Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Performance, Nitrogen Metabolism and Tissue Composition in Barrows Fed an n-3 PUFA-Rich Diet

Simple Summary The metabolic response of pigs to nutritional treatment was highlighted in a variety of ways. Since the literature related to the effects of an n-3-rich diet on product quality have shown a number of health advantages, one of the next steps could be the consideration of the relation between an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich diet and nutrient metabolism with a focus on nitrogen as an important indicator of protein synthesis and degradation. It is important to understand how unconventional diets affect the environment with respect to consumer demand regarding the quality of products and the health status of animals. Therefore, novel compound feed formulas to improve feeding efficiency by decreasing the n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio are needed. However, it is assumed that by changing the fatty acid profile, certain plasma or tissue parameters could be directly affected as well. In our study, we modified the n-6:n-3 ratio in different barrow tissues by the dietary addition of extruded linseed associated with walnut meal employing a mixture of 50:50 (wt/wt) n-3 fatty acids as dietary enrichment. This paper also gives information about the influence of extruded linseed/walnut meal mixture on performance and nitrogen metabolism in barrows. Abstract We investigated changes in nitrogen metabolism and chemical, fatty acid (FA) and amino acid (AA) composition in tissues (longissimus dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles, heart, spleen, liver and cecum) following the dietary addition of extruded linseed and walnut meal (50:50 mix). Plasma creatinine and urea nitrogen were determined as well. Two trials were designed using barrows (five replicates) allotted in two groups [(control, (SM) and experimental, (LEW))] in metabolic cages. The experimental diet rich in n-3 FA led to a significant increase of retained nitrogen (>8.09% in the LEW group). The biological value of feed protein was 14.8% higher in the LEW group than in the SM group. LD muscles from the SM group and liver from the LEW group had greater nitrogen contents, whereas the heart and spleen had lower concentrations of nitrogen in the LEW group. Diet had a pronounced effect on n-3 FA, particularly on α-linolenic fatty acid (ALA) (p < 0.0001). The highest levels of ALA were recorded in the cecum (>6.06 times in LEW) and heart (>5.44 times in LEW). The highest level of lysine was noticed in the LD muscle (>2.1% in SM). An n-3-rich diet significantly reduced the amount of nitrogen excreted; greater than 40% nitrogen was retained, thus improving the meat composition.
Characterization of Leuconostoc gasicomitatum sp. nov., Associated with Spoiled Raw Tomato-Marinated Broiler Meat Strips Packaged under Modified-Atmosphere Conditions

ABSTRACT Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with gaseous spoilage of modified-atmosphere-packaged, raw, tomato-marinated broiler meat strips were identified on the basis of a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) (ribotyping) database containing DNAs coding for 16S and 23S rRNAs (rDNAs). A mixed LAB population dominated by aLeuconostoc species resembling Leuconostoc gelidum caused the spoilage of the product. Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus curvatus, and a gram-positive rod phenotypically similar to heterofermentativeLactobacillus species were the other main organisms detected. An increase in pH together with the extreme bulging of packages suggested a rare LAB spoilage type called “protein swell. ” This spoilage is characterized by excessive production of gas due to amino acid decarboxylation, and the rise in pH is attributed to the subsequent deamination of amino acids. Protein swell has not previously been associated with any kind of meat product. A polyphasic approach, including classical phenotyping, whole-cell protein electrophoresis, 16 and 23S rDNA RFLP, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and DNA-DNA reassociation analysis, was used for the identification of the dominantLeuconostoc species. In addition to the RFLP analysis, phenotyping, whole-cell protein analysis, and 16S rDNA sequence homology indicated that L. gelidum was most similar to the spoilage-associated species. The two spoilage strains studied possessed 98.8 and 99.0% 16S rDNA sequence homology with the L. gelidum type strain. DNA-DNA reassociation, however, clearly distinguished the two species. The same strains showed only 22 and 34% hybridization with the L. gelidum type strain. These results warrant a separate species status, and we propose the nameLeuconostoc gasicomitatum sp. nov. for this spoilage-associated Leuconostoc species.
Combined Kalman Filter and Multifeature Fusion Siamese Network for Real-Time Visual Tracking

SiamFC has a simple network structure and can be pretrained offline on a large data set, so it has attracted the attention of many researchers. It has no online learning process at all. Hence, there are no good solutions for some complex tracking scenarios such as occlusion and large target deformation. For this problem, we propose a method using the Kalman filter method and fusion multiresolution features and get multiple response scores. The Kalman filter acquires the target’s trajectory information, which is used to process complex tracking scenes and to change the selection method of the search area. This also enables our tracker to stably track fast moving targets.The introduction of the Kalman filter compensates for the shortcomings that SiamFC can only track offline, and the tracking network has an online learning process. The fusion of multiresolution features to obtain multiple response scores map helps the tracker to obtain robust features that can be adapted to a variety of tracking targets. Our proposed method has reached the state-of-the-art in testing on five data sets and can be run in real time (40 fps), including OTB2013, OTB2015, OTB50, VOT2015 and VOT 2016.
Evaluation of Quantum Dot Skin Penetration in Porcine Skin: Effect of Age and Anatomical Site of Topical Application

Background: Pig skin is a widely acknowledged surrogate for human skin for in vitro/ex vivo skin penetration studies with application for small molecules and nanosystems. We have investigated the influence of biological factors such as age and anatomical site on the penetration and distribution of nanoparticles (2.1 nm hydrophilic CdTe/CdS quantum dots: QDs) in adult pig skin (APS), weanling pig skin (WPS) and newborn pig skin (NBPS) at two different anatomical sites (ear and abdomen). Methods: QDs in saline were applied to 1 × 1 cm2 skin (62.5 pmol/cm2) with 2-min finger rubbing using a standardized protocol. After 6- or 24-h incubation on Franz diffusion cells, tape stripping (×10) followed by manual follicular casting was conducted. Cadmium in QDs was quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for all samples. The presence of QDs in similarly treated skin samples was also captured using multiphoton tomography. Results: QDs were mainly localized in hair follicles after 6 and 24 h of exposure with no cadmium detected in the Franz cell receptor compartment regardless of pig age or anatomical site. The amount of QDs deposited in the follicles was similar at 6 h but higher on APS and WPS ears compared to NBPS ears at 24 h. This is associated with the high follicle density and small follicle diameter of the NBPS compared to the smaller density of much larger follicles on the APS. NBPS showed consistent QD distribution for ear and abdomen up to 24 h. Conclusions: There is minimal penetration of QDs through pig skin. Density and diameter of follicles in association with age of pigs and application site influenced the amount of QDs deposited in follicles. The structure of the stratum corneum, follicle density and diameter of NBPS are similar to human skin suggesting that NBPS is an appropriate model for human skin in the evaluation of topical applications of a range of chemicals including nanosystems.
S100B protects LAN‐5 neuroblastoma cells against Aβ amyloid‐induced neurotoxicity via RAGE engagement at low doses but increases Aβ amyloid neurotoxicity at high doses

At the concentrations normally found in the brain extracellular space the glial‐derived protein, S100B, protects neurons against neurotoxic agents by interacting with the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). It is known that at relatively high concentrations S100B is neurotoxic causing neuronal death via excessive stimulation of RAGE. S100B is detected within senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, where its role is unknown. The present study was undertaken to evaluate a putative neuroprotective role of S100B against Aβ amyloid‐induced neurotoxicity. We treated LAN‐5 neuroblastoma cultures with toxic amounts of Aβ25‐35 amyloid peptide. Our results show that at nanomolar concentrations S100B protects cells against Aβ‐mediated cytotoxicity, as assessed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐thiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐fluorescein isothiocyanate nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) experiments, by countering the Aβ‐mediated decrease in the expression of the anti‐apoptotic factor Bcl‐2. This effect depends on S100B binding to RAGE because S100B is unable to contrast Aβ‐mediated neurotoxicity in neurons overexpressing a signaling‐deficient RAGE mutant lacking the cytosolic and transducing domain. Our data suggest that at nanomolar doses S100B counteracts Aβ peptide neurotoxicity in a RAGE‐mediated manner. However, at micromolar doses S100B is toxic to LAN‐5 cells and its toxicity adds to that of the Aβ peptide, suggesting that additional molecular mechanisms may be involved in the neurotoxic process. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simitate: A Hybrid Imitation Learning Benchmark

We present Simitate — a hybrid benchmarking suite targeting the evaluation of approaches for imitation learning. A dataset containing 1938 sequences where humans perform daily activities in a realistic environment is presented. The dataset is strongly coupled with an integration into a simulator. RGB and depth streams with a resolution of $960 \times 540$ at 30Hz and accurate ground truth poses for the demonstrator’s hand, as well as the object in 6 DOF at 120Hz are provided. Along with our dataset we provide the 3D model of the used environment, labeled object images and pre-trained models. A benchmarking suite that aims at fostering comparability and reproducibility supports the development of imitation learning approaches. Further, we propose and integrate evaluation metrics on assessing the quality of effect and trajectory of the imitation performed in simulation. Simitate is available on our project website: https://agas.uni-koblenz.de/simitate/.
An economic evaluation attached to a single-centre, parallel group, unmasked, randomized controlled trial of a 3-day intensive social cognitive treatment (can do treatment) in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and low disability

Abstract Aims: This trial-based economic evaluation (EE) assesses from a societal perspective the cost-effectiveness of an intensive 3-day cognitive theory-based intervention (CDT), compared to care-as-usual, in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and low disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDDS] score < 4.0). Materials and methods: The trial of the EE was registered in the Dutch Trial Register: Trial NL5158 (NTR5298). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was expressed in cost on the Control sub-scale of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale (MSSES) and the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) in the cost per Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY) using the EQ-5D-5L. Bootstrap, sensitivity, and sub-group analyses were performed to determine the robustness of the findings. Results: The two groups of 79 patients were similar in baseline characteristics. The base case ICER is situated in the northeast quadrant (€72 (40.74/€2,948)) due to a higher MSSES Control score and higher societal costs in the CDT group. The ICUR is situated in the northwest (inferior) quadrant due to losses in QALY and higher societal costs for the CDT group (−0.02/€2,948). Overall, bootstrap, sensitivity, and sub-group analyses confirm the base case findings. However, when the SF-6D is used as a study outcome, there is a high probability that the ICUR is situated in the northeast quadrant. Limitations: The relative short follow-up time (6 months) and the unexpected increase in MSSES Control in the control group. Conclusions: When using the EQ-5D-5L to calculate a QALY, CDT is not a cost-effective alternative in comparison to care as usual. However, when using self-efficacy or SF-6D as outcomes, there is a probability that CDT is cost-effective. Based on the current results, CDT for patients with RRMS clearly show its potential. However, an extended follow-up for the economic evaluation is warranted before a final decision on implementation can be made.
Pareto-Optimal Allocation of Transactive Energy at Market Equilibrium in Distribution Systems: A Constrained Vector Optimization Approach

In a grid constrained transactive distribution system market, distribution locational marginal pricing DLMP is influenced by the distance from the substation to an energy user, thereby causing households that are further away from the substation to be charged more. The Jain index of fairness, which has been recently applied to alleviate this undesirable effect of inefficient energy allocations, is used in this research to quantify fairness. It is shown that the Jain index is strictly quasi-concave. A bilevel distributed mechanism is proposed, where at the lower level, auction mechanisms are invoked simultaneously at each aggregator to obtain energy costs under market equilibrium conditions. A constrained multi gradient ascent algorithm, Augmented Lagrangian Multigradient Approach ALMA, is proposed for implementation at the upper level to attain energy allocations that represent tradeoffs between efficiency and fairness. Theoretical issues pertaining to ALMA as a generic algorithm for constrained vector optimization are considered. It is shown that when the objectives are restricted to be strictly quasi concave functions and if the feasible region is convex, ALMA converges towards global Pareto optimality. The overall effectiveness of the proposed approach is confirmed through a set of MATLAB simulations implemented on a modified IEEE 37-bus system platform.
Surface marker expression in adult acute myeloid leukaemia: correlations with initial characteristics, morphology and response to therapy

Summary. The clinical significance of surface markers was investigated in 145 cases of acute myeloid (AML) or undifferentiated leukaemia (AUL), using a panel of six monoclonal antibodies directed to NHL‐30.5 antigen (expressed on poorly differentiated myeloid cells), CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33 and CD34 antigens. Expression of CD14 was correlated with higher leucocyte count, higher serum lactate dehydrogenase level and presentation with extramedullary disease. There was no strict correlation with the French‐American‐British classification. However, the expression of CD14 was associated with monocytic subtypes. CD15 was mainly expressed in M2 and M3 subtypes, and NHL‐30.5 and CD34 antigens in AUL and M1 leukaemias. All patients were treated with the same intensive induction treatment. Staining by three antibodies had a prognostic value. The complete remission (CR) rates were 38% (26/68) in NHL‐30.5‐positive versus 75% (62/77) in NHL‐30.5‐negativecases(P<10−5), 50%(37/74) in CD34‐positive versus 72% (51/71) in CD34‐negativecases (P= 0.007) and 70% (77/110) in CD15‐positive versus 31% (11/35) in CD15‐negative cases (P<10−4). Expression of NHL‐30.5 and CD34 antigen was associated with shorter survival (P< 10−3 and P< 10−2 respectively), whereas survival was longer in CD15‐positive cases (P< 10−3). In multi‐ variate analysis, expression of NHL‐30.5 antigen, absence of CD15, and high LDH level were associated with poor survival. CR duration was not influenced by any of the factors studied, including antigen expression. These results suggest that leukaemias with less differentiated phenotype have a lower response rate to induction treatment.
Web Services for Higher Integrity Instrument Control

This paper relates the experience in using a modified life cycle development process which is proposed herein for integrity planning applied to web services as reusable software components in order to enhance the web services’ reliability, safety, and security in an instrument control environment. Using the integrity-enhanced lifecycle, a test bed instrument control system is developed using . NET web services. A commercial web service is also included in the test bed system for comparison. Both systems are monitored over a oneyear period and failure data is collected. For a further comparison, a similar instrument control system is developed to a high quality pedigree but lacking the focus on integrity and reusable components. Most of the instrumentation is the same between the two systems; however, the comparative system uses a more traditional approach with a single, integrated software control package. As with the test bed system, this comparative system is monitored over a one-year period. The data for the two systems is compared and the results demonstrate a significant increase in integrity for the web service-based test bed system. The failure rate for the test bed system is approximately 1 in 8100 as compared to 1 in 1600 for the comparison system.
Impact of Intestinal Health at Poultry

The chicken and chicken digestive system hosts a complex microbial community, participatory in several physiological processes, such as food digestion also in host immunomodulation [1]. The diversification of the intestinal microbiome allows innumerable interactions with the host to occur, thus exerting an important function for the growth of the animals, also contributing to their health [2]. Throughout the intestinal tract, the microbial composition differs, that is, each section of the intestine has its own microenvironment, where the colonies of specific microorganisms that best identify with the site remain [3]. In the duodenum, the pH is neutral and the microorganisms colonize this compartment, as well as the jejunum and ileum. While the cecum is considerably the site of higher colonization of microorganisms, being a large part of Gram positive and negative bacteria [4]. It has increasingly recognized that the intestinal microbiota is an important component of chick health and thus the ability accurately stipulate its heterogeneity is effective in uncovering numerous ways to improve chick health [5].
The TetR Family of Regulators

SUMMARY The most common prokaryotic signal transduction mechanisms are the one-component systems in which a single polypeptide contains both a sensory domain and a DNA-binding domain. Among the >20 classes of one-component systems, the TetR family of regulators (TFRs) are widely associated with antibiotic resistance and the regulation of genes encoding small-molecule exporters. However, TFRs play a much broader role, controlling genes involved in metabolism, antibiotic production, quorum sensing, and many other aspects of prokaryotic physiology. There are several well-established model systems for understanding these important proteins, and structural studies have begun to unveil the mechanisms by which they bind DNA and recognize small-molecule ligands. The sequences for more than 200,000 TFRs are available in the public databases, and genomics studies are identifying their target genes. Three-dimensional structures have been solved for close to 200 TFRs. Comparison of these structures reveals a common overall architecture of nine conserved α helices. The most important open question concerning TFR biology is the nature and diversity of their ligands and how these relate to the biochemical processes under their control.
Spectrum-Effect Relationship Study Between HPLC Fingerprints And Antioxidant of Honeysuckle Extract.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica flos) was a fomous agent for edible and medicinal value in China and the antioxidative activity makes great contribution to its dual use. However, which compounds were responsible for the antioxidative activity was still unknown. In this study, ten batches of honeysuckle were collected from different origins in China. The fingerprints were established by HPLC technique to investigate compounds and DPPH radical scavenging activity assay was carried out to evaluate its antioxidant activity. Partial Least Squares Regression analysis was applied to set up the regression equation between DPPH radical scavenging activity and average peak area of common peaks of fingerprints. The results showed that peak 10 (isochlorogenic acid B) , peak 12 (isochlorogenic acid C), peak 11 (isochlorogenic acid A), 9 (cynaroside) in the fingerprints were closely related to the antioxidant activity of 50% methanol extracts of honeysuckle. This study successfully established the spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprints and DPPH radical scavenging activity and provided a general model for active components exploring by the combination of chromatography and efficacy.
The influence of sacral nerve stimulation on gastrointestinal motor function in patients with fecal incontinence

Background Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a well‐established treatment for fecal incontinence of various etiologies. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine whether SNS affects gastric emptying, small intestinal transit or colonic transit times.
Maximum acceleration performance of professional soccer players in linear sprints: Is there a direct connection with change-of-direction ability?

The purpose of this study was to examine the selective influences of the maximum acceleration capability on change of direction (COD) speed, COD deficit, linear sprint speed, sprint momentum, and loaded and unloaded vertical jump performances in forty-nine male professional soccer players (24.3 ± 4.2 years; 75.4 ± 5.4 kg; 177.9 ± 6.4 cm). Soccer players performed the assessments in the following order: 1) squat and countermovement jumps; 2) 20-m sprinting speed test; 3) Zigzag COD ability test; and 4) bar-power outputs in the jump squat exercise. Athletes were divided, using a median split analysis, into two different groups according to their maximum acceleration rates from zero to 5-m (e.g., higher and lower ACC 0-5-m). Magnitude-based inference was used to compare the differences in the physical test results between “higher” and “lower” acceleration groups. A selective influence of the maximum acceleration ability on speed-power tests was observed, as the higher acceleration group demonstrated likely to almost certain higher performances than the lower acceleration group in all measurements (effect sizes varying from 0.66 [for sprint momentum in 20-m] to 2.39 [for sprint velocity in 5-m]). Conversely, the higher acceleration group demonstrated a higher COD deficit when compared to the lower acceleration group (ES = 0.55). This indicates compromised efficiency to perform COD maneuvers in this group of players. In summary, it was observed that soccer players with higher maximum acceleration rates are equally able to jump higher, sprint faster (over short distances), and achieve higher COD velocities than their slower counterparts. However, they appear to be less efficient at changing direction, which may be related to their reduced ability to deal with greater entry and exit velocities, or counterbalance the associated mechanical consequences (i.e., greater inertia) of being faster and more powerful.