Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The study on development of easily chewable and swallowable foods for elderly

BACKGROUND/OBJECTS When the functions involved in the ingestion of food occurs failure, not only loss of enjoyment of eating, it will be faced with protein-energy malnutrition. Dysmasesis and difficulty of swallowing occurs in various diseases, but it may be a major cause of aging, and elderly people with authoring and dysmasesis and difficulty of swallowing in the aging society is expected to increase rapidly. SUBJECTS/METHODS In this study, we carried out a survey targeting nutritionists who work in elderly care facilities, and examined characteristics of offering of foods for elderly and the degree of demand of development of easily chewable and swallowable foods for the elderly who can crush foods and take that by their own tongues, and sometimes have difficulty in drinking water and tea. RESULTS In elderly care facilities, it was found to provide a finely chopped food or ground food that was ground with water in a blender for elderly with dysmasesis. Elderly satisfaction of provided foods is appeared overall low. Results of investigating the applicability of foods for elderly and the reflection will of menus, were showed the highest response rate in a gelification method in molecular gastronomic science technics, and results of investigating the frequent food of the elderly; representative menu of beef, pork, white fish, anchovies and spinach, were showed Korean barbecue beef, hot pepper paste stir fried pork, pan fried white fish, stir fried anchovy, seasoned spinach were the highest offer frequency. CONCLUSIONS This study will provide the fundamentals of the development of easily chewable and swallowable foods, gelification, for the elderly. The study will also illustrate that, in the elderly, food undergone gelification will reduce the risk of swallowing down to the wrong pipe and improve overall food preference.
Phenolic and Volatile Composition of a Dry Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) Extract

The present paper reports a complete mass spectrometric characterization of both the phenolic and volatile fractions of a dried spearmint extract. Phenolic compounds were analysed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MSn) and a total of 66 compounds were tentatively identified, being the widest phenolic characterisation of spearmint to date. The analysis suggests that the extract is composed of rosmarinic acid and its derivatives (230.5 ± 13.5 mg/g) with smaller amounts of salvianolic acids, caffeoylquinic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavones, and flavanones. Head space solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique, that was applied to characterize the volatile fraction of spearmint, identified molecules belonging to different chemical classes, such as p-cymene, isopiperitone, and piperitone, dihydroedulan II, menthone, p-cymen-8-ol, and β-linalool. This comprehensive phytochemical analysis can be useful to test the authenticity of this product rich in rosmarinic acid and other phenolics, and when assessing its biological properties. It may also be applied to other plant-derived food extracts and beverages containing a broad range of phytochemical compounds.
Four Genetic Polymorphisms of Lymphotoxin-Alpha Gene and Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the inflammatory and immunologic response. Numerous studies have shown LTA polymorphisms as risk factors for cancers, but the results remain inconclusive. The goal of the present meta-analyses is to establish the associations between cancers and four LTA variants (rs1041981, rs2239704, rs2229094 and rs746868). A total of 30 case-control studies involving 58,649 participants were included in the current meta-analyses. Our results showed significant associations with increased cancer risk for rs1041981 (odd ratio (OR) = 1.15, 99% confidential interval (CI) = 1.07-1.25, P < 0.0001, I2 = 12.2%), rs2239704 (OR = 1.08, 99% CI = 1.01-1.16, P = 0.021, I2 = 0.0%) and rs2229094 (OR = 1.28, 99% CI = 1.09-1.50, P = 0.003, I2 = 0.0%). No evidence was found for the association between rs746868 and cancer risk (OR = 1.01, 99% CI = 0.93-1.10, P = 0.771, I2 = 0.0%). Subgroup meta-analysis suggested that rs2239704 was likely to increase the risk of hematological malignancy (OR = 1.10, 99% CI = 1.01–1.20, P = 0.023, I2 = 0.0%), and rs2229094 was specific for the increased risk of adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.33, 99% CI = 1.11-1.59, P = 0.002, I2 = 0.0%). In conclusion, our meta-analyses suggested that the LTA rs1041981, rs2239704 and rs2229094 polymorphisms contributed to the increased risk of cancers. Future functional studies were needed to clarify the mechanistic roles of the three variants in the cancer risk.
The Implementation of Literary Sociology Learning Model with Contextual and Spiritual Quotient Approach to Teach Literary Sociology

The study of literary sociology is still considered boring for most students. The study of literary sociology is only emphasized on the aspect of theory memorizing. Therefore, implementing learning model with CSQ approach is considered very important to make students active, creative, happy, and have spiritual character. The aims of this study were to know the students’ perception towards the implementation of literary sociology learning model with CSQ approach in literary sociology course and to know the effectiveness of literary sociology learning model with CSQ approach to teaching literary sociology compared to the conventional learning model. This research used a mixed-method approach. To answer the first aim of the study, a case study design was used and to answer the second aim of the study the experimental design was used. There were some instruments used in this study such as observation, interview, questionnaire, and test. The qualitative data yielded from observation, interview, and the questionnaire was analysed descriptively; meanwhile, the quantitative data yielded from the test was analysed by using t-test formula. The results show that the students have the positive attitude towards the implementation of literary sociology learning model with CSQ approach.
Gradient based prediction for reversible watermarking by difference expansion

This paper proposes a novel predictor, EGBSW (Extended Gradient Based Selective Weighting), and investigates its usefulness in difference expansion reversible watermarking. EGBSW is inspired by GBSW, a causal predictor previously used in lossless image compression and known to outperform well-known predictors as the median edge detector (MED) or the gradient-adjusted predictor (GAP). The proposed predictor operates on a larger prediction context than the one of GBSW, namely a rectangular window of 16 pixels located around the pixel to be predicted. Similar to GBSW, the extended predictor computes the gradients on horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions and selects the smallest two gradients. Opposite to the classical predictor, EGSBW uses a set of four simple linear predictors associated with the four principal directions and computes the output value as a weighted sum between the predicted values corresponding to the selected gradients. The reversible watermarking scheme based on EGBSW appears to outperform not only the ones based on GBSW, MED or GAP, but also some recently proposed schemes based on the average on the rhombus context. Experimental results are provided.
Strong T cell tolerance in parent----F1 bone marrow chimeras prepared with supralethal irradiation. Evidence for clonal deletion and anergy

T cell tolerance induction was examined in long-term H-2-heterozygous parent----F1 chimeras prepared with supralethal irradiation (1,300 rad). Although these chimeras appeared to be devoid of host-type APC, the donor T cells developing in the chimeras showed marked tolerance to host-type H-2 determinants. Tolerance to the host appeared to be virtually complete in four assay systems: (a) primary mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) of purified lymph node (LN) CD8+ cells (+/- IL-2); (b) primary MLR of CD4+ (CD8-) thymocytes; (c) skin graft rejection; and (d) induction of lethal graft-vs.-host disease by CD4+ cells. Similar tolerance was observed in chimeras given double irradiation. The only assay in which the chimera T cells failed to show near-total tolerance to the host was the primary MLR of post-thymic CD4+ cells. In this assay, LN CD4+ cells regularly gave a significant antihost MLR. The magnitude of this response was two- to fourfold less than the response of normal parental strain CD4+ cells and, in I-E(-)----I-E+ chimeras, was paralleled by approximately 70% deletion of V beta 11+ cells. Since marked tolerance was evident at the level of mature thymocytes, tolerance induction in the chimeras presumably occurred in the thymus itself. The failure to detect host APC in the thymus implies that tolerance reflected contact with thymic epithelial cells (and/or other non-BM-derived cells in the thymus). To account for the residual host reactivity of LN CD4+ cells and the incomplete deletion of V beta 11+ cells, it is suggested that T cell contact with thymic epithelial cells induced clonal deletion of most of the host-reactive T cells but spared a proportion of these cells (possibly low affinity cells). Since these latter cells appeared to be functionally inert in the thymus (in contrast to LN), we suggest that the thymic epithelial cells induced a temporary form of anergy in the remaining host-reactive thymocytes. This anergic state disappeared when the T cells left the thymus and reached LN.
Synoptic- and Frontal-Scale Influences on Tropical Transition Events in the Atlantic Basin. Part II: Tropical Transition of Hurricane Karen

Abstract A finescale simulation of the tropical transition of Atlantic Hurricane Karen in October 2001 is examined to determine the processes leading to the development of upshear convection and its effects on the process of tropical transition. The analysis shows that, as in marine extratropical cyclones, the area upshear of the pretransition cyclone is characterized by reduced stability. Lower-tropospheric frontogenesis leads to an intense burst of convection there and instigates three important processes that combine to produce a full-fledged tropical cyclone. First, the convection generates intense low-level vorticity on the western half of the cyclone, which quickly dominates the cyclone’s vorticity field eventually organizing the circulation into a small-scale, intense vortex. Second, the diabatically enhanced circulation hastens the isolation of the cyclone’s developing warm core by intensifying cold air advection on the northern and western sides of the storm and by placing evaporatively cooled ai.
Reinforcement Learning from Demonstration and Human Reward

In this paper, we proposed a model-based method—IRL-TAMER— for combining learning from demonstration via inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) and learning from human reward via the TAMER framework. We tested our method in the Grid World domain and compared with the TAMER framework using different discount factors on human reward. Our results suggest that with one demonstration, although an agent learning via IRL cannot obtain an effective policy navigating to the goal state, it can still learn a useful value function indicating what states are good based on the demonstration. More importantly, learning from demonstration can reduce the number of human rewards needed to obtain an optimal policy, especially the number of negative feedback. That is to say, learning from demonstration can be a jump-start for agent’s learning from human reward and reduce the number of mistakes— incorrect actions. Furthermore, our results show that learning from demonstration can only be useful for agent’s learning from human reward when the discount rate is high, i.e., learning from myopic human reward.
An Overview on Wireless Sensor Networks Technology and Evolution

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) enable new applications and require non-conventional paradigms for protocol design due to several constraints. Owing to the requirement for low device complexity together with low energy consumption (i.e., long network lifetime), a proper balance between communication and signal/data processing capabilities must be found. This motivates a huge effort in research activities, standardization process, and industrial investments on this field since the last decade. This survey paper aims at reporting an overview of WSNs technologies, main applications and standards, features in WSNs design, and evolutions. In particular, some peculiar applications, such as those based on environmental monitoring, are discussed and design strategies highlighted; a case study based on a real implementation is also reported. Trends and possible evolutions are traced. Emphasis is given to the IEEE 802.15. 4 technology, which enables many applications of WSNs. Some example of performance characteristics of 802.15. 4-based networks are shown and discussed as a function of the size of the WSN and the data type to be exchanged among nodes.
Microstructured elastomeric surfaces with reversible adhesion and examples of their use in deterministic assembly by transfer printing

Reversible control of adhesion is an important feature of many desired, existing, and potential systems, including climbing robots, medical tapes, and stamps for transfer printing. We present experimental and theoretical studies of pressure modulated adhesion between flat, stiff objects and elastomeric surfaces with sharp features of surface relief in optimized geometries. Here, the strength of nonspecific adhesion can be switched by more than three orders of magnitude, from strong to weak, in a reversible fashion. Implementing these concepts in advanced stamps for transfer printing enables versatile modes for deterministic assembly of solid materials in micro/nanostructured forms. Demonstrations in printed two- and three-dimensional collections of silicon platelets and membranes illustrate some capabilities. An unusual type of transistor that incorporates a printed gate electrode, an air gap dielectric, and an aligned array of single walled carbon nanotubes provides a device example.
A review of Fraud Detection Techniques: Credit Card

In present scenario when the term fraud comes into a discussion, credit card fraud clicks to mind so far. With the great increase in credit card transactions, credit card fraud has increasing excessively in recent years. Fraud detection includes monitoring of the spending behavior of users/ customers in order to determination, detection, or avoidance of undesirable behavior. As credit card becomes the most prevailing mode of payment for both online as well as regular purchase, fraud relate with it are also accelerating. Fraud detection is concerned with not only capturing the fraudulent events, but also capturing of such activities as quickly as possible. The use of credit cards is common in modern day society. Fraud is a millions dollar business and it is rising every year. Fraud presents significant cost to our economy worldwide. Modern techniques based on Data mining, Machine learning, Sequence Alignment, Fuzzy Logic, Genetic Programming, Artificial Intelligence etc., has been introduced for detecting credit card fraudulent transactions. This paper shows how data mining techniques can be combined successfully to obtain a high fraud coverage combined with a low or high false alarm rate.
Gender and age differences in prevalence and incidence of child sexual abuse in Croatia

Aim To examine age and gender differences in the prevalence and incidence of child sexual abuse, the level of acquaintance of the child and the perpetrator, and correlations between experiencing family violence and sexual abuse on a nationally representative sample of 11, 13, and 16 years old children. Method A probabilistic stratified cluster sample included 2.62% of the overall population of children aged 11 (n = 1223), 13 (n = 1188), and 16 (n = 1233) from 40 primary and 29 secondary schools. A modified version of ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool – Children's Version was used. Five items referred to child sexual abuse (CSA) for all age groups. Results In Croatia, 10.8% of children experienced some form of sexual abuse (4.8% to 16.5%, depending on the age group) during childhood and 7.7% of children experienced it during the previous year (3.7% to 11.1%, depending on the age group). Gender comparison showed no difference in the prevalence of contact sexual abuse, whereas more girls than boys experienced non-contact sexual abuse. Correlations between sexual abuse and physical and psychological abuse in the family were small, but significant. Conclusion Comparisons with international studies show that Croatia is a country with a low prevalence of CSA. The fact that the majority of perpetrators of sexual abuse are male and female peers indicates the urgent need to address risks of sexual victimization in the health education of children.
Another attempt to quantify the benefits of reducing inflation

This article estimates the benefits of reducing U.S. inflation below its current level when the government simultaneously raises another distortionary tax. Other researchers have suggested that reducing inflation would have fairly large benefits—from 1 to 3 percent of gross domestic product. But that result depends on the unrealistic assumption that the government would replace inflation with a lump-sum tax, one which does not affect people's incentives. If, instead, inflation is replaced with an increase in the labor income tax, then the welfare gains that can be expected from reducing inflation below its current level are much smaller—from one-third to one-half of 1 percent of gross domestic product.
Predicting Happiness Through Occupational Performance in College Students

Happiness is a state of well-being pursued by people all over their world in their everyday activities. The author examines happiness models and models utilized in occupational science to identiff a relationship between occupational performance and subjective happiness. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between occupational performance and happiness, and to predict happiness among college students through their occupational performance. 722 second, third, and fourth year students from a college in New York State completed an online survey to rate their happiness, occupational performance, and coping. The survey results were analyzed using pearson correlations and forward linear multiple regression analyses. The findings suggest that social occupational performance, the ability to cope with occupational stress, and academic occupational performance were the most important predictors of happiness in the college students surveyed. Together, these variables indicated a significant relationship between occupational performance areas and happiness and they predicted 40.0%of the variance in students'ratings of subjective happiness
The Relationship between Fourth-Grade Primary School Students' Story-writing Skills and Their Motivation to Write

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between fourth-grade primary school students' story-writing skills and their motivation to write. The study group of the research is made up of 165 fourth-grade students. The study was conducted within the framework of the survey model. Within the scope of the research, the Motivation to Write Profile, an assessment tool developed by Codling and Gambrell [7], was used to measure the students' motivation to write, while the 6+1 Analytic Writing and Evaluation Scale adapted to Turkish by Ozkara [26] was used for assessing the students' story-writing skills. In the study, it was determined that female students' writing motivation scores were higher than those of male students and that, moreover, female students' story-writing skills were more developed than those of male students. Furthermore, it was seen that the students' story-writing skills had a significant positive relationship with the value they placed on writing and with their self-efficacy as writers.
Chemotherapy augments TRAIL-induced apoptosis in breast cell lines.

Expression and function of the TRAIL apoptotic pathway was investigated in normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-TRAIL extracellular domain fusion proteins were produced to analyze TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Only GST-TRAIL constructs containing regions homologous to the Fas self-association and ligand binding domains could induce apoptosis. GST-TRAIL induced significant (>90%) apoptosis in just one of eight normal and one of eight malignant breast cell lines. All other lines were relatively resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Activating TRAIL receptors DR4 and DR5 were expressed in all normal and malignant breast cell lines. The inhibitory receptor TRID was highly expressed in one of four normal and two of seven malignant breast cell lines. DR4, DR5, or TRID expression did not correlate with sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Incubation of cell lines with doxorubicin or 5-fluorouracil significantly augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis in most breast cell lines. By fractional inhibition analysis, the toxicity of the combination of TRAIL and doxorubicin or 5-fluorouracil was synergistic compared with either agent alone. In contrast, melphalan and paclitaxel augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis in few cell lines, and methotrexate did not augment it in any cell line. Augmentation of TRAIL-induced apoptosis by doxorubicin or 5-fluorouracil was mediated through caspase activation. This was evidenced by the fact that chemotherapy agents that synergized with TRAIL (e.g., doxorubicin) themselves caused cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and their toxicity was blocked by the caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-CH2 (ZVAD-fmk). The combination of TRAIL and doxorubicin caused significantly greater caspase-3 and PARP cleavage, and the combined toxicity also was inhibited by ZVAD-fmk. In contrast, chemotherapy agents that did not augment TRAIL-induced apoptosis (e.g., methotrexate) caused minimal caspase-3 and PARP cleavage by themselves, and their toxicity was not inhibited by ZVAD-fmk. These drugs also did not increase caspase-3 or PARP cleavage when combined with TRAIL. In summary, few breast cell lines are sensitive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, and no difference in sensitivity is found between normal and malignant cell lines. Treatment with chemotherapy provides an approach to sensitize breast cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
Stability region estimation of statically unstable two wheeled mobile robots

Most of the research so far on two wheeled mobile robots is on the control of the robot body. However when a robot is implemented in real environment the range of initial conditions of different states of the robot need to be known for safe operation. This paper presents the estimation of safe region of initial conditions of states for a statically unstable two wheeled mobile robot using a standard Lyapunov direct method. The method uses a known Lyapunov Function. Variation of stability region with the Lyapunov functions requires the selection of a good Lyapunov function for a system. Twotypes of Lyapunov functions, Quadratic and Energy based were formulated. The simulation results for the stability regions were evaluated using these Lyapunov functions and were compared with true region, determined using ode solver. A Lyapunov function that showed less conservative stability region was selected to show the theoretical stability region. The experiments verified the results.