Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent Growth Patterns in the U.S. Organic Foods Market

Organic farming is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture. As consumer interest continues to gather momentum, many U.S. producers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are specializing in growing, processing, and marketing an ever-widening array of organic agricultural and food products. This report summarizes growth patterns in the U.S. organic sector in recent years, by market category, and describes various research, regulatory, and other ongoing programs on organic agriculture in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Multiple Signaling Systems Regulating Virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

SUMMARY Cell-to-cell communication is a major process that allows bacteria to sense and coordinately react to the fluctuating conditions of the surrounding environment. In several pathogens, this process triggers the production of virulence factors and/or a switch in bacterial lifestyle that is a major determining factor in the outcome and severity of the infection. Understanding how bacteria control these signaling systems is crucial to the development of novel antimicrobial agents capable of reducing virulence while allowing the immune system of the host to clear bacterial infection, an approach likely to reduce the selective pressures for development of resistance. We provide here an up-to-date overview of the molecular basis and physiological implications of cell-to-cell signaling systems in Gram-negative bacteria, focusing on the well-studied bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All of the known cell-to-cell signaling systems in this bacterium are described, from the most-studied systems, i.e., N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), the 4-quinolones, the global activator of antibiotic and cyanide synthesis (GAC), the cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) systems, and the alarmones guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) and guanosine pentaphosphate (pppGpp), to less-well-studied signaling molecules, including diketopiperazines, fatty acids (diffusible signal factor [DSF]-like factors), pyoverdine, and pyocyanin. This overview clearly illustrates that bacterial communication is far more complex than initially thought and delivers a clear distinction between signals that are quorum sensing dependent and those relying on alternative factors for their production.
Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) improves quality of life in patients with advanced solid tumors.

OBJECTIVE Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a native Amazon plant that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties. We wanted to assess its activity for symptom management of terminal cancer patients. METHODS This prospective phase II study assessed the effects of a 100-mg dose of a dry extract of U. tomentosa three times per day in patients with advanced solid tumors who had no further therapeutic options and a life expectancy of at least 2 months. The European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C30) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue questionnaires were used to assess the participants' quality of life, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire was used to assess anxiety and depression, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. In addition, several biochemical and inflammatory parameters were analyzed. RESULTS Fifty-one volunteers were recruited. Their median age was 64 (range, 33-85) years, and 47% of patients were female. More than 65% of patients had scores on the Karnofsky Performance Scale of 80% or less. Treatment improved the patients' overall quality of life (p=0.0411) and social functioning (p=0.0341), as assessed by the EORTC QLQ C-30, and reduced fatigue (p=0.0496) according to the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire. None of the biochemical or inflammatory parameters assessed (interleukin-1 and -6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and α-1-acid glycoprotein) changed significantly. No tumor response was detected according to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors; however, the disease stabilized for more than 8 months in four participants. The medication was well tolerated by most patients. CONCLUSION Use of cat's claw might be beneficial in patients with advanced cancer by improving their quality of life and reducing fatigue. The mechanism of action does not seem to be related to the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant.
The developing lamprey ear closely resembles the zebrafish otic vesicle: otx1 expression can account for all major patterning differences

The inner ear of adult agnathan vertebrates is relatively symmetric about the anteroposterior axis, with only two semicircular canals and a single sensory macula. This contrasts with the highly asymmetric gnathostome arrangement of three canals and several separate maculae. Symmetric ears can be obtained experimentally in gnathostomes in several ways, including by manipulation of zebrafish Hedgehog signalling, and it has been suggested that these phenotypes might represent an atavistic condition. We have found, however, that the symmetry of the adult lamprey inner ear is not reflected in its early development; the lamprey otic vesicle is highly asymmetric about the anteroposterior axis, both morphologically and molecularly, and bears a striking resemblance to the zebrafish otic vesicle. The single sensory macula originates as two foci of hair cells, and later shows regions of homology to the zebrafish utricular and saccular maculae. It is likely, therefore, that the last common ancestor of lampreys and gnathostomes already had well-defined otic anteroposterior asymmetries. Both lamprey and zebrafish otic vesicles express a target of Hedgehog signalling, patched, indicating that both are responsive to Hedgehog signalling. One significant distinction between agnathans and gnathostomes, however, is the acquisition of otic Otx1 expression in the gnathostome lineage. We show that Otx1 knockdown in zebrafish, as in Otx1-/- mice, gives rise to lamprey-like inner ears. The role of Otx1 in the gnathostome ear is therefore highly conserved; otic Otx1 expression is likely to account not only for the gain of a third semicircular canal and crista in gnathostomes, but also for the separation of the zones of the single macula into distinct regions.
Toxicological evaluation of proteins introduced into food crops

Abstract This manuscript focuses on the toxicological evaluation of proteins introduced into GM crops to impart desired traits. In many cases, introduced proteins can be shown to have a history of safe use. Where modifications have been made to proteins, experience has shown that it is highly unlikely that modification of amino acid sequences can make a non-toxic protein toxic. Moreover, if the modified protein still retains its biological function, and this function is found in related proteins that have a history of safe use (HOSU) in food, and the exposure level is similar to functionally related proteins, then the modified protein could also be considered to be “as-safe-as” those that have a HOSU. Within nature, there can be considerable evolutionary changes in the amino acid sequence of proteins within the same family, yet these proteins share the same biological function. In general, food crops such as maize, soy, rice, canola etc. are subjected to a variety of processing conditions to generate different food products. Processing conditions such as cooking, modification of pH conditions, and mechanical shearing can often denature proteins in these crops resulting in a loss of functional activity. These same processing conditions can also markedly lower human dietary exposure to (functionally active) proteins. Safety testing of an introduced protein could be indicated if its biological function was not adequately characterized and/or it was shown to be structurally/functionally related to proteins that are known to be toxic to mammals.
The predictive value of immature granulocyte count and immature myeloid information in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Abstract Background: To determine the predictive value of the immature granulocyte count and the immature myeloid information in neonatal early onset sepsis we examined 133 blood samples of patients admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: Measurements were performed using the Sysmex XE-2100, an automated hematological analyzer. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) symptomatic neonates with diagnosis of early onset sepsis; and 2) controls including asymptomatic neonates who were admitted because of prematurity, low birth weight, or delayed postnatal transition. Results: The number of immature granulocytes and the immature myeloid information were significantly elevated in neonates with early onset sepsis compared to controls (median 280/μL vs. 50/μL, p=0.049 and 639/μL vs. 89/μL, p<0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: Automated determinations of immature granulocytes and immature myeloid information seem to be useful adjunctive methods in the diagnosis of neonatal early onset sepsis.
Calpain 8/nCL-2 and Calpain 9/nCL-4 Constitute an Active Protease Complex, G-Calpain, Involved in Gastric Mucosal Defense

Calpains constitute a superfamily of Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteases, indispensable for various cellular processes. Among the 15 mammalian calpains, calpain 8/nCL-2 and calpain 9/nCL-4 are predominantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and are restricted to the gastric surface mucus (pit) cells in the stomach. Possible functions reported for calpain 8 are in vesicle trafficking between ER and Golgi, and calpain 9 are implicated in suppressing tumorigenesis. These highlight that calpains 8 and 9 are regulated differently from each other and from conventional calpains and, thus, have potentially important, specific functions in the gastrointestinal tract. However, there is no direct evidence implicating calpain 8 or 9 in human disease, and their properties and physiological functions are currently unknown. To address their physiological roles, we analyzed mice with mutations in the genes for these calpains, Capn8 and Capn9. Capn8−/− and Capn9−/− mice were fertile, and their gastric mucosae appeared normal. However, both mice were susceptible to gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol administration. Moreover, the Capn8−/− stomach showed significant decreases in both calpains 9 and 8, and the same was true for Capn9−/−. Consistent with this finding, in the wild-type stomach, calpains 8 and 9 formed a complex we termed “G-calpain,” in which both were essential for activity. This is the first example of a “hybrid” calpain complex. To address the physiological relevance of the calpain 8 proteolytic activity, we generated calpain 8:C105S “knock-in” (Capn8CS/CS) mice, which expressed a proteolytically inactive, but structurally intact, calpain 8. Although, unlike the Capn8−/− stomach, that of the Capn8CS/CS mice expressed a stable and active calpain 9, the mice were susceptible to ethanol-induced gastric injury. These results provide the first evidence that both of the gastrointestinal-tract-specific calpains are essential for gastric mucosal defense, and they point to G-calpain as a potential target for gastropathies caused by external stresses.
Déploiement stratégique et pratiques logistiques exemplaires : une enquête canadienne

Dans un contexte de mondialisation qui accentue les pressions concurrentielles, les entreprises souhaitent déployer des pratiques exemplaires (best practices) afin d’améliorer la compétitivité de leur chaîne logistique. Malgré leur apparente simplicité, de telles pratiques sont souvent spécifiques au caractère particulier de l’organisation qui la met en œuvre. Elles ne sont donc pas nécessairement universelles. À partir de 30 entretiens menés auprès de cadres supérieurs d’entreprises situées au Canada, cet article poursuit deux objectifs : 1) caractériser les formes que peuvent prendre ces pratiques exemplaires et 2) étudier le déploiement de ces pratiques. L’article est aussi une occasion de proposer un modèle de mise en œuvre des pratiques exemplaires dans le domaine de la logistique. In a context of increased competition due notably to globalization, companies are looking for so-called best practices in order to improve the competitiveness of their supply chains. In spite of their apparent simplicity, those practices are often specific to the unique character of the organization that puts them into use. Therefore, their application is not necessarily universal. Based on the findings resulting from 30 in depth interviews conducted with senior executives of companies operating in Canada, this article pursues two objectives : 1) characterize the various forms that these best practices can take and 2) analyse how these practices are actually implemented. This paper also suggests a model describing how these best practices can be applied in a supply chain environment.
The control of mimicry by social signals

One remarkable feature of social interactions is spontaneous mimicry. People have a tendency to unconsciously imitate other’s behaviours. This mimicry increases liking and affiliation between individuals and plays an important role in social cognition. Though mimicry is not normally consciously controlled, past research suggests that people mimic differently across social situations. In order to better understand the flexibility of mimicry in socal contexts, this thesis examined how social signals impact on mimicry by using a cognitive approach. Four behavioural studies consistently suggest that mimicry is subtly and strategically controlled by social signals. Specifically, in the first study we found that eye gaze is a powerful controlling signal on mimicry. Direct gaze rapidly and specifically enhances mimicry of intransitive hand movements. In the second study, we clarified that this eye contact effect on mimicry is not due to any arousal or attentional effect, but is driven by the social cue of direct gaze. In the third study, we found a joint effect of likeability and social status on mimicry. These two features interact in driving mimicry and optimize the affiliative function of mimicry in social interaction. Finally in the fourth study, we found that mimicry is sensitive to social primes. Prosocial and antisocial primes subtly modulate mimicry according to the self-relatedness of the primes. To further investigate the neural mechanism of the sutble control of mimicry by social signals, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine the effect of eye contact on mimicry. The results showed that two key brain systems for social cognition—medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and mirror neuron system (MNS)—work together to control mimicry on line in social contexts. In particular, dynamic causal modelling analysis revealed that mPFC is the originator of the eye contact effect on mimicry and this region modulates the sensory inputs to the MNS according to gaze directions. These findings suggest that mPFC plays a key role in the strategic control of mimicry in social contexts. All experiments are then discussed in relation to current theories of mimicry. We suggest that this subtle and strategic control of mimicry is essential to human competence in social interactions and is important for our understanding of why and how people mimic.
Multi-channel listening-room compensation using a decoupled filtered-X LMS algorithm

Dereverberation of speech signals in a hands-free scenario by inverse filtering has been a research topic for several years now. However, it is still a challenging problem because of the nature of common room impulse responses (RIRs), which are time-variant mixed phase systems having a large number of zeros close to, on, and even outside the unit circle in the z-domain. In this contribution an adaptive multi-channel equalization algorithm based on a decoupled version of the modified filtered-X LMS (mFxLMS) will be derived in the partitioned frequency domain. This new algorithm allows for fast convergence, computationally efficient implementation, and a low system delay under realistic conditions such as ambient noise and imperfect RIR estimates.
Internet Traffic Classification Using LPC Cepstrum

Internet traffic volumes continue to increase rapidly with the spread of the broadband access and the increase in internet backbone capacities. Moreover, the applications provided over the internet have become more diverse. Adequately supporting the QoS requirements for these diverse applications requires measuring traffic volumes by application type(file transfer, broadcast and so on). Therefore, methods for classifying applications become extremely important for multi QoS environment. In some application traffic classification methods, the applications are analyzed on the basis of statistics for the traffic characteristics, such as the packet inter arrival time and packet size. In this paper, we propose application traffic classification method applying LPC cepstrum. The proposed method enables to treat the traffic data as a time series signal and to separate spectral envelope information and spectral fine structure information from spectrum. We show that it is effective to use the LPC cepstrum to classify internet traffic by comparing LPC cepstrum with flow and raw data in this paper.
Oral Health Status In Hospitalized Patients a cross sectional study

The present study was designed with the aim to determine oral health status of hospitalized patients, to assess oral symptoms and to ascertain percentage of oral lesions/symptoms noticed and treated by the attending physician. The study was conducted on 300 patients admitted in a medical college. All patients were interviewed for presence of oral symptoms using a structured questionnaire. Systematic oral examination was conducted focusing on presence/absence of oral mucosal lesions, caries and periodontal status of the patient. Oral lesions/symptoms noticed and treated, by the attending physician/surgeon were recorded. The results showed that 49% of hospitalized patients had one or more oral symptoms and at least one symptom was present in every hospitalized patient. About 43.3% of patients showed the presence of one or more oral mucosal lesions and one out of every 2 hospitalized patients showed presence of oral mucosal lesions. In the present study it was found that 70.3% patients had experience of dental caries and the mean DMFT score was 6.18. Thirty-nine percent of the patients were suffering from gingivitis whereas 52% patients had periodontitis. To provide proper health care, dental professionals should work closely with the rest of the health care team to detect and treat co existing oral diseases, to ensure patient’s oral comfort during his hospital stay, to negate the impact of oral heath on poor nutritional status and delayed recovery & to prevent any systemic complications. Keyword: Oral Health, hospitalized patients, oral lesions, Systematic oral examination .
Social phobia : from shyness to stage fright

Everyone feels shy or nervous occasionally, but for millions of people even signing a cheque or eating in public evokes enormous anxiety, often leading them to withdraw completely from social contact. Long neglected by psychologists, social phobia has now been dubbed the disorder of the decade. The author has spent ten years treating social phobias in his anxiety disorders clinic and is a pioneer in the treatment of this problem. In this book, he discusses treatment options and explains the biological roots of the phenomenon.
A NEW CLUSTERING BASED SEGMENTATION TECHNIQUE FOR BREAST LESIONS DETECTION

Microcalcifications can be a very important sign of breast cancer. As their detection is very crucial to further investigation, automatic detection in mammograms can help practitioners to locate missed abnormalities. The aim of this work is to propose a simple method based on fuzzy clustering to efficiently segment microcalcifications. This method which is derived from two existing methods, automatically determines the number of classes in each image and then isolates potential microcalcifications. Compared to previous methods, the proposed method was tested on 7 Regions of Interest and demonstrated higher performance reaching up to 0.93 in terms of F1-Score and an overall best performace.
Efficient Software Synthesis for Dynamic Single Appearance Scheduling of Synchronous Dataflow

Synchronous dataflow (SDF) is a widely-used model of computation for digital signal processing and multimedia applications. In this letter, we propose an automatic approach to synthesize efficient software from SDF models with improved runtime efficiency. Our synthesis technique is based on dynamic single-appearance scheduling (dynSAS), which generates software with minimized code size, the same as traditional single-appearance schedule (SAS), while requires much less buffer memory space. We enhance dynSAS systematically to reduce control flow overhead and increase memory utilization. Experiment results show that our approach can generate efficient software with enhanced runtime performance compared to related techniques.
On the nature and origin of intuitive theories : learning, physics and psychology

This thesis develops formal computational models of intuitive theories, in particular intuitive physics and intuitive psychology, which form the basis of commonsense reasoning. The overarching formal framework is that of hierarchical Bayesian models, which see the mind as having domain-specific hypotheses about how the world works. The work first extends models of intuitive psychology to include higher-level social utilities, arguing against a pure 'classifier' view. Second, the work extends models of intuitive physics by introducing a ontological hierarchy of physics concepts, and examining how well people can reason about novel dynamic displays. I then examine the question of learning intuitive theories in general, arguing that an algorithmic approach based on stochastic search can address several puzzles of learning, including the 'chicken and egg' problem of concept learning. Finally, I argue the need for a joint theory-space for reasoning about intuitive physics and intuitive psychology, and provide such a simplified space in the form of a generative model for a novel domain called Lineland. Taken together, these results forge links between formal modeling, intuitive theories, and cognitive development.
Reduction of the small gain condition for large‐scale interconnections

The small gain condition is sufficient for input‐to‐state stability (ISS) of interconnected systems. However, verification of the small gain condition requires large amount of computations in the case of a large size of the system. To facilitate this procedure, we aggregate the subsystems and the gains between the subsystems that belong to certain interconnection patterns (motifs) by using three heuristic rules. These rules are based on three motifs: sequentially connected nodes, nodes connected in parallel, and almost disconnected subgraphs. Aggregation of these motifs keeps the structure of the mutual influences between the subsystems in the network. Furthermore, fulfillment of the reduced small gain condition implies ISS of the large network. Thus, such reduction allows to decrease the number of computations needed to verify the small gain condition. Finally, an ISS‐Lyapunov function for the large network can be constructed using the reduced small gain condition. Applications of these rules is illustrated on an example. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.