Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Dietary Supplementation of Bacteriophages on Energy and Nutrient Digestibility and Intestinal Microbiota of Pigs

The aim of this work was to measure the influence of supplemental bacteriophages (BP) on the microbiota in the small and large intestine and energy and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs. Twelve barrows with a mean body weight of 30 kg fitted with a T‐cannula at the end of ileum were individually housed in pens equipped with a feeder and a nipple drinker. A quadraplicated 3 × 2 incomplete Latin square design with 3 dietary treatments, 2 periods, and 12 animals was employed to obtain 8 observations for each treatment. The 3 experimental diets were a corn‐soybean meal‐based control diet with no antibiotic or BP, a diet supplemented with 0.1% antibiotic, and a diet supplemented with 0.2% BP. Fecal samples were collected on d 5, and ileal samples were collected on d 6 and 7 of each period. Bacterial genomic DNA were extracted from the fecal and ileal digesta samples and the V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene were amplified. Amplicons were sequenced on Illumina MiSeq, and microbial communities were analyzed by using QIIME. The ileal digestibility of crude protein tended to be less in the BP group compared with the control group (81.0% vs. 83.8%, P = 0.08), but the total tract digestibility of crude protein was not affected by supplemental antibiotic or BP. The ileal and total tract digestibility values of energy, dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were unaffected by supplemental antibiotic or BP. At the phylum level, pigs fed the BP diet tended to have a greater proportion of Firmicutes (68.8% vs. 60.5%, P = 0.092) and a less proportion of Bacteroidetes (11.9% vs. 18.4%, P = 0.081) in the ileal digesta compared with those fed the control diet. At the genus level, pigs fed the BP diet tended to have a greater proportion of Lactobacillus (38.4% vs. 28.0%, P = 0.072) and a less proportion of Bacteroides (2.4% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.068) in the ileal digesta compared with the control group. In the fecal samples, dietary supplementation of antibiotic or BP resulted in a reduced proportion of Bifidobacterium compared with the control group (1.6% or 2.0% vs. 3.5%, P < 0.10). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of bacteriophages positively affected the microbiota of the small intestine without largely affecting energy and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs.
G‐Hesperidin Supplementation Impairs the Beneficial Effects of Physical Exercise on the Body Composition, Biochemistry Profile and Oxidative Stress in Obese Rats

Obesity is a worldwide public health problem and its treatment includes limited dietary intake of saturated fats and physical activity. Obesity may be accompanied by metabolic changes and may cause several organic dysfunctions such as vascular dysfunctions due to reduced bioavailability of vasodilatory substances such as nitric oxide (NO). There are evidences that the reduced vasodilatory substances are related to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), which leads to an oxidative stress. Additionally, the intake of antioxidant flavonoids has been largely proposed as a therapy for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of G‐ hesperidin supplementation (an antioxidant flavonoid) associated (or not) with physical exercise, on the body composition, lipidic metabolism, oxidative status and vascular function of obese rats. Obesity was induced by a hyperlipidic diet plus fructose given to 4 weeks‐old male Wistar rats, lasting 12 weeks. Physical training and/or antioxidant treatment started along with the 8th week of life and lasted 8 weeks further. It was evaluated the body compositon, lipid profile, oxidative status and mesenteric artery was removed for functional evaluation. After 12 weeks of hyperlipidic diet, rats presented higher body weight gain and body fat accumulation when compared to rats fed with standard chow. Treatment with G‐hesperidin did not change body weight gain and fat depot. Only physical training was able to reduce the body weight gain and fat accumulation. Furthermore, physical training modulated the oxidative status by increasing SOD activity, total antioxidant capacity and reducing lipid peroxidation. Treatment with G‐hesperidin did not affect oxidative status and when associated to physical training, decreased changes elicited by physical training. Hyperlipidic diet caused endothelial dysfunction, since the potency of acetylcholine was reduced in all groups fed with hyperlipidic diet. Treatment with G‐hesperidin and physical exercise did not alter the potency of acetylcholine. Potency of sodium nitroprusside was not changed by hyperlipidic diet whereas it was potentiated by physical training. Our results show that, in experimental model of obesity, physical exercise is able to modify body composition and biochemical parameters and improve general oxidative status of rats fed with hyperlipidic diet. Treatment with antioxidant flavonoid G‐hesperidin inhibited the benefit promoted by physical exercise.
THE JUMP SIZES OF THE PRODUCT-LIMIT ESTIMATOR UNDER RAMDOM CENSORSHIP

SUMMARY. In this study, we investigate the supremum of the jump sizes of the Efron's version of the product-limit (PL)-estimator Fn and obtain the following result: If PfXiYig > p; 0 < p < 1; i = 1;¢¢¢;n then supi ¢i = o(n ip ) where f¢ig denote the jump sizes of Fn. Using this result, we construct some quite smooth estimates b Fn such that supx jb Fn(x)iFn(x)j = o(n ip ).
Role of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) in leucine stimulation of muscle mitochondrial biogenesis

We have previously demonstrated leucine to increase Sirt1 activity, mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in muscle cells. While the mechanism of these effects is not clear, it is likely that the leucine metabolites α‐ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) and HMB play a role. Dietary leucine is transaminated by branched‐chain aminotransferase (BCAT) to the α‐keto analogue (KIC), which is then metabolized into isovaleryl‐CoA or HMB by KIC‐dioxygenase. Approximately 5 to 10% of ingested leucine is converted into HMB. We have previously demonstrated that KIC and HMB both stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation similarly to leucine. To confirm that these effects of leucine are mediated by its metabolites, we knocked down KIC‐dioxygenase via siRNA transfection in C2C12 myoblasts and then determined the effect of intact leucine (0.5mM) versus HMB (50μM) on myoblast mitochondrial biogenesis (assessed fluorometrically via NAO binding). Both HMB and leucine increased mitochondrial biogenesis by ~30–35% (p<0.05) in the absence of KIC‐dioxygenase knock‐down. However, cells treated with siRNA failed to exhibit stimulation. Thus, leucine and KIC modulation of muscle mitochondrial biogenesis appear to be mediated by the leucine metabolite HMB.
Muscle sympathetic nerve activity is dependent on stroke volume via carotid artery distortion during orthostatic stress

Sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) increases during upright posture, even though blood pressure does not change or may increase. If the increase in SNA is baroreflex mediated, then some other stimulus must be involved. We hypothesized that SV alters carotid distortion, thereby influencing baroreflex stimulation.
Thermal and Electrical Conductivities of Electroplated Gold

Abstract Thermal conductivity of electroplated gold at cryogenic temperatures is an important parameter for predicting the thermal behavior of ignition hohlraums that will eventually be fielded on the National Ignition Facility. We have measured the ratios between the electrical conductivities at 4.2 K and room temperature for electroplated gold as a function of bath brightener concentration and plating current density. By using the Weidemann-Franz law we predict thermal conductivities of these samples. We find that even small amounts of bath brightener drastically reduce the conductivities, and that the conductivities have a strong dependence on plating current density.
Dissociation dynamics of a Bose-Einstein condensate of molecules (5 pages)

An unstable condensate of diatomic molecules will coherently disassociate into correlated pairs of atoms. This dissociation process exhibits very rich quantum dynamics depending on the quantum statistics of the constituent atoms. We show that in the case of bosonic atoms Bose enhancement can lead to stimulated dissociation, whereas, in the case of fermions Pauli blocking of the available states and a buildup of coherence between molecules and atom pairs can give rise to incomplete dissociation of the molecules and transient association-dissociation oscillations.
Low density lipoprotein modulates rat mesenteric lymphatic pumping

The unique nature & location of mesenteric lymphatics provides a special site for modulating lipoprotein transport, including low density lipoprotein (LDL). Intestinal lymph contains both enterocyte‐synthesized & plasma‐derived lipoproteins. Lipid absorption is associated with alterations in mesenteric lymph pressure & flow, implying that they coordinate lymph transport with intestinal lipid absorption by adjusting lymph pump flow. However, detailed studies of the mechanisms involved haven't been done, so we studied this process in isolated rat mesenteric lymphatics. We found: 1. Prominent expression of LDL receptors in lymphatic cells, endocytosis of LDL into lymphatic endothelium, and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression in lymphatic endothelium; 2. LDL up‐regulates phasic contraction frequency and alters tone, resulting in a significant increase in the lymph pump output. Therefore we hypothesize that: LDL exposure, acting through its receptors and/or modulations of eNOS activity, provides positive feedback to the lymphatic pump via increases in the phasic contraction frequency with accompanying alterations of the tone. These studies may help correlate lymphatic function with lipoprotein metabolism and provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of the disorders related to lipoprotein metabolism. NIH HL70308 & HL80526
Evidence of revising calcium Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Korean elderly

Recently bone health is an important issue in public health aspect and calcium is the most critical nutrient to influence bone mass and bone mineral density, and consequently bone fracture. Calcium DRIs of Korea are much lower than those of US/Canada which have been revised recently. Since the requirement of calcium in Asians may be different from Caucasian, it would be desirable for Korean DRIs for calcium to be established by Korean data; however, little data of high quality exist. Based on 2008–2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, most women aged 65 and more have bone health problems such as osteoporosis and osteopenia. In women and men aged 65 and more, higher calcium intake was significantly associated with higher bone mineral density as well as lower incidence of osteoporosis. Means of the highest quartile calcium intake, which are 750 mg for women and 930mg for men, are much higher than the present Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) of elderly women and men, which are 570 mg and 560 mg, respectively. Therefore, it seems valid to increase calcium EAR for Korean elderly. (This research was supported by a fund(2012‐E35004–00) by Research of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
A Comparison of Stochastic Logic Programs and Bayesian Logic Programs

First-order probabilistic models are recognized as efficient frameworks to represent several realworld problems: they combine the expressive power of first-order logic, which serves as a knowledge representation language, and the capability to model uncertainty with probabilities. Among existing models, it is usual to distinguish the domain-frequency approach from the possible-worlds approach. Bayesian logic programs (BLPs, which conveniently encode possible-worlds semantics) and stochastic logic programs (SLPs, often referred to as a domain-frequency approach) are promising probabilistic logic models in their categories. This paper is aimed at comparing the respective expressive power of these frameworks. We demonstrate relations between SLPs’ and BLPs’ semantics, and argue that SLPs can encode the same knowledge as a subclass of BLPs. We introduce extended SLPs which lift the latter result to any BLP. Converse properties are reviewed, and we show how BLPs can define the same semantics as complete, range-restricted, non-recursive SLPs. Algorithms that translate BLPs into SLPs (and vice versa) are provided, as well as worked examples of the intertranslations of SLPs and BLPs.
Gini Coefficient for Voltage Security Assessment of Multi-stage Transmission Expansion Planning

Abstract Due to the voltage security uncertainty caused by construction sequence in multi-stage transmission expansion planning (MTEP) in bulk power grids, it is necessary to appropriately arrange the construction sequence of the MTEP schemes to reduce voltage security risk. The Gini coefficient is widely used to weigh the gap of residents' income distribution. In this paper, the voltage security Gini coefficient is defined as the voltage security risk index of the MTEP scheme, and is presented to quantitatively evaluate the entire voltage security of one MTEP scheme. Voltage security evaluation model of the MTEP is established based on voltage security Gini coefficient. Compared to the stabilization cost, the proposed model directly reflects the voltage security of the MTEP scheme, and the local optimum is avoided. The presented method is applied on the IEEE 118-bus 54-generator test system. Results show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed model.
Adaptation of Galloyl Derivatives Metabolism and Excretion After 42 Days of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Consumption

The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of gallic acid, galloyl glycosides, and gallotannins from mango fruit was assessed in lean and obese subjects who consumed mango continuously for 42 days and compared against a control cohort who consumed mango only on Days 1 and 42. Healthy volunteers (n=21; BMI 22–34) consumed 400 g of mango pulp daily for 42 days. Significant (p<0.05) increases were observed in their 24 h urinary excretion of 4‐O‐methylgallic acid‐3‐O‐sulfate, methylpyrogallol‐O‐sulfate, pyrogallol‐O‐sulfate, and catechol‐O‐sulfate. However, no significant differences were observed in the plasma concentrations (AUC0–8h) for individual metabolites. In the control cohort (n=11; BMI<25) who consumed mango only on Days 1 and 42, no increases were found in the 24 h urinary excretion or plasma comparing concentrations for any of the detected galloyl metabolites on days 1 and 42. Increased metabolism and excretion following daily polyphenol were hypothesized to be due to adaptive increase in the metabolism of gallic acid, galloyl glycosides, and gallotannins by the subjects' gut microbiota. The increased generation of bioactive microbial metabolites may have significant implications for health‐benefits derived from the consumption of gallotannin‐rich fruits, teas and spices.
Emergence of internal representations in evolutionary robotics : influence of multiple selective pressures

Nature is filled with examples of animals displaying complex behaviors, ranging from bacteria to mammals. Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary field aiming at studying the control system of animals (for instance, nervous systems) and their processes , with a particular emphasis on the human brain. Cognitive science includes fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and in particular artificial intelligence. The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) is originally referred as " the science and engineering of intelligent agents " (McCarthy et al., 1955). While Artificial Intelligence is still being the long term goal, the problem was broken down into simpler sub-problems: building systems with the ability to navigate autonomously, to learn, to make decisions, etc. Early AI works were based on the belief that human intelligence could be reduced to symbolic manipulation. Despite the enthusiasm of its pioneers 1 , the progress of artificial intelligence research slowed down in the 1970s; and many researchers believed that these sub-problems were beyond reach. The symbolic approach to AI is based on mathematics and logic. In contrast, some approaches focus on mimicking the control systems and processes found in animals. Specifically, the " animat " approach considers the development of autonomous artificial agents simulated or real, by drawing inspiration from the behavior of real animals (Wilson, 1991). Cognition in the animal kingdom (Shettleworth, 2009) can be studied at various levels of abstraction: from the precise study of the nervous systems, to the study 1 For instance, in 1965, H. A. Simon stated: " machines will be capable, within twenty years, of doing any work a man can do. " 2 Chapter 1. Introduction of the behavior of the animals. The control systems found in the animal kingdom include very diverse nervous system structures (Shettleworth, 2009). Several cog-nitive science sub-fields, such as Computational Neuroscience, aim at finding the underlying neural models explaining the behaviors of the animals. Early theories in cognitive science have related the behavior of cognitive agents and internal models (Craik, 1943; Johnson-Laird, 1983). Those models are described as mental maps that incorporate symbolic representations. For instance, Tolman (1948) describes cognitive maps, that take part in animal navigation and path planning. , are the basis of models and cognitive functions. These internal structures are the central notion of traditional theories in cognitive science (see e.g. Johnson-Laird (1980) for a review). In the case of Tolman's maps, or Craik's models, the representations were symbolic, and their activity …
The effect of diet and polybrominated diphenyl ether exposure on adipocyte and whole body metabolism in male Wistar rats

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are lipophilic flame‐retardant chemicals found in many consumer products and increasingly in human tissues. The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether exposure to PBDEs in conjunction with a high‐fat/high‐sugar (HF) diet will predispose male Wistar rats to obesity. Twenty four rats were fed either a control (C) or HF diet, and gavaged with either 18 mg/kg PBDEs (+) or corn oil (‐) daily for 4 weeks (n=6 per group). Body weight and food intake were measured three times per week. At 3 weeks, 24‐hr whole body metabolism was measured. At 4 weeks, blood was sampled for plasma thyroid hormone concentration (T4), epididymal fat pads were removed and weighed, and adipocytes were isolated. Adipocyte size and lipolytic response to adenosine deaminase and varying concentrations of isoproterenol over 90 min were measured. Findings revealed that there were no significant differences in lipolysis with ADA or isoproterenol. A slight but significant increase in % body weight change was seen in + vs. ‐ rats. HF rats consumed 9% more kcals than C rats over the 4 week study (P<0.05). T4 levels decreased by 83% in + vs. ‐ rats (P<0.05). Whole body metabolism results are pending. PBDEs cause an increase in body weight and reduction in T4 without affecting adipocyte size and lipolytic sensitivity; the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Supported by Agric. Expt. Stn. Grant NH 00485.
An Analysis of Differences in Approaches to Systems of Linear Equations Problems Given Multiple Choice Answers

This descriptive study focuses on the approaches college students (ages 20 24) use when solving systems of linear equations problems that have multiple choice answers. Participants were from a midsize public university in the northeast. Four approaches were considered – three forwards approaches: 1) substitution, 2) elimination, and 3) graphing, and one backwards approach: plugging in the x and y values from each multiple choice option. Participants solved systems of linear equations problems and answered questions based on their methods in a structured clinical interview. Each participant also filled out a questionnaire. It was shown from the results of this study that the major of a student does not change the approach used to solve a problem by very much. Most students in the study chose to use substitution to solve the problems, usually because this was the method students remembered most and was deemed the “easiest” method by the students.
RhoBTB1 is a Novel Gene Protecting Against Hypertension

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand activated transcription factor regulating metabolic and vascular function. We previously reported that mice (S‐DN) expressing dominant‐negative PPARγ in smooth muscle cells (SMC) are hypertensive, exhibit impaired vasodilation, augmented vasoconstriction and reduced expression of a novel PPARγ target gene, RhoBTB1. RhoBTB1 belongs to class of proteins which act as substrate adaptors for the Cullin‐3 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Delivery of substrates to the Cullin‐3 CRL3 complex leads to ubiquitination of the substrate protein targeting it for degradation by the proteasome. We hypothesized that loss of RhoBTB1 expression in S‐DN mice may be responsible for impaired vasodilation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that RhoBTB1 may play a protective role by preventing hypertension in response to stressors which cause hypertension, such as Angiotensin‐II (Ang‐II). To test this, we generated double transgenic mice with tamoxifen‐inducible, Cre‐dependent overexpression of RhoBTB1 specifically in SMC (S‐RhoBTB1). S‐RhoBTB1 and non‐transgenic (NT) mice were treated with tamoxifen (Tx; 75 mg/kg, ip, 5 days) or vehicle (corn oil) and then Ang‐II was infused (490 ng/kg/min, 2 weeks). Overexpression of RhoBTB1 did not alter baseline blood pressure (BP) in the absence of Ang‐II. However, increased BP caused by Ang‐II infusion was significantly attenuated by RhoBTB1 overexpression in S‐RhoBTB1 with Tx compared to Ang‐II‐infused control mice (either NT with Tx, NT with corn oil, or S‐RhoBTB1 with corn oil) in which RhoBTB1 was not overexpressed (p<0.05, n=4–5). We also observed increased heart weight in Ang II‐infused control mice, which was reversed in S‐RhoBTB1 with Tx (n=4). Thoracic aorta, carotid and basilar artery from Ang‐II‐infused control mice showed impaired acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced endothelial‐dependent relaxation (p<0.05, n=4–5), which was reversed by overexpression of RhoBTB1 in SMC (p<0.05, n=4–5). Aorta and carotid artery from Ang‐II‐infused control mice also displayed decreased sodium nitroprusside (SNP)‐induced endothelial‐independent relaxation with a right‐shifted dose‐response (p<0.05, n=4–5), which was reversed in Tx‐treated S‐RhoBTB1 mice (p<0.05, n=5). Despite the marked improvement in vasodilation, augmented vasoconstriction to serotonin (5‐HT) was preserved in aorta and carotid artery from Ang‐II‐infused mice and was not reversed in Ang‐II‐infused S‐RhoBTB1 with Tx (n=4–5). We conclude that the novel PPARγ target gene, RhoBTB1, functions in SMC to specifically facilitate vasodilation and through this mediates a protective anti‐hypertensive effect. We are currently assessing which proteins may be substrates for Cullin‐3 through RhoBTB1.