Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects over time of feeding a beta-adrenergic agonist to wether lambs on animal performance, muscle growth, endogenous muscle proteinase activities, and meat tenderness.

Forty wether lambs were used in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement to determine the response of animal performance, muscle growth, proteinase activity, and meat tenderness to beta-adrenergic agonist (BAA) supplementation. Lambs were fed a finishing diet with or without 4 ppm of L644,969 and slaughtered after 0, 2, 4, and 6 wk of treatment. The ADG was higher (P < .05) in the treated than in the control lambs after 2 wk and returned to control levels thereafter. Semitendinosus weight and calpastatin activity were higher and mu-calpain activity was lower in the treated than in the control lambs after 2, 4, and 6 wk. Cathepsin B activity was higher (P < .01) and cystatin-like activity was lower (P < .05) after 2 wk in treated than in control lambs but returned to control levels thereafter. Longissimus protein:DNA was higher after 4 (P < .05) and 6 (P < .01) wk in the treated lambs than in the controls. The concentration of RNA and RNA:DNA ratio were higher (P < .01) in the longissimus and semitendinosus muscles in the treated lambs after 2 wk and remained higher throughout the study. Semitendinosus protein and RNA content were higher after 2, 4, and 6 wk and DNA content was higher after 2 and 6 wk in the treated than in the control lambs. Longissimus shear-force values were higher (P < .001) in the treated than in the control lambs at all slaughter end points. These data indicate a rapid alteration of muscle growth, activity of the calpain-calpastatin system, and meat tenderness during BAA treatment. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fast Accurate Valuation of American Options

We present a novel approach for contingent claim valuation in the Black Scholes model called the ANALYTIC METHOD OF LINES. The approach is applied to the valuation of American options for which early exercise is optimal. We develop explicit valuation formulae for both the option value and the critical stock price. The formulae are arbitrarily accurate and computationally efficient. We compare our results against other approaches and find significantly improved speed and accuracy.
Dual agent chemoprotection by retroviral co‐expression of either MDR1 or MRP1 with the P140K mutant of O6‐methylguanine‐DNA‐methyl transferase

Tumour resistance to chemotherapeutic agents results in most chemotherapy being administered in a multi‐agent fashion that is often associated with a high level of toxicity in highly proliferative tissues such as the haematopoietic compartment. Thus, whilst many genetic manipulation strategies aim to protect normal tissue against a single component of a multi‐agent regime, it is clearly preferable to protect normal cells against all toxicities. In this study we have used retroviral gene transfer to achieve co‐expression of either p‐glycoprotein (MDR1) or multi‐drug resistance‐related protein 1 (MRP1) with the P140K mutant form of O6‐methylguanine‐DNA‐methyl transferase (MGMT) which, unlike the wild‐type protein, is insensitive to inactivation by tumour sensitisers such as O6‐benzylguanine (O6‐BeG) or PaTrin2. The combination of certain MDR1/MRP1 substrate drugs with O6‐alkylating agents (against which MGMT confers resistance) is particularly myelotoxic. We show here that haematopoietic progenitors co‐expressing mutant MGMT with an ABC‐transporter exhibit resistance to combination chemotherapy in vitro. This combination of drug transporter and DNA repair function may provide an effective in vivo protection of the haematopoietic compartment during tumour ablation using combination chemotherapy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Forwarding Efficiency in NFV-Nodes Toward Predictable Service Chain Performance

The concept of network functions virtualization (NFV) has been embodied in commercial networks over the past years. Software-based virtual network functions have forwarding performance concerns in general, and various acceleration technologies have been developed so far, such as DPDK and vhost-user. Existence of several alternatives requires network engineers or operators to select appropriate technologies; however, no pragmatic criterion exists for constructing high-performance NFV-nodes. From their points of view, a lack of common benchmark and understanding of performance characteristics makes it difficult to predict hop-by-hop performance in a service chain, which results in prevention of NFV deployment in mission-critical networks. In this paper, we clarify performance characteristics of packet forwarding in NFV nodes focusing on three types of acceleration technologies; packet I/O architecture, virtual network I/O, and forwarding engine in a practical stage. We examined three packet I/O architectures (NAPI, netmap, and DPDK), three virtual I/O mechanisms (vhost-net, vhost-user, and SR-IOV), and four practical forwarding programs (Open vSwitch, OVS-DPDK, xDPd-DPDK, and Lagopus) with three referential programs (Linux Bridge, VALE, and L2FWD-DPDK). The experiment was conducted on a 40 GbE environment and we examined two device-under-test machines having different CPU performance. We argue performance characteristics of each technology and give quantitative analyses of the result. The key findings are: 1) CPU core speed has impact on both throughput and latency/jitter; 2) DPDK can allow performance prediction; 3) vhost-user is appropriate for real environment; and 4) OVS-DPDK provides a good combination of performance and functionality.
Can New Light Rail Reduce Personal Vehicle Carbon Emissions? A Before‐After, Experimental‐Control Evaluation in Los Angeles

This paper uses a before-after, experimental-control group method to evaluate the impacts of the newly opened Expo light rail transit line in Los Angeles on personal vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We applied the California Air Resources Board's EMFAC 2011 emission model to estimate the amount of daily average CO2 emissions from personal vehicle travel for 160 households across two waves, before and after the light rail opened. The 160 households were part of an experimental–control group research design. Approximately half of the households live within a half-mile of new Expo light rail stations (the experimental group) and the balance of the sampled households live beyond a half-mile from Expo light rail stations (the control group). Households tracked odometer mileage for all household vehicles for seven days in two sample waves, before the Expo Line opened (fall, 2011) and after the Expo Line opened (fall, 2012). Our analysis indicates that opening the Expo Line had a statistically significant impact on average daily CO2 emissions from motor vehicles. We found that the CO2 emission of households who reside within a half-mile of an Expo Line station was 27.17 percent smaller than those living more than a half-mile from a station after the opening of the light rail, while no significant difference exists before the opening. A difference-in-difference model suggests that the opening of the Expo Line is associated with 3,145 g less of household vehicle CO2 emissions per day as a treatment effect. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the emission reduction effect is also present when the experimental group of households is redefined to be those living within a kilometer from the new light rail stations.
Skill mismatch of graduates in a local labour market

In this paper we first review the (potential and actual) role of the Universities for the local economies in which they operate, especially considering the implications deriving from the degree of skill mismatch (over-education) in a local labour market. Then, in the second part of the paper, we realise an empirical investigation based on administrative information of an Italian University matched with the data of the job centres of the local (provincial) labour market in order to reconstruct the characteristics of the university-to-work transitions of graduates. Our results have important policy implications, since for local development it is crucial, among other things, to make the best use of all human resources and especially those with the highest educational level.
mmW characterization of wafer level passivation for 3D silicon interposer

The fabrication of a smart interposer for millimeter wave applications is described in this article. The process flow and fabrication steps are presented. A special focus is made on the electrical characterization of a specific backend routing lines and the wafer level molding material laminated on the interposer. RF properties up to 67 GHz are reported: the backend routing CPW lines exhibit an attenuation loss of 0.5 dB/mm at 60 GHz while the addition of 200 μm molding layer is adding an extra 0.1 dB/mm loss. The relative effective permittivity on the CPW is evaluated at 3.5 and 4.7 without and with molding respectively. The relative and intrinsic dielectric permittivity of the 200 μm molding compound is evaluated at 3.9 and is relatively stable up to 67 GHz. This paves the way to further developments on silicon for mmW applications.
A Molecular Analysis of the Shared Epitope Hypothesis: Binding of Arthritogenic Peptides to DRB1*04 Alleles

The shared epitope hypothesis posits that amino acids QR/KRAA in positions 70–74 of the DRΒ1 chain are responsible for rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility. However, even DRB1*04 alleles containing the shared epitope vary greatly with respect to degrees of susceptibility. This study was undertaken to conduct a molecular examination of the shared epitope hypothesis by measuring binding of arthritogenic peptides to susceptibility and resistance alleles.
Multirotor UAV Coverage Planning under Wind Conditions

Unmanned aerial vehicle coverage is a fast growing area, given that it has several applications such as precision agriculture, mapping, surveillance, etc. In order to cover a terrain, it is necessary to calculate the path that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has to follow. In this paper, we propose a method that calculates the path that minimizes the energy consumption under wind conditions. Unlike previous work that only estimates the path that minimizes the number of flight lines, we have tested the model in simulation and in real experiments obtaining promising results. In some cases, the lowest energy path does not follow the direction of the wind, this contrasts with the well-known flight recommendations, but achieves the target of reducing energy.
Control and Optimization of Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Storage Systems Using Model Predictive Control

In this paper, we develop optimization and control methods for a grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) storage system. The storage component consists of two separate units, a large slower moving unit for energy shifting and arbitrage and a small rapid charging unit for smoothing. We use a Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework to allow the units to automatically and dynamically adapt to changes in PV output while responding to external system operator requests or price signals. At each time step, the system is modeled using convex objectives and constraints and solved to obtain a control schedule for the storage units across the MPC horizon. For each subsequent time step, the first step of the schedule is executed before repeating the optimization process to account for changes in the operating environment and predictions due to availability of additional information. We present simulation results that demonstrate the ability of this optimization framework to respond dynamically in real time to external price signals and provide increased system benefits including smoother power output while respecting and maintaining the functional requirements of the storage units and power converters.
Induction of an auto‐anti‐IgE response in rats. I. Effects on serum IgE concentrations

With a view to specifically suppressing the IgE isotype, rats of high (BN) and low (PVG. RT1u) IgE‐responding phenotypes were immunized with a highly purified rat IgE myeloma (IR2) in an attempt to induce an anto‐anti‐IgE response. Rat IgE antibodies against ϵ determinants were detected in the serum of IR2‐immunized animals using a solid‐phase (plate) radioimmunoassay. The auto‐anti‐IgE antibodies detected were found to bind to IR2, to a second rat IgE myeloma (IR162) and to mouse monoclonal IgE but not rat IgG. The specificity of the anti‐ϵ binding was shown by inhibition studies. The raising of an auto‐anti‐IgE response in PVG. RT1u rats severely depleted the serum level of circulating IgE for at least 8 weeks. In BN rats, immunization with IR2 caused marked fluctuations in serum IgE levels. The rats in both strains remained healthy throughout the experiment. The rate and route of IgE break down was not altered in anti‐IgE‐producing rats. The relevance of the present model in understanding and possibly controlling allergic disorders is consid‐ ered.
A New Keynesian Q Theory and the Link between Inflation and the Stock Market

I show that when prices are sticky the Q theory of firms' behavior predicts that market-book ratios increase as inflation expectations diminish, holding investment fixed. In the data stock prices and investment correlate poorly precisely when stock prices and inflation move in opposite directions. Therefore, this New Keynesian Q (NKQ) theory can rationalize parsimoniously the time-varying correlation between investment and stock prices, and hence the time-series failure of the benchmark Q theory of investment. I estimate and test the NKQ equation by matching the volatility and return forecasting ability of predicted and actual stock prices, which are weak implications of the theory with strong economic and statistical content. Formal tests cannot reject the hypothesis that stock prices and a linear combination of investment and inflation move on the same news about the future. Along many dimensions the simple NKQ equation links well asset prices and macroeconomic variables. (Copyright: Elsevier)
Handling a Public Policy Emergency: The Fair Labor Standards Act in the Public Sector

The sudden imposition of the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act on state and local governments in February 1985 had many characteristics of a natural or technological emergency. ' For the purpose of this analysis, emergency is defined as "a sudden or unexpected occurrence or combination of occurrences demanding prompt action; urgent necessity. "2 In the instance under consideration, the emergency was occasioned by a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority,3 which reversed a legal principle that had been in existence for a decade and which contained no stay of execution to allow those affected to adapt to the change in the law. The decision date was in the middle of most fiscal years, resulting in unbudgeted costs estimated at a total of $3 billion annually. As time passed, problems of employee morale and changed employee attitudes toward the activities of their employers also surfaced. This article examines the response of the local governments to the emergency. For the purpose of comparison, the analysis follows the recommended sequence of activities in dealing with natural and technological emergencies:
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scan Finding of Portal Venous Tumor Thrombus in a Case of Primary Gastric Malignancy

Intraluminal portal venous tumor thrombus is an infrequent association with primary gastric malignancy. Ultrasonography features such as low pulsatile flow within the thrombus, expansion of vein, and enhancement of thrombus are nonspecific findings for diagnosis. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan can differentiate between the benign and malignant thrombus as well as it helps proper metastatic work up. We report such a case.
Effect of Femoral Component Rotation and Patellar Design on Patellar Forces

A force transducer attached to the patella was used to measure patellar contact forces after total knee arthroplasty for neutral femoral component position and for 10° internal and external femoral component rotations. Knees were cycled continuously under load from 10° to 110° flexion. Two designs of knee replacement with differing degrees of intrinsic tibiofemoral constraint were studied. Additionally, contact forces for a dome shaped patella and a modified dome shaped patella (a patellar component with a central projection surrounded by a peripheral flat region) were compared. When using the design with relatively high intrinsic tibiofemoral constraint, there were no significant changes in patellar contact forces after axial rotation of the femoral component. When using the design with relatively low intrinsic tibiofemoral constraint and averaging over the range of flexion angles tested, the mediolateral component of the patellar contact force increased approximately 17% after 10° internal rotation compared with neutral rotation, and the normal component of the patellar contact force decreased approximately 8% after a 10° external rotation compared with 10° internal rotation of the femoral component. The inferosuperior component of the patellar shear force, when using the modified dome shaped patellar component, was significantly lower than for the dome shaped patella.
A Framework for Periodic Outlier Pattern Detection in Time-Series Sequences

Periodic pattern detection in time-ordered sequences is an important data mining task, which discovers in the time series all patterns that exhibit temporal regularities. Periodic pattern mining has a large number of applications in real life; it helps understanding the regular trend of the data along time, and enables the forecast and prediction of future events. An interesting related and vital problem that has not received enough attention is to discover outlier periodic patterns in a time series. Outlier patterns are defined as those which are different from the rest of the patterns; outliers are not noise. While noise does not belong to the data and it is mostly eliminated by preprocessing, outliers are actual instances in the data but have exceptional characteristics compared with the majority of the other instances. Outliers are unusual patterns that rarely occur, and, thus, have lesser support (frequency of appearance) in the data. Outlier patterns may hint toward discrepancy in the data such as fraudulent transactions, network intrusion, change in customer behavior, recession in the economy, epidemic and disease biomarkers, severe weather conditions like tornados, etc. We argue that detecting the periodicity of outlier patterns might be more important in many sequences than the periodicity of regular, more frequent patterns. In this paper, we present a robust and time efficient suffix tree-based algorithm capable of detecting the periodicity of outlier patterns in a time series by giving more significance to less frequent yet periodic patterns. Several experiments have been conducted using both real and synthetic data; all aspects of the proposed approach are compared with the existing algorithm InfoMiner; the reported results demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach.
A novel serial deep multi-task learning model for large scale biomedical semantic indexing

Biomedical semantic indexing refers to annotating biomedical citations with Medical Subject Headings, which is crucial for texting mining, information retrieval and other researches in the field of bioinformatics. The traditional methods ignore the relations among labels and need complicated feature engineering. In this paper, we present a novel model with a deep serial multi-task learning structure, in which the semantic word embedding and bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit are integrated in a multi-task learning paradigm. It differs from an ordinary multi-task structure in that the tasks in our model are serial and tightly coupled rather than parallel. The dataset of the 2017 BioASQ-Task5A is used to evaluate the performance. Without any handcrafted feature, our model outperforms MTI, the state-of-the-art solution proposed by the US National Library of Medicine. It also achieves the highest precision among all the solutions in 2017 BioASQ-Task5A, and converges faster than some naive deep learning methods.
Hybrid model of price pair comparisons: evidence from an event-related potential study

It remains unclear whether number and unit are represented holistically (i.e. number and unit were processed as a whole) or compositionally (number and unit were processed separately) in the brain. The current study asked participants to compare price pairs with different monetary units that were presented serially. The close and far distances were defined in terms of the overall magnitude between two prices. Electrophysiological results showed that the distance effects were observed on the N2 component at the frontal regions, with far distances eliciting more negativity than close distances. This result suggests that participants compute the holistic price magnitudes before comparing them. Furthermore, a congruence effect was observed in the parietal regions. Incongruent prices elicited more negative amplitude than congruent prices on the N2 component, which implied that numbers and monetary units were processed separately over the same time course. Taken together, these findings suggest that numbers and monetary units are represented holistically and compositionally, which supports the hybrid model.
A Low Cost Bumping Method for Flip Chip Assembly and MEMS Integration

In this paper, we present the development of a low cost chip/wafer bumping technique for flip chip assembly and microelectromechanical systems integration using a bump transfer approach. In this method, high melting temperature bumps such as copper, nickel, and gold bumps are fabricated on a low cost, flexible carrier and then transferred onto the target chip/wafer/board for flip chip assembly. The aluminum pads on test chips were remetallized with electroless nickel and gold layers to facilitate the bonding of bumps to the chips using thermocompression bonding. Parallel bonding and transfer of bumps has been achieved. Thermal cycling and bump shear test showed that reliable bonding was obtained between the bumps and the pads. Surface study using laser ionization mass analysis found no traces of of the polymer carrier on the surface of the bumps on the test chip after the completion of the bump transfer process.
Solubilized Amnion Membrane Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Accelerates Full‐Thickness Wound Healing

The early and effective treatment of wounds is vital to ensure proper wound closure and healing with appropriate functional and cosmetic outcomes. The use of human amnion membranes for wound care has been shown to be safe and effective. However, the difficulty in handling and placing thin sheets of membrane, and the high costs associated with the use of living cellularized tissue has limited the clinical application of amniotic membrane wound healing products. Here, we describe a novel amnion membrane‐derived product, processed to result in a cell‐free solution, while maintaining high concentrations of cell‐derived cytokines and growth factors. The solubilized amnion membrane (SAM) combined with the carrier hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel (HA‐SAM) is easy to produce, store, and apply to wounds. We demonstrated the efficacy of HA‐SAM as a wound treatment using a full‐thickness murine wound model. HA‐SAM significantly accelerated wound closure through re‐epithelialization and prevented wound contraction. HA‐SAM‐treated wounds had thicker regenerated skin, increased total number of blood vessels, and greater numbers of proliferating keratinocytes within the epidermis. Overall, this study confirms the efficacy of the amnion membrane as a wound treatment/dressing, and overcomes many of the limitations associated with using fresh, cryopreserved, or dehydrated tissue by providing a hydrogel delivery system for SAM. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:2020–2032