Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental Management Systems in Thai Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Firms

This study is aimed at examining the internal and external factors influencing the implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) in Thai small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. Questionnaires were used to gather survey data, with 100 responses being received through random sampling. Multiple-regression was deployed for statistical analysis based on the research framework. The results show that thinking/ perception, awareness, and legislation are the critical factors influencing EMS implementation. However, it also emerged that the level of such implementation in Thai small and medium-sized manufacturing is quite low. Hence, it is recommended that Thai SMEs should aim to enhance their EMS implementation through focusing on the identified critical factors, thereby ensuring an environmentally friendly manufacturing industry in the future.
SOME MODEL THEORY OF GUARDED NEGATION

Abstract The Guarded Negation Fragment (GNFO) is a fragment of first-order logic that contains all positive existential formulas, can express the first-order translations of basic modal logic and of many description logics, along with many sentences that arise in databases. It has been shown that the syntax of GNFO is restrictive enough so that computational problems such as validity and satisfiability are still decidable. This suggests that, in spite of its expressive power, GNFO formulas are amenable to novel optimizations. In this article we study the model theory of GNFO formulas. Our results include effective preservation theorems for GNFO, effective Craig Interpolation and Beth Definability results, and the ability to express the certain answers of queries with respect to a large class of GNFO sentences within very restricted logics.
A parameter-uniform higher order finite difference scheme for singularly perturbed time-dependent parabolic problem with two small parameters

ABSTRACT In the present paper, a parameter-uniform numerical method is constructed and analysed for solving one-dimensional singularly perturbed parabolic problems with two small parameters. The solution of this class of problems may exhibit exponential (or parabolic) boundary layers at both the left and right part of the lateral surface of the domain. A decomposition of the solution in its regular and singular parts has been used for the asymptotic analysis of the spatial derivatives. To approximate the solution, we consider the implicit Euler method for time stepping on a uniform mesh and a special hybrid monotone difference operator for spatial discretization on a specially designed piecewise uniform Shishkin mesh. The resulting scheme is shown to be first-order convergent in temporal direction and almost second-order convergent in spatial direction. We then improve the order of convergence in time by means of the Richardson extrapolation technique used in temporal variable only. The resulting scheme is proved to be uniformly convergent of order two in both the spatial and temporal variables. Numerical experiments support the theoretically proved higher order of convergence and show that the present scheme gives better accuracy and convergence compared of other existing methods in the literature.
“You never really know who’s looking”: Imagined surveillance across social media platforms

Social media users are routinely counseled to cultivate their online personae with acumen and diligence. But universal prescriptions for impression management may prove for vexing for college students, who confront oft-conflicting codes of normative self-presentation in digital contexts. Against this backdrop, our research sought to examine the online self-presentation activities of emerging adults (18–24) across an expansive social media ecology that included Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Twitter. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with 28 Fcollege-aged youth, we highlight how the imagined surveillance of various social actors steered their self-presentation practices in patterned ways. After exploring three distinct responses to imagined surveillance—including the use of privacy settings, self-monitoring, and pseudonymous accounts (including “Finstas,” or fake + Instagram)—we consider the wider implications of a cultural moment wherein users are socialized to anticipate the incessant monitoring of social institutions: family, educators, and above all, (future) employers.
Behavior of a Bayesian adaptation method for incremental enrollment in speaker verification

Classical adaptation approaches are generally used for speaker or environment adaptation of speech recognition systems. In this paper, we use such techniques for the incremental training of client models in a speaker verification system. The initial model is trained on a very limited amount of data and then progressively updated with access data, using a segmental-EM procedure. In supervised mode (i.e. when access utterances are certified), the incremental approach yields equivalent performance to the batch one. We also investigate on the impact of various scenarios of impostor attacks during the incremental enrollment phase. All results are obtained with the Picassoft platform-the state-of-the-art speaker verification system developed in the PICASSO project.
The Effect of Decision Maker’s Risk Attitude on Inventory Policy: An Empirical Studies

Conventional inventory models assumed that the decision makers are risk neutral. However, in reality, some are risk seeking, and the other are risk averse persons. This personal degree of risk preference may result in different policy. This paper investigate the effect of decision makers’ risk attitude in determining the inventory policy. Two case studies are used. Each case study represents different conditions. Optimal order quantity decisions for restaurants are used as the first case study. For restaurants, inventory should be managed efficiently since their business manage perishable goods and has short selling period. Twenty restaurants with similar market segments are observed. In the second case study, we observe how a multinational company determine its raw materials servive levels. Based on the two case studies, it shows that risk attitudes do influence the inventory policy. Also we found that personal risk attitude may not constant. It may change for some reasons.
Picking Station Location in Traditional and Flying-V Aisle Warehouses for Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System

This paper studies the optimal location of picking stations for robotic mobile fulfillment system, which is a parts-to-picker storage system with robots lifting pods directly to stationary pickers. While few previous researches focus on picking station location problem, we develop an integer programming model to determine the optimal location of picking stations to minimize the total traveling distance of robots. In addition, we compare the performance of both traditional layout and flying-V layout under random storage assignment policy. A series of numerical experiments are conducted, and the results show that flying-V designs can obtain 8–18% distance saving comparing to traditional designs. Besides, with each additional picking station, the marginal advantage of distance saving is gradually decreasing and the average saving is about 10%. These achievements can offer valuable insights to warehouse designers in practice.
Comparison of Cardiac miRNA Transcriptomes Induced by Diabetes and Rapamycin Treatment and Identification of a Rapamycin-Associated Cardiac MicroRNA Signature

Rapamycin (Rap), an inhibitor of mTORC1, reduces obesity and improves lifespan in mice. However, hyperglycemia and lipid disorders are adverse side effects in patients receiving Rap treatment. We previously reported that diabetes induces pansuppression of cardiac cytokines in Zucker obese rats (ZO-C). Rap treatment (750 μg/kg/day for 12 weeks) reduced their obesity and cardiac fibrosis significantly; however, it increased their hyperglycemia and did not improve their cardiac diastolic parameters. Moreover, Rap treatment of healthy Zucker lean rats (ZL-C) induced cardiac fibrosis. Rap-induced changes in ZL-C's cardiac cytokine profile shared similarities with that of diabetes-induced ZO-C. Therefore, we hypothesized that the cardiac microRNA transcriptome induced by diabetes and Rap treatment could share similarities. Here, we compared the cardiac miRNA transcriptome of ZL-C to ZO-C, Rap-treated ZL (ZL-Rap), and ZO (ZO-Rap). We report that 80% of diabetes-induced miRNA transcriptome (40 differentially expressed miRNAs by minimum 1.5-fold in ZO-C versus ZL-C; p ≤ 0.05) is similar to 47% of Rap-induced miRNA transcriptome in ZL (68 differentially expressed miRNAs by minimum 1.5-fold in ZL-Rap versus ZL-C; p ≤ 0.05). This remarkable similarity between diabetes-induced and Rap-induced cardiac microRNA transcriptome underscores the role of miRNAs in Rap-induced insulin resistance. We also show that Rap treatment altered the expression of the same 17 miRNAs in ZL and ZO hearts indicating that these 17 miRNAs comprise a unique Rap-induced cardiac miRNA signature. Interestingly, only four miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between ZO-C and ZO-Rap, indicating that, unlike the nondiabetic heart, Rap did not substantially change the miRNA transcriptome in the diabetic heart. In silico analyses showed that (a) mRNA-miRNA interactions exist between differentially expressed cardiac cytokines and miRNAs, (b) human orthologs of rat miRNAs that are strongly correlated with cardiac fibrosis may modulate profibrotic TGF-β signaling, and (c) changes in miRNA transcriptome caused by diabetes or Rap treatment include cardioprotective miRNAs indicating a concurrent activation of an adaptive mechanism to protect the heart in conditions that exacerbate diabetes.
Hedgehog signaling induces PD-L1 expression and tumor cell proliferation in gastric cancer

Tumor cells expressing programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) interact with PD-1 on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to inhibit CTL effector function. In gastric cancer, the mechanism regulating PD-L1 is unclear. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is reactivated in various cancers including gastric. Here we tested the hypothesis that Hh-induced PD-L1 inactivates effector T cell function and allows gastric cancer cell proliferation. Mouse organoids were generated from tumors of a triple-transgenic mouse model engineered to express an activated GLI2 allele, GLI2A, in Lgr5-expressing stem cells, (mTGOs) or normal mouse stomachs (mGOs). Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) were pulsed with conditioned media collected from normal (mGOCM) or cancer (mTGOCM) organoids. Pulsed DCs and CTLs were then co-cultured with either mGOs or mTGOs in the presence of PD-L1 neutralizing antibody (PD-L1Ab). Human-derived gastric cancer organoids (huTGOs) were used in drug and xenograft assays. Hh/Gli inhibitor, GANT-61 significantly reduced the expression of PD-L1 and tumor cell proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. PD-L1Ab treatment induced tumor cell apoptosis in mTGO/immune cell co-cultures. GANT-61 treatment sensitized huTGOs to standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs both in vivo and in vitro. Thus, Hh signaling mediates PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer cells and subsequently promotes tumor proliferation.
Irisin regulates the expression of BDNF and glycometabolism in diabetic rats

Irisin is a proteolytic product of the fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5. The aim of the present study was to verify whether irisin is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic mild cognitive impairment and elucidate the associated mechanisms. Diabetic rats were divided into four groups: Control, Model, Irisin (overexpression of irisin) and Irisin-short hairpin (sh)-RNA (irisin interference). The levels of irisin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (GHbA1c) and advanced glycated end products (AGEs) in the serum were determined using ELISA. The expression of BDNF in the hippocampal tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis. Compared with the Control group, the levels of irisin and BDNF were markedly decreased in the Model and Irisin-shRNA groups, whereas those of GHbA1c and AGEs were markedly increased. However, the levels of irisin and BDNF in the Irisin group were significantly higher than those in the Model group, whereas the levels of GHbA1c and AGEs in the Irisin group were significantly lower. Irisin-shRNA significantly downregulated the expression of irisin and BDNF, and upregulated the levels of GHbA1c and AGEs, compared with those in the Model group. Rat primary hippocampal nerve cells were isolated and identified by microtubule-associated protein-2 labeling. The vitality of primary cells from diabetic rats, evaluated using a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, was markedly decreased and further reduced following the injection of irisin-shRNA, however, it was markedly improved following irisin treatment. The mRNA and protein levels of BDNF in the primary cells were evaluated by fluorogenic reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses, respectively, following the exposure of cells to different concentrations of glucose: 0 (control), 5.5, 15 and 25 mmol/l for 12, 24 and 48 h. The mRNA and protein expression levels of BDNF in the primary cells following exposure to glucose were significantly lower than those observed in the control. Further exposure to glucose led to a significant decrease in the expression of BDNF. In conclusion, irisin may regulate the expression of BDNF and glycometabolism in diabetic rats.
A New Insight into the Roles of MiRNAs in Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which includes several clinical components such as abdominal obesity, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, microalbuminuria, hypertension, proinflammatory state, and oxidative stress (OS), has become a global epidemic health issue contributing to a high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs), used as noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy, have aroused global interest in complex processes in health and diseases, including MetS and its components. MiRNAs can exist stably in serum, liver, skeletal muscle (SM), heart muscle, adipose tissue (AT), and βcells, because of their ability to escape the digestion of RNase. Here we first present an overall review on recent findings of the relationship between miRNAs and several main components of MetS, such as IR, obesity, diabetes, lipid metabolism, hypertension, hyperuricemia, and stress, to illustrate the targeting proteins or relevant pathways that are involved in the progress of MetS and also help us find promising novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Skin Microcirculatory Changes in Relation to Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation

Maturation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) involves complex vascular remodeling. In this study, we evaluated the changes of skin microvascular perfusion over the extremity with AVF maturation using the laser Doppler fluximetry (LDF). A total of 45 patients with chronic kidney disease, Stages IV–V, were included; they had undergone AVF creation from July 2014 to June 2016 at our institute. The measurement of skin microvascular perfusion was accomplished proximal and distal to the fistula anastomosis site: pre- and post-operative day 1, week 2, week 6, and week 12. Thirty-two patients with mean age of 55.6 had achieved AVF maturation. There were 40.6% radial-based and 59.4% brachial-based AVF. There was a 32.8% reduction of mean skin perfusion distal to the fistula by day 1 compared to the baseline perfusion; however, perfusion increased 47% by week 2 compared to day 1 and no dramatic change was subsequently noted. There was an increase of mean skin perfusion, proximal to fistula anastomosis, over 12 weeks with 35.8% at day 1 from the baseline. However, the changes of the mean skin perfusion were not statistically significant. There was no significant relation of skin perfusion changes with the type of fistula, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. LDF successfully detected the subclinical change of skin microvascular perfusion in relation to AVF creation. Reduction of skin perfusion distal to the fistula suggests that in patients with existing perfusion inadequacy of extremities, they may experience ischemic symptoms as early as day 1 postoperation, and require close monitoring for distal limb ischemic-related complications.
Metformin attenuates cells stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway

The present study aimed to examine the roles and mechanisms of metformin in the stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of colorectal cancer cells. The formation of spheroid cells, and the results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses showed that metformin suppressed the ability to form spheroid cells and the expression of stemness markers in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Additionally, metformin attenuated the EMT process, characterized by a decrease of mesenchymal marker Vimentin and an increase in the expression of an epithelial marker. Mechanistically, metformin inactivated the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, and reactivation of Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling attenuated the inhibition of metformin on the stemness of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells and EMT. Finally, it was revealed that metformin re-sensitized HCT116 sphere cells to 5-fluorouracil resistance. These results suggest that metformin can attenuate stemness and EMT in colorectal cancer cells.
Monocular Clinical Outcomes and Range of Near Vision following Cataract Surgery with Implantation of an Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens

Importance A full range of near and intermediate vision has not been clinically evaluated for the Symfony extended depth of focus intraocular lens (EDOF IOL). Background To evaluate the monocular range of near visual acuity with an EDOF IOL. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Consecutive patients of a single surgeon from January 2017 through March 2018. Methods Phacoemulsification with implantation of an EDOF IOL. Main Outcome Measures Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA), range of DCNVA, and optimal near focal length. Results Seventy-six eyes of 48 patients (34 or 71% female, mean age: 68 years) were included with a mean follow-up of 68 days. Mean values were as follows: logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) UDVA 0.02 ± 0.09, logMAR UNVA 0.12 ± 0.09 at a mean distance of 51 cm, logMAR CDVA −0.05 ± 0.07, logMAR DCNVA 0.08 ± 0.07 at a mean distance of 51 cm, and a spherical equivalent of −0.16 diopters ±0.35. Percentage of eyes achieving DCNVA of 20/30 were 84% at 36 cm, 92% at 41 cm, 99% at 51 cm, 93% at 61 cm, and 74% at 71 cm. DCNVA of 20/40 or better was achieved in nearly 100% of eyes over a range of 35 cm. Conclusions and Relevance The Symfony EDOF IOL achieved excellent distance visual acuity while providing a 35 cm range of near visual acuity at levels useful for many tasks in nearly all patients.
Autophagy flux inhibition mediated by celastrol sensitized lung cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via regulation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and reactive oxygen species

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is well known as a transmembrane cytokine and has been proposed as one of the most effective anti-cancer therapeutic agents, owing to its efficiency to selectively induce cell death in a variety of tumor cells. Suppression of autophagy flux has been increasingly acknowledged as an effective and novel therapeutic intervention for cancer. The present study demonstrated that the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drug celastrol, through its anti-metastatic properties, may initiate TRAIL-mediated apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells. This sensitization was negatively affected by N-acetyl-l-cysteine, which restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Notably, treatment with celastrol caused an increase in microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B-II and p62 levels, whereas co-treatment of celastrol and TRAIL increased active caspase 3 and 8 levels compared with the control, confirming inhibited autophagy flux. The combined use of TRAIL with celastrol may serve as a safe and adequate therapeutic technique for the treatment of TRAIL-resistant lung cancer, suggesting that celastrol-mediated autophagy flux inhibition sensitized TRAIL-initiated apoptosis via regulation of ROS and ΔΨm.
A Rare Case of Triple-Negative Essential Thrombocythemia in a Young Postsplenectomy Patient: A Diagnostic Challenge

The distinction between primary and reactive thrombocytosis by bone marrow histology is very important. Reactive thrombocytosis, the most common cause of thrombocytosis, can be expected in postsplenectomy states; however, close hematological evaluation of prolonged thrombocytosis is essential to identify patients who may have an underlying myeloproliferative neoplasm. We report a 37-year-old woman who was found to have portal, mesenteric, and splenic vein thrombosis with thrombocytosis, two months after she had a splenectomy for spontaneous splenic rupture. Other reactive conditions and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) were excluded, and subsequently, the diagnosis of triple-negative essential thrombocythemia (ET) was established by bone marrow histology. This case of primary thrombocythemia following splenectomy in a young patient illustrates some of the diagnostic difficulties associated with postsplenectomy thrombocytosis. Continuing reports of anecdotal experiences in managing similar complex scenarios is essential and remains the only reference for clinicians facing these rare conditions.
A Comparative Study of Byssinosis in Jute Industries

Background: Byssinosis is an acute respiratory difficulty that is caused usually following exposure to cotton and hemp dust. Occurrence of such similar acute symptoms had been reported following exposure to jute dust/fiber also. With passage of time, Jute industries have modernized themselves for increased quality and productivity, which has lessened workforce and thereby provided more working space. However, occupational health benefit due to such changes has rarely been explored. This study was initiated to understand whether this modernization can protect the health of workers. Methodology: This study was carried out in two jute mills manufacturing jute clothes, jute bags, and so on. Interview of the workers for their occupational and morbidity details, medical examinations, as well as pre-shift and post-shift pulmonary function tests was carried out. Results: It was observed that chest tightness was significantly more in the industry with old technologies. Breathlessness was also more in this industry. As far as pulmonary function status is concerned, it was noted that greater than 5% cross-shift change in forced expiratory volume in one second was more common in the industry with old technology. Obstructive feature on lung function test was also observed in workers of both industries. Conclusion: The study concluded that exposure to jute dust has contributed to both acute and chronic respiratory health effects in the jute industry workers. Modernized industry showed lesser prevalence of acute symptoms and changes related to byssinosis. Modernization of processes in jute industries may prove fruitful in lowering the respiratory problems of workers.