Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liraglutide, a once-daily human GLP-1 analogue

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone physiologically playing a role in glucose homeostasis, together with the partner incretin, glucose dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). Active concentrations of this hormone are not maintained for long because of its very rapid degradation and elimination. The effects of the hormone are of potential therapeutic value in type 2 diabetes; therefore, analogues of GLP-1 have been developed that are characterised by a prolonged circulating half-life relative to the naturally occurring hormone. One such long-acting analogue is liraglutide. The effects of liraglutide are maintained over 24 h, allowing once-daily dosing. Liraglutide provides all of the beneficial actions of endogenous GLP-1: glucosedependent stimulation of insulin se cretion, glucagon suppression, deceleration of gastric emptying, appetite suppression/weight loss and, in animal models, inhibition of β-cell apoptosis and promotion of β-cell regeneration. Because liraglutide stimulates insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon secretion only when blood glucose levels are elevated, the risk of treatment-associated hypoglycaemia is low. In clinical studies, liraglutide substantially lowered fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations, with an overall reduction in haemoglobin A 1c of up to 1-2%. In some studies, liraglutide has decreased several biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and lowered triglyceride levels significantly. Side effects most commonly are gastrointestinal symptoms; they are usually mild to moderate and resolve over time. Long-term clinical trials are needed to assess whether the effects of liraglutide on the β cell translate into a durable improvement in β-cell function and mass in patients with type 2 diabetes and, if so, whether this will slow or halt disease progression and help prevent complications. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis, 2008; 8 (Suppl 2): S26‐S33
Dissipative particle dynamics of tension-induced membrane fusion

Recent studies of tension-induced membrane fusion using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations are briefly reviewed. The stochastic nature of the fusion process makes it necessary to simulate a large number of fusion attempts in order to obtain reliable fusion statistics and to extract meaningful values for the fusion probability and the average fusion times. All successful fusion events follow the same pathway. In this fusion pathway, configurations of individual lipids play an important role. Fusion starts with individual lipids assuming a splayed tail configuration with one tail inserted into each membrane. In order to determine the corresponding energy barrier, we measure the average work to displace one lipid molecule from one bilayer to the other. This energy barrier is found to depend strongly on a certain DPD parameter, and, thus, can be adjusted in the simulations. Overall, three sub-processes have been identified in the fusion pathway. Their energy barriers are estimated to lie in the range 8–15k B T. The fusion probability is found to possess a maximum at intermediate tension values. As one decreases the tension, the fusion probability seems to vanish before the tensionless membrane state is attained. This would imply that the tension has to exceed a certain threshold value in order to induce fusion.
Shilnikov chaos, Filippov sliding and boundary equilibrium bifurcations

In the 1960s, L.P. Shilnikov showed that certain homoclinic orbits for smooth families of differential equations imply the existence of chaos, and there are complicated sequences of bifurcations near the parameter value at which the homoclinic orbit exists. We describe how this analysis is modified if the differential equations are piecewise smooth and the homoclinic orbit has a sliding segment. Moreover, we show that the Shilnikov mechanism appears naturally in the unfolding of boundary equilibrium bifurcations in $\mathbb{R}^3$.
A MOTIVATIONAL THEORY OF EVALUATION FOR INFORMATION SEEKING ENVIRONMENTS

In this paper, we develop a framework that emphasizes the role of motivation and emotion on user evaluation and future behavior. We suggest that the hedonic outcomes of a user’s experience with an artifact, such as an information-seeking environment, influence the likelihood of his or her future goaloriented behavior pertaining to that artifact. By synthesizing two current theories from the behavioral science research literature we have developed a framework that we hope will enhance understanding of the processes underlying user evaluation of an artifact as well as the likely future behavior toward the artifact. We focus this framework on the level of the immediate experiences of individuals as they use an artifact rather than on the larger contexts of social and organizational influences on artifact use. We reinterpret results from two previous studies in light of the new framework. We also present results of a preliminary study designed to refine and develop the framework. The artifact in this study was a set of web-based information-seeking environments that allowed users to conduct a brief information search and self-tutorial. We hope that the framework can eventually be generalized to other artifacts (e.g., smartphones, PDAs) with which people interact for achieving a particular goal.
Incorporating Global Industrial Classification Standard into Portfolio Allocation: A Simple Factor-Based Large Covariance Matrix Estimator with High Frequency Data

We document a striking block-diagonal pattern in the factor model residual covariances of the S&P 500 Equity Index constituents, after sorting the assets by their assigned Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) codes. Cognizant of this structure, we propose combining a location-based thresholding approach based on sector inclusion with the Fama-French and SDPR sector Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s). We investigate the performance of our estimators in an out-of-sample portfolio allocation study. We find that our simple and positive-definite covariance matrix estimator yields strong empirical results under a variety of factor models and thresholding schemes. Conversely, we find that the Fama-French factor model is only suitable for covariance estimation when used in conjunction with our proposed thresholding technique. Theoretically, we provide justification for the empirical results by jointly analyzing the in-fill and diverging dimension asymptotics.
Swift monitoring of NGC 5548: X-ray reprocessing and short-term UV/optical variability

Lags measured from correlated X-ray/UV/optical monitoring of AGN allow us to determine whether UV/optical variability is driven by reprocessing of X-rays or X-ray variability is driven by UV/optical seed photon variations. We present the results of the largest study to date of the relationship between the X-ray, UV and optical variability in an AGN with 554 observations, over a 750 d period, of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 with Swift. There is a good overall correlation between the X-ray and UV/optical bands, particularly on short time-scales (tens of days). The UV/optical bands lag the X-ray band with lags which are proportional to wavelength raised to the power 1.23 ± 0.31. This power is very close to the power (4/3) expected if short time-scale UV/optical variability is driven by reprocessing of X-rays by a surrounding accretion disc. The observed lags, however, are longer than expected from a standard Shakura–Sunyaev accretion disc with X-ray heating, given the currently accepted black hole mass and accretion rate values, but can be explained with a slightly larger mass and accretion rate, and a generally hotter disc. Some long-term UV/optical variations are not paralleled exactly in the X-rays, suggesting an additional component to the UV/optical variability arising perhaps from accretion rate perturbations propagating inwards through the disc.
Genetic diversity of orange fruit (Citrus sinensis L.) cultivars in Tunisia using AFLP markers

In Tunisia, Citrus sinensis culture is spread especially in Cap Bon region in the North East. It is represented by a large number of varieties. AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers were used in order to study genetic diversity. Thirty accessions representing the majority of orange germplasm were collected from Cap Bon region. AFLP products were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on an automated ABI Prism 3130 DNA sequencer. Using GeneMapper, AFLP bands were scored, across all genotypes, for presence (1) or absence (0) and transformed into 0/1 binary matrix. A total of 330 of polymorphic markers were revealed using 3 AFLP primer combinations. These markers expressed a high level of polymorphism allowing the distinction of all accessions. Resolving power (Rp) showed a high rate of collective Rp (97.75) with an average of 32.58. The Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) ranged from 0.16 to 0.22 with an average of 0.18 per primer pair. Genetic similarities were estimated basing on Nei and Li’s (1972) formula. The similarity coefficient between cultivars ranged from 0.15 to 0.96 with an average of 0.76. Most of the accessions showed a high degree of genetic similarity. Additionally, the relationship of the cultivars was also estimated using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA); the first three principal axes explained 94.56 of the total variation. Bioinformatic tools were very useful for investigating the genetic diversity of orange genotypes. Results of this study showed that AFLP markers can be useful tool for investigating the genetic diversity of orange genotypes.
Linking climate change modelling to impacts studies: recent advances in downscaling techniques for hydrological modelling

There is now a large published literature on the strengths and weaknesses of downscaling methods for different climatic variables, in different regions and seasons. However, little attention is given to the choice of downscaling method when examining the impacts of climate change on hydrological systems. This review paper assesses the current downscaling literature, examining new developments in the downscaling field specifically for hydrological impacts. Sections focus on the downscaling concept; new methods; comparative methodological studies; the modelling of extremes; and the application to hydrological impacts.
Effect of gene disruption of trichodiene synthase on the virulence of Gibberella pulicaris

Gibberella pulicaris (anamorph: Fusarium sambucinum) accumulates the trichothecene, 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), a potent, host-nonspecific phytotoxin and eukaryotic protein synthesis inhibitor. To investigate the role of DAS in plant pathogenesis, we tested the virulence of five hygromycin-resistant (Hygr) transformants that carry a disrupted gene for trichodiene synthase (Tox5) and no longer produce DAS in vitro or in planta. Virulence levels of all five DAS- transformants were reduced on parsnip root slices, but high levels of virulence were retained on potato tuber slices. Tetrad analysis of one transformant, strain BC51, which carried a single copy of the transforming plasmid, resulted in either cosegregation of the Hygr DAS-, parsnip reduced-virulence phenotypes or in the simultaneous loss of all three traits. In contrast, all progeny from these tetrads, whether DAS+ or DAS-, were highly virulent on potato tubers. Moreover, the Hygr DAS- phenotype was recovered at high frequency from mixed populations after one 3-wk cycle in potato tubers, which suggested that loss of DAS production did not reduce competitiveness of the pathogen. We conclude that DAS accumulation increases the virulence of G. pulicaris on parsnip root but does not affect virulence on potato tubers. The apparent effect of the host on the importance of DAS in virulence is still unexplained, but it suggests that when assessing the role of trichothecenes in plant disease, one should be cautious in generalizing results from one plant species to another.
Model Predictive Control with Unscented Kalman Filter for Nonlinear Implicit Systems

A class of implicit systems is known as a more generalized class of systems than a class of explicit systems. To establish a control method for such a generalized class of systems, we adopt model predictive control method which is a kind of optimal feedback control with a performance index that has a moving initial time and terminal time. However, model predictive control method is inapplicable to systems whose all state variables are not exactly known. In other words, model predictive control method is inapplicable to systems with limited measurable states. In fact, it is usual that the state variables of systems are measured through outputs, hence, only limited parts of them can be used directly. It is also usual that output signals are disturbed by process and sensor noises. Hence, it is important to establish a state estimation method for nonlinear implicit systems with taking the process noise and sensor noise into consideration. To this purpose, we apply the model predictive control method and unscented Kalman filter for solving the optimization and estimation problems of nonlinear implicit systems, respectively. The objective of this study is to establish a model predictive control with unscented Kalman filter for nonlinear implicit systems. Keywords—Model predictive control, unscented Kalman filter, nonlinear systems, implicit systems.
of Union Internationale de Spéléologie Swimming performance of epigeal and hypogeal species of Characidae , with an emphasis on the troglobiotic

INTRODUCTION Swimming performance studies are relevant in evaluating the influence that different environmental conditions have on fish, as well as the survival of fish in a given ecological system (Plaut, 2001). Such studies can also increase the understanding of ecological factors related to the establishment of a certain species in an environment with specific hydraulic characteristics. The subterranean fish (troglomorphic and nontroglomorphic) present a wide distribution throughout the world, occurring in several types of environments such as the phreatic and karstic aquifers (including the epicarst), hyporheic habitats and base level courses (Bichuette & Trajano, 2010), and most of the
Small-Scale Structure at High Redshift. III. The Clumpiness of the Intergalactic Medium on Subkiloparsec Scales

Spectra obtained with the Keck HIRES instrument of the Lyα forests in the lines of sight to the A and C components of the gravitationally lensed quasi-stellar object Q1422+231 were used to investigate the structure of the intergalactic medium at mean redshift ⟨z⟩ ~ 3.3 on subkiloparsec scales. We measured the cross-correlation amplitude between the two Lyα forests for a mean transverse separation of 120 h pc and computed the rms column density and velocity differences between individual absorption systems seen in both lines of sight. The rms differences between the velocity centroids of the Lyα forest lines were found to be less than about 400 ms-1 for unsaturated H I absorption lines with column densities in the range 12 < log N(H I) < 14.13. The rate of energy transfer into the low-density intergalactic medium on a typical scale of 100 pc seems to be lower by 3-4 orders of magnitude than the rate measured earlier for strong C IV metal absorption systems. The tight correlation between H I column density and baryonic density in the intergalactic medium was used to obtain a conservative upper limit on the rms fluctuations of the baryonic density field at ⟨z⟩ = 3.26, namely, [⟨(Δ log ρ)2⟩]1/2 ≤ 3.1 × 10-2 on a scale of 110 h pc. The fraction of the absorption lines that are different across the lines of sight was used to determine the filling factor of the universe for gas that has suffered recent hydrodynamic disturbances. We thereby derived upper limits on the filling factor of galactic outflows at high redshift. Short-lived, short-range ancient winds are essentially unconstrained by this method, but strong winds blowing for a substantial fraction of a Hubble time (at z = 3.3) appear to fill less than 20% of the volume of the universe.
Performance Evaluation of Road TransportCorporations: A Data Envelopment AnalysisApproach

This paper focus is on framing general benchmarking models for the road transport corporations using the technique of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). This is the first attempt for a DEA study on performance of road transport corporations. For the purpose of analysis two more Road Transport Corporations in South India where selected other than Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) where, KSRTC is regularly hitting the headlines with the reports of huge financial loss every year. The nearby Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) are performing extremely opposite by making huge profits. Various variables concerning the efficiency of transport corporations where identified first to carry out Financial statement analysis a general mathematical model. This case study pinpoints the areas where Kerala SRTC needs to concentrate to improve its standard. Although the focus of this paper is in the above three corporations, much of the approach can be generalized for any number of transport corporation in any context for the purpose of benchmarking.
Static and Dynamic Structure Factors in the Haldane Phase of the Bilinear-Biquadratic Spin-1 Chain

The excitation spectra of the $T=0$ dynamic structure factors for the spin, dimer, and trimer fluctuation operators as well as for the center fluctuation operator in the one-dimensional $S=1$ Heisenberg model with isotropic bilinear $(J\mathrm{cos}\ensuremath{\theta})$ and biquadratic $(J\mathrm{sin}\ensuremath{\theta})$ exchange are investigated via the recursion method for systems with up to $N=18$ sites over the predicted range, $\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}/4l\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\lesssim}\ensuremath{\pi}/4,$ of the topologically ordered Haldane phase. The four static and dynamic structure factors probe the ordering tendencies in the various coupling regimes and the elementary and composite excitations which dominate the $T=0$ dynamics. At $\ensuremath{\theta}=\mathrm{arctan}\frac{1}{3}$ (valence-bond solid point), the dynamically relevant spectra in the invariant subspaces with total spin ${S}_{T}=0,1,2$ are dominated by a branch of magnon states ${(S}_{T}=1),$ by continua of two-magnon scattering states ${(S}_{T}=0,1,2),$ and by discrete branches of two-magnon bound states with positive interaction energy ${(S}_{T}=0,2). $ The dimer and trimer spectra at $q=\ensuremath{\pi}$ are found to consist of single modes with $N$-independent excitation energies ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{D}/|{e}_{0}|=5$ and ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{T}/|{e}_{0}|=6,$ where ${e}_{0}{=E}_{0}/N$ is the ground-state energy per site. The basic structure of the dynamically relevant excitation spectrum remains the same over a substantial parameter range within the Haldane phase. At the transition to the dimerized phase $(\ensuremath{\theta}=\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}/4),$ the two-magnon excitations turn into two-spinon excitations.
Title : Repeated exposure to high-frequency low-amplitude vibration induces degeneration of murine intervertebral discs and knee joints Running Title : Whole body vibration induces joint degeneration

a Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. N6A 5C1 b Dentistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. N6A 5C1 c Genetics Unit, Shriners Hospital for Children and Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. H3G 1A6 d Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Medical Biophysics, and Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. N6A 5C1
REGULAR-SS 12 : A new matrix splitting based relaxation for the quadratic assignment problem

Nowadays, the quadratic assignment problem (QAP) is widely considered as one of the hardest of the NP-hard problems. One of the main reasons for this consideration can be found in the enormous difficulty of computing good quality bounds for branch-and-bound algorithms. The practice shows that even with the power of modern computers QAPs of size n ą 30 are typically recognized as huge computational problems. In this work, we are concerned with the design of a new lowdimensional semidefinite programming relaxation for the computation of lower bounds of the QAP. We discuss ways to improve the bounding program upon its semidefinite relaxation base and give numerical examples to demonstrate its applicability.
A new conceptual model for finding and fostering the drives towards CEE

Two years ago, at the 2012 WCCEE in Valencia, the authors presented a conceptual model for learning and interacting, and they applied it to the implementation of the Knowledge Triangle and to its integration into the Triple Helix model. In this first approach of their concept, they described the paths followed by individuals within an organization and how these paths could interact, but they did not analyze the motivation driving an individual to follow a given path rather than another.
Differential expression of intestinal microbiota in colorectal cancer compared with healthy controls : a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to review the differential expression of intestinal microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC) with quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR). An online search within PubMed, Web of Science and Wanfang Database up to June 6, 2015 was conducted. We used an original assessment tool to assess the quality of included articles. A systematic review and meta-analysis described the altered intestinal microbiota in colorectal cancer versus healthy control (HC). Six articles, involving 192 CRC patients and 264 healthy controls were included. Scores of quality assessment of these articles ranged from 7 to 16. Significant differences of microbial expression in CRC compared with HC were found in Bifidobacterium (SMD=-3.303, P=0.048), Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (SMD=-0.33, P=0.018) and Enterobacteriaceae (SMD=2.69, P=0.009), while total bacteria, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides-Prevotella group and Escherichia coli failed to display significant difference. We can conclude that there is down regulation of some colonization bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and up regulation of Enterobacteriaceae in CRC. Microbiota changes also participate in the pathogenesis of CRC.