Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LP9M80-H Isolated from Liriope platyphylla Could Help Alleviate Diabetic Symptoms via the Regulation of Glucose and Lipid Concentration

It was reported that the novel compounds (LP9M80-H) of Liriope platyphylla regulate glucose transporter (Glut) biosynthesis by activating the insulin-signaling pathway in the liver and brain of ICR mice. To investigate the therapeutic effects of LP9M80-H on the pathology of diabetes and obesity, alterations of key factors related to symptoms were analyzed in the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats treated with LP9M80-H for 2 weeks. The abdominal fat masses in the LP9M80-H-treated group were lower than the vehicle-treated group, although there was no difference in body weight between the two groups. Additionally, when compared to the vehicle-treated group, LP9M80-H treatment induced a significant decrease in glucose levels and an increase in the insulin concentration in the blood of OLETF rats. A high level of insulin protein was also detected in pancreatic β cells of LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats. A significant reduction in the concentration of lipids and adiponectin was detected only in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats. Furthermore, the expression of insulin receptor β and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) was dramatically decreased in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats compared to the vehicle-treated group. Of the glucose transporters located downstream of the insulin-signaling pathway, glucose transporters (Glut) -2 and -3 were significantly decreased in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats, while the level of Glut-4 was maintained under all conditions. Therefore, these results suggest that LP9M80-H may contribute to relieving symptoms of diabetes and obesity through glucose homeostasis and regulation of lipid concentration.
Comparison of AZO, GZO, and AGZO Thin Films TCOs Applied for a-Si Solar Cells

This study prepared aluminum and gallium co-doped zinc oxide (AGZO) thin films using pulsed direct current magnetron sputtering, and studied the electrical properties, transmittance, effects of texturing, and applicability as the front contact for a-Si:H solar cells. Textured ZnO:Al (AZO) and ZnO:Ga (GZO) thin films were also compared with AGZO thin film to evaluate their performance as front contacts. Experimental results show that AGZO films with the highest figure of merit φTC value (24.64 × 10 −3 � −1 )w ere obtained at Al and Ga doping concentrations of 0.54 wt% and 1.165 wt%, respectively. The textured AGZO films used as the front contact in a-Si:H solar cells achieved the following results: VOC = 0.77 V, JSC = 16.5 mA/cm 2 ,F F= 59%, and conversion efficiency of 7.53%. AZO and GZO films have better electrical properties than AGZO film; however, AGZO film has superior transmittance in the near-infrared (NIR) region and higher JSC, conversion efficiency and external quantum efficiency (EQE) than AZO and GZO
Effect of Aggregate Gradation , Type of Mineral Fillers , Bitumen Grade and Source on the Mechanical Properties of Foamed Bitumen Stabilized Mixes

With the rapid growth of traffic volumes and axle loads, the use of efficient and cost effective stabilization methods becomes an imperative task. The use of foam bitumen stabilization is rapidly growing because of its environmental friendly benefits and its high field performance properties. In this study, a detailed investigation of the mechanical properties of foamed stabilized mixes was carried out. The experimental work presented compares the mechanical properties of foamed stabilized mixes created using two different gradations and eight bitumen types from six different sources. Different types of mineral fillers including hydrated lime, fly ash type C, Portland cement, and pond ash were used in the mix design. The volumetric properties, resilient moduli, indirect tensile strengths, fracture energies, and California bearing ratio (CBR) values were investigated. Temperature and moisture susceptibilities were studied and compared for different types and grades of bitumen. Foam stabilized mixes provided lower temperature susceptibility than HMA. The effect of bitumen source and grade on moisture susceptibility was inspected. The foam-stabilized mixes provided reasonable moisture resistance as the index of retained strength (IRS) exceeded 80 to 90% after 5 days soaking. The effect of aggregate gradation and mineral fillers on the indirect tensile strength and the fracture energy was evident. Hot mix asphalts provided higher tensile strength and fracture energy than foam stabilized mixes. Foamed bitumen stabilization significantly enhanced the CBR values as the soaked CBR of foam-treated specimens provided higher CBR values than the conventional untreated aggregates. No re us e w ith ou t A uth or' s p rm iss ion
Ethics of the Discount Rate in the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change

Any comparison of the costs and benefits of climate change is dominated by the chosen discount rate. But, although the Stern Review emphasises the ethical nature of the parameters entering into its choice of a relatively low discount rate, its discussion of the â€˜pure time preferenceâ€™ parameter is unbalanced. In particular, no consideration is given to the role of â€˜agent-relative ethicsâ€™, which (i) has a wellestablished philosophical pedigree going back to David Hume; (ii) is likely to correspond closely to world-wide public attitudes towards intergenerational welfare; and (iii) would entail discounting a unit of welfare accruing to future generations compared to an equal unit accruing to people alive today at a positive rate. The authors also discuss the other ethical parameter upon which the discount rate depends, namely the elasticity of marginal utility with respect to consumption. In the conventional model, this simultaneously reflects different aspects of inequality aversion as well as risk aversion, which complicates its interpretation. Finally, they discuss the divergence between market rates of discount and the low rate chosen in the Review, and the limitationsâ€”on the one handâ€”on the normative significance of market rates, as well as the dangerâ€”on the other handâ€”of relying on rates chosen by elites or philosopher kings.
OHMIC HEATING AND VISCOUS DISSIPATION EFFECTS OVER A VERTICAL PLATE IN THE PRESENCE OF POROUS MEDIUM

An analysis is performed to investigate the ohmic heating and viscous dissipation effects on an unsteady natural convective flow over an impulsively started vertical plate in the presence of porous medium with radiation and chemical reaction. Numerical solutions for the governing boundary layer equations are presented by finite difference scheme of the Crank Nicolson type. The influence of various parameters on the velocity, the temperature, the concentration, the skin friction, the Nusselt number and the Sherwood number are discussed. It is observed that velocity and temperature increases with increasing values of permeability and increasing values of Eckert number, whereas it decreases with increasing values of magnetic parameter. An increase in ohmic heating and viscous heating increases the velocity boundary layer. An increase in ohmic heating decreases the temperature. An increase in magnetic field reduces the temperature profile. The velocity profile is highly influenced by the increasing values of permeability. It is observed that permeability has strong effect on velocity. An enhancement in ohmic heating increases the shear stress, decreases the rate of heat transfer and induces the rate of mass transfer.
In vivo bioluminescence monitoring of defense gene expression in response to treatment with yeast cell wall extract

Previous studies indicated that Housaku Monogatari (HM), a plant activator made from yeast cell wall extract, is effective for control of various plant diseases. To investigate the effect of HM treatment on plant gene expression, we tested the expression of defense related gene induction by exploiting tobacco pathogenesis-related protein 1a (PR-1a) gene promoter- and the Arabidopsis plant defensin 1.2 (PDF1.2) gene promoter-luciferase fusions as reporter genes. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants harboring promoter-luciferase fusion genes were treated with HM and the promoter activity was monitored as changes in luciferase activity in planta. Results of bioluminescence monitoring assay indicated that the promoters were activated at different times after the treatment of test plants with HM. Maximum activation of the PR-1a promoter occurred 4 days, and of the PDF1.2 promoter 4 h, after treatment. These results suggest that HM might contain multiple microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) that activate systemic acquired resistance and induced systemic resistance signaling pathways at different times. This may explain the mechanisms involved in the induction of defense responses against multiple plant pathogens by HM treatment.
Productivity in seeds of the green bean produced under conventional and organic systems

Two experiments were carried out during 2016 at the Anápolis Experimental Station of EMATER in the State of Goiás, with the aim of studying the yield of seeds of 18 strains and two indeterminate cultivars of the green bean, one experiment under a conventional system and the other under an organic system. A randomized block experimental design was used, with twenty treatments and three replications, to evaluate the mean number of seeds per pod (NSP), 100-seed weight (100SW) and productivity (PROD). Under the conventional system, the 100SW ranged from 19.3 to 25.0 grams. The highest productivity was achieved with the UEG 0212, UEG 0212, UEG 0712 and UEG 3014 strains, which were superior to the other strains, including the controls. Under the organic system, there was a range of 6.66 to 8.33 for the NSP, while for the 100SW, the range was from 23 to 32 grams. The UEG 0212, UEG 1012, UEG 2014 and UEG 3014 strains, all with cylindrical pods and white seeds, can be used as alternatives for planting, being superior to the ‘Favorito’ cultivar and equal to the ‘Macarrão Bragança’ cultivar, whereas UEG 1112 and UEG 0714, with cylindrical pods and cream-colored seeds, can be used as dual-adapted cultivars, with green pods and dry grain that can be used as end-of-cycle pods if there are defects that are not accepted by the market.
Modeling beach profile evolution - A statistical-process based approach

This paper presents a new combined statistical-process based approach for modeling storm driven, cross-shore beach profile response. The approach discussed here involves combining detailed statistical modeling of offshore storm data and a process based morphodynamic model (XBeach), to assess the medium to long-term morphodynamic response of cross-shore beach profiles. Up until now the use of process-based models has been curtailed at the storm event timescale. This approach allows inclusion of the post-storm recovery, in addition to individual event impacts, thus allowing longer-term predictions. The calibration of XBeach for modeling, both, storm induced erosion and post- storm recovery, taking Narrabeen Beach, NSW, Australia as a case study; and the approach used to combine XBeach with the statistical framework to develop the approach are discussed.
LiFePO4/C Nanocomposites Synthesized from Fe2O3 by a Hydrothermal Reaction-calcination Process and Their Electrochemical Performance

LiFePO 4 nanoparticles coated with a carbon layer were synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction-calcination process, using Fe 2 O 3 as an iron source and ascorbic acid as carbon source. The amount of ascorbic acid have an effect on the structure, phase and carbon amount of the final product. With 1 g ascorbic acid used in the reaction, the particle sizes of synthesized LiFePO 4 /C nanocomposites are in a range of 220–280 nm. Using as the cathode materials for the lithium-ion batteries, the as-prepared material shows high capacity and good cycle stability (159 mAh/g at 0.1C over 500 cycles), as well as good rate capability.
Estimating a DSGE Model for Japan: Evaluating and Modifying a CEE/SW/LOWW Model

We estimate a medium-scale DSGE model of the Japanese economy following Christiano, Eichenbaum and Evans (2005), Smets and Wouters (2003) and Levin et al. (2005). By using actual capital utilization data and modifying the formulation of utilization following Greenwood, Hercowitz and Huffmann (1988), this paper succeeds in incorporating a negative correlation between capital utilization and rental costs to explain actual capital utilization rates. We find hump-shaped and persistent behavior of inflation rates in response to a monetary policy shock, which CEE cast doubt upon.
Analysis of full-waveform LiDAR data for forestry applications: a review of investigations and methods

Abstract: The goal of this review is to present leading examples of current methodologies for extracting forest characteristics from full-waveform LiDAR data. Four key questions are addressed: (i) does full-waveform LiDAR provide advantages over discrete-return laser sensors; (ii) will full-waveform LiDAR provide valid results in support of forest inventory operations and allow for a decrease in ground sampling efforts; (iii) is the use of full-waveform LiDAR data cost effective; and (iv) what is the scope of the applied methods (i.e., is full-waveform LiDAR accurate for different forest compositions, structures, and densities, and is it sensitive to leaf-off/leaf-on conditions)? Key forest structure characteristics can be estimated with significant accuracy using full-waveform metrics, although methodologies and their corresponding accuracies differ. For example, some processing methods are valid at the plot scale, whereas other procedures perform well at the regional scale; to be effective, certain LiDAR data analyses require a minimum point density, whereas other methods perform well using large-footprint sensors. Therefore, it is important to match processing methods with the appropriate scale and scope. The aim of this paper is to provide the forest research community and remote sensing technology developers with an overview of existing methods for inferring key forest characteristics, including their applicability and performance.
The Rise of Us Anti-Dumping Activity in Historical Perspective

Empirical studies of anti-dumping activity focus almost exclusively on the period since 1980. This paper puts recent US anti-dumping experience in historical context by studying the determinants of annual case filings over the past half century. The conventional view that few anti-dumping cases existed prior to 1980 is not correct, although most did not result in the imposition of duties. The increased number of cases in recent decades largely reflects petitions that target multiple-source countries; the number of imported products involved has actually fallen since the mid-1980s. The annual number of anti-dumping cases is influenced by the unemployment rate, the exchange rate, import penetration (closely related to the decline in average tariffs), and changes in the anti-dumping law and its enforcement in the early 1980s.
Calculating ice melt beneath a debris layer using meteorological data

Abstract Generalized numerical models of sub-debris ice ablation are preferable to empirical approaches for predicting runoff and glacier response to climate change, as empirical methods are site-specific and strongly dependent upon the conditions prevailing during the measurement period. We present a modified surface energy-balance model to calculate melt beneath a surface debris layer from daily mean meteorological variables. Despite numerous simplifications, the model performs well and modelled melt rates give a good match to observed melt rates, suggesting that this model can produce reliable estimates of ablation rate beneath debris layers several decimetres thick. This is a useful improvement on previous models which are inappropriate for thick debris cover.
Gene expression profile in gyr and crossbreed dairy cows with mastitis

v RESUMO. vii GENERAL INTRODUCTION . 1 References . 3 CHAPTER 1 . 5 Abstract . 5 Introduction . 6 Material and Methods . 8 Experimental animals . 8 Inoculation and collection of the samples . 9 Isolation of RNA and quality control . 10 Large-scale gene expression experiments . 10 Validation of the genes differentially expressed by real-time PCR . 11 Construction and analysis of the gene networks . 13 Results . 14 Discussion . 17 References . 31 CHAPTER 2 . 38 Abstract . 38 Introduction . 39 Material and Methods . 41 Results . 42 Discussion . 43 References . 48 CHAPTER 3 . 52 Abstract . 52 Introduction . 52 Gene expression and networks . 53 Methods used to identify gene networks . 54 Application of gene networks to identify new candidate genes . 56 Studies of networks applied to dairy cattle breeding . 58 References . 59 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS . 63
Preliminary test on modified clays for seawater resistant drilling fluids

The quality of a drilling fluid declines in salt water conditions. An engineered clay (HYPER clay) was developed for geosynthetic clay liners with enhanced resistance to aggressive conditions. This study investigates the potential of this superior clay for drilling fluids applied in salt water conditions. A sodium bentonite was treated with a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) polymer following the HYPER clay process method. Preliminary tests were performed to investigate suitability of HYPER clay for seawater resistant drilling fluids. Fluid performance was characterized by its thixotropic behavior, rheological properties (gel strength, yield point and viscosity), swell and bleeding behavior. Drilling fluid performance was analyzed at various polymer dosages and electrolyte concentrations. Polymer treatment improved the gel strength and swelling ability of the fluid, especially in electrolyte solutions. Moreover, filter press tests (API 13B-1, 76% seawater) showed that filtrate loss decreased due to polymer treatment.
Automated tuning of an algorithm for the vehicle routing problem

ORTEC develops advanced planning systems for different areas, including vehicle routing. The routing algorithms included in these systems are highly customizable: the customization abilities range from parameter tuning to the definition of the algorithm in terms of composition of steps. Customization is done by means of a configuration: a sequence of algorithms, including the parameters of each algorithm, used to solve the vehicle routing problem. The sequence can be adapted to make it suitable for the customers’ problems (i.e., a sequence that is likely to solve the customer’s problems well). Within each of these algorithms, we find parameters to control the behavior of the specific algorithm. These parameters can also be varied to make the configuration even more suitable for a certain customer. ORTEC knows from experience that adequately tuning of the configuration dramatically changes the behavior of the algorithms in favor of the specific situation at each customer. The configurations found with the tuning method used in this research perform up to 10% better than the default configuration. The tuning method is also able to find configurations that perform better than configurations tuned by experts of ORTEC. Moreover, expensive time of experts can be saved by using the tuning method.
Creative Problem-Solving Process Styles, Cognitive Work Demands, and Organizational Adaptability

In this theoretical article, organizational adaptability is modeled as a four-stage creative problem-solving process, with each stage involving a different kind of cognitive activity. Individuals have different preferences for each stage and thus are said to have different creative problem-solving process “styles. ” The Creative Problem Solving Profile (CPSP) assesses these styles and maps onto and interconnects directly with the four stages of this creative problem-solving process. Field research (n = 6,091) is presented in which the psychometric properties of the CPSP are established and the distribution of styles in different occupations and at different organizational levels are examined. A concrete blueprint is provided for organizational leaders to follow to (a) increase organizational adaptability, (b) simplify and facilitate change management, and (c) address important organizational effectiveness issues at the individual, team, and organizational levels. Real-world application examples are shared and future research opportunities to expand the CPSP’s usefulness are suggested.
Sphalerite and arsenopyrite at the Brunswick no. 12 massive-sulfide deposit, Bathurst Camp, New Brunswick: Constraints on P-T evolution

La sphalerite et l'arsenopyrite d'un systeme hydrothermal nourricier associe au gisement de sulfures massifs de Brunswick No. 12 (camp minier de Bathurst, Nouveau-Brunswick), maintenant transpose et recristallise, sont typiquement associees a un assemblage de pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, quartz, et une chlorite ferrifere. Les resultats d'analyses texturales et chimiques de la sphalerite et l'arsenopyrite incluses dans la pyrite metamorphique en coexistence avec la pyrrhotite indiquent une variation importante en pression entre les conditions epigenetiques, precoces, et celles de la recristallisation au debut de l'evenement D 1 / M La teneur de la sphalerite en X F e S , variant entre 11.4 et 15.2% (base molaire), concorde avec une pression de 770 a 440 MPa, qui representerait la pression maximale et la pression a un stade tardif de l'evenement D 1 , respectivement. La preservation locale d'une intercroissance squelettique d'arsenopyrite et de pyrite, une zonation claire dans certains cristaux d'arsenopyrite, ainsi qu'un rapport As:S eleve (entre 31.5 et 33.9% As, base d'atomes; 375-475°C), et des teneurs elevees en Co (entre 0.5 et 10%) et Ni (entre 0.1 et 1.4%) dans la zone intermediaire ou centrale de plusieurs cristaux d'arsenopyrite, pourrait bien temoigner de conditions epigenetiques dans le socle sub-oceanique. La recristallisation au cours du metamorphisme a mene a une reduction du rapport As:S (dans l'intervalle de 29 a presque 32% As; <425°C) et, en general, une diminution des teneurs en Ni et en Co de l'arsenopyrite. La variation en composition de la sphalerite et de l'arsenopyrite concorde avec les degres variables de preservation texturale et de re-equilibrage local en composition au cours de l'evolution metamorphique complexe en termes des conditions P-T.
A Hybrid Model for Forecasting Sales in Turkish Paint Industry

Sales forecasting is important for facilitating effective and efficient allocation of scarce resources. However, how to best model and forecast sales has been a long-standing issue. There is no best forecasting method that is applicable in all circumstances. Therefore, confidence in the accuracy of sales forecasts is achieved by corroborating the results using two or more methods. This paper proposes a hybrid forecasting model that uses an artificial intelligence method (AI) with multiple linear regression (MLR) to predict product sales for the largest Turkish paint producer. In the hybrid model, three different AI methods, fuzzy rule-based system (FRBS), artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy network (ANFIS), are used and compared to each other. The results indicate that FRBS yields better forecasting accuracy in terms of root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE).