Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Local Changes in Granite Rock Under Biaxial Test: A Spatiotemporal Imaging Application With Diffuse Waves

Diffuse acoustic or seismic waves are highly sensitive to detect changes of mechanical properties in heterogeneous geological materials. In particular, thanks to acoustoelasticity, we can quantify stress changes by tracking acoustic or seismic relative velocity changes in the material at test. In this paper, we report on a small‐scale laboratory application of an innovative time‐lapse tomography technique named Locadiff to image spatiotemporal mechanical changes on a granite sample under biaxial loading, using diffuse waves at ultrasonic frequencies (300 kHz to 900 kHz). We demonstrate the ability of the method to image reversible stress evolution and deformation process, together with the development of reversible and irreversible localized microdamage in the specimen at an early stage. Using full‐field infrared thermography, we visualize stress‐induced temperature changes and validate stress images obtained from diffuse ultrasound. We demonstrate that the inversion with a good resolution can be achieved with only a limited number of receivers distributed around a single source, all located at the free surface of the specimen. This small‐scale experiment is a proof of concept for frictional earthquake‐like failure (e.g., stick‐slip) research at laboratory scale as well as large‐scale seismic applications, potentially including active fault monitoring.
Inference in Incomplete Models

We provide a test for the speciflcation of a structural model without identifying assumptions. We show the equivalence of several natural formulations of correct speciflcation, which we take as our null hypothesis. From a natural empirical version of the latter, we derive a Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic for Choquet capacity functionals, which we use to construct our test. We derive the limiting distribution of our test statistic under the null, and show that our test is consistent against certain classes of alternatives. When the model is given in parametric form, the test can be inverted to yield confldence regions for the identifled parameter set. The approach can be applied to the estimation of models with sample selection, censored observables and to games with multiple equilibria.
Morphological classification and comparison of suboccipital muscle fiber characteristics

In an attempt to clarify the function of the suboccipital muscles, we performed morphological observation of the suboccipital muscles for variations in the muscle belly and compared the morphology of their muscle fibers in terms of cross-sectional area by immunostaining with anti-myosin heavy chain antibodies. The cadavers of 25 Japanese individuals were used: 22 for morphological examinations and three for histological examinations. Among samples of the rectus capitis posterior major muscle (RCPma) and rectus capitis posterior minor muscle (RCPmi), 86.4% had a typical muscle appearance with a single belly, and 13.6% had an anomalous morphology. None of the samples of the obliquus capitis superior (OCS) or obliquus capitis inferior (OCI) muscles had an anomalous appearance. Measurement of cross-sectional area revealed that fast-twitch muscle fibers in the RCPma and OCI had a significantly greater cross-sectional area than those of the RCPmi and OCS. The cross-sectional area of intermediate muscle fibers was also significantly greater in the OCS than in the RCPma, RCPmi, and OCI. The cross-sectional area of slow-twitch muscle fibers was significantly greater in the OCS than in the RCPma, RCPmi, and OCI, and the RCPmi showed a significantly greater cross-sectional area for slow-twitch muscle fibers than did the RCPma, and OCI. Our findings indicate that the RCPmi and OCS exert a greater force than the RCPma and OCI, and act as anti-gravity agonist muscles of the head. Prolonged head extension in individuals with anomalous suboccipital muscle groups could result in dysfunction due to undue stress.
Impact of social media on the evolution of English semantics through linguistic analysis

Social media (SM) influences social interaction in the age of digital media, impacting how languages develop. Since these networks play a role in daily life, they create new words and conceptual frameworks that define our contemporary society. The current investigation investigates Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit SM posts applying textual extraction. The seven-year temporal sample demonstrates significant semantic change caused by society and technology. The analysis notices the importance of new words, phrase meaning evolving, and sentiment changes in SM users’ English usage, proving their adaptability. The growing popularity of phrases like eavesdropping and doom-scrolling indicated how SM and daily life impact. This investigation distinguishes each platform’s unique linguistic features and digital developments by understanding language flow and leading research in the future.
Atorvastatin prolongs the lifespan of radiation‑induced reactive oxygen species in PC-3 prostate cancer cells to enhance the cell killing effect.

Studies have reported that atorvastatin (ATO) may increase the radiosensitivity of malignant cells. However, the influence of ATO on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels before and after irradiation has not been fully illustrated. In the present study, radiosensitivity was evaluated by a clonogenic assay and a cell survival curve and cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. ROS were detected by a laser scanning confocal microscope and flow cytometry with a DCFH-DA probe. NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) proteins were detected by immunoblotting, and total SOD activity was measured using an SOD kit. We also conducted transient transfection of NOX2 and NOX4 genes to increase intracellular ROS generation and applied SOD mimetic tempol to enhance ROS elimination ability. Our results demonstrated that, with ATO-alone treatment, the survival fractions of irradiated PC-3 cells were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the apoptosis rate of the irradiated cells increased significantly (P<0.05). The ROS levels of the study group decreased obviously before irradiation (P<0.01), however, the radiation-induced ROS of the study group was at a high level even when irradiation had been terminated for 2 h (P<0.01). Moreover, NOX2 and NOX4 levels and total SOD activity decreased (P<0.01), while the levels of SOD1 were stably maintained (P>0.05). On the other hand, the decreased survival fractions and high radiation-induced ROS levels were abrogated by increasing the level of NOXs by gene transfection or by enhancing the ability of SOD utilizing the addition of tempol. In conclusion, ATO enhanced the cell killing effect of irradiation by reducing endogenous ROS levels and prolonging the lifespan of radiation‑induced ROS via a decrease in the level of NOXs and SOD activity.
Exclusive Expression of MHC Class II Proteins on CD45+ Cells in Pancreatic Islets of NOD Mice

The expression of MHC class II molecules on β-cells of the pancreatic islet has been proposed to play a role in the genesis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the NOD mouse. We investigated this by immunofluorescent double labeling of islet cells with anti-MHC and anti-CD45 to identify cells of hematopoietic origin. MHC class I expression increased with age on CD45− islet cells. MHC class II expression was not observed on CD45− islet cells at any age; the only cells in the islet that were MHC class II positive were also CD45+. This indicates that all MHC class II–positive cells in the islet are lymphoid cells that infiltrate the islet, whereas the islet endocrine cells express no MHC class II molecules. However, an increase in MHC class I expression occurred on β-cells, and this may play a role in immunopathogenesis.
Improving Security of Vigenère Cipher by Double Columnar Transposition

Protecting data from malicious attacks during storage and transmission is the reason for using encryption. Encryption can be achieved by two methods – Transposition and Substitution. Transposition refers to changing the order of characters in a given text. On the other hand, substitution is the process of replacing each character of the plaintext with some other character. Using a combination of transposition and substitution for encryption leads to greater security when compared to using either of them separately. Vigenere Cipher is a poly-alphabetic cipher. It is based on the substitution technique which uses multiple substitution alphabets. In this paper, we introduce double columnar transposition on Vigenere Cipher to enhance its security making cryptanalysis difficult.
Decision Making and Behavioral Choice during Predator Avoidance

One of the most important decisions animals have to make is how to respond to an attack from a potential predator. The response must be prompt and appropriate to ensure survival. Invertebrates have been important models in studying the underlying neurobiology of the escape response due to their accessible nervous systems and easily quantifiable behavioral output. Moreover, invertebrates provide opportunities for investigating these processes at a level of analysis not available in most other organisms. Recently, there has been a renewed focus in understanding how value-based calculations are made on the level of the nervous system, i.e., when decisions are made under conflicting circumstances, and the most desirable choice must be selected by weighing the costs and benefits for each behavioral choice. This article reviews samples from the current literature on anti-predator decision making in invertebrates, from single neurons to complex behaviors. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying value-based behavioral decisions is also discussed.
Web Usage Mining Structuring semantically enriched clickstream data

Web servers worldwide generate a vast amount of information on web users' browsing activities. Several researchers have studied these so-called clickstream or web access log data to better understand and characterize web users. Clickstream data can be enriched with information about the content of visited pages and the origin (e.g., geographic, organizational) of the requests. The goal of this project is to analyse user behaviour by mining enriched web access log data. We discuss techniques and processes required for preparing, structuring and enriching web access logs. Furthermore we present several web usage mining methods for extracting useful features. Finally we employ all these techniques to cluster the users of the domain www.cs. vu.nl and to study their behaviours comprehensively. The contributions of this thesis are a data enrichment that is content and origin based and a tree-like visualization of frequent navigational sequences. This visualization allows for an easily interpretable tree-like view of patterns with highlighted relevant information. The results of this project can be applied on diverse purposes, including marketing, web content advising, (restructuring g of web sites and several other E-business processes, like recommendation and advertiser systems.
Parallel query processing in DBS3

The authors describe an approach to the compile-time optimization and parallelization of queries for execution in DBS3, a shared-memory parallel database system. The approach makes possible exploring a search space large enough to include zigzag trees which are intermediate between left-deep and right-deep trees. Zigzag trees are shown to provide better response time than right-deep trees in the case of limited memory. Because DBS3 implements a parallel dataflow execution model, this approach applies to both shared-memory and distributed-memory architectures. Performance measurements run using the DBS3 prototype show the advantages of zigzag trees under various conditions. <<ETX>>
Randomized Intraclass-Distance Minimizing Binary Codes for face recognition

A new algorithm for learning binary codes is presented using randomized initial assignments of bit labels to classes followed by iterative refinement to minimize intraclass Hamming distance. This Randomized Intraclass-Distance Minimizing Binary Codes (RIDMBC) algorithm is introduced in the context of face recognition, an area of biometrics where binary codes have rarely been used (unlike iris recognition). A cross-database experiment is presented training RIDMBC on the Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW) and testing it on the Point-and-Shoot Challenge (PaSC). The RIDMBC algorithm performs better than both PaSC baselines. RIDMBC is compared with the Predictable Discriminative Binary Codes (DBC) algorithm developed by Rastegari et al. The DBC algorithm has an upper bound on the number of bits in a binary code; RIDMBC does not. RIDMBC outperforms DBC when using the same bit code length as DBC's upper bound and RIDMBC further improves when more bits/features are added.
Regulation by estrogen through the 5'-flanking region of the transforming growth factor alpha gene.

Expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) mRNA and protein can be stimulated by estrogens such as 17 beta-estradiol (E2) in estrogen-responsive rodent and human breast cancer cells. To ascertain if E2 can directly regulate TGF alpha expression through the 5'-flanking region of the human TGF alpha gene, E2-responsive MCF-7 or ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells or E2-nonresponsive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were transiently transfected with a plasmid containing an 1140-base pair (bp) Sac-I fragment of the TGF alpha 5'-flanking region ligated to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Cells that were transfected and subsequently treated with physiological concentrations of E2 (10(-11)-10(-8) M) for 24 h exhibited a 2- to 10-fold increase in CAT activity. The E2 stimulation of CAT activity was dose-dependent with an increase first found at 10(-10) M E2. The increase in CAT activity could be detected within 24-36 h after the addition of E2. There was no significant change in CAT activity in transiently transfected MDA-MB-231 cells as mediated through the TGF alpha 5'-flanking region after E2 treatment. MCF-7 cells were also transiently transfected with different fragments of the TGF alpha 5'-flanking region ligated to the luciferase gene. In the absence of E2 treatment, no detectable luciferase activity was found. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A meta-model for the analysis and design of organizations in multi-agent systems

This paper presents a generic meta-model of multi-agent systems based on organizational concepts such as groups, roles and structures. This model, called AALAADIN, defines a very simple description of coordination and negotiation schemes through multi-agent systems. Aalaadin is a meta-model of artificial organization by which one can build multi-agent systems with different forms of organizations such as market-like and hierarchical organizations. We show that this meta-model allows for agent heterogeneity in languages, applications and architectures. We also introduce the concept of organizational reflection which uses the same conceptual model to describe system level tasks such as remote communication and migration of agents. Finally, we briefly describe a platform, called MADKIT, based on this model. It relies on a minimal agent kernel with platform-level services implemented as agents, groups and roles.
The Impact of Sequence of Chemotherapy and EGFR-TKI Treatment on Different EGFR Mutation Lung Adenocarcinoma

Objectives. Chemotherapy as first-/second-line treatment in different epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation lung adenocarcinoma remains controversial. Methods. Consecutive patients were collected between 2009 and 2012. Patients were divided into two groups (1st-line chemotherapy: n = 56 and 2nd-line chemotherapy: n = 55). Their outcomes profiles were analyzed. Results. The overall survival (OS) of all patients (390 versus 662 days, p < 0.0001), as well as both progression-free survival (PFS, 151 versus 252 days, p = 0.0001) and OS (308 versus 704 days, p = 0.0001) of patients with L858R mutation (n = 63), who received 2nd-line chemotherapy, was significantly poor. By univariate and multivariate analysis, 2nd-line chemotherapy, and L858R mutation were significantly related to poor PFS and OS. Conclusion. In advanced lung adenocarcinoma, L858R mutation and 2nd-line chemotherapy caused a poor outcome. It is a consideration to choice of 1st-line chemotherapy in these subjects. A prospective design is warranted to confirm this finding.
Relationship Between Time in Therapeutic Range and Comparative Treatment Effect of Rivaroxaban and Warfarin: Results From the ROCKET AF Trial

Background Time in therapeutic range (TTR) is a standard quality measure of the use of warfarin. We assessed the relative effects of rivaroxaban versus warfarin at the level of trial center TTR (cTTR) since such analysis preserves randomized comparisons. Methods and Results TTR was calculated using the Rosendaal method, without exclusion of international normalized ratio (INR) values performed during warfarin initiation. Measurements during warfarin interruptions >7 days were excluded. INRs were performed via standardized finger‐stick point‐of‐care devices at least every 4 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint (stroke or non‐central nervous system embolism) was examined by quartiles of cTTR and by cTTR as a continuous function. Centers with the highest cTTRs by quartile had lower‐risk patients as reflected by lower CHADS2 scores (P<0.0001) and a lower prevalence of prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (P<0.0001). Sites with higher cTTR were predominantly from North America and Western Europe. The treatment effect of rivaroxaban versus warfarin on the primary endpoint was consistent across a wide range of cTTRs (P value for interaction=0.71). The hazard of major and non‐major clinically relevant bleeding increased with cTTR (P for interaction=0.001), however, the estimated reduction by rivaroxaban compared with warfarin in the hazard of intracranial hemorrhage was preserved across a wide range of threshold cTTR values. Conclusions The treatment effect of rivaroxaban compared with warfarin for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism is consistent regardless of cTTR.
Accurate Estimation of Fungal Diversity and Abundance through Improved Lineage-Specific Primers Optimized for Illumina Amplicon Sequencing

ABSTRACT While high-throughput sequencing methods are revolutionizing fungal ecology, recovering accurate estimates of species richness and abundance has proven elusive. We sought to design internal transcribed spacer (ITS) primers and an Illumina protocol that would maximize coverage of the kingdom Fungi while minimizing nontarget eukaryotes. We inspected alignments of the 5.8S and large subunit (LSU) ribosomal genes and evaluated potential primers using PrimerProspector. We tested the resulting primers using tiered-abundance mock communities and five previously characterized soil samples. We recovered operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to all 8 members in both mock communities, despite DNA abundances spanning 3 orders of magnitude. The expected and observed read counts were strongly correlated (r = 0.94 to 0.97). However, several taxa were consistently over- or underrepresented, likely due to variation in rRNA gene copy numbers. The Illumina data resulted in clustering of soil samples identical to that obtained with Sanger sequence clone library data using different primers. Furthermore, the two methods produced distance matrices with a Mantel correlation of 0.92. Nonfungal sequences comprised less than 0.5% of the soil data set, with most attributable to vascular plants. Our results suggest that high-throughput methods can produce fairly accurate estimates of fungal abundances in complex communities. Further improvements might be achieved through corrections for rRNA copy number and utilization of standardized mock communities. IMPORTANCE Fungi play numerous important roles in the environment. Improvements in sequencing methods are providing revolutionary insights into fungal biodiversity, yet accurate estimates of the number of fungal species (i.e., richness) and their relative abundances in an environmental sample (e.g., soil, roots, water, etc.) remain difficult to obtain. We present improved methods for high-throughput Illumina sequencing of the species-diagnostic fungal ribosomal marker gene that improve the accuracy of richness and abundance estimates. The improvements include new PCR primers and library preparation, validation using a known mock community, and bioinformatic parameter tuning.
Is Angiotensin II a Direct Mediator of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy?: Time for Another Look

Hypertensive cardiac remodeling, characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and increased fibrosis, increases the workload of the heart and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.1 There is a continuous relationship between left ventricular mass and the likelihood of cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery disease, leading to myocardial infarction (MI). 2 Virtually all of the clinical trials have demonstrated that antihypertensive treatment achieves some reversal of LVH,3 and reduction of left ventricular mass during antihypertensive treatment has repeatedly emerged as a goal of paramount importance in reducing risk.4,5 Nevertheless, the interpretation of certain clinical trials has led to the widely held view that inhibition of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) has favorable effects on cardiac remodeling that go beyond its blood pressure–lowering effects. This view has been supported by the experimental finding that cultured cardiomyocytes hypertrophy in response to exogenously added angiotensin II and has led to the model of the heart as a direct target of the RAS. In the current review, we critically analyze these arguments in light of recent clinical and experimental data with a particular emphasis on genetically modified animals designed to test for the role of a local cardiac RAS in the development of LVH. Although an extensive discussion of clinical trials that tested the role of the RAS in cardioprotection is beyond the scope of this review (the reader is referred to recent reviews in References 6 and 7), the results of most clinical studies suggest that the absolute reduction in blood pressure is the primary determinant of long-term outcome in patients. The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) Trial8 initially demonstrated that an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor given to high-risk patients with vascular disease or diabetes reduced rates of death, MI, and stroke, and …
Empirical eigenanalysis of indoor UWB propagation channels

The paper aims at characterizing the second order statistics of indoor ultra-wideband (UWB) channels using channel sounding techniques. We present measurement results for different scenarios conducted in a laboratory setting at Institut Eurecom. These are based on a eigendecomposition of the channel autocovariance matrix, which allows for determining the growth in the number of significant degrees of freedom of the channel process as a function of the signaling bandwidth as well as the statistical correlation between different propagation paths. We show empirical eigenvalue distributions as a function of the signal bandwidth for both line-of-sight and non line-of-sight situations. Furthermore, we give examples where paths from different propagation clusters (possibly arising from reflection or diffraction) show strong statistical dependence.