Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
3D-TTA: A Software Tool for Analyzing 3D Temporal Thermal Models of Buildings

Many software packages are designed to process 3D geometric data, although very few are designed to deal with 3D thermal models of buildings over time. The software 3D Temporal Thermal Analysis (3D-TTA) has been created in order to visualize, explore and analyze these 3D thermal models. 3D-TTA is composed of three modules. In the first module, the temperature of any part of the building can be explored in a 3D visual framework. The user can also conduct separate analyses of structural elements, such as walls, ceilings and floors. The second module evaluates the thermal evolution of the building over time. A multi-temporal 3D thermal model, composed of a set of thermal models taken at different times, is handled here. The third module incorporates several assessment tools, such as the identification of representative thermal regions on structural elements and the comparison between real and simulated (i.e., obtained from energy simulation tools) thermal models. The potential scope of this software and its applications within the field of energy efficiency are presented in various case studies at the end of the paper.
Motor Improvement-Related Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Changes in Parkinson's Disease in Response to Antiparkinsonian Drugs

Little is known about the relationship between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) change and clinical improvement in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) measurement of cerebral blood flow allows evaluation of temporal changes in brain function, and using SPECT, we aimed to identify motor improvement-related rCBF changes in response to the administration of antiparkinsonian drugs. Thirty PD patients (16 without dementia; 14 with dementia) were scanned with technetium-99m labeled ethyl cysteinate dimer SPECT and were rated with the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III, both before and after a single administration of antiparkinsonian drugs. The SPECT data were processed using Statistical Parametric Mapping 2, the easy Z-score Imaging System, and voxel-based Stereotactic Extraction Estimation. The rCBF responses in the deep brain structures after administration of antiparkinsonian drugs tended to be larger than those in cortical areas. Among these deep brain structures, the rCBF increases in the substantia nigra (SN), lateral geniculate (LG) body, and medial geniculate (MG) body correlated with drug efficacy (p < 0.05, respectively). A subgroup analysis revealed that the motor improvement-related rCBF change in the MG was statistically significant, irrespective of cognitive function, but the significant changes in the LG and SN were not found in subjects with dementia. In conclusion, our SPECT study clearly exhibited drug-driven rCBF changes in PD patients, and we newly identified motor improvement-related rCBF changes in the LG and MG. These results suggest that rCBF changes in these regions could be considered as candidates for clinical indicators for objective evaluation of disease progression. Furthermore, functional studies focusing on the LG and MG, especially in relation to therapies using audio-visual stimuli, may bring some new clues to explain the pathophysiology of PD.
Effect of Helicobacter pylori, black tea and sodium bicarbonate on iron metabolism and MDCK cell survival

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. Diet and Helicobacter pylori infection are among the main causes of this disorder. Objective: In this study, the effect of black tea extract and sodium bicarbonate with Helicobacter pylori on the genes involved in iron absorption and storage, as well as cell proliferation, were studied. Methods: Simultaneous cultivation of MDCK and Helicobacter pylori cell lines was performed at concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/ml of tea extract and 30, 40, 60 and 100 mM sodium bicarbonate at 24 and 48 hours. The effect of treatment on cell survival was investigated by trypan blue staining and expression of MYC, TFRC, FTH1, IRP2, IRP1, and NDRG1 genes by real-time PCR and analyzed by ANOVA and independent T-test. Findings: There was no significant change in the expression of the genes involved in iron metabolism under the influence of tea, sodium bicarbonate and Helicobacter pylori treatment in MDCK cell line. Upregulation MYC gene expression was observed in the presence of Helicobacter pylori after 24 hours treatment with tea extract, and sodium bicarbonate, and in the absence of Helicobacter pylori upregulation with tea extract after 48 hours (P<0.05). Also upregulation NDRG1 gene expression was seen after tea extract treatment of cells with or without Helicobacter pylori in both 24 and 48 h (P<0.05). Conclusion: Sodium bicarbonate and tea each one alone didn’t not influence iron status. This study suggests that reduction of tea intake could be served as a risk prevention strategy.
Data Augmentation Based on Attributed Scattering Centers to Train Robust CNN for SAR ATR

Driven by the good classification performance of the convolutional neural network (CNN), this study proposes a CNN-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) target recognition method. In this paper, a novel data augmentation algorithm is proposed via target reconstruction based on attributed scattering centers (ASC). The ASCs reflect the electromagnetic phenomenon of SAR targets, which can be used to reconstruct the target’s characteristics. The sparse representation (SR) algorithm is first employed to extract the ASCs from a single SAR image. Afterward, some of the extracted ASCs are selected to reconstruct the target’s image. By repeating the process, many new images can be generated as available training samples. In the classification stage, a CNN architecture is designed and trained by the augmented samples. For the test sample, it is also reconstructed using all the extracted ASCs thus relieving the interferences caused by the clutters or noises in the background. Finally, the reconstructed image from the test sample is classified based on the trained CNN. The reconstructed image from the ASCs can reduce the clutters and noises thus enhancing the image quality. More importantly, the generated new training samples could cover more operating conditions, which may probably occur in SAR target recognition. Therefore, the trained CNN can work more robustly in different situations. In the experiments, the moving and stationary target acquisition and recognition (MSTAR) dataset is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. This method could classify the 10 classes of targets with an accuracy of 99.48% under the standard operating condition (SOC). For the extended operating conditions like configuration variance, depression angle variance, noise corruption, and partial occlusion, the proposed method also displays superior performance over some baseline algorithms drawn from state-of-the-art literature.
Effect of time of onset of rapid cooling on bovine milk fat hydrolysis.

Abstract Milk samples (n = 1818), collected from 261 cows, were used to evaluate effect of time of onset of rapid cooling on milk fat hydrolysis. Aliquots, either cooled immediately or after 1 h at ambient temperarure, were analyzed for FFA content after storage at 4°C for 48 h. Acid degree values for immediately cooled aliquots were higher than delayed cooled aliquots following adjustment for days in milk, days pregnant, milk yield, and SCC (.76 vs. .71). Correlation of . 89 existed between aliquots; however, within a sample, aliquot response on cooling was variable in direction and magnitude. Immediate cooling enhanced lipolysis associated with increased days pregnant, decreased milk yield, and increased SCC. Consequently, effect of immediate cooling on milk fat hydrolysis was greater in milk collected from late lactation cows.
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BIOFORMULATIONS OF PSEUDOMONAS FLUORESCENS AND EVALUATION OF THESE PRODUCTS AGAINST DAMPING-OFF OF COTTON SEEDLINGS

There is growing interest in the use of biological approaches to replace chemicals in fertilizing soils or improving plant resistance against phytopathogens. In this regard plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have a potential role. In search of efficient PGPR strains with multiple activities, we prepared eight new bioformulations using two strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from different rhizosphere soils and plant roots in the Iranian cotton fields. Formulations included a talc-based powder and bentonite-based powder as mineral carriers and peat and rice bran as organic carriers for increasing stability in interaction between PGPR and cotton plants. The results of a greenhouse experiment, where these products were applied to cotton seeds at intervals of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing to control seedling damping-off, showed that all treatments except TAL-B2 were effective (up to 62.5% control) as compared to untreated seeds. The efficacy of BENT-B1, PT-B1 and PT-B2 treatments was much higher (between 1.42 to 1.92 fold) than that of the standard carboxin-thiram fungicide treatment at all stages. Our results indicate that organic and inorganic carriers may efficiently be used for improving the stability and effectiveness of biocontrol-active microorganisms in controlling plant diseases.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OF DIAGNOSIS MODELS SYNTHESIS BASED ON PARALLEL COMPUTING

Context. The problem of diagnosis models synthesis in the big data processing based on parallel computing is solved. The object of the research is the process of diagnosis models synthesis. The subject of the research are the methods and information technologies for diagnosis models synthesis. Objective. The research objective is to develop diagnosis models synthesis information technology. Method. The paper deals with information technology of diagnosis models synthesis which is a set of diagrams graphically describing structural elements of the system as well as the behavioral aspects of their interaction at various stages of diagnostics objects models construction. The developed information technology enables to perform the construction of distributed diagnostics systems where computationally complex stages of diagnosis models synthesis are performed on high-performance server equipment, which makes it possible to significantly increase the practical threshold for using diagnostics systems in the processing of big data sets for solving of the tasks of training sample data reduction, rules extraction, diagnosis models construction and retraining. Results. The software which implements the proposed information technology and allows to synthesize diagnosis models based on the given data samples has been developed. Conclusions. The conducted experiments have confirmed the proposed information technology operability and allow to recommend it for solving the problems of big data processing for technical and biomedical diagnostics in practice. The prospects for further researches may include the modification of the developed information technology by introducing of other methods of diagnosis models synthesis.
Behavioural indicators of cow comfort: activity and resting behaviour of dairy cows in two types of housing

We explored which aspects of dairy cow behaviour provide measures of cow comfort and how housing affects resting time. Following a crossover design, we observed the behaviour of eight lactating Holstein cows kept for three weeks in stalls believed to represent a contrast in comfort. Cows individually housed in large pens with a mattress flooring lay down 4.2 h d−1 longer than cows housed in tie-stalls on a concrete floor, while cows in tie-stalls stood idle (without eating) for longer. Cows stood up and lay down more often in the large pens and the duration of individual standing bouts was longer in tie-stalls. We found no differences in eating time and few differences in body, head or leg positions cows assumed while lying. There was little evidence of diurnal rhythm in activity. A lower frequency of standing and lying and an increase in the duration of lying bouts suggests that in tie-stalls cows are more reluctant to change position from lying to standing. The type of pen or stall in which cows are hou.
COMPARISON BETWEEN SERUM PROLACTIN LEVELS DETERMINED BY VIDAS AND RIA TECHNIQUES

Background: Human prolactin can be determined in human serum or plasma quantitatively by many techniques such as ELISA, RIA, and ELFA (miniVIDAS). Objectives: To estimate the strength of association of total serum prolactin and free serum prolactin values measured by two different methods [RIA and VIDAS]. And to predict the prolactin value measured by RIA corresponding to a given value by VIDAS. Methods: Two technical methods VIDAS and RIA were used in determination of prolactin level in sera of twenty five women with uterine fibroid conducted at two laboratories admitted at Al-Khademyia Teaching Hospital during the period January 2008 to April 2009. Total and free serum prolactin was measured by both VIDAS and RIA using their assay kits. Statistical methods of correlation and regression were used to compare between the two methods. Results: The study revealed a highly significant positive correlations between VIDAS and RIA total and free serum prolactin, r=0.999, R = 0.998, P<0.001, r=0.998, R = 0.997, P< 0.001 respectively. High linear regression equations were found between VIDAS and RIA total and free serum prolactin, y= 0.358x+ 0.57, R = 0.998 and y= 0.355x+0.49, R = 0.997 respectively. The recovery percentages of prolactin (R %) in two methods were approximately equal to each other, VIDAS R%=50.52±0.89% and RIA R%= 50.38±1.57% respectively. Conclusion: A highly significant positive correlation was found between RIA and VIDAS for both total and free serum prolactin. And high linear regression equations were found between the two methods to predict RIA values corresponding to a given VIDAS value.
The Green Tea Polyphenol (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Blocks Nuclear Factor-κB Activation by Inhibiting IκB Kinase Activity in the Intestinal Epithelial Cell Line IEC-6

The IκB kinase complex (IKK) mediates activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). We previously showed that green tea polyphenols inhibited endotoxin-mediated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) production by blocking NF-κB activation. In this study, we evaluated whether green tea polyphenols inhibit NF-κB by blocking IKK activity. We assessed IKK activity by detecting changes in phosphorylation of an IκBα-glutathioneS-transferase (GST) fusion protein. IEC-6 cells pretreated with an extract of green tea polyphenols (GrTPs; 0–0.4 mg/ml) had diminished TNFα-induced IKK and NF-κB activity. Of the various GrTPs, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was the most potent inhibitor. We next examined whether EGCG inhibited activated IKK. In cytosolic extracts of TNFα-stimulated cells, EGCG inhibited phosphorylation of IκBα-GST (IC50 > 18 μM) consistent with inhibition of IKK activity. Using other polyphenols, we showed that the gallate group was essential for inhibition, and antioxidants were ineffective in blocking activated IKK. Importantly, EGCG decreased IKK activity in cytosolic extracts of NIK transiently transfected cells. This latter finding showed that our findings were not related to nonspecific kinase activity. In conclusion, EGCG is an effective inhibitor of IKK activity. This may explain, at least in part, some of the reported anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of green tea.
Lymphotoxin α3 Induces Chemokines and Adhesion Molecules: Insight into the Role of LTα in Inflammation and Lymphoid Organ Development

Lymphotoxin (LT) plays an important role in inflammation and lymphoid organ development, though the mechanisms by which it promotes these processes are poorly understood. Toward this end, the biologic activities of a recently generated recombinant murine (m) LTα preparation were evaluated. This cytokine preparation was effective at inducing cytotoxicity of WEHI target cells with 50% maximal killing observed with 1.2 ng/ml. mLTα also induced the expression of inflammatory mediators in the murine endothelial cell line bEnd.3. rmLTα induced expression of the adhesion molecules VCAM, ICAM, E-selectin, and the mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule, MAdCAM-1. When mLTα, human (h) LTα, and mTNF-α were compared, mLTα was the most potent inducer of MAdCAM-1. None of these cytokines induced the peripheral node addressin, PNAd. mLTα also induced expression of the chemokines RANTES, IFN-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1). mRNA levels peaked 4 h following treatment with mLTα and declined through the 24-h treatment period. LTα also induced chemokine protein within 8 h of treatment, which increased through the 24-h treatment period. These data demonstrate that the proinflammatory effects of LTα3 may be mediated in part through the induction of adhesion molecule and chemokine expression. Further, LTα3 may promote development of lymphoid tissue through induction of chemokines and the mucosal addressin MAdCAM-1. These data confirm previous observations in transgenic and knockout mice that LTα3 in the absence of LTβ carries out unique biologic activities.
Model-Based Reinforcement Learning in Contextual Decision Processes

We study the sample complexity of model-based reinforcement learning in general contextual decision processes. We design new algorithms for RL with an abstract model class and analyze their statistical properties. Our algorithms have sample complexity governed by a new structural parameter called the witness rank, which we show to be small in several settings of interest, including Factored MDPs and reactive POMDPs. We also show that the witness rank of a problem is never larger than the recently proposed Bellman rank parameter governing the sample complexity of the model-free algorithm OLIVE (Jiang et al., 2017), the only other provably sample efficient algorithm at this level of generality. Focusing on the special case of Factored MDPs, we prove an exponential lower bound for all model-free approaches, including OLIVE, which when combined with our algorithmic results demonstrates exponential separation between model-based and model-free RL in some rich-observation settings.
Mollusk species diversity in the Southeastern Pacific: why are there more species towards the pole?

The most ubiquitous and well recognized diversity pattern at large spatial scales is the latitudinal increase in species richness near the equator and decline towards the poles. Although several exceptions to this pattern have been documented, shallow water mollusks, the most specious group of marine invertebrates, are the epitome of the monotonic decline in species diversity toward higher latitudes along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America. Here we analyze the geographic diversity of 629 mollusk species along the Pacific South American shelf. Our analyses are based on the most complete database of invertebrates assembled for this region of the world, consisting of latitudinal ranges of over 95% of all described mollusks between 10° and 55°S. Along this coast, mollusk diversity did not follow the typical latitudinal trend. The number of species remained constant and relatively low at intermediate latitudes and sharply increased toward higher latitudes, - south of 42°S. This trend was explained by changes in shelf area, but not by sea surface temperature, unlike the pattern documented for Northern Hemisphere mollusks. Direct sampling of soft bottom communities along the gradient suggests that regional trends in species richness are produced by increased alpha diversity. and not only by artifacts produced by the increase in sampling area. We hypothesize that increased shelf area south of 42°S, geographic isolation produced by divergence of major oceanic currents, and the existence of refugia during glaciations, enabled species diversification. Radiation could have been limited by narrow continental shelves between 10°-42°. Asymmetries in latitudinal diversity trends between hemispheres show that there is not a single general factor determining large-scale diversity patterns.
Chris Rojek, The Labour of Leisure: The Culture of Free Time, Sage: London, Thousand Oaks, CA, New Delhi and Singapore, 2010; 208 pp.: ISBN 9781412945523, £65.00 (hbk), ISBN 9781412945530, £20.99 (pbk)

The conceptualization of leisure is a multifaceted and tricky issue. This volume offers interesting insights inspired by cultural and social theory, on the basis of a broad framework of leisure, which is also evident in the subtitle. The author has already analysed different aspects of leisure in five earlier publications, the first one dating back to 1985, while Leisure and Culture (2000) and Leisure Theory (2005) are more recent. According to Rojek, these works can be read independently, but it would have been interesting to know something more about the content of the previous books and hence to understand and follow also a possible evolution of Rojek’s approach to leisure. As the author puts it, in the present volume he not only applies social and cultural theory to leisure forms and practice,
Parametric modal analysis of an induced-strain actuated wing-like plate for pitch and heave coupling response

This article investigates the feasibility of a plate-like flapping wing with varying geometric and boundary conditions actuated by surface-bonded piezoelectric material devices. The most influential structural parameters that vary dynamic response and heave–pitch mode coupling are investigated. An analytically and experimentally validated dynamic finite element model is developed to analyze the structure. A parametric analysis is conducted by varying critical geometric parameters and boundary conditions, such as aspect ratio, actuator position, actuator angle, clamp size, and position; substrate thickness variation; and substrate-to-actuator-thickness ratio. Response metrics representing heave and pitch motions are taken as longitudinal curvature and lateral slope, respectively—the surface regression analysis and results leading to these choices are presented. Maximum longitudinal curvature and lateral slope amplitudes and phase shifts are reported for key parameter choices. Longitudinal curvature to lateral slope coupling is achieved with the introduction of a leading edge stiffener to the otherwise uniform thickness plate. Conditions and parameters that lead to and influence heave–pitch coupling are presented and discussed in detail. This article presents a unique approach to flapping mode of flight compared to the literature. The article proposes a purely induced-strain actuation approach rather than the typical “mechanisms” based approach.