daphnia develops adaptive phenotypes (e.g. morphological defences) thwarting predators, based on chemical predator cue perception. To understand the genomic basis of phenotypic plasticity, the description of the precedent cellular and neuronal mechanisms is fundamental. However, key regulators remain unknown. All neuronal and endocrine stimulants were able to modulate but not induce defences, indicating a pathway of interlinked steps. A candidate able to link neuronal with endocrine responses is the multi-functional amine dopamine. We here tested its involvement in trait formation in Daphnia pulex and Daphnia longicephala using an induction assay composed of predator cues combined with dopaminergic and cholinergic stimulants. The mere application of both stimulants was sufficient to induce morphological defences. We determined dopamine localization in cells found in close association with the defensive trait. These cells serve as centres controlling divergent morphologies. As a mitogen and sclerotization agent, we anticipate that dopamine is involved in proliferation and structural formation of morphological defences. Furthermore, dopamine pathways appear to be interconnected with endocrine pathways, and control juvenile hormone and ecdysone levels. In conclusion, dopamine is suggested as a key regulator of phenotypic plasticity.
Control of an aerial robot with multi-link arm for assembly tasks

This paper deals with aerial manipulators consisting of an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a robotic multi-link arm. The paper presents methods for the control of the aerial platform taking into account the motion of the arm. It shows how a Variable Parameter Integral Backstepping controller outperforms the results obtained by using PID controllers. The paper presents a quadrotor with a new arm designed for assembly tasks and the implementation of the proposed control methods. Simulations and outdoor experiments confirm the validity of the proposed approach.
A PCA-based approach to the representation and recognition of MR brain midsagittal plane images

The midsaggital plane (MSP) of brain images is a key landmark used for many processing and analysis procedures associated with diagnosis, and intervention planning for the brain. In this paper, we propose to represent MSP images with features from principal component analysis (PCA). MSP images are extracted from 43 brain MRI volumes of different subjects. Images are represented as linear combinations of a set of eigenimages which define the eigenspace that best describes the variation distribution of the set of images. The results of tests using planes extracted with slight orientational variations about the MSP show 100% recognition accuracy for planes varied under 0.5 degrees, and its robustness to MSP extraction error within variations of 1 degree in magnitude. The validation of this method with different MSP images yields a recognition accuracy of 88.6%.