Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Gastric Bypass Versus Diet on Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Objective:To assess the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and its apolipoprotein A4 (ApoA4) content at 1 year after bariatric surgery in comparison with a hypocaloric diet. Secondary aim was to measure total cholesterol and triglycerides levels and insulin sensitivity after interventions. Background:Very few prospective uncontrolled studies have investigated the effects of RYGB on cardiovascular risk factors. No controlled studies had as primary goal the changes in HDL-C after gastric bypass. Methods:Forty subjects with a body mass index more than 40 or 35 kg/m2 or more in the presence of diabetes were enrolled. Twenty of them underwent RYGB, whereas 20 received lifestyle modification suggestions and medical therapy for obesity complications (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). Results:A significant (P < 0.0001) increase in HDL-C concentrations was observed only in the surgical arm (from 41.95 ± 7.24 to 56.55 ± 9.01 mg/dL). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) in both groups with no between-group differences, probably in relation to the optimization of the antihypertensive treatment. Plasma concentration of ApoA4, a major HDL-C protein fraction, significantly increased 1 year after RYGB (from 496.61 ± 400.41 to 987.88 ± 637.41&mgr;g/L, P < 0.01). Circulating triglycerides concentration significantly decreased after surgery, whereas both peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance increased significantly. Conclusions:Our study shows that HDL-C and ApoA4 significantly increase after gastric bypass and that this increase is associated with a net improvement in hepatic insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we speculate that ApoA4, which induces satiety in animals, can eventually play a role on the appetite reduction after RYGB because there is a strict and inverse relationship between weight and ApoA4 changes. (NCT01707771)
Influence of emulsifier blends having different hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance value on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum lipid profiles, and meat quality of broilers

ABSTRACT Energy is a major cost component in diets for poultry. We hypothesized that the supplementation of emulsifier blends in broiler diets may contribute to the efficient utilization of energy and in increasing fat digestibility, thereby improving performance. To test our hypothesis, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a blend of emulsifiers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum lipid profiles, and meat quality of broilers. A total of 768 1‐d‐old Ross 308 male broiler chicks with an average initial body weight of 45.55 ± 0.34 g were used in a 35 days feeding trial. Broilers were sorted into 4 treatments, 12 replications per treatment, and 16 birds per pen. Dietary treatments consisted of corn‐soybean meal based basal diet and the basal diet supplemented with 0.05%, 0.075%, and 0.10% emulsifier. As a result of this study, the inclusion of 0.05%, 0.075%, and 0.10% emulsifier blends (sodium stearoyl‐2‐lactylate (SSL) and Tween 20) in the basal diet linearly increased (P = 0.0001) body weight gain (BWG) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (linear effect P = 0.0001) on d 7 to 21, d 21 to 35 as well as overall. Broilers fed with different levels of emulsifier blends also showed a linear increment (P < 0.05) in dry matter (DM) and fat digestibility. A trend of linear reduction (P = 0.051) in low density lipoprotein (LDL) in the serum of broilers fed emulsifier blend was observed. The lightness value of breast muscle color linearly increased (P = 0.001), the redness and yellowness values tended to increase (P = 0.072 and P = 0.094 respectively), and the water holding capacity (WHC) showed trends in reduction (P = 0.078) with an increase in the level of emulsifier blends. With regards to relative organ weight, spleen weight was linearly (P = 0.001) reduced with the increase in the supplemental levels of emulsifier blends. A positive correlation between emulsifier content in the diet and BWG, DM and fat digestibility, and breast muscle color indices, were also observed. In conclusion, emulsifier blend supplementation positively influenced growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation using the value engineering methodology and Six Sigma tools

ABSTRACT Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a software solution that integrates the operational processes of the business functions of an enterprise. However, implementing ERP systems is a complex process. In addition to the technical issues, companies must address problems associated with business process re-engineering, time and budget control, and organisational change. Numerous industrial studies have shown that the failure rate of ERP implementation is high, even for well-designed systems. Thus, ERP projects typically require a clear methodology to support the project execution and effectiveness. In this study, we propose a theoretical model for ERP implementation. The value engineering (VE) method forms the basis of the proposed framework, which integrates Six Sigma tools. The proposed framework encompasses five phases: knowledge generation, analysis, creation, development and execution. In the VE method, potential ERP problems related to software, hardware, consultation and organisation are analysed in a group-decision manner and in relation to value, and Six Sigma tools are applied to avoid any project defects. We validate the feasibility of the proposed model by applying it to an international manufacturing enterprise in Taiwan. The results show improvements in customer response time and operational efficiency in terms of work-in-process and turnover of materials. Based on the evidence from the case study, the theoretical framework is discussed together with the study’s limitations and suggestions for future research.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems complement biologging in spatial ecology studies

Abstract The knowledge about the spatial ecology and distribution of organisms is important for both basic and applied science. Biologging is one of the most popular methods for obtaining information about spatial distribution of animals, but requires capturing the animals and is often limited by costs and data retrieval. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have proven their efficacy for wildlife surveillance and habitat monitoring, but their potential contribution to the prediction of animal distribution patterns and abundance has not been thoroughly evaluated. In this study, we assess the usefulness of UAS overflights to (1) get data to model the distribution of free‐ranging cattle for a comparison with results obtained from biologged (GPS‐GSM collared) cattle and (2) predict species densities for a comparison with actual density in a protected area. UAS and biologging derived data models provided similar distribution patterns. Predictions from the UAS model overestimated cattle densities, which may be associated with higher aggregated distributions of this species. Overall, while the particular researcher interests and species characteristics will influence the method of choice for each study, we demonstrate here that UAS constitute a noninvasive methodology able to provide accurate spatial data useful for ecological research, wildlife management and rangeland planning.
Interfacial nanostructure of solvate ionic liquids and ionic liquid solutions

The technology employed by human beings for the generation, storage and usage of energy is presently undergoing the fastest and most profound change since the industrial revolution. The changes in the generation and usage of energy necessitate the development of new methods of energy storage. In these systems, electrochemical energy storage will play a crucial role and to this end new electrolytes need to be explored to complement these changes. One such class of liquids is ionic liquids, a class of salts that are molten at room temperature. These liquids have a broad applicability to batteries and supercapacitors. This thesis details work where molecular dynamics simulations have been used to explore the nanostructure of ionic liquids and their mixtures with various molecular solvents at simplistic electrodes. The thesis has two broad sections. The first is covered in Chapter 3, and explores the nanostructure of ionic liquid propylene carbonate solutions, developing a framework through which these nanostructures can be understood. The section concludes that the increasing dilution of ionic liquids decreases the surface charge at which the characteristic ionic liquid oscillatory interfacial structure gives way to a different structure featuring monotonic charge decay. The behaviour of ionic liquids at interfaces is found to be correlated to ion size and type, as well as concentration. A wide divergence in the observed behaviour is shown at positive and negative electrodes due to the asymmetry of propylene carbonate. The second section, consisting of two chapters, explores the interfacial nanostructure of solvate ionic liquids using two different boundary conditions to model the electrode. This work is the first simulation of solvate ionic liquids at electrified interfaces. This section will explore the effect of electrode model on the behaviour of these ionic liquids at the electrode. Chapter 4 uses a fixed charge electrode, whereas Chapter 5 uses one with a fixed potential. The section concludes that regardless of electrode model, the idealised portrait of a solvate ionic liquid - one where the liquid behaves exactly as an aprotic ionic liquid - is not applicable. In Chapter 4's exploration of fixed charged electrodes, the formation of 2 glyme to lithium complexes contradicts the idealised portrait of the liquid. A different change is observed in Chapter 5's exploration of fixed potential electrodes, with both lithium glyme and lithium anion clusters forming at the interface. The key difference between the two studies is that lithium does not coordinate to the electrode in the fixed charge simulations, while in the fixed potential case it does. At the end of Chapter 5 the results are compared against experimental data, with the efficacy of the two models discussed. The aim of both studies is to look at the nanostructure of ionic liquids, when the symmetry between co-ion and cation repulsion - and related effects - is broken by the presence of a non ionic constituent in the liquid.
Enhancing sparsity in linear prediction of speech by iteratively reweighted 1-norm minimization

Linear prediction of speech based on 1-norm minimization has already proved to be an interesting alternative to 2-norm minimization. In particular, choosing the 1-norm as a convex relaxation of the 0-norm, the corresponding linear prediction model offers a sparser residual better suited for coding applications. In this paper, we propose a new speech modeling technique based on reweighted 1-norm minimization. The purpose of the reweighted scheme is to overcome the mismatch between 0-norm minimization and 1-norm minimization while keeping the problem solvable with convex estimation tools. Experimental results prove the effectiveness of the reweighted 1-norm minimization, offering better coding properties compared to 1-norm minimization.
Understanding and controlling magnetic damping behaviour in synthetic ferromagnetic thin-film multilayers

Magnetisation precessional dynamics have a great role in ferromagnetic thinfilms and nanostructures, where the underlying mechanisms of intrinsic and extrinsic damping are crucial for spintronic and magnonic devices. This important role drives the research activity with a goal of acquiring a better understanding and the ability to tune magnetic damping properties as desired. Research has tackled these issues through many routes linked with the ferromagnetic material type or thickness, while others have tried different aspects by including other nonmagnetic or ferromagnetic elements as dopants or adjacent layers. The effect of the additional nonmagnetic materials on the magnetic damping in ferromagnetic system is the focus in this thesis, where a range of implementations of the nonmagnetic material was studied. The role of nonmagnetic layer on damping is shown in this study as the evolution of damping as the thickness of this capping layer developed gradually from none to a partial and to a full covering layer. The effect of nonmagnetic elements was also shown when the changes of the interface takes place, the magnetic damping depends on the development of the interface and the reduction of the NM capping layer is also demonstrated. These routes helps to establish an understanding of damping and the underlying mechanisms. Linking magnetic damping with other dynamic magnetisation phenomena gives an insight into the reversal behaviour mediated by domain walls in ferromagnetic systems. Studying jointly the contributions of damping and interfacial Dzyaloshinskii- Moriya Interaction gives a better insight into the factor effecting the magnetisation dynamics. As the understanding of the magnetic damping became clearer and the underlying mechanism and effects, linking between two-magnon scattering, spinpumping and spin-mixing conductance with the crystal structure give more information. This understanding and theory initiated a study to test the theory with a new route to control magnetic damping through modifying the contributions to the total magnetic damping that come from the individual atomic layers that make up a ferromagnetic thin-film. This showed outstanding results consistent with theory and demonstrating very low damping in a new synthetic ferromagnet.
316L Stainless Steel/Hydroxyapatite Composite Materials for Biomedical Applications

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is known as one of the most important biomaterials used for ortho- pedic and dental applications due to chemical composition similar to that of bone and bioactive properties. However, due to its reduced resistance, HAp should be mixed with different components in order to create composite materials. A good example is austenitic stainless steel (AA 316L), as a class of metallic materials used for biomedical applications. The aim of this chapter is to show a series of our group studies for obtaining a hybrid metal-ceramic composite by powder metallurgy, the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of these hybrid composites and the investigation of possible functional coating layers and adherent bioactive hydroxyapatite Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 on the metal of 316L stainless steel, correlating our data with literature data. Hardness properties of the obtained compos ites are close to those of human bones. In biological systems, could be observed that after 6 months, the relevant metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni) concentration (ppb), that may be released from composite materials in simulated physiological fluids (SBF), is practically zero.
Isothermal shocks in Abell 2199 and 2A 0335+096?

We report on a partially circular X-ray surface brightness discontinuity found at about 55 kpc from the centre of Abell 2199 with Chandra X-ray Observatory observations. Unlike cold fronts found in other clusters, the feature shows no significant temperature change across it but has an apparent density jump. We therefore identify it as a weak isothermal shock associated with the central active galactic nucleus and the inflation of its radio bubbles, as found in the Perseus cluster. We examine a similar feature at 40 kpc radius found by Mazzotta et al. in 2A 0335+096, and conclude that it too may be an isothermal shock. The change in density if these are shocks implies a Mach number of ∼1.5. If the isothermal nature of these features is confirmed by deeper observations, the implication is that such shocks are common in clusters of galaxies, and are an important mechanism for the transport of energy from a central supermassive black hole into the cluster core.
Coxsackie B virus diabetes.

with a glass of water and no harm results. One man is reported to have taken one tablet with water four times a day for several weeks without ill effect.1 However, should oesophageal hold-up occur for more than a few seconds, localized thermal and caustic burning occurs as the tablet effervesces. Of 16 cases of Clinitest tablet ingestion reported in the literature, 13 were followed up; strictures developed in 11 of these, five of them in young children. Some were treated by repeated oesophageal bouginage, while others required segmental resection.2 3 To prevent accidental ingestion of Clinitest tablets I suggest that patients should be advised to keep their urine-testing tablets away from medications and out of the reach of children. It is important that the prescriber inform diabetics with poor vision who cannot read identifying labels that a Clinitest bottle is easily recognized by the ridges palpable in its surface. These ridges indicate that the contents are poison.I am, etc., R. J. PAYTEN
Fixed-width multiplier for DSP application

A new compensation method that reduces the error of fixed-width multiplier for digital signal processing (DSP) application is proposed. The designs of using this input number based compensation method are carried out on array multiplier and Booth multiplier. The hardware complexity is reduced to about 50% of the original multiplier. Design results show that the new architectures have lower hardware overhead, lower error and fast operation speed as compared with other proposed architectures.
Experimental exploration on NO x diminution by the combined effect of antioxidant additives with SCR in a diesel engine powered by neem biodiesel

ABSTRACT The use of biodiesel in diesel engines leads to the reduction of tail pipe emissions; But, several researchers portray that the use of biodiesel produces more NOx pollution than diesel-fuelled engines, which is an hindrance for the scope of biodiesel usage. In this work, an experimental investigation of the combined effect of antioxidant additive added in the fuel as a fuel modification technique and SCR (selective catalytic reduction) as after a treatment technique on NO x reduction in a neem biodiesel-powered compression ignition engine has been conducted. Results show that the antioxidant additive combined with the SCR technique reduces the NO x emission significantly by 82% and there was a slight increase in UBHC and CO emission due to the addition of oxidation-suppressing additives with neem biodiesel and aqueous urea solution injection at the exhaust without a major drop in BTE and fuel consumption.
USE OF A NON-LINEAR MODEL FOR IMPROVED ESTIMATION IN CLUSTER SAMPLING

Several researchers have attempted to develop a general law to predict a general relationship between variance within cluster 2 w S and size of the cluster M for purposes like determination of optimum cluster size etc. In the present study a non-linear model has been suggested for describing the relationship between 2 w S and M which has shown improvement over existing models and results have also been verified with the help of an example.
Polyphasic characterization of Aeromonas salmonicida isolates recovered from salmonid and non-salmonid fish.

Michigan's fisheries rely primarily upon the hatchery propagation of salmonid fish for release in public waters. One limitation on the success of these efforts is the presence of bacterial pathogens, including Aeromonas salmonicida, the causative agent of furunculosis. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of A. salmonicida in Michigan fish, as well as to determine whether biochemical or gene sequence variability exists among Michigan isolates. A total of 2202 wild, feral and hatchery-propagated fish from Michigan were examined for the presence of A. salmonicida. The examined fish included Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), coho salmon, O. kisutcha (Walbaum), steelhead trout, O. mykiss (Walbaum), Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. , brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), and yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill). Among these, 234 fish yielded a brown pigment-producing bacterium that was presumptively identified as A. salmonicida. Further phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses identified representative isolates as Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and revealed some genetic and biochemical variability. Logistic regression analyses showed that infection prevalence varied according to fish species/strain, year and gender, whereby Chinook salmon and females had the highest infection prevalence. Moreover, this pathogen was found in six fish species from eight sites, demonstrating its widespread nature within Michigan.
Utility of serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio in diagnosis of postrenal acute kidney injury

Background: In obstructive uropathy, despite a severe increase in the serum creatinine (Cr) levels, only a mild cystatin C (CysC) increase was previously reported. Therefore, we aimed to determine the availability of serum Cr/CysC ratio in predicting postrenal acute kidney injury (AKI). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 61-adult patients with heterogeneous AKI cases. Patients with bilateral pelvicalyceal dilatation in renal sonography were considered as postrenal AKI group (n = 15) and others were intrinsic AKI group (n = 46). Venous blood sampling for blood urea nitrogen, Cr and CysC measurements were performed on admission. Results: The mean age of study population was 66.3 ± 15.5 years; 38 (62%) of which were male. Two groups were similar regarding age, gender, and comorbidities. Cr/CysC ratio was significantly higher in postrenal AKI group (6.9 ± 3.1 vs. 4.4 ± 2.1, P = 0.007). Conclusion: We suggest that serum Cr/CysC ratio seems to be a useful diagnostic tool for detection of postrenal AKI cases, especially for the cases without definite hydronephrosis.
Incorporating Covariates in Flowgraph Models: Applications to Recurrent Event Data

Modeling recurrent event data is of current interest in statistics and engineering. This article proposes a framework for incorporating covariates in flowgraph models, with application to recurrent event data in systems reliability settings. A flowgraph is a generalized transition graph (GTG) originally developed to model total system waiting times for semi-Markov processes. The focus of flowgraph models is expanded by linking covariates into branch transition models, enriching the toolkit of available data analysis methods for complex stochastic systems. This article takes a Bayesian approach to the analysis of flowgraph models. Potential applications are not limited to engineering systems, but also extend to survival analysis.
Influence of dilated cardiomyopathy and a left ventricular assist device on vortex dynamics in the left ventricle

Together with new developments in mechanical cardiac support, the analysis of vortex dynamics in the left ventricle has become an increasingly important topic in literature. The aim of this study was to develop a method to investigate the influence of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) on vortex dynamics in a failing ventricle. An axisymmetric fluid dynamics model of the left ventricle was developed and coupled to a lumped parameter model of the complete circulation. Simulations were performed for healthy conditions and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Vortex structures in these simulations were analysed by means of automated detection. Results show that the strength of the leading vortex ring is lower in a DCM ventricle than in a healthy ventricle. The LVAD further influences the maximum strength of the vortex and also causes the vortex to disappear earlier in time with increasing LVAD flows. Understanding these phenomena by means of the method proposed in this study will contribute to enhanced diagnostics and monitoring during cardiac support.