Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Single-Carbon Stable Isotope Ratio Model Prediction Equation Can Estimate Self-Reported Added Sugars Intake in an Adult Population Living in Southwest Virginia

The δ13C value of blood is a novel proposed biomarker of added sugars (AS) intake. AS prediction equations using either a single- (δ13C) or dual-isotope model (δ13C and δ15N) were previously developed in an adult population with high AS intake living in southwest Virginia (reference group). The purpose of this investigation was to test the δ13C single- and δ13C and δ15N dual-isotope prediction equations for AS intake in adults with a lower mean AS intake and different demographic characteristics (test group). The blood samples for the reference (n = 257 for single-isotope, n = 115 for dual-isotope) and test groups (n = 56) were analyzed for δ13C and δ15N values using natural abundance stable isotope mass spectrometry and were compared to reported dietary AS intake. When the δ13C single-isotope equation was applied to the test group, predicted AS intake was not significantly different from reported AS intake (mean difference ± standard error = −3.6 ± 5.5 g, Z = −0.55, p = 0.51). When testing the dual-isotope equation, predicted AS was different from reported AS intake (mean difference ± SEM = 13.0 ± 5.4 g, Z = −2.95, p = 0.003). δ13C value was able to predict AS intake using a blood sample within this population subset. The single-isotope prediction equation may be an alternative method to assess AS intake and is more objective, cost-feasible, and efficient than traditional dietary assessment methods. However, more research is needed to assess this biomarker with rigorous study designs such as controlled feeding.
Review: The bile acids urso- and tauroursodeoxycholic acid as neuroprotective therapies in retinal disease

Bile acids are produced in the liver and excreted into the intestine, where their main function is to participate in lipid digestion. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) have shown antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in various models of neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms through which these bile acids act as neuroprotectors, delaying translation to the clinical setting. We review evidence supporting a potentially therapeutic role for bile acids in retinal disorders, and the mechanisms and pathways involved in the cytoprotective effects of bile acids from the liver and the enterohepatic circulation to the central nervous system and the retina. As secondary bile acids are generated by the microbiota metabolism, bile acids might be a link between neurodegenerative retinal diseases and microbiota.
“Force Multipliers” and “Risk Multipliers”: Organizational Myth and Gender Integration of the U.S. Combat Arms Military Occupational Specialties and Units

ABSTRACT This study examines the employment of gendered frameworks accompanying organizational imperatives to diversify and offer equal opportunities through a content analysis of the Women in Service Review conducted prior to gender integration of the U.S. military’s combat arms in 2015. Through a framework of gender difference, these documents support the organizational position that integrating women into combat arms can enhance, but mostly endangers, military capability. Additionally, the military’s focus on developing gender-neutral standards both claims erasure of gender as a barrier to inclusion while asserting “intrinsic” gender differences that account for (and justify) women’s continued underrepresentation in combat arms units.
Murine Oncostatin M Has Opposing Effects on the Proliferation of OP9 Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and NIH/3T3 Fibroblasts Signaling through the OSMR

The IL-6 family cytokine Oncostatin M (OSM) is involved in cell development, growth, hematopoiesis, inflammation, and cancer. Intriguingly, OSM has proliferative and antiproliferative effects depending on the target cell. The molecular mechanisms underlying these opposing effects are not fully understood. Previously, we found OSM upregulation in different myeloproliferative syndromes. However, OSM receptor (OSMR) expression was detected on stromal cells but not the malignant cells themselves. In the present study, we, therefore, investigated the effect of murine OSM (mOSM) on proliferation in stromal and fibroblast cell lines. We found that mOSM impairs the proliferation of bone marrow (BM) stromal cells, whereas fibroblasts responded to mOSM with increased proliferation. When we set out to reveal the mechanisms underlying these opposing effects, we detected increased expression of the OSM receptors OSMR and LIFR in stromal cells. Interestingly, Osmr knockdown and Lifr overexpression attenuated the OSM-mediated effect on proliferation in both cell lines indicating that mOSM affected the proliferation signaling mainly through the OSMR. Furthermore, mOSM induced activation of the JAK-STAT, PI3K-AKT, and MAPK-ERK pathways in OP9 and NIH/3T3 cells with differences in total protein levels between the two cell lines. Our findings offer new insights into the regulation of proliferation by mOSM.
Reusable Ag@TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Nanocomposite Membranes for Solar Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern

Two significant limitations of using TiO2 nanoparticles for water treatment applications are reduced photocatalytic activity under visible radiation and difficulty recovering the particles after use. In this study, round-shaped Ag@TiO2 nanocomposites with a ≈21 nm diameter and a bandgap energy of 2.8 eV were synthesised by a deposition-precipitation method. These nanocomposites were immobilised into a porous poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) matrix and well-distributed within the pores. The photocatalytic activity of Ag@TiO2/PVDF-HFP against metronidazole (MNZ) under solar radiation was evaluated. Further, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was applied to predict the effect of four independent variables, including initial pollutant concentration, pH, light irradiation intensity, and reaction time, on the photocatalytic performance of the composite membrane on MNZ degradation. The 10% Ag@TiO2/PVDF-HFP composite membrane showed a maximum removal efficiency of 100% after 5 h under solar radiation. After three use cycles, this efficiency remained practically constant, demonstrating the membranes’ reusability and suitability for water remediation applications.
Decoupled Glucose and Lipid Metabolic Recovery after Viral Clearance in Direct-Acting Antiviral-Treated HCV Patients: A 3-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Background/Aim: The recovery pattern of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated metabolic alteration after sustained virological response (SVR) following direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) remains elusive. Methods: A prospective cohort study of chronic HCV-infected (CHC) patients (n = 415) receiving DAAs (n = 365) was conducted. Metabolic profiles were examined in SVR patients (n = 360) every 3–6 months after therapy and compared with those of sex- and age-matched controls (n = 470). Results: At baseline, of 415, 168 (40.5%) had insulin resistance (IR). The following were associated: levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), HCV RNA, fibrosis-4 score, and interferon-λ3-rs12979860 genotype with total cholesterol (TC) levels; and TG levels and BMI with HOMA-IR. Over a 3-year follow-up, in SVR patients, BMI and TC levels and TG/HDL-C ratios increased from baseline, while HOMA-IR trended downward by 72 weeks after therapy and then increased. The increased HDL-C levels began to decrease after 72 weeks after therapy. TC and HOMA-IR were negatively associated with each other until 24 weeks after therapy. Earlier increases in BMI and decreases in HOMA-IR were noted in SVR patients with than in those without baseline IR. Compared with controls, in the subgroup without baseline IR, SVR patients had increased BMI and HOMA-IR levels. Metabolic profiles were similar between SVR patients and controls in the subgroup with baseline IR. Conclusions: In SVR patients treated with DAAs, the recovery of altered lipid and glucose metabolism was not coupled until 72-week post-therapy, when HOMA-IR reached its nadir. SVR patients with baseline IR recovered from HCV-associated metabolic alterations earlier than those without baseline IR.
Taking the perspective of narrative characters

An ongoing debate in the interpretation of referring expressions concerns the degree to which listeners make use of perspective information during referential processing. We aim to contribute to this debate by considering perspective shifting in narrative discourse. In a web-based mouse-tracking experiment in Dutch, we investigated whether listeners automatically shift to a narrative character’s perspective when resolving ambiguous referring expressions, and whether different linguistic perspective-shifting devices affect how and when listeners switch to another perspective. We compared perspective-neutral, direct, and free indirect discourse, manipulating which objects are visible to the character. Our results do not show a clear effect of the perspective shifting devices on participants’ eventual choice of referent, but our online mouse-tracking data reveal processing differences that suggest that listeners are indeed sensitive to the conventional markers of perspective shift associated with direct and (to a lesser degree) free indirect discourse.
Low-invasive Neurophysiological Evaluation of Human Emotional State on Teleworkers

: Human emotions decoding and assessment is a hot research topic since its implications would be relevant in a huge set of clinical and social applications. Current emotion recognition and evaluation approaches are usually based on interactions between a “patient” and a “specialist”. However, this methodology is intrinsically affected by subjective biases and lack of objectiveness. Recent advancements in neuroscience enable the use of traditional biosensors and maybe commercial wearable devices, which lead to a certain grade of invasiveness for the subject. The proposed study explored an innovative low-invasive hybrid method, based on the use of video data and smart bracelet, to overcome such technological limitations. In particular, we investigated the capability of an Emotional Index (EI), computed by combining the Heart Rate (HR) and the Skin Conductance Level (SCL) estimated through video-based and wearable technology, in discriminating Positive and Negative emotional state during interactive webcalls. The results revealed that the computed EI significantly increased during the Positive condition compared to the Negative one (p = 0.0008) and the Baseline (p = 0.003). Such evidences were confirmed by the subjective data and the classification performance parameters. In this regard, the EI discriminated between two emotional states with an accuracy of 79.4%.
Still Not Getting Energy Prices Right: A Global and Country Update of Fossil Fuel Subsidies

This paper provides a comprehensive global, regional, and country-level update of: (i) efficient fossil fuel prices to reflect supply and environmental costs; and (ii) subsidies implied by charging below efficient fuel prices. The methodology improves over previous IMF analyses through more sophisticated estimation of costs and impacts of reform. Globally, fossil fuel subsidies were $5.9 trillion in 2020 or about 6.8 percent of GDP and are expected to rise to 7.4 percent of GDP in 2025. Just 8 percent of the 2020 subsidy reflects undercharging for supply costs (explicit subsidies) and 92 percent for undercharging for environmental costs and foregone consumption taxes (implicit subsidies). Efficient fuel pricing in 2025 would reduce global carbon dioxide global carbon dioxide emissions 36 percent below baseline levels, which is in line with keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees, while raising revenues worth 3.8 percent of global GDP and preventing 0.9 million local air pollution deaths per year. Accompanying spreadsheets provide detailed results for 191 countries.
Selection of lags and univariate models to forecast industrial production in an Emerging country: is disagreggation useful?

A point to address is if the use of disaggregated data helps in forecasting variables. Our point is whether the prediction of the disaggregated components of Brazilian industrial production improves the accuracy of the forecast of aggregate Brazilian industrial production. Our contribution is that we do not know articles that address the contribution of the disaggregated data of the weighted lag adaptative least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (WLadaLASSO) methodology or the exponential smoothing (selecting the most appropriate model). We estimate a rolling window of 100 xed observations and we evaluate the forecast from 1 to 12 months ahead for Brazilian industrial production, in which we estimate 61 rolling windows. Our results point to a better performance of the exponential smoothing model with disaggregated data for the forecast of 1 to 7 months ahead for Brazilian industrial production by mean square error (MSE). But WLadaLASSO disaggregated forecasts with more accuracy for 8 to 12 months ahead by MSE.
IMPROVING STUDENTSâ€™ VOCABULARY MASTERY THROUGH CROSSWORD PUZZLE GAME TO THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP SWASTA DHARMA BAKTI MEDAN

This research is aimed to improve studentsâ€™ vocabulary mastery through the application of crossword puzzle game. The subject of this research of the eighth grade students of SMP Swasta Dharma Bakti Medan. This research was conducted by applying Classroom Action Research (CAR) which was performed in two cycles (cycle I and cycle II) and each cycle consisted of three meetings. This instrument of collecting data are quantitative (vocabulary test) data and qualitative data (diary notes, observation sheet and photograph evidences). the result of vocabulary test as the quantitative data show that mean of studentsâ€™ score increased continuously from pre-test 36,71, post-test in cycle I 64.10, to post-test cycle II 78,48. The diary notes, observation sheet and photograph evidences as qualitative data showed that the teaching and learning process ran well. It was found that crossword puzzle game could improve studentsâ€™ vocabulary mastery. It is suggested that teachers of English should apply crossword puzzle game as one of the game in teaching vocabulary mastery.
Survival impact of adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitor in chronic myeloid leukemia

Background/Aims Adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has become a critical aspect of care in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We aimed to examine the association of TKI adherence with overall survival (OS) outcomes in Korean patients diagnosed with CML and treated with TKIs using data from the National Health Information Database. Methods This study included 2,870 CML patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2013. Drug adherence was evaluated according to the medication possession ratio (MPR) and classified as high adherence (i.e., MPR ≥ 0.95 [upper 50%]), moderate adherence (i.e., MPR ≥ 0.68 and < 0.95 [middle 25%]), and low adherence (i.e., MPR < 0.68 [lower 25%]). Results The median MPR was 0.95 (range, 0 to 4.67). Male sex (p = 0.003), age < 70 years (p < 0.001), high income (≥ 30%, p < 0.001), and maintaining frontline TKI (< 0.001) were associated with better adherence. Adherence to dasatinib was the lowest (vs. imatinib or nilotinib, p < 0.001). Compared with high MPR patients, those with moderate MPR (hazard ratio [HR], 4.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.87 to 6.19; p < 0.001) and low MPR (HR, 11.6; 95% CI, 9.35 to 14.42; p < 0.001) had poorer OS. Conclusions Adherence to TKI treatment is an important factor predicting survival outcomes in Korean CML patients. Male sex, age < 70 years, high income, and maintaining frontline TKI are associated with high adherence to TKI. Thus, those without these characteristics should be closely monitored for treatment adherence.
Hoplite Antivirus for Adversarial Attacks: A Theoretical Approach

: In the scientiﬁc community of Machine Learning and Artiﬁcial Intelligence, Adversarial Attacks are evolving to an emerging issue. Carefully perturbed data samples invade to deep neural networks and cause problems, such as misclassiﬁcations and false / malformed outputs. The community has proposed multiple defense strategies, in order to overcome this problem. This paper summarizes the existing (and most well-known) adversarial attacks & defenses. Then, it proposes a potential solution to the issue, with a theoretical approach of an antivirus software scenario, the Hoplite Antivirus. This approach could be a vital step towards addressing the constantly evolving adversarial attacks, taking a note from the way software scientists defended (and keep defending) against computer viruses.
Assessment of COVID-19 effects on satellite-observed aerosol loading over China with machine learning

Abstract Aerosols are a critical component of the climate system and a risk to human health. Here, the lockdown response to the coronavirus outbreak is used to analyse effects of dramatic reduction in anthropogenic aerosol sources on satellite-retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD). A machine learning model is applied to estimate daily AOD during the initial lockdown in China in early 2020. The model uses information on aerosol climatology, geography and meteorological conditions, and explains 69% of the day-to-day AOD variability. A comparison of model-expected and observed AOD shows that no clear, systematic decrease in AOD is apparent during the lockdown in China. During March 2020, regional AOD is observed to be significantly lower than expected by the machine learning model in some coastal regions of the North China Plains and extending to the Korean peninsula. While this may possibly indicate a small lockdown effect on regional AOD, and potentially pointing trans-boundary effects of the lockdown measures, due to uncertainties associated with the method and the limited sample sizes, this AOD decrease cannot be unequivocally attributed to reduced anthropogenic emissions. Climatologically expected AOD is compared to a weather-adjusted expectation of AOD, indicating that meteorological influences have acted to significantly increase AOD during this time, in agreement with recent literature. The findings highlight the complexity of aerosol variability and the challenges of observation-based attribution of columnar aerosol changes.
Effect of NSAIDs Supplementation on the PACAP-, SP- and GAL-Immunoreactive Neurons in the Porcine Jejunum

Side effects associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treatment are a serious limitation of their use in anti-inflammatory therapy. The negative effects of taking NSAIDs include abdominal pain, indigestion nausea as well as serious complications such as bleeding and perforation. The enteric nervous system is involved in regulation of gastrointestinal functions through the release of neurotransmitters. The present study was designed to determine, for the first time, the changes in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), substance P (SP) and galanin (GAL) expression in porcine jejunum after long-term treatment with aspirin, indomethacin and naproxen. The study was performed on 16 immature pigs. The animals were randomly divided into four experimental groups: control, aspirin, indomethacin and naproxen. Control animals were given empty gelatin capsules, while animals in the test groups received selected NSAIDs for 28 days. Next, animals from each group were euthanized. Frozen sections were prepared from collected jejunum and subjected to double immunofluorescence staining. NSAIDs supplementation caused a significant increase in the population of PACAP-, SP- and GAL-containing enteric neurons in the porcine jejunum. Our results suggest the participation of the selected neurotransmitters in regulatory processes of the gastrointestinal function and may indicate the direct toxic effect of NSAIDs on the ENS neurons.
The Crystal Chemistry of Rathite Based on New Electron-Microprobe Data and Single-Crystal Structure Refinements: The Role of Thallium

Crystal-structure refinements in space group P21/c were performed on five grains of rathite with different types and degrees of thallium, silver, and antimony substitutions, as well as quantitative electron-microprobe analyses of more than 800 different rathite samples. The results of these studies both enlarged and clarified the complex spectrum of cation substitutions and the crystal chemistry of rathite. The [Tl+ + As3+] ↔ 2Pb2+ scheme of substitution acts at the structural sites Pb1, Pb2, and Me6, the [Ag+ + As3+] ↔ 2Pb2+ substitution at Me5, and the Sb-for-As substitution at the Me3 site only. The homogeneity range of rathite was determined to be unusually large, ranging from very Tl-poor compositions (0.16 wt%; refined single-crystal unit-cell parameters: a = 8.471(2), b = 7.926(2), c = 25.186(5) Å, β = 100.58(3)°, V = 1662.4(6) Å3) to very Tl-rich compositions (11.78 wt%; a = 8.521(2), b = 8.005(2), c = 25.031(5) Å, β = 100.56(3)°, V = 1678.4(6) Å3). The Ag content is only slightly variable (3.1 wt%–4.1 wt%) with a mean value of 3.6 wt%. The Sb content is strongly variable (0.20 wt%–7.71 wt%) and not correlated with the Tl content. With increasing Tl content (0.16 wt%–11.78 wt%), a clear increase of the unit-cell parameters a, b, and V, and a slight decrease of c is observed, although this is somewhat masked by the randomly variable Sb content. The revised general formula of rathite may be written as AgxTlyPb16−2(x+y)As16+x+y−zSbzS40 (with 1.6 < x < 2, 0 < y < 3, 0 < z < 3.5). Based on Pb–S bond lengths, polyhedral characteristics and Pb-site bond-valence sums, we conclude that the Pb1 site is more affected by Tl substitution than the Pb2 site. When Tl substitution reaches values above 13 wt% (or 3 apfu), a new phase (“SR”), belonging to the rahite group, appears as lamellar exsolution intergrowths with Tl-rich rathite (11.78 wt%). Rathite is found only in the Lengenbach and Reckibach deposits, Binntal, Canton Wallis, Switzerland.
Kualitas Kertas Seni Berbahan Baku Pelepah Tanaman Salak Dengan Perlakuan Konsentrasi Naoh Dan Konsentrasi Lem Pvac

The salacca midrib has not been used and just be a waste whereas content of 42.54% high cellulose which can be used to make art paper. This research aims to determine the quality of the salacca midrib (tensile strength, tear strength, and sensory) by NaOH treatment concentration and concentration of PVAc. This research used an experimental method completely randomized design (CRD) two factorial. Factor 1: The concentration of NaOH (K), K0 = Without concentration of NaOH, K1 = 10%, K2 = 15%. Factor 2: Concentration of PVAc (T), T1 = 2%, T2 = 5%. Test results average tensile strength highest in treatment K1T2 (concentration of NaOH 10% and concentration of PVAC 5% ) 0,535 N / mm2, the average tear strength highest in treatment K1T2 (concentration of NaOH 10% and concentration of PVAC 5% ) 23.972 N. The test results of sensory properties of the highest in treatment K0T1 texture (without NaOH concentration and concentration PVAc 2%), Appearance of the highest fiber contained in two treatments, that is K0T1 treatment (without NaOH concentration, concentration of glue 2%) and treatment K0T2 (without NaOH concentration, concentration PVAC 5%), and art paper most favored by public in treatment K2T1 (concentration of NaOH 15% and concentration of PVAc 2%.