Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary alpha‐ketoglutarate promotes beige adipogenesis and prevents obesity in middle‐aged mice

Aging usually involves the progressive development of certain illnesses, including diabetes and obesity. Due to incapacity to form new white adipocytes, adipose expansion in aged mice primarily depends on adipocyte hypertrophy, which induces metabolic dysfunction. On the other hand, brown adipose tissue burns fatty acids, preventing ectopic lipid accumulation and metabolic diseases. However, the capacity of brown/beige adipogenesis declines inevitably during the aging process. Previously, we reported that DNA demethylation in the Prdm16 promoter is required for beige adipogenesis. DNA methylation is mediated by ten–eleven family proteins (TET) using alpha‐ketoglutarate (AKG) as a cofactor. Here, we demonstrated that the circulatory AKG concentration was reduced in middle‐aged mice (10‐month‐old) compared with young mice (2‐month‐old). Through AKG administration replenishing the AKG pool, aged mice were associated with the lower body weight gain and fat mass, and improved glucose tolerance after challenged with high‐fat diet (HFD). These metabolic changes are accompanied by increased expression of brown adipose genes and proteins in inguinal adipose tissue. Cold‐induced brown/beige adipogenesis was impeded in HFD mice, whereas AKG rescued the impairment of beige adipocyte functionality in middle‐aged mice. Besides, AKG administration up‐regulated Prdm16 expression, which was correlated with an increase of DNA demethylation in the Prdm16 promoter. In summary, AKG supplementation promotes beige adipogenesis and alleviates HFD‐induced obesity in middle‐aged mice, which is associated with enhanced DNA demethylation of the Prdm16 gene.
Long‐term outcome after totally thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation

Totally thoracoscopic ablation for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to drug or catheter based therapy is indicated as a Class 2A recommendation according to latest guidelines. Evidence for long‐term rhythm control and stroke reduction is limited. The aim of this study was to report on long‐term outcome after totally thoracoscopic ablation.
ANISEED 2019: 4D exploration of genetic data for an extended range of tunicates

Abstract ANISEED (https://www.aniseed.cnrs.fr) is the main model organism database for the worldwide community of scientists working on tunicates, the vertebrate sister-group. Information provided for each species includes functionally-annotated gene and transcript models with orthology relationships within tunicates, and with echinoderms, cephalochordates and vertebrates. Beyond genes the system describes other genetic elements, including repeated elements and cis-regulatory modules. Gene expression profiles for several thousand genes are formalized in both wild-type and experimentally-manipulated conditions, using formal anatomical ontologies. These data can be explored through three complementary types of browsers, each offering a different view-point. A developmental browser summarizes the information in a gene- or territory-centric manner. Advanced genomic browsers integrate the genetic features surrounding genes or gene sets within a species. A Genomicus synteny browser explores the conservation of local gene order across deuterostome. This new release covers an extended taxonomic range of 14 species, including for the first time a non-ascidian species, the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica. Functional annotations, provided for each species, were enhanced through a combination of manual curation of gene models and the development of an improved orthology detection pipeline. Finally, gene expression profiles and anatomical territories can be explored in 4D online through the newly developed Morphonet morphogenetic browser.
U-net like deep autoencoders for deblurring atmospheric turbulence

Abstract. A method for geometric distortion correction and space and time-varying blur reduction is proposed, which can recover the high-quality image from a single-frame image distorted by atmospheric turbulence. First, the U-net like deep-stacked autoencoder neural network model is proposed, which is composed of two deep convolutional autoencoder (CAE) neural networks and a U-net. The first CAE is used for feature extraction, the U-net is used for feature deconvolution, and the second CAE is used for image reconstruction. For the loss reduction of image information, transposed convolution instead of upsampling is selected in U-net networks. Moreover, in order to obtain sufficient feature information for reconstruction, the first CAE and the last CAE are symmetric skip connected. This not only enables the fusion of low-level and high-level information but also ensures the integrity of image information greatly. Then, a method of gradually mature training from simple to complex is proposed to overcome the difficulty of convergence on smaller training sets. It makes the network be converged and mature by increasing the complexity of training data gradually so as to restore the high turbulence-degraded image. Experimental results of actual observation data and simulation data show that the algorithm has a stronger antinoise ability and can recover image details and sharpen image edges more effectively. In particular, for atmospheric turbulence severely degraded image restoration, the peak signal-to-noise ratio index is increased by about 10% on average compared with state-of-the-art methods.
ANALYSIS OF PATHWAYS AND NETWORKS INFLUENCING THE DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF GENES IN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Microarray analysis is a practical ap- proach to study gene transcription changes that may reflect signatures that underlie the pathogenesis of CAD. Using gene expression profile data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we identified differentially expressed genes that can contribute to the pathology of CAD. Further pathway and network analyses were also implemented to identify pathways and hub genes related to the disease. We observed 466 downregulated and 560 upregulated genes. The ribosome pathway was the most significantly over-represented pathway with differentially expressed genes. Over 35% of the genes in this pathway were downregulated. Hub genes in the network, such as IL7R, FYN, CALM1 ESR1 and PLCG1, may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of CAD. Our results facilitate the identification of molecular mechanisms that underlie CAD.
Criteria for Multiple Surrogates

An observed surrogate endpoint is often used to predict treatment effect on an unobserved true endpoint when the true endpoint is difficult or expensive to be measured. Although there have been several criteria for surrogate endpoints, they cannot avoid the surrogate paradox, which means that a treatment has a positive effect on a surrogate and the surrogate has a positive effect on an endpoint, but the treatment has a negative effect on the endpoint. To avoid the surrogate paradox, some investigators provided criteria for a single surrogate which blocks the path from the treatment to the endpoint. This requires that there is only a single path from treatment to endpoint and the surrogate can block the single path. However, in many applications, a treatment may affect an endpoint through several paths. In this paper, we propose some criteria for multiple surrogates. We make use of stochastic orders of random vectors to give criteria for multiple surrogates to avoid the surrogate paradox and to predict the sign of treatment effect on the unobserved true endpoint. Further under the conditional independence of the treatment and the true endpoint given the multiple surrogates, we propose some sufficient conditions for the sign equivalence of treatment effects on the surrogates and on the true endpoint. Furthermore, Statistica Sinica: Newly accepted Paper (accepted version subject to English editing)
The Impact of Social Responsibility on Corporate Performance: Evidence from Taiwan

Prior studies show a mixed relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP). This paper attempts to address the issue by using listing companies from Taiwan during 2007-2010. Contrary to prior studies that use qualitative approaches to construct a CSR index, in order to examine the relation between CSR and CFP this study directly adopts the CSR score with a scale from zero to 100 points from the CSRHub database of companies’ social, environmental, and governance performance. We find that (1) there is a positive and significant interaction between CSR and CFP, (2) high score CSR firms tend to outperform low score CSR firms and (3) the governance dimension of CSR has a more significant and positive association with stock price returns than other dimensions (community, employees, and environment) of CSR. Our results, therefore, provide additional information regarding the relation between CSR and CFP within the context of emerging markets.
Does McConnell tapping or the stability through external rotation of the femur (SERF) strap affect rearfoot plantar loading patterns during walking in healthy adults

Background: Changes in patellofemoral joint biomechanics have the potential to influence function of the lower extremity. McConnell taping has been proposed to reduce pain in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). It is also believed to improve vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle, patellofemoral alignment, and stride length. The stability through external rotation of the femur (SERF) strap has been developed to pull the femur externally to stabilise the patellofemoral joint, in order to reduce patellofemoral pain and improve lower limb kinematics. A lack of literature has examined effects of these two treatment methods on plantar pressures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of McConnell taping and the SERF strap on rearfoot plantar loading patterns during walking in healthy adults. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three participants (12 males and 11 females, age: 26.52±6.4 years) were randomly tested under 3 conditions: 1) no tape, 2) McConnell taping, and 3) SERF strap. Each participant was instructed to walk on a 2 m pressure plate at their own natural pace. Three valid stance phases of the right foot were recorded for each condition. Maximum pressures of medial heel and lateral heel, contact area of medial heel and lateral heel, initial heel contact, foot axis angle, and centre of pressure were collected. Results: There were significant differences of maximum pressures of lateral heel (p = 0.011) with McConnell taping condition and the SERF strap condition demonstrating higher pressures than the no-tape condition (p = 0.042, p = 0.010 respectively). However, significant differences of other variables were not found. Conclusion: The differences of maximum pressures of lateral heel between the conditions could be a clinical role for McConnell taping or SERF strap use in reducing rearfoot pronation in individuals with lower extremity problems especially PFPS.
Multi-MC Charging Schedule Algorithm With Time Windows in Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks

The limited lifespan of the traditional Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) has always restricted the broad application and development of WSNs. The current studies have shown that the wireless power transmission technology can effectively prolong the lifetime of WSNs. In most present studies on charging schedules, the sensor nodes will be charged once they have energy consumption, which will cause higher cost and lower networks utility. It is assumed in this paper that the sensor nodes in Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks (WRSNs) will be charged only after its energy is lower than a certain value. Each node has a charging time window and is charged within its respective time window. In large-scale wireless sensor networks, single mobile charger (MC) is difficult to ensure that all sensor nodes work properly. Therefore, it is propoesd in this paper that the multiple MCs which are used to replenish energy for the sensor nodes. When the average energy of all the sensor nodes falls below the upper energy threshold, each MC begins to charge the sensor nodes. The genetic algorithm has a great advantage in solving optimization problems. However, it could easily lead to inadequate search. Therefore, the genetic algorithm is improved by 2-opt strategy. And then multi-MC charging schedule algorithm with time windows based on genetic algorithm is proposed and simulated. The simulation results show that the algorithm designed in this paper can timely replenish energy for each sensor node and minimize the total charging cost.
Response of Turnip ( Brassica rapa ) Plants to Minerals or Organic Fertilizers Treatments

A greenhouse experiment was conducted in National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt, during two successive seasons to study the effect of various levels for NPK (N100P100 K50 and N200P200 K100), Humic acid (0.02%, 0.04% and 0.06%) or Compost tea (100,200,300 ml /L) on Brassica rapa (turnip) plants. The highest growth parameters or biomass represented by leaves and roots were obtained with the second level of NPK or humic acid, but it can recommend to applied humic acid as an organic fertilizer for producing organic products. Humic acid or compost tea increased carbohydrate content while the two levels of NPK fertilizers caused inhibition for its accumulation. Moreover, affect of these treatments on minerals content, total lipids and fatty acids were studied.
Validity of cubic law for fluid flow in a deformable rock fracture. Technical information report No. 23

The validity of the cubic law for laminar flow of fluids through open fractures consisting of parallel planar plates has been established by others over a wide range of conditions with apertures ranging down to a minimum of 0.2 . mu.m. The law may be given in simplified form by Q/. delta.h = C(2b)/sup 3/, where Q is the flow rate, . delta.h is the difference in hydraulic head, C is a constant that depends on the flow geometry and fluid properties, and 2b is the fracture aperture. The validity of this law for flow in a closed fracture where the surfaces are in contact and the aperture is being decreased under stress has been investigated at room temperature using homogeneous samples of granite, basalt, and marble. Tension fractures were artifically induced and the laboratory setup used radial as well as straight flow geometries. Apertures ranged from 250 . mu.m down to 4 . mu.m. The cubic law was found to be valid whether the fracture surfaces were held open or were being closed under stress, and the results are not dependent on rock type. Permeability was uniquely defined by fracture aperture and was independent of the stress history used in these investigations. The effects of deviations from the ideal parallel plate concept only cause an apparent reduction in flow and may be incorporated into the cubic law by replacing C by C/f. The factor f varied from 1.04 to 1.65 in these investigations. The model of a fracture that is being closed under normal stress is visualized as being controlled by the strength of the asperities that are in contact. These contact areas are able to withstand significant stresses while maintaining space for fluids to continue to flow as the fracture aperture decreases. The controlling factor is the magnitude of the aperture and since flow depends on (2b)/sup 3/, a slight change in aperture evidently can easily dominate any other change in the geometry of the flow field.
The toxicity, pharmacokinetics, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties of a methotrexate polymer

2 Table of contents . 4 List of figures . 6 List of tables . 8 Glossary of abbreviations . 9 Declaration by candidate . 11 Acknowledgements . 12 Animal ethics, use and care . 13
Dust around red supergiants in the Magellanic Clouds

Abstract It is both surprising and exciting to find that young galaxies at high redshift contain large dust masses. For galaxies at z > 5, after only 1 Gyr, there has not been time for low-mass stars to have evolved to the AGB phase and produce dust. In such galaxies, Type II SNe and red supergiants (RSGs) may even dominate the dust production rate. It has long been known that RSG atmospheres produce dust, but little is known about it. We are pursuing three parallel studies to better understand RSG dust. First, we are using optical spectra and JHK photometry to characterize the optical and near-IR extinction curves of the RSGs. Second, we are using the optical spectra combined with 2MASS, IRAC and MIPS photometry to estimate the dust mass loss rates from Local Group RSGs. In addition, we will use our Monte Carlo radiative transfer models to analyze the emission from dust in the circumstellar shells. Third, the final piece of the puzzle is being provided by obtaining new IRS spectra of LMC and SMC RSGs. We plan to use the IRS to make a systematic study of the dust properties in RSG shells in the LMC and SMC so that we can probe how they may vary with a large range of galactic metallicities. The derived stellar SEDs and extinction curves will be combined with Spitzer IRAC and MIPS photometry and IRS spectra for use as inputs to our Monte Carlo codes which will be used to study the composition, size distributions and clumpiness of the dust.
More than Mental Health: Parent Physical Health and Early Childhood Behavior Problems.

OBJECTIVE Caring for young children is a physically demanding task, and some evidence suggests parental physical limitations may impact the parent-child relationship and child behavioral development, but research examining this dynamic is nascent. METHODS This study aims to explicate the role of general parent physical health problems in child disruptive behavior outcomes. A model that included physical and mental health, parenting style and self-efficacy, and child behavior symptom ratings was derived. The tenability of the model was assessed using Pearson's correlations, followed by structural equation modeling using data from 375 parents with a child between 18 months and 5 years. RESULTS After several modifications to the initial model, findings revealed that higher levels of parent self-reported physical and mental health concerns indirectly influence child behavior symptoms through different pathways. Impaired parent physical health was associated with poorer parental self-efficacy and more disruptive child behavior, whereas increased parent mental health concerns were associated with a more negative parenting style and lower self-efficacy, which was related to more child behavior symptoms. CONCLUSION Findings elucidate the need for increased awareness and screening of parent physical health limitations in pediatric primary care. Furthermore, appropriate interventions among parents with physical health problems may target different aspects of parenting than routinely discussed.
Relative Abundance of Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea and Bacteria Influences Soil Nitrification Responses to Temperature

Ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) are thought to contribute differently to soil nitrification, yet the extent to which their relative abundances influence the temperature response of nitrification is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of different AOA to AOB ratios on soil nitrification potential (NP) across a temperature gradient from 4 °C to 40 °C in twenty different organic and inorganic fertilized soils. The temperature responses of different relative abundance of ammonia oxidizers for nitrification were modeled using square rate theory (SQRT) and macromolecular rate theory (MMRT) models. We found that the proportional nitrification rates at different temperatures varied among AOA to AOB ratios. Predicted by both models, an optimum temperature (Topt) for nitrification in AOA dominated soils was significantly higher than for soils where AOA and AOB abundances are within the same order of magnitude. Moreover, the change in heat capacity (ΔCP‡) associated with the temperature dependence of nitrification was positively correlated with Topt and significantly varied among the AOA to AOB ratios. The temperature ranges for NP decreased with increasing AOA abundance for both organic and inorganic fertilized soils. These results challenge the widely accepted approach of comparing NP rates in different soils at a fixed temperature. We conclude that a shift in AOA to AOB ratio in soils exhibits distinguished temperature-dependent characteristics that have an important impact on nitrification responses across the temperature gradient. The proposed approach benefits the accurate discernment of the true contribution of fertilized soils to nitrification for improvement of nitrogen management.
Phenotypic Variability Assessment of Sugarcane Germplasm ( Saccharum officinarum L.) and Extraction of an Applied Mini-Core Collection

The sugarcane germplasm collection located in Khuzestan, Iran, is one of the most important genetic resources with valuable accessions from different continents. However, this collection has not been properly used by breeders due to the extremely large population. The aim of this study was to phenotypically characterize the sugarcane germplasm and form a mini-core collection. Hence, 13 morphological traits were evaluated on 253 accessions. The primary germplasm was grouped into 10 clusters based on partial repeated bisection (RB) data, where the smallest cluster contained three accessions from two breeding centres (USA and Cuba). Using principal component analysis (PCA), the first two PCs (principal component) explained 59.5% of the total variation. A mini-core of 21 accessions was created by using the maximization strategy, with a low mean difference percentage (MD = 2.31%) and large coincidence rate of range (CR = 93.96%). The sugarcane mini-core represented the major diversity of the primary collection. The means and medians between the mini-core and the primary collection did not differ significantly. Accessions with high sugar and cane yield, originating from the USA, Cuba, Argentina, and South Africa, were in the mini-core collection. In this paper, we established, for the first time, an applied mini-core collection in sugarcane germplasm. The mini-core collection, as a breeding collection, is a highly suitable, manageable, and efficient subset for the enhanced use of sugarcane germplasm in breeding programs.
Towards a Combination of Low Rank and Sparsity in EIT Imaging

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) calculates the internal conductivity distribution of a body using electrical contact measurement and has become increasingly attractive in the biomedical field. However, the design of optimal tomography image reconstruction algorithms has not achieved an adequate level of progress and maturity. The spatial-temporal properties are crucial for the improvement of reconstruction quality and efficiency in dynamic EIT reconstruction. However, these properties have not been fully utilized in previous research. In this paper, a mathematical model for EIT reconstruction is built upon a combination of the low-rank and the sparsity theories. In addition to the low-rank method based on the nuclear norm constraint, the patch-based sparse method is also used to obtain the spatial features of a reconstructed image, according to the characteristic of an irregular boundary for the EIT image. The mathematical model of the new method is solved using the variable split (VS) algorithm. The imaging results are compared with the reconstruction results of the traditional algorithms. The experimental results demonstrate better performance of the new method compared with the traditional methods. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified.