Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intergenerational Inheritance of Hepatic Steatosis in a Mouse Model of Childhood Obesity: Potential Involvement of Germ-Line microRNAs

Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome later in life. Moreover, metabolic dysfunction may be inherited into the following generation through non-genomic mechanisms, with epigenetics as a plausible candidate. The pathways involved in the development of metabolic dysfunction across generations in the context of childhood obesity remain largely unexplored. We have developed a mouse model of early adiposity by reducing litter size at birth (small litter group, SL: 4 pups/dam; control group, C: 8 pups/dam). Mice raised in small litters (SL) developed obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis with aging. Strikingly, the offspring of SL males (SL-F1) also developed hepatic steatosis. Paternal transmission of an environmentally induced phenotype strongly suggests epigenetic inheritance. We analyzed the hepatic transcriptome in C-F1 and SL-F1 mice to identify pathways involved in the development of hepatic steatosis. We found that the circadian rhythm and lipid metabolic process were the ontologies with highest significance in the liver of SL-F1 mice. We explored whether DNA methylation and small non-coding RNAs might be involved in mediating intergenerational effects. Sperm DNA methylation was largely altered in SL mice. However, these changes did not correlate with the hepatic transcriptome. Next, we analyzed small non-coding RNA content in the testes of mice from the parental generation. Two miRNAs (miR-457 and miR-201) appeared differentially expressed in the testes of SL-F0 mice. They are known to be expressed in mature spermatozoa, but not in oocytes nor early embryos, and they may regulate the transcription of lipogenic genes, but not clock genes, in hepatocytes. Hence, they are strong candidates to mediate the inheritance of adult hepatic steatosis in our murine model. In conclusion, litter size reduction leads to intergenerational effects through non-genomic mechanisms. In our model, DNA methylation does not seem to play a role on the circadian rhythm nor lipid genes. However, at least two paternal miRNAs might influence the expression of a few lipid-related genes in the first-generation offspring, F1.
Image reconstruction for random media by diffusion tomography

As mathematical model for the light propagation in highly scattering media, the diffusion equation for the photon density is used. The solution of the forward problem obtained by the finite element method (FEM) is compared with the analytical solution in a rectangle homogeneous domain. The application of a numerical method as the FEM allows to take into account different geometries and various embedded objects. For the inverse imaging problem two reconstruction methods are introduced acting as iterative algorithms based on the FEM forward model. As cost function the l2-norm of output flux differences for a selected combination of times, detector, and source positions is used. The effectiveness of the image reconstruction method is demonstrated by some instructive examples.
Osteocyte-Derived CaMKK2 Regulates Osteoclasts and Bone Mass in a Sex-Dependent Manner through Secreted Calpastatin

Calcium/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) regulates bone remodeling through its effects on osteoblasts and osteoclasts. However, its role in osteocytes, the most abundant bone cell type and the master regulator of bone remodeling, remains unknown. Here we report that the conditional deletion of CaMKK2 from osteocytes using Dentine matrix protein 1 (Dmp1)-8kb-Cre mice led to enhanced bone mass only in female mice owing to a suppression of osteoclasts. Conditioned media isolated from female CaMKK2-deficient osteocytes inhibited osteoclast formation and function in in vitro assays, indicating a role for osteocyte-secreted factors. Proteomics analysis revealed significantly higher levels of extracellular calpastatin, a specific inhibitor of calcium-dependent cysteine proteases calpains, in female CaMKK2 null osteocyte conditioned media, compared to media from female control osteocytes. Further, exogenously added non-cell permeable recombinant calpastatin domain I elicited a marked, dose-dependent inhibition of female wild-type osteoclasts and depletion of calpastatin from female CaMKK2-deficient osteocyte conditioned media reversed the inhibition of matrix resorption by osteoclasts. Our findings reveal a novel role for extracellular calpastatin in regulating female osteoclast function and unravel a novel CaMKK2-mediated paracrine mechanism of osteoclast regulation by female osteocytes.
Role of ZnS shell on stability, cytotoxicity, and photocytotoxicity of water-soluble CdSe semiconductor quantum dots surface modified with glutathione

Abstract. The present study examines the stability and cytotoxicity of two quantum dots (QDs) systems in cell culture medium in the presence and absence of a thin layer of a ZnS shell. The two systems were built from a core, CdSe, and surface modified with glutathione (GSH), named CdSe∼GSH and CdSe/ZnS∼GSH. CdSe/ZnS∼GSH QDs exhibited a high photostability with a pronounced enhancement in photoluminescence in cell culture medium. Both systems showed insignificant reduction in cell viability of HFB-4 and MCF-7 cell lines in the dark. Following 60 min of low laser power exposure (irradiance of 10 mW cm−2), CdSe∼GSH QDs showed a remarkable decrease in cell viability, which may result from the detachment of GSH molecules, whereas CdSe/ZnS∼GSH QDs showed an insignificant decrease either immediately after irradiation or even 2 h post-exposure, which can be attributed to the high affinity between ZnS and GSH coatings. This study demonstrated that a thin layer of ZnS shell played a crucial role in the stability of CdSe/ZnS∼GSH QDs in cell culture medium with an improvement in luminescence efficiency, whereas surface modification with GSH molecules in the presence of ZnS showed no significant cytotoxic effects before or after photoirradiation, which makes this system attractive for several biomedical applications.
RADIATIVE DECAYS OF THE PSI-PRIME TO ALL PHOTON FINAL STATES

A sample of 1.8 x 10/sup 6/ produced psi's collected by the Crystal Ball detector at SPEAR is used to measure branching ratios of selected radiative psi' decays to non-charmonium states which decay into photons. A sample of 2.2 x 10/sup 6/ produced J/psi's is used to measure the same radiative decays from the J/psi. The ratios BR(psi' .-->. .gamma.f)/BR(J/psi .-->. .gamma.f) = 9 +- 3%, BR(psi' .-->. .gamma.theta)/BR(J/psi .-->. .gamma.theta) . gamma.eta)/BR(J/psi .-->. .gamma.eta) . gamma.eta')/BR(J/psi .-->. .gamma.eta') < 2.6% have been obtained. (Upper limits are 90% confidence level. The upper limit for the radiative decay to the theta is uncertain due to the possible presence of an f' signal in the J/psi data). Assuming these decays proceed via the annihilation of the initial quark and antiquark to a photon and two gluons, these ratios are predicted by lowest order QCD to be the same as the ratio of leptonic branching ratios of the psi' and J/psi, or 12.0 +- 2.2%. There currently exists no compelling explanation for the discrepancy between the ratios measured for the last two decays and the theoretical expectation.
On the ranks of certain finite semigroups of transformations

It is well-known (see [2]) that the finite symmetric group Sn has rank 2. Specifically, it is known that the cyclic permutations generate Sn,. It easily follows (and has been observed by Vorob'ev [9]) that the full transformation semigroup on n (< ∞) symbols has rank 3, being generated by the two generators of Sn, together with an arbitrarily chosen element of defect 1. (See Clifford and Preston [1], example 1.1.10.) The rank of Singn, the semigroup of all singular self-maps of {1, …, n}, is harder to determine: in Section 2 it is shown to be ½n(n − 1) (for n ≽ 3). The semigroup Singn it is known to be generated by idempotents [4] and so it is possible to define the idempotent rank of Singn as the cardinality of the smallest possible set P of idempotents for which = Singn. This is of course potentially greater than the rank, but in fact the two numbers turn out to be equal.
Eye-Movements in a Text Reading Task: A Comparison of Preterm Children, Children with Dyslexia and Typical Readers

Preterm birth is associated with weaknesses in reading skills that are usually less severe than those of children with dyslexia. To understand the characteristics of reading processes in preterm children, we adopted a cross-population and multi-modal approach comparing eye movements in reading tasks among three groups: children with preterm birth, children with a diagnosis of dyslexia, and children with typical development. The study involved 78 participants (10.5 years). Eye movements (number and duration of fixations, amplitude and number of saccades, number of regressions) were recorded during the silent reading of two texts; cognitive and reading standardized tasks were also administered. Children with dyslexia had more fixations and more frequent and smaller saccades compared to the preterm group and children with typical development. They also showed more regressions compared to the control group. Preterm children showed shorter fixations compared to the other groups. Cognitive and reading standardized tasks confirmed severe delays in reading in children with dyslexia and some weaknesses in text reading speed and comprehension in preterm children. These results are discussed with reference to candidate mechanisms that underlie reading processes in preterm children and considering possible implications for research.
Stakeholder perceptions on Community‐Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR): a case study in Thailand

Mangroves are a unique ecosystem that provides various benefits to people. In Thailand, Mangrove Action Project (MAP) has introduced Community‐Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR), a novel technique to restore degraded mangroves. Unlike conventional tree planting, CBEMR does not require a planting phase. It emphasizes preproject assessments of mangrove ecology and hydrology to facilitate natural regeneration. Therefore, this study aims to (1) investigate the perception of stakeholders on the value of mangroves; (2) examine the understanding of stakeholders on conventional mangrove planting and CBEMR as mangrove restoration techniques; (3) understand the challenges and motivations of the CBEMR efforts in the Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand. We use Q Methodology, a semi‐quantitative method that requires participants to rank a set of statements to analyze their perceptions according to the research questions. As a result, we can identify three clusters of perceptions; D1 demands more CBEMR and less conventional planting. D2 believes mangrove planting is good, given suitable conditions. D3 thinks restoring mangroves brings benefits, but most conventional planting often fails. This study highlighted that all CBEMR stakeholders believe inadequate technical knowledge is the root cause of mismatch restoration practices. Mangrove planting should be done with suitable species, conditions, and areas. Conventional planting of mangroves without considering ecological factors and local engagement should be avoided as it fails to achieve sustainable outcomes. Enhancing knowledge of mangrove ecology and restoration techniques is therefore a sustainable route to the long‐term success of mangrove restoration in Thailand.
Surface spin freezing of ferrite nanoparticles evidenced by magnetization measurements

Magnetization and in-field Mossbauer measurements were performed on copper ferrite nanoparticles with average sizes ranging from 3.5 to 10.4nm. Our results show that the nanoparticles are well-crystallized single domains with a magnetically disordered surface shell. A sharp increase in the saturation magnetization at low temperatures, in addition to the usual modified Bloch behavior, was observed for the smallest particles. This jump in magnetization curves seems to be related to the freezing of the surface spins below a temperature of about 45K.
Comparison of different methods of force calculation

Four methods of force calculation are discussed and compared: equivalent current density, equivalent magnetic charges, the energy principle for both constant and field-dependent permeability, and Maxwell's stresses. Although the formulas for the surface force density are different, it can be shown that the same volume force density results. The reasons for different numerical results are discussed and recommendations are given to the user. >
Finite‐time H ∞  control for discrete‐time switched nonlinear systems with time delay

In this paper, the problem of finite‐time H ∞ control is addressed for a class of discrete‐time switched nonlinear systems with time delay. The concept of H ∞ finite‐time boundedness is first introduced for discrete‐time switched delay systems. Next, a set of switching signals are designed by using the average dwell time approach, under which some delay‐dependent sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the H ∞ finite‐time boundedness of the closed‐loop system. Then, a finite‐time H ∞ state feedback controller is also designed by solving such conditions. Furthermore, the problem of uniform finite‐time H ∞ stabilization is also resolved. All the conditions are cast into linear matrix inequalities, which can be easily checked by using recently developed algorithms for solving linear matrix inequalities. A numerical example and a water‐quality control system are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the main results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing for Imperfect Debugging in Software Reliability

This paper continues the study of the software reliability model of Fakhre‐Zakeri & Slud (1995), an “exponential order statistic model” in the sense of Miller (1986) with general mixing distribution, imperfect debugging and large‐sample asymptotics reflecting increase of the initial number of bugs with software size. The parameters of the model are θ (proportional to the initial number of bugs in the software), G(·, μ) (the mixing df, with finite dimensional unknown parameter μ, for the rates λi with which the bugs in the software cause observable system failures), and p (the probability with which a detected bug is instantaneously replaced with another bug instead of being removed). Maximum likelihood estimation theory for (θ, p, μ) is applied to construct a likelihood‐based score test for large sample data of the hypothesis of “perfect debugging” (p = 0) vs “imperfect” (p > 0) within the models studied. There are important models (including the Jelinski–Moranda) under which the score statistics with 1/√n normalization are asymptotically degenerate. These statistics, illustrated on a software reliability data of Musa (1980), can serve nevertheless as important diagnostics for inadequacy of simple models
Bandwidth of spectral resolution for the ‘‘C‐O‐G’’ effect in vowel‐like complex sounds

Several investigators [e.g., Chistovitch et al. (1979); Carson et al. (1975); Beddor and Hawkins (1990)] report that listeners match an adjustable single‐formant to the spectral center of gravity of a two‐formant signal, as long as the two formants are separated by 3.5 Bark or less. This suggests that listeners use some form of spectral averaging in processing vowel sounds. Assmann’s 1991 results do not confirm the C‐O‐G predictions. The preliminary work [Feth et al. (1996)] used the double‐staircase procedure to confirm the C‐O‐G effect for two‐formant complex sounds using both periodic pulse train and white noise excitation of the filter used to generate the signals. In the work to be reported here, the relationship between the C‐O‐G effect and an independent measure of spectral resolution is explored. In 1977, Feth and O’Malley used two‐component complex tones described by Voelcker (1966) to estimate spectral resolving power. Resolution bandwidths paralleled the growth of the critical bandwidth with ce.
Baseline Conceptual-Semantic Impairment Predicts Longitudinal Treatment Effects for Anomia in Primary Progressive Aphasia and Alzheimer’s Disease

ABSTRACT Background An individual’s diagnostic subtype may fail to predict the efficacy of a given type of treatment for anomia. Classification by conceptual-semantic impairment may be more informative. Aims This study examined the effects of conceptual-semantic impairment and diagnostic subtype on anomia treatment effects in primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods & Procedures At baseline, the picture and word versions of the Pyramids and Palm Trees and Kissing and Dancing tests were used to measure conceptual-semantic processing. Based on norming that was conducted with unimpaired older adults, participants were classified as being impaired on both the picture and word versions (i.e., modality-general conceptual-semantic impairment), the picture version (Objects or Actions) only (i.e., visual-conceptual impairment), the word version (Nouns or Verbs) only (i.e., lexical-semantic impairment), or neither the picture nor the word version (i.e., no impairment). Following baseline testing, a lexical treatment and a semantic treatment were administered to all participants. The treatment stimuli consisted of nouns and verbs that were consistently named correctly at baseline (Prophylaxis items) and/or nouns and verbs that were consistently named incorrectly at baseline (Remediation items). Naming accuracy was measured at baseline, and it was measured at three, seven, eleven, fourteen, eighteen, and twenty-one months. Outcomes & Results Compared to baseline naming performance, lexical and semantic treatments both improved naming accuracy for treated Remediation nouns and verbs. For Prophylaxis items, lexical treatment was effective for both nouns and verbs, and semantic treatment was effective for verbs, but the pattern of results was different for nouns – the effect of semantic treatment was initially nonsignificant or marginally significant, but it was significant beginning at 11 Months, suggesting that the effects of prophylactic semantic treatment may become more apparent as the disorder progresses. Furthermore, the interaction between baseline Conceptual-Semantic Impairment and the Treatment Condition (Lexical vs. Semantic) was significant for verb Prophylaxis items at 3 and 18 Months, and it was significant for noun Prophylaxis items at 14 and 18 Months. Conclusions The pattern of results suggested that individuals who have modality-general conceptual-semantic impairment at baseline are more likely to benefit from lexical treatment, while individuals who have unimpaired conceptual-semantic processing at baseline are more likely to benefit from semantic treatment as the disorder progresses. In contrast to conceptual-semantic impairment, diagnostic subtype did not typically predict the treatment effects.
Extraforaminal Full-Endoscopic Approach for the Treatment of Lateral Compressive Diseases of the Lumbar Spine

Background: The authors conducted a 2-year retrospective follow-up to investigate the efficiency of an extraforaminal full-endoscopic approach with foraminoplasty used to treat lateral compressive diseases of the lumbar spine in 247 patients. Methods: The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and MacNab scale were used to analyze the results collected during the preoperative and postoperative periods. Results: The most common diagnosis was disk herniation with lateral recess stenosis, and the most common surgical level among patients was between L4 and L5 on the left side. Pain decreased over time, as determined during sessions held to evaluate pain in the lumbar, gluteal, led, and foot regions. The ODI demonstrated significant enhancement over the evaluation period and the MacNab scale classified the surgery as good or excellent. The most common complication was dysesthesia. Conclusions: An extraforaminal full-endoscopic approach with foraminoplasty can be recommended in cases of lateral herniation or stenosis for patients with symptoms of radiculopathy, and for those who have not responded to conventional rehabilitation treatment or chronic pain management. Few complications arose as a result of this approach, and most of them were treated clinically.
A Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Machine with HTS Bulks and Radially Magnetized PMs Arranged

In order to improve the torque density of flux switching permanent magnet machine (FSPMM), a novel multi-tooth fault-tolerant FSPMM with high temperature superconducting (HTS) bulks is proposed in this paper. The HTS bulks and radially magnetized PMs are arranged inside in the stator. And due to the flux bridges at both ends of the permanent magnet, 6 stator teeth are connected as a whole. Then the optimized machine parameters are obtained based on multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). Finally, the topology performance is assessed and verified by finite element method (FEM) Compared with the conventional model, the torque density of the proposed model is increased by 30.39%, and the coupling coefficient ratio are reduced by 14.62%.
Subwavelength light focusing of plasmonic lens with dielectric filled nanoslits structures

Abstract. A plasmonic lens composed of a dielectric-filled nanoslits structure on an aluminum film is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The slits’ structure is designed with equal distance, length, and width, but filled with variant thickness SiO2 dielectric for specific phase retardations. A dual focused ion beam instrument is employed to mill the slits and deposit SiO2 into the slits. The phase modulation by SiO2-filled slits is illustrated by a double slits interference experiment. The light focusing behavior of the fabricated plasmonic lens is experimentally characterized by a scanning near-field optical microscope. Experimental results show good agreement with the simulations.
Resolution limits for deconvolved images

The limits imposed by photon statistics on the resolution attainable by deconvolving seeing-broadened astronomical images are investigated. By analogy with the classical Rayleigh limit for diffraction-limited images, resolution is defined as the separation of the equal component double star that can be just resolved by deconvolution. An approximate analytic theory is given that predicts the dependence of resolution thus defined on the number of detected photons, and this theory is tested by deconvolution experiments on synthetic images
Review of the Hidden Rays of Diffraction

A high-frequency analysis technique, called the hidden rays of diffraction (HRD), is reviewed in this paper. The physical optics and the rigorous diffraction coefficients of a perfectly conducting wedge illuminated by a plane wave are compared. The physical existence of hidden rays on the shadow boundary is explained in view of the geometric theory of diffraction (GTD). In particular, a systematic tracing of hidden rays and its visualization are precisely described by introducing the concept of the supplementary boundary. The physical meaning of the null-field condition in the complementary region is also explained.
Highly sensitive single pole head with laminated thin film coils

A novel single pole head with laminated thin film coils is proposed in this paper. Laminated thin film coils, between which a main pole is laid, are put very close to the media to capture most of the reproduced flux. In addition, a ferrite return yoke is placed just under the lower conductor to shorten the head magnetic flux path. These approaches bring high read/write efficiency and small head noise owing to low head impedance. With only one or two-turn coils, Co-Cr/Fe-Ni-Nb double-layered media were saturated at magneto-motive force of 0.05 ampere-turn, and overwrite of the two-turn head reached 35 dB. High normalized output of 1000 nV/sub p-p///spl mu/m/spl middot/turn/spl middot/m/s was obtained. Much higher recording and reproducing sensitivity than ordinary inductive single pole heads was achieved.