Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the progeny of the fourth-generation Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) breeding lines for resistance to QX disease (Marteilia sydneyi) and winter mortality (Bonamia roughleyi)

A breeding program for Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) has been selecting oysters for resistance to QX disease (Marteilia sydneyi) and winter mortality (Bonamia roughleyi) for three generations at three sites in Georges River, New South Wales, Australia. The experimental sites are located at the upper, middle and lower reaches of oyster growing areas in the estuary. QX disease mainly occurs in the middle and upper reaches and is most severe at the latter. Winter mortality on the other hand occurs mainly at the lower and middle reaches and is most severe at the former. Progeny of third-generation Sydney rock oyster breeding lines were evaluated for resistance to both QX disease and winter mortality against a non-selected control. Line 1, selected for QX disease resistance at the upper estuary site, had excellent resistance to one season of exposure to disease, but suffered high mortality during the second season of exposure. However, these oysters had already reached market size of 50 g whole weight, with low mortality at 2 years of age, before the second episode of QX disease. Line 2 showed good improvement in resistance to both diseases, whereas Line 3, was the most resistant to winter mortality. Selection for resistance to QX disease did not appear to confer resistance to winter mortality and the converse also applied.
Bonheur Jekyll et Bonheur Hyde ou l’étrange cas de la génomique psycho-sociale

> Que des attitudes mentales négatives, un état dépressif, la tristesse, l’inquiétude, un sentiment d’accablement ou encore le stress puissent nuire à notre état de santé, tout le monde en conviendra. Mais l’inverse est-il vrai ? Les personnes plutôt joyeuses, épanouies, rayonnantes, menant une vie de plénitude et de contentement répondront sans doute que oui. Et quiconque aura eu la chance de tomber amoureux une fois dans sa vie ne les contredira pas, tant l’euphorie de l’amour s’apparente à un remède universel. On se sent plus vigoureux, moins malade lorsqu’on est serein ou transporté. Bref, on a tendance à aller mieux quand on voit la vie du bon côté. Des chercheurs américains des universités de Californie et de Caroline du Nord sont allés plus loin en étudiant si un état d’esprit positif pouvait moduler favorablement l’expression de certains gènes clés impliqués dans l’immunité. Leurs résultats ont été publiés il y a quelques mois dans la prestigieuse revue scientifique des Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America [1], faisant immédiatement couler beaucoup d’encre dans la presse et d’octets sur la toile. Passés l’étonnement, la frénésie journalistique, et les premières levées de boucliers, il est temps de revenir sur cette spécialité de psychologie positive cuisinée à la sauce génomique.
Deep learning for feature discovery in brain MRIs for patient-level classification with applications to multiple sclerosis : [errata]

Network architectures and training strategies are crucial considerations in applying deep learning to neuroimaging data, but attaining optimal performance still remains challenging, because the images involved are highdimensional and the pathological patterns to be modeled are often subtle. Additional challenges include limited annotations, heterogeneous modalities, and sparsity of certain image types. In this thesis, we have developed detailed methodologies to overcome these challenges for automatic feature extraction from multimodal neuroimaging data to perform image-level classification and segmentation, with applications to multiple sclerosis (MS). We developed our new methods in the context of four MS applications. The first was the development of an unsupervised deep network for MS lesion segmentation that was the first to use image features that were learned completely automatically, using unlabeled data. The deep-learned features were then refined with a supervised classifier, using a much smaller set of annotated images. We assessed the impact of unsupervised learning by observing the segmentation performance when the amount of unlabeled data
Strings, Branes and Extra Dimensions

This review is devoted to strings and branes. Firstly, perturbative string theory is introduced. The appearance of various types of branes is discussed. These include orbifold fixed planes, D-branes and orientifold planes. The connection to BPS vacua of supergravity is presented afterwards. As applications, we outline the role of branes in string dualities, field theory dualities, the AdS/CFT correspondence and scenarios where the string scale is at a TeV. Some issues of warped compactifications are also addressed. These comprise corrections to gravitational interactions as well as the cosmological constant problem.
[Towards a bivalent prophylactic vaccine against hepatitis B and C viruses?].

L’hépatite C en 2013 Au cours des dernières années, des progrès majeurs ont été réalisés en termes de traitements contre le virus de l’hépatite C (VHC), avec la mise au point d’antiviraux à action directe (DAA, pour direct-acting antiviral agents), notamment des inhibiteurs de la protéase virale [1, 14] (➜). Cependant, ces traitements sont très coûteux, souvent associés à d’importants effets secondaires, et ne suffisent donc pas à traiter les 170 millions de personnes chroniquement infectées par le VHC dans le monde. Par ailleurs, l’organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) estime que près de 4 millions de nouvelles infections par le VHC surviennent chaque année dans le monde. Ce problème de santé publique n’est pas confiné aux pays en développement puisqu’on estime à environ 18 000 le nombre de nouvelles infections tous les ans aux États-Unis, soit une toutes les trente minutes [2]. Comme la plupart de ces nouvelles infections sont asymptomatiques, les personnes infectées ignorent le plus souvent qu’elles deviennent porteuses chroniques du virus. Elles ne sont donc pas prises en charge médicalement et sont par ailleurs susceptibles de transmettre le virus à des sujets sains. Si l’infection par le VHC n’est pas détectée lors d’un examen de médecine préventive, la maladie ne se révèle que plusieurs années après l’infection, bien souvent sous la forme d’une hépatite chronique active ayant induit des lésions hépatiques. À ce stade, les traitements antiviraux sont toutefois beaucoup moins efficaces. Pour toutes ces raisons, la mise au point d’un vaccin prophylactique contre le VHC est un enjeu majeur. Un tel vaccin représente le meilleur espoir de pouvoir contrôler l’épidémie à l’échelle mondiale, ainsi qu’une opportunité de diminuer considérablement les dépenses de santé liées aux traitements des infections chroniques par le VHC.
La réponse consécutive à des dommages à l’ADN contribue à la suppression tumorale en détectant l’activité oncogénique

> Une révolution est survenue dans le domaine de la recherche contre le cancer quand fut considérée l’idée que le cancer constituait une maladie génétique. Au cours des deux dernières décennies, de nombreux gènes, ainsi que leurs mutations, participant à la formation de cancers ont été détectés et clonés et identifiés. La tumorigenèse [1] serait attribuable à l’altération de trois types de gènes : les oncogènes, les suppresseurs tumoraux et les gènes de stabilité (caretakers). La transformation cellulaire dépend donc d’événements conduisant à l’activation d’oncogènes, comme Myc, Ras et STAT5, afin de favoriser la prolifération cellulaire. Toutefois, les cellules normales peuvent mettre en place, par l’activation de suppresseurs tumoraux, des mécanismes de défense afin de contrer la transformation cellulaire. Par exemple, à la suite de l’activation des oncogènes Ras ou STAT5, les voies de p53 et de Rb sont stimulées afin de freiner la croissance des cellules et permettre un arrêt permanent de la prolifération nommé sénescence. L’inactivation des suppresseurs tumoraux constitue alors un élément essentiel à la progression tumorale [1]. Initialement, la sénescence fut associée au potentiel réplicatif limité de cellules normales [2]. La sénescence réplicative est d’ailleurs reliée au raccourcissement et à la perte de fonction des télomères. La sénescence déclenchée par les oncogènes est, quant à elle, qualifiée de prématurée puisqu’elle survient avant la sénescence réplicative. Les voies engagées par les suppresseurs tumoraux p53 et Rb constituent les axes centraux des mécanismes moléculaires menant à la sénescence par suite de l’expression d’oncogènes. Les événements permettant de détecter l’activité oncogénique et menant à l’activamène à l’altération de l’ADN et que les protéines responsables de la reconnaissance et de la réparation de ces altérations constituent les détecteurs du stress oncogénique.
Distributed model predictive control for reconfigurable large-scale systems

Large-scale Systems are gaining more importance in the modern world requiring flexible techniques capable of handling interactions. This thesis is concerned with the development of suitable algorithms based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) that guarantee stability, recursive feasibility and constraint satisfaction. In the first part of this thesis, the main properties and control challenges for controlling an Large-Scale System are brought together, and the main distributed approaches for solving these problems are surveyed. Also, two novel Distributed MPC algorithms are presented. A non-centralised approach to the output-feedback variant of tube-based model predictive control of dynamically coupled linear time-invariant systems with shared constraints. A tube-based algorithm capable of handling the interactions–not rejecting them– that replaces the conventional linear disturbance rejection controller with a second MPC controller, as is done in tube-based nonlinear MPC. Following this, a smart-grids application of the developed algorithm is presented to solve the load frequency control for a power network. The approach achieves guaranteed constraint satisfaction, the recursive feasibility of the MPC problems and stability while maintaining on-line complexity similar to conventional MPC. The second part of the thesis covers reconfigurable distributed MPC. Two novel approaches are considered: a nominal MPC methodology that incorporates information of external disturbances, and a coalitional approach for robust distributed MPC. The first approach uses available disturbance predictions within a nominal model predictive control formulation is studied. The main challenge that arises is the loss of recursive feasibility and stability guarantees when a disturbance, which may change from time step to time step, is resent in the model and on the system. We show how standard stabilising terminal conditions may be modified to account for the use of disturbances in the prediction model. Robust stability and feasibility are established under the assumption that the disturbance change across sampling instances is limited. The proposed coalitional approach to robust Distributed MPC aims to tackle the existing trade-off between communication and performance in Large-Scale System by exploiting the different network topologies of system dynamics. The algorithm employs a method to switch between topologies using a multi-rate control approach. The optimal topology selection problem is solved using a consensus approach appropriately constrained to reduce the effects of any combinatorial explosion. The robust control algorithm is capable of recomputing the necessary parameters online to readjust to new partitions. Robust constraint satisfaction, recursive and stability are guaranteed by the proposed algorithm.
A 128-Channel Extreme Learning Machine-Based Neural Decoder for Brain Machine Interfaces

In the paper we discuss about the extreme learning machine (ELM) interface which has potential to restore the lost sensorimotor functions in people. The key element used in brainmachine interface (BMI) is neural decoder. Extreme learning machine interface controls the external devices by modulating their neural activity. A mathematical algorithm is introduced to record the neural activity in extreme learning machine interface. The proposed system utilizes a decoder to initialize the feedback approach. A motor ELM is modelled as closed loop control system, where the controller is brain. At last the proposed system takes limited number of input channels and reduces the number of programmable weights.
Estimation of tropical cyclone intensity and location over the north Indian Ocean – a challenge

Maximum wind speeds associated with tropical cyclones are estimated operationally by a very widely used tool, the satellite‐based Dvorak technique (SDT) of cloud pattern matching and infrared cloud‐top temperature analyses, but it still has its own limitations. To make a good forecast and its proper verification it is essential to estimate the location and current intensity of a cyclone accurately. This study compares intensity estimates of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre, New Delhi (RSMCND). The results show that, except for super cyclones, the differences in intensity estimates are a function of intensity, the 12 hr intensity trend and the translation speed. The intensity estimates by the JTWC are often higher than RSMCND estimates. The mean absolute difference (MAD) and the root mean square difference (RMSD) are 9.7 kt and 13.3 kt respectively. The MAD ranges from 5.9 kt to 15.6 kt and the RMSD ranges from 7.6 kt to 19.0 kt. The average difference in location estimation and the corresponding standard deviation are found to be 67 km and 54 km respectively. In view of the subjectivity in SDT‐based intensity estimation which largely depends on the skill of the individual analyst, a robust objective method should be adopted to achieve uniformity in intensity estimates across agencies. The results of this study and the factors affecting intensity estimates quantified in the study will help operational forecasters for better monitoring of tropical cyclones and better post storm best‐track data analysis.
Practical issues in field studies using luminance cameras

Booklet of CIE Expert Workshop on Research Methods for Human Factors in Lighting, August 2018 14 PRACTICAL ISSUES IN FIELD STUDIES USING LUMINANCE CAMERAS Kruisselbrink, T.W. 1,2, Dangol, R.1,2, Rosemann, A.L. P.1,2 1 Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, THE NETHERLANDS 2 Intelligent Lighting Institute, Eindhoven, THE NETHERLANDS t.w. kruisselbrink@tue.nl
Disabled Gamers: Accessibility in Video Games

Video games have become an increasingly important cultural medium. At the same time, a significant portion of the population has a disability, which often leads to difficulties playing video games. Through the analysis of the disabled gaming community and a selection of mainstream computer games, we have uncovered several issues not previously noted by existing publications, either from within or without academia. Specialized alternative input devices, a commonly cited solution for gamers with mobility impairments, does not see widespread adoption, possibly due to the difficulty in obtaining them. Modern mainstream games, while cognizant of accessibility features, will only implement them so far as permitting basic gameplay, while leaving disabled gamers with a reduced gameplay experience. We have also uncovered issues that merit further investigation, such as that of digital game distribution platforms, such as Steam, and microtransaction games with revenue dependent upon player failure.
A VISUALIZATION TOOL FOR CROSS- EXPERIMENT GENE EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF C. ELEGANS

OF THESIS A VISUALIZATION TOOL FOR CROSS-EXPERIMENT GENE EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF C. ELEGANS Forty-six genomic gene expression studies of free living soil nematode C. elegans have been published. To facilitate exploratory analysis of those studies, we constructed a database containing all the published C. elegans expression datasets. A Perl CGI program, called Microarray Analysis Display (MAdisplay), allows gene expression clustergrams of any combination of entered genes and datasets to be viewed (http://elegans.uky.edu/gl/madisplay). Perl programs were used to preprocess the raw data from different sources into a common format and to transform the data to display the expression changes relative to each experiment's controls. Three hundred lists of genes from figures and tables were extracted from the publications and made available in the GeneLists database, which also contains Gene Ontology and KEGG gene lists. We used these tools to examine in a systematic fashion the mean expression of gene lists in the set of microarray and SAGE experiments. Seventy-nine percent of publication derived gene lists show a strong expression change (p-value <0.001) in more than one experiment with the median being fourteen out of the 127 experiments that are derived from the forty-six publications. This indicates that groups of genes identified in one publication typically show an expression effect in many other experiments.
Trans-oral robotic surgery versus coblation tongue base reduction for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Objectives To compare the efficacy of trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) with that of coblation assisted tongue base reduction surgery in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Subjects and Methods The medical charts were retrospectively reviewed for all OSAS patients admitted to one institution for surgical intervention between 2012 and 2017. We analyzed 33 cases; 16 patients received TORS and 17 received coblation surgery for tongue base reduction. Both groups received concomitant uvulopalatoplasty. Surgical outcomes were evaluated by comparing the initial polysomnography (PSG) parameters with the follow-up PSG data (at least 3 months after the surgery). Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and complications were also compared between the 2 groups. Results The success rate (≥50% reduction of pre-operative AHI and post-operative AHI <20) in the TORS group and coblation group were 50% and 58%, respectively, and there was no significant difference (p = .611). The AHI (mean ± SD) reduction in the TORS and coblation groups were 24.9 ± 26.5 events/h and 19.4 ± 24.8 events/h, respectively; the between-group difference was not significant (p = .631). ESS improvement did not differ significantly between the TORS and coblation groups (3.8 ± 6.6 and 3.1 ± 9.2, respectively, p = .873). The rates of minor complication were higher in the TORS group (50%) than that of the coblation group (35.3%) without statistical significance (p = .393). Conclusion TORS achieved comparable surgical outcomes compared to coblation assisted tongue base reduction surgery in OSAS patients. Multilevel surgery using either TORS or coblation tongue base reduction combined with uvulopalatoplasty is an effective approach for the management of OSAS.
Comparison of drug-eluting and bare metal stents for extracranial vertebral artery stenting

Introduction Drug-eluting stents of the first (DES I) and second generation (DES II) proved superior to bare metal stents (BMS) in the coronary territory. However, there are limited data on whether they have any advantage over BMS in vertebral artery stenosis (VAS). Aim To compare outcomes of DES (DES I, DES II) and BMS in the treatment of symptomatic extracranial VAS. Material and methods During 13-year study period (2003–2016), 392 consecutive patients underwent VAS angioplasty in 428 arteries, including implantation of 148 DES (DES I: 21; DES II: 127 lesions), and 280 BMS. Results The technical success rates for DES and BMS groups were 96.7% and 94.6% (p = 0.103), with similar periprocedural complication rates (1.4% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.565). VAS degree was reduced from 86 ±9.7 to 2.7 ±5.0% in DES (p < 0.001) and from 84.1 ±9.4 to 4.3 ±6.9% in BMS (p < 0.001). Angiography confirmed in-stent restenosis/occlusion (ISR/ISO) 50–99% in 53 (14.2%) and 21 (5.6%) out of 373 patients (409 arteries) with at least 6-month follow-up. ISR/ISO rates were similar in DES vs. BMS (22.8% vs. 19.4%; p = 0.635), as well as in DES I vs. DES II (6/19; 31.6% vs. 25/92; 27.2%, p = 0.325). Stainless steel (24/135; 17.8%) and cobalt-chromium (23/121;19%) BMS had significantly lower incidence of ISR/ISO, as compared to platinum-chromium (7/18; 38.9%), p = 0.034. ISR/ISO was associated with age (p = 0.01) and CRP level > 5 mg/l (p = 0.043), while greater stent length was associated with ISR only in the DES group (p = 0.024). Conclusions Our results do not support significant differences in ISR/ISO rates between DES and BMS, although differences between particular stent types and ISR rates require further investigation.
Ischemic postconditioning reduces infarct size and microvascular obstruction zone in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction – a randomized study

Introduction Ischemic postconditiong (postcon) has been reported to reduce infarct size in ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, recently a few other studies did not show any effect of postcon or suggested that it may even be harmful. Aim We sought to assess whether postcon could reduce infarct size (IS) and the microvascular obstruction (MVO) zone in early presenters with STEMI. Material and methods Seventy-four STEMI patients treated with primary coronary intervention (PCI) < 4 h from symptoms onset were randomly assigned to the postcon group (n = 37) or standard PCI group (n = 37). Postcon was performed immediately after obtaining reperfusion with 4 balloon occlusions, each lasting 60 s, followed by 60 seconds of reperfusion. Cardiac magnetic resonance was performed in all subjects within 48 to 96 h after admission. To evaluate the infarct size and MVO, the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique was used. Infarct size was defined as an area greater than 50% of the maximal signal intensity within LGE. MVO was defined as the area of the absence or hypoenhancement of contrast surrounded by LGE. Infarct size and MVO were determined by planimetry and the summation of discs method. Results Postcon was associated with significantly smaller IS (16.42 ±9.6 vs. 31.2 ±22.2 g; p = 0.007) and higher ejection fraction (59.8 ±9.2% vs. 52.3 ±10.2%). The extent of MVO was significantly lower in the postcon group in comparison to the control group (0.76 ±1.4 g vs. 2.2 ±3.2 g; p = 0.03). Conclusions In early presenters with STEMI postcon could significantly reduce infarct size and limit reperfusion injury.
Journal of Literary Semantics

This article is an ecostylistic examination of Sub-Umbra, one of the six serialised novels in the Victorian pornographic magazine The Pearl (1879–1881). It explores the stylistic strategies utilised to depict landscapes and masculinity – stylistic choices at wordand phrase-level, collocation and compounding, semantic crescendo, humour and point of view – applying an ecostylistic approach. The investigation reveals that the unfolding of the licentious narrative develops from the description of the setting, more precisely the landscape and natural scenery, as feminised and sexualised (Kolodny. 1975. The lay of the land: Metaphor as experience and history in American life and letters. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press). It also demonstrates that the sociological model of gentry masculinity (Connell. 2005. Masculinities. Oxford: Blackwell), characterised by landownership and domination of the physical environment, is the most appropriate to define the main character and narrator interacting with the gendered countryside setting.