Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stochastic Spoken Natural Language Parsing in the Framework of the French MEDIA Evaluation Campaign

A stochastic parsing component has been applied on a French spoken language dialogue corpus, recorded in the framework of the MEDIA evaluation campaign. Realized as an ergodic HMM using Viterbide coding, the parser outputs the most likely semantic representation given a transcribed utterance as input. The semantic sequences used for training and testing have been derived from the semantic representations of the MEDIA corpus. The HMM parameters have been estimated given the word sequences along with their semantic representation. The performance score of the stochastic parser has been automatically determined using the mediaval tool applied to a held out reference corpus. Evaluation results will be presented in the paper.
Fatty acids and lymphocyte functions

The immune system acts to protect the host against pathogenic invaders. However, components of the immune system can become dysregulated such that their activities are directed against host tissues, so causing damage. Lymphocytes are involved in both the beneficial and detrimental effects of the immune system. Both the level of fat and the types of fatty acid present in the diet can affect lymphocyte functions. The fatty acid composition of lymphocytes, and other immune cells, is altered according to the fatty acid composition of the diet and this alters the capacity of those cells to produce eicosanoids, such as prostaglandin E2, which are involved in immunoregulation. A high fat diet can impair lymphocyte function. Cell culture and animal feeding studies indicate that oleic, linoleic, conjugated linoleic, gamma-linolenic, dihomo-gamma-linolenic, arachidonic, alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids can all influence lymphocyte proliferation, the production of cytokines by lymphocytes, and natural killer cell activity. High intakes of some of these fatty acids are necessary to induce these effects. Among these fatty acids the long chain n-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, appear to be the most potent when included in the human diet. Although not all studies agree, it appears that fish oil, which contains eicosapentaenoic acid, down regulates the T-helper 1-type response which is associated with chronic inflammatory disease. There is evidence for beneficial effects of fish oil in such diseases; this evidence is strongest for rheumatoid arthritis. Since n-3 fatty acids also antagonise the production of inflammatory eicosanoid mediators from arachidonic acid, there is potential for benefit in asthma and related diseases. Recent evidence indicates that fish oil may be of benefit in some asthmatics but not others.
Self-Organizing, Adaptive Data Fusion for 3d Object Tracking

Data fusion concepts are a necessary basis for utilizing complex networks of sensors. A key feature for a robust data fusion system is adaptivity, both to be fault-tolerant and to run in a self-organizing manner. In this contribution a general framework for adaptive data fusion is established with object tracking as an application. The fusion algorithm of Democratic Integration is presented as one possible robust approach to the fusion task. As an alternative the STAPLE algorithm will be shown, which was previously only used for late classifier fusion. Extensions to apply the STAPLE algorithm for the fusion of probabilities will be introduced. Finally both algorithms will be evaluated on complex, realistic scenes to show their capabilities of self-organization and fault-tolerance.
Effect of cement composition on corrosion behaviour of galvanised tubes

Abstract In order to understand the phenomenon of corrosion of galvanised tubes for plumbing applications, a study has been undertaken in the laboratory by treating five sets of galvanised tubes in varying cement compositions prepared synthetically for a period of over 45 days. Correlations have been drawn as to the optimal performance of the tubes with respect to the mineralogical phases of the cement.
Effect of a prebiotic-enriched phytocompound in improving ovalbumin allergenicity.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to test a prebiotic-phytotherapic compound in an experimental model of oral allergenicity. METHODS Antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) elevated mice were prepared by injecting them intraperitoneally with 10 microg of ovalbumin. Subsequently, the mice were exposed to ovalbumin solution intranasally and blood samples were obtained on weekly intervals for 4 weeks to measure serum-ovalbumin-specific IgE and total immunoglobulin G. Mice with high titers of ovalbumin-IgE were intragastrically administered with 0.3 mL of phosphate buffered solution containing either 20 mg of ovalbumin, the same solution with 5 mL of milk, or 20 mg milk added to prebiotic-phytocompound. RESULTS Ovalbumin administration caused a significant increase of plasma ovalbumin concentration in sensitized mice while prebiotic-phytocompound-supplemented mice showed a significantly reduced peak value (P < 0.05). Prebiotic-phytocompound added to milk exerted a significant effect in lowering the ovalbumin-IgE level and the total immunoglobulin G level as compared to control plain milk (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION This study provides a rationale basis for a feasible non-pharmacological therapeutic strategy in food allergen hypersensitivity syndromes.
Metabolic modeling under non-balanced growth. Application to microalgae for biofuels production. (La modélisation métabolique en croissance non équilibrée. Application à la production de biocarburants issus de microalgues)

Metabolic modeling is a powerful tool to understand, predict and optimize bioprocesses, particularly when they imply intracellular molecules of interest. Unfortunately, the use of metabolic models for time varying metabolic fluxes is hampered by the lack of experimental data required to define and calibrate the kinetic reaction rates of the metabolic pathways. For this reason, metabolic models are often used under the balanced growth hypothesis. However, for some processes such as the photoautotrophic metabolism of microalgae, the balanced-growth assumption appears to be unreasonable because of the synchronization of their circadian cycle on the daily light. Yet, understanding microalgae metabolism is necessary to optimize the production yield of bioprocesses based on this microorganism, as for example production of third-generation of biofuels. In this PhD thesis, DRUM, a new dynamic metabolic modeling framework that handles the non-balanced growth condition and hence accumulation of intracellular metabolites was developed. The first stage of the approach consists in splitting the metabolic network into sub-networks describing reactions which are spatially and functionally close, and which are assumed to satisfy balanced growth condition. The left metabolites interconnecting the sub-networks behave dynamically. Then, thanks to Elementary Flux Mode analysis, each sub-network is reduced to macroscopic reactions, for which simple kinetics are assumed. Finally, an Ordinary Differential Equation system is obtained to describe substrate consumption, biomass production, products excretion and accumulation of some internal metabolites. DRUM was applied to the accumulation of lipids and carbohydrates of the microalgae Tisochrysis lutea under day/night cycles in normal and nitrogen starvation conditions. The resulting model describes accurately experimental data. It efficiently predicts the accumulation and consumption of lipids and carbohydrates. DRUM was also applied to the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana in dark heterotrophic growth, showing that the balanced-growth assumption was valid in this case.
Performance analysis of a feedback congestion control policy under non-negligible propagation delay

In this paper, we consider the performance of a node in a high speed network which is subject to a threshold type of feedback control policy. We obtain the loss probability and throughput at the node as a function of round-trip propagation delay and buffer size. These parameters are critical in high speed networks. We show that the simple feedback control policy is effective only when the ratio of propagation delay to job transmission time is not too large. Otherwise, a simple static “open-Icmp” control policy, which does not rely on constant exchanges of state information, can perform better.
Theoretical Model for Water Diffusion in Tissues

Water diffusion in a tissue model is studied both analytically and numerically. Tissue is regarded as a periodic array of boxes surrounded by partially permeable membranes (cells), embedded in an extracellular medium, intracellular and extracellular diffusion coefficients may differ. Expressions for the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) in isotropic and noniso‐tropic tissues are derived and compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Calculated ADCs disagree with values obtained from the widely used “fast exchange” formula. Effects of differences between intracellular and extracellular T2 relaxation times on measured values of ADC and T2 are discussed. The general analysis is specifically applied to the changes occurring in ADC following ischemic insults to brain tissue. It is found that although membranes affect ADC significantly, the observed changes in diffusion cannot be due to reduced membrane permeabilities. They may result from the combined effect of changes in cellular volume fraction, extracellular and intracellular diffusion.
A pathway for entry of retroviruses into the host through M cells of the respiratory tract

Many microorganisms gain access to the systemic circulation after entering the respiratory tract. The precise pathways used to cross the mucosal barriers of the lungs have not been clearly described. We have used the mammalian reoviruses in order to determine the pathway that a systemic virus uses to penetrate the mucosal barrier and enter the systemic circulation after entering the airways of the lungs. Reoviruses enter through pulmonary M cells, which overlie bronchus- associated lymphoid tissue, and subsequently spread to regional lymph nodes. Thus, the pathway through M cells represents a strategy by which viruses and probably other microorganisms can penetrate the mucosal surface of the respiratory tract and thereby enter the systemic circulation.
Radiometric calibration of CCD sensors: dark current and fixed pattern noise estimation

The irradiance measurement performed by vision cameras is not noise-free due to both processing errors during CCD fabrication and the behaviour of the electronic device itself. A proper characterization of sensor performance, however, allows either removing the resulting noise from the image or accounting for it within image processing algorithms. This paper proposes new methods for estimating the distribution parameters of two of such sources of noise: dark current and the so-called fixed pattern noise. Since both methods require knowledge about the scene illumination, an estimation method using a calibrating sphere is also presented. This method models illumination as the combination of directional and ambient lighting. Experimental results can be found at the end of the paper.
Downregulation of Thromboxane A2 Receptor Occurs Mainly via Nuclear Factor-KappaB Signaling Pathway in Rat Renal Artery

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) acts on TXA2 receptors (TP) to regulate renal artery blood flow and subsequently contributes to the pathogenesis of renal ischemia. The present study was designed to examine if nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway is involved in the downregulation of TP receptors in rat renal artery. Rat renal artery segments were organ cultured for 6 or 24 h. Downregulation of TP receptors was monitored using myograph (contractile function), real-time PCR (receptor mRNA), and immunohistochemistry (receptor protein). Specific inhibitors (MG-132 and BMS345541) for NF-κB signaling pathway were used to dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. Compared to fresh (noncultured) segments, organ culture of the renal artery segments for 24 h induced a significant rightward shift of U46619 (TP receptor agonist) contractile response curves (pEC50: 6.89 ± 0.06 versus 6.48 ± 0.04, P < 0.001). This decreased contractile response to U46619 was paralleled with decreased TP receptor mRNA and protein expressions in the renal artery smooth muscle cells. Specific inhibitors (MG-132 and BMS345541) for NF-κB signaling pathway significantly abolished the decreased TP protein expression and receptor-mediated contractions. In conclusion, downregulation of TP receptors in the renal artery smooth muscle cells occurs mainly via the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Sphingomyelinase Activity Causes Transbilayer Lipid Translocation in Model and Cell Membranes*

Ceramide is known to induce structural rearrangements in membrane bilayers, including the formation of ceramide-rich and -poor domains and the efflux of aqueous solutes. This report describes a novel effect of ceramide, namely the induction of transbilayer lipid movements. This effect was demonstrated in both model (large unilamellar vesicles) and cell (erythrocyte ghost) membranes in which ceramide generation took place in situ through the action of an externally added sphingomyelinase. Two different novel assays were developed to detect transbilayer lipid movement. One of the assays required the preparation of vesicles containing a ganglioside only in the outer monolayer and entrapped neuraminidase. Sphingomyelinase activity induced ganglioside hydrolysis under conditions in which no neuraminidase was released from the vesicles. The second assay involved the preparation of liposomes or erythrocyte ghosts labeled with a fluorescent energy donor in their inner leaflets. Sphingomyelin hydrolysis was accompanied by fluorescence energy transfer to an impermeable acceptor in the outer aqueous medium. Ceramide-induced transbilayer lipid movement is explained in terms of another well known property of ceramide, namely the facilitation of lamellar to non-lamellar lipid-phase transitions. Thus, sphingomyelinase generates ceramide on one side of the membrane; ceramide then induces the transient formation of non-lamellar structural intermediates, which cause the loss of lipid asymmetry in the bilayer, i.e. the transbilayer movement of ceramide together with other lipids. As direct targets for ceramide tend to be intracellular, these observations may be relevant to the mechanism of transmembrane signaling by means of the sphingomyelin pathway.
Effect of Liquid/Powder Ratio on the Setting, Handling and Mechanical Properties of Collagen–Apatitic Cements

Due to their insufficient mechanical stability and brittle nature, calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have not been used for the treatment of vertebral fractures. Mechanical stability of human bone is provided by a complex interaction of type I collagen fibres and hydroxyapatite crystals. In the present study, fibre reinforcement of an apatitic calcium phosphate prepared at different liquid/powder ratio (LPR) was investigated. Different lengths of type I collagen fibres sourced from bovine Achilles tendon were used. Compressive strength and fracture behaviour were examined. Fibre addition of up to 5 wt. % had a significant influence on the compressive properties of the CPC. The mechanism of fibre reinforcement appeared to be crack bridging. Setting time and injectability of the CPC with fibre reinforcement was also investigated and decreased with fibre volume fraction. Increasing the LPR, improved the injectability and delayed the setting reaction. However, the compressive properties of the hardened cement were reduced as a consequence.
Awareness of cervical cancer screening among nursing staff in a tertiary institution of rural India

Objective To determine the baseline information about the knowledge of cervical cancer and explore attitude and practice of Pap smear screening among staff nurses. Methods A pretested structured self administered questionnaire based survey was done on 205 staff nurses working in Rural Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Saifai, Etawah, containing mostly recognition and some recall type questions about demographics, knowledge about cervical cancer, its risk factors, screening techniques, attitudes towards cervical cancer screening and its practices. Results In this study, 74% knew that Pap smear is used for detection of cervical cancer, but only 59% knew that it can detect both cancerous as well as precancerous lesions of the cervix. Only 18% of the respondents knew about human papillomavirus vaccine. A 47% of respondents had never taken a Pap smear; 63% never referred patients for the screening. Most nurses (79%) thought that a speculum examination and Pap smear are procedures to be performed by the doctors. Among all the respondents, only 11% had ever undergone a Pap smear on themselves. Conclusion Despite knowledge of the gravity of cervical cancer and prevention by screening, attitudes and practices towards screening were negative.
FATIGUE AND FRACTURE IN STEEL BRIDGES

Fatigue crack propagation has caused the development of localized failures in steel bridge components which in turn has resulted in brittle fracture form crack instability. The largest category of cracking is a result of out-of-plane distortion in a small gap which was usually a segment of a girder web. A detailed examination and analysis of the causes for crack growth in a number of bridge structures has recently been published; this paper provides a summary of the general classes of cracking discussed in that study.
Effect of Low-Dose (Single-Dose) Magnesium Sulfate on Postoperative Analgesia in Hysterectomy Patients Receiving Balanced General Anesthesia

Background and Aim. Aparallel, randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial study was designed to assess the efficacy of single low dose of intravenous magnesium sulfate on post-total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) pain relief under balanced general anesthesia. Subject and Methods. Forty women undergoing TAH surgery were assigned to two magnesium sulfate (N = 20) and normal saline (N = 20) groups randomly. The magnesium group received magnesium sulfate 50 mg·kg−1 in 100 mL of normal saline solution i.v as single-dose, just 15 minutes before induction of anesthesia whereas patients in control group received 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution at the same time. The same balanced general anesthesia was induced for two groups. Pethidine consumption was recorded over 24 hours precisely as postoperative analgesic. Pain score was evaluated with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the surgeries. Results. Postoperative pain score was lower in magnesium group at 6, 12, and 24 hours after the operations significantly (P < 0.05). Pethidine requirement was significantly lower in magnesium group throughout 24 hours after the surgeries (P = 0.0001). Conclusion. Single dose of magnesium sulfate during balanced general anesthesia could be considered as effective and safe method to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption after TAH.
A Robust Location Algorithm for PCB's Solder Joints

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are being widely used in the electronic packages. Solder joints are often used to interconnect chip resistors and other components onto PCBs. The defects of solder joints will increase quality costs and deteriorate performance. If solder joints cant be located accuracy, AOI system will not inspect solder joints at the right place of solder joints and must lead to misjudgement. Especially, the misjudgement will increase dramatically under uncertain noise disturbance to micro-size solder joints due to inaccuracy location. In this work, an eliminating uncertain noise method is proposed and a robust location algorithm for PCBs solder joints is present. Firstly, some location windows are set based on technology parameters of chip and its solder joints, and solder joints feature image is obtained from it solder joint image based on series of image pre-processing. Secondly, the layout frame outside solder joints, which is viewed as a noise disturbance to location, is extracted as a binary image and is projected to X axis and Y axis, then the smaller region, which include solder joints but no the layout frame, is obtained based on calculating the sum features function of layout frame. Thirdly, the blob feature image of solder joints is extracted from its gray images of red, green, blue layers; it may have some noise blob around solder joints feature, then an evaluation function is develop to judge blob, which maybe belongs to noise or solder joints feature, and only solder joints feature are remained. Fourthly, with the help of setting solder joints windows, the integrated projection method is developed to locate solder joints. Finally, the proposed location method is compared with other two algorithms in the experiment. Experiments result illustrates that the smaller the solder joint size, the better location accuracy and efficiency is obtained than other two mothers.
Ultrasound guided stenting

The routine use of intracoronary stents to reduce acute complications and improve the clinical outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention is now well established, with a reduction in the complications of acute closure, myocardial infarction, and emergency surgery, as well as the six month restenosis rate by up to 50%. 1-3 However, with the continued incidence of subacute stent thrombosis and the fact that a six month clinical restenosis rate of 10–20% still exists, this suggests that stenting, particularly in “non-Benestent” lesions,4 is less than perfect. Initial experience with coronary stent deployment was characterised by a high thrombosis rate despite aggressive anticoagulant regimens, which increased the risk of early vascular complications.5 6 Improvements in clinical outcomes followed from the use of antiplatelet rather than anticoagulant drugs,7 better stent designs, and the evidence from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of suboptimal stent expansion with lower pressure deployment. Studies using the latter technique showed that full stent expansion, complete apposition to the vessel wall, and full lesion coverage significantly reduced the incidence of stent thrombosis.8 Most interventionists are confident in deploying intracoronary stents using angiographic guidance alone, given the small incidence of acute stent related problems. However, suboptimal stent deployment after final balloon dilatation has been observed in the majority of cases with IVUS despite a satisfactory angiographic appearance,9 10 which has implications for a higher restenosis rate at follow up. For this reason, several recent trials have investigated the use of IVUS to guide stent deployment to see whether its adjunctive use leads to better clinical outcomes at follow up compared to using angiography alone.11-17 The MUSIC trial was a prospective non-randomised observational study designed to examine the additional value of IVUS in determining optimal stent deployment in vessels with a reference segment larger than 3.0 mm, with the …