Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polyphenol-rich extract of pomegranate peel alleviates tissue inflammation and hypercholesterolaemia in high-fat diet-induced obese mice: potential implication of the gut microbiota

Pomegranate extracts have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to confer health benefits in a number of inflammatory diseases, microbial infections and cancer. Peel fruit are rich in polyphenols that exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities in vitro. Recent studies strongly suggest that the gut microbiota is an environmental factor to be taken into account when assessing the risk factors related to obesity. The aim of the present study was to test the prebiotic potency of a pomegranate peel extract (PPE) rich in polyphenols in a nutritional model of obesity associated with hypercholesterolaemia and inflammatory disorders. Balb/c mice were fed either a control diet or a high-fat (HF) diet with or without PPE (6 mg/d per mouse) over a period of 4 weeks. Interestingly, PPE supplementation increased caecal content weight and caecal pool of bifidobacteria. It did not significantly modify body weight gain, glycaemia, glucose tolerance and inflammatory markers measured in the serum. However, it reduced the serum level of cholesterol (total and LDL) induced by HF feeding. Furthermore, it counteracted the HF-induced expression of inflammatory markers both in the colon and the visceral adipose tissue. Together, these findings support that pomegranate constitutes a promising food in the control of atherogenic and inflammatory disorders associated with diet-induced obesity. Knowing the poor bioavailability of pomegranate polyphenols, its bifidogenic effect observed after PPE consumption suggests the involvement of the gut microbiota in the management of host metabolism by polyphenolic compounds present in pomegranate.
An Adaptive Impedance-Matching System for Vehicular Power Line Communication

Vehicular power line communication (VPLC) is being considered as a potential solution to mitigate the increase of complexity and cost of the automotive wiring harness caused by the growth of the number of electronic devices and sensors deployed inside vehicles. This is because VPLC reuses power cables for data communication and, thus, avoids the need for additional communication wires. However, this reuse does not come without problems. One of the challenges for VPLC is the time, frequency, and location dependence of the access impedance, which can cause severe impedance mismatch for the communication signal. Impedance mismatch degrades the signal-to-noise-power ratio at the communication receiver and thus affects transmission reliability. Due to the variable nature of the access impedance, a fixed matching circuit will be inefficient. Hence, in this work, we present an adaptive impedance-matching system, which improves the communication-signal transfer from the transmitting to the receiving device. The system is evaluated via simulations for a wide range of access-impedance test points and $S$- parameters of VPLC networks obtained in previous measurement campaigns. Our simulation results demonstrate that the presented adaptive matching system is able to achieve VPLC signal-power transfer within 30% of the theoretical optimum. This translates to a power gain, up to a factor of 10, which is larger than that of other solutions reported in the literature.
Quantification of fetal organ volume and fat deposition following in utero exposure to maternal Western Diet using MRI

Purpose To examine the feasibility of using MRI to identify differences in liver size and fat deposition in fetal guinea pigs exposed to an in utero environment influenced by maternal consumption of a Western diet. Materials and methods Female guinea pigs fed either an energy-dense Western Diet (WD), comprised of increased saturated fats and simple sugars, or a Control Diet (CD) from weaning through pregnancy, underwent MR scanning near term (~ 60 days; term ~ 69 days). Maternal weights were collected at mating and at MR scanning. T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and IDEAL water-fat images were acquired at 3 Tesla. The images were used to segment maternal adipose tissue, fetal liver, fetal brain, fetal adipose tissue, and total fetal volumes and to measure maternal and fetal hepatic fat fractions. Results Weights of WD sows were lower prior to pregnancy (P = .04), however their weight gain over pregnancy did not differ from the CD group (P = .98). The WD sows had less total adipose tissue (TAT) at MR scanning (P = .04), while hepatic fat content was significantly elevated (P = .04). When controlling for litter size, WD fetuses had larger livers (P = .02), smaller brains (P = .01), and increased total adipose tissue volume (P = .01) when normalized by fetal volume. The WD fetuses also had increased hepatic fat fractions compared to CD fetal livers (P < .001). Conclusion Maternal Western Diet consumption prior to and during pregnancy induces differences in maternal liver fat content, fetal liver volume and liver fat storage, as well as changes in fetal adipose tissue deposition that can be measured in utero using MRI.
Synthesis of Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3 (BSCF) Nanoceramic Cathode Powders by Sol-Gel Process for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Application

The nano ceramic Ba0.5Sr0. 5Co0.2Fe0. 8O3 (BSCF) powders have been synthesized by Sol-Gel process using nitrate based chemicals for SOFC applications since these powders are considered to be more promising cathode materials for SOFC. Glycine was used as a chelant agent and ethylene glycol as a dispersant. The powders were calcined at 850℃/3 hr in the air using Thermolyne 47,900 furnace. These powders were characterized by employing SEM/EDS, XRD and TGA/DTA techniques. The SEM images BSCF powder indicate the presence of highly porous spherical particles with nano sizes. The XRD results shows the formation of BSCF perovskite phase at the calcination temperature of 850℃. From XRD line broadening technique, the average crystllite size of the BSCF powders were found to be around 9.15 - 11.83 nm and 13.63 - 17.47 nm for as prepared and after calcination at 850℃ respectively. The TGA plot shows that there is no weight loss after the temperature around 450℃ indicating completion of combustion.
Investigation on pullout behavior of different polymeric fibers from fine aggregates concrete

Nowadays, the advantages of staple fibers applied as reinforcement in cementitious composites are well known. The interaction of fiber to cement matrix affects on the mechanical properties of composites. In this research, bonding of three types of polymeric fibers (acrylic, polypropylene, and nylon 66) to a fine aggregates concrete has been studied. Single fiber pullout test was carried out to investigate the bonding and fiber–matrix adhesion. Afterwards, scanning electron microscopy was performed to characterize pulled out fibers surfaces. The effect of water-to-binder (w/b) ratio on the fiber–matrix bonding was also assessed. It was found that the pullout strength of acrylic fiber is more than polypropylene (29%) and nylon 66 (10%) fibers. It was also found that the pullout energy of polypropylene and nylon 66 fibers is 75% higher than the acrylic fiber. The best result of bonding strength was obtained at w/b ratio of 0.25. It was concluded that it is possible to improve the mechanical properties of concrete using low price polymeric fibers.
IMPACT OF COMPENSATED SOLAR-GRADE SILICON ON CZOCHRALSKI SILICON WAFERS AND SOLAR CELLS

Elkem Solar AS, Fiskaavn. 100, 4621 Kristiansand, Norway Phone: +49 (0)761 4588 5271, Fax: +49 (0)761 4588 9250, Email: stefan.rein@ise.fraunhofer. de ABSTRACT: Alternative feedstock production routes avoiding the gaseous phase during the purification of the silicon result in significantly increased boron and phosphorus concentrations, which leads to compensation effects in the material. We studied Cz crystals with different mix-in ratios of compensated SoG silicon feedstock from Elkem Solar (100%, 50%, 33% and 0%) regarding the impurity content, the specific resistivity, the effective carrier lifetime, the Cz defect formation and the resulting solar cell parameters of cells processed in an industrial standard screen-printing process. We find that the compensated material is dominantly influenced by the intrinsic metastable Cz defect which is proportional to the net-doping concentration. It is demonstrated that at least up to a mix-in ratio of 33% there are no feedstock-dependent performance losses. There is potential for higher mix-in ratio for this feedstock by lowering the net acceptor dopant concentration. Keywords: Compensated silicon, Czochralski, Defects, Degradation, Electrical properties
Conference on ‘ Malnutrition matters ’ Symposium 8 : Feeding size 0 : the challenges of anorexia nervosa Managing anorexia from a dietitian ’ s perspective

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition and its management is complex and multi-faceted, requiring a multidisciplinary team approach. Dietitians are an important part of the multidisciplinary team, offering objective nutritional advice with the aim of helping the patient to develop an improved relationship with food. Refeeding patients with a low body weight requires careful management; nonetheless, refeeding the low-weight patient with anorexia presents many additional complications, largely of a psychological nature. Treatment plans need to consider psychological, physical, behavioural and psychosocial factors relating to anorexia nervosa. Currently, there is no consistent approach and a paucity of evidence to support best practice for weight restoration in this group of patients. Tube feeding is utilised at varying BMI in anorexia nervosa, mainly in an inpatient setting. However, its use should be seen as a last resort and limited to a life-saving intervention. Weight restoration is best managed by an experienced dietitian within a specialist eating disorders team, using normal foods. This approach is ideal for nutrition rehabilitation, promoting skills for eating and normal behaviour and providing a longer-term solution by challenging unhelpful coping strategies from the onset. Dietitians have a unique mix of skills and knowledge in numerous areas including nutrition, physiology, psychology, sociology and behaviour change, which can be applied to support patients with thoughts and behaviours around food, weight and appetite. Further research is required into the effectiveness of dietetic interventions in eating disorders in order to establish an evidence base for best practice.
Quercetin Inhibits Angiogenesis Mediated Human Prostate Tumor Growth by Targeting VEGFR- 2 Regulated AKT/mTOR/P70S6K Signaling Pathways

Angiogenesis is a crucial step in the growth and metastasis of cancers, since it enables the growing tumor to receive oxygen and nutrients. Cancer prevention using natural products has become an integral part of cancer control. We studied the antiangiogenic activity of quercetin using ex vivo, in vivo and in vitro models. Rat aortic ring assay showed that quercetin at non-toxic concentrations significantly inhibited microvessel sprouting and exhibited a significant inhibition in the proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of endothelial cells, which are key events in the process of angiogenesis. Most importantly, quercetin treatment inhibited ex vivo angiogenesis as revealed by chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) and matrigel plug assay. Western blot analysis showed that quercetin suppressed VEGF induced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 and their downstream protein kinases AKT, mTOR, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase in HUVECs. Quercetin (20 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced the volume and the weight of solid tumors in prostate xenograft mouse model, indicating that quercetin inhibited tumorigenesis by targeting angiogenesis. Furthermore, quercetin reduced the cell viability and induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, which were correlated with the downregulation of AKT, mTOR and P70S6K expressions. Collectively the findings in the present study suggest that quercetin inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis by targeting VEGF-R2 regulated AKT/mTOR/P70S6K signaling pathway, and could be used as a potential drug candidate for cancer therapy.
Inhibition of β2-adrenergic receptor reduces triple-negative breast cancer brain metastases: The potential benefit of perioperative β-blockade

In response to recent studies, we investigated an association between perioperative β-blockade and breast cancer metastases. First, a retrospective study examining perioperative β-blocker use and cancer recurrence and metastases was conducted on 1,029 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at the City of Hope Cancer Center between 2000 and 2010. We followed the clinical study and examined proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro of primary and brain-metastatic breast cancer cells in response to β2-activation and inhibition. We also investigated in vivo the metastatic potential of propranolol-treated metastatic cells. For stage II breast cancer patients, perioperative β-blockade was associated with decreased cancer recurrence using Cox regression analysis (hazard's ratio =0.51; 95% CI: 0.23–0.97; p=0.041). Triple-negative (TN) brain-metastatic cells were found to have increased β2-adrenergic receptor mRNA and protein expression relative to TN primary cells. In response to β2-adrenergic receptor activation, TN brain-metastatic cells also exhibited increased cell proliferation and migration relative to the control. These effects were abrogated by propranolol. Propranolol decreased β2-adrenergic receptor-activated invasion. In vivo, propranolol treatment of TN brain-metastatic cells decreased establishment of brain metastases. Our results suggest that stress and corresponding β2-activation may promote the establishment of brain metastases of TN breast cancer cells. In addition, our data suggest a benefit to perioperative β-blockade during surgery-induced stress with respect to breast cancer recurrence and metastases.
The road to OLFAR - a roadmap to interferometric long-wavelength radio astronomy using miniaturized distributed space systems

The Orbiting Low Frequency Antennas for Radio Astronomy (OLFAR) project aims to develop a space-based low frequency radio telescope that will explore the universe's so-called dark ages, map the interstellar medium, and discover planetary and solar bursts in other solar systems. The telescope, composed of a swarm of at least fifty satellites working as a single instrument, will be sent to a location far from Earth in order to avoid the high Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) found at frequencies below 30 MHz, originating from Earth. The OLFAR telescope is a novel and complex system, requiring not-yet proven technologies and systems, therefore, a number of key technologies are still to be developed and proven. Most of these can be tested on Earth, but four aspects in particular require in-space verification. Those are (1) the satellite's propulsion and attitude control systems, and (2) their interactions with the large science antennas, as well as the (3) payload system itself and finally (4) the in-space interferometry and 3D-imaging. Furthermore, the RFI environment in the intended target orbits is mostly unknown. Indeed, only three satellites missions have previously been launched into orbit shedding light on the RFI environment, but sufficiently detailed measurements allowing for the creation of a usable RFI model have never been performed. To carry out both the hardware qualification and RFI measurements, a few pathfinder missions are deemed in order. This paper describes these pathfinders in detail; outlining the scientific objective, the technologies being demonstrated as well as the missions' roadmap which revolves around a novel systems engineering approach. This approach resembles those used in certain fast-paced industries where development is heavily parallelised and products are launched as soon as opportunities arise. This will be combined with in-space upgrading of mission firmware to allow for high flexibility within the limited time and budget constraints of these pathfinders.
Improved Off-Line Intrusion Detection Using a Genetic Algorithm

One of the primary approaches to the increasingly important problem of computer security is the Intrusion Detection System. Various architectures and approaches have been proposed including: Statistical, rule-based approaches; Neural Networks; Immune Systems; Genetic Algorithms; and Genetic Programming. This paper focuses on the development of an off-line Intrusion Detection System to analyze a Sun audit trail file. Off-line intrusion detection can be accomplished by searching audit trail logs of user activities for matches to patterns of events required for known attacks. Because such search is NP-complete, heuristic methods will need to be employed as databases of events and attacks grow. Genetic Algorithms can provide appropriate heuristic search methods. However, balancing the need to detect all possible attacks found in an audit trail with the need to avoid false positives (warnings of attacks that do not exist) is a challenge, given the scalar fitness values required by Genetic Algorithms. This study discusses a fitness function independent of variable parameters to overcome this problem. This fitness function allows the IDS to significantly reduce both its false positive and false negative rate. This paper also describes extending the system to account for the possibility that intrusions are either mutually exclusive or not mutually exclusive.
The Effect of Probability Anchors in Moral Decision Making

The role of probabilistic reasoning in moral decision making has seen relatively little research, despite having potentially profound consequences for our models of moral cognition. To rectify this, two experiments were undertaken in which participants were presented with moral dilemmas with additional information designed to anchor judgements about how likely the dilemma’s outcomes were. It was found that these anchoring values significantly altered how permissible the dilemmas were found when they were presented both explicitly and implicitly. This was the case even for dilemmas typically seen as eliciting deontological judgements. Implications of this finding for cognitive models of moral decision making are discussed.
DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 1-1-2008 Integrating Service-Learning into Undergraduate Students ' Curricula : Recommendations for Best Practices

Several recent studies have revealed that there is increasing individualism a nd declining interest in politics and civic engagement among college students. According ly, many scholars called for reinvigorating the civic mission of higher education. Thi s thesis study examines academic service-learning as an effective pedagogy for pr omoting students’ civic engagement. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the best ways of integrating service-learning into the curricula of undergraduate students. Using McCarth y’s (2003) conceptual framework, the “Concept of Triangles,” this study provides a comprehens ive review of literature on the theoretical underpinnings, partners, and relation ships of academic service-learning. The results of the study suggest that est ablishing clear connections between course content and the kind of service students do, and making meaningful placements of students to service sites are necessary for establ ishing effective service-learning courses. Additionally, the findings of the study reveal that promoting critical reflection, encouraging active participation from all partner s, and meeting real community needs are essential to the success of service-learning progra ms. Finally, the findings of this study indicate that effective campus/community partner ships are characterized by reciprocal, collaborative, democratic, caring, trusti ng, and respectful relationships.
Archetypes of Enterprise Social Network Users

Investments in enterprise social networks (ESNs) have increased rapidly in recent years. However, an ESN utilization intensity develops slowly, and there are a few well-grounded approaches to understand ESN usage. To elaborate on different archetypes of ESN users, we conducted a case study that comprised 28 interviews with a large IT services company. We present a model to characterize ESN users and classify them as archetypes based on the following two dimensions: individual openness to ESNs and perceived task-fit. We determine six archetypes of ESN users, namely, power users, limited users, reluctant users, repudiators, hidden champions, and question marks. From a theoretical viewpoint, this study contributes to the discussion around user typology of ESN users and the utilization intensity, acceptance, and value contribution of ESNs. In practice, results provide an orientation to organizations that intend to address both ESN users and the organization to increase the utilization intensity of ESNs.
Comparative Study on Direct Susceptibility Test And Standardised AST in Positive Blood Cultures of Cancer And Critically Ill Patients

Introduction: Blood stream infection is one of the major cause of morbidity & mortality in developing countries as of ours. The incidence of sepsis is increasing all over the world particularly in developing countries. Moreover the scenario is complicated in high risk patients particularly neutropenic patients. Standardized methods of blood culture take 48 hours for the Antibiotic susceptibility test result even after being flagged positive by an automated blood culture system and even more by conventional blood culture method. We proceed with this study so as to establish a system so that we can cut short the duration of initial result of AST available to the clinicians for the betterment of these patients. Materials & Methods: The study was a hospital based comparative study conducted in a tertiary care centre Guwahati. Analysis of two methods for Antibiotic sensitivity, Direct Sensitivity test (DST) described in BSAC and standardised AST described in CLSI guidelines against the organisms isolated from critical & FN patients with BSI, admitted from September 2014 to September 2016. Result: A total of 106 GNB & 53 GPC bacterial isolates were compared for standardized AST & DST. DST results were typically available 24 hrs after the Blood culture was flagged positive by the VersaTrek system compared to 48 hrs for standardized AST results. Thus DST results were released and was available 24 hrs before the standardized AST