Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computational methods for big bucket production planning problems: feasible solutions and strong formulations

Given parameters such as demands and capacities, we define production planning problems as seeking a minimum-cost production plan that satisfies all the constraints of the finite horizon under consideration. Of particular interest for this thesis are multi-level production planning problems with big bucket capacities, i.e., in which multiple items compete for the same resources. These problems frequently occur in practice, yet remain daunting in their difficulty to solve. First, we study how to generate feasible solutions efficiently in practice, and we propose a heuristic framework based on mathematical programming techniques. This simple and flexible framework is not only capable of producing good solutions but also competitive lower bounds. However, as high duality gaps in the computational results indicate, a polyhedral analysis is necessary for a better understanding of why these problems are so hard to solve. Therefore, we next accomplish a polyhedral study. Traditional and new methodologies are discussed for obtaining lower bounds, and both theoretical and computational comparisons are provided. The results show that the bottleneck of these problems lies in the multi-item single-level single-machine capacitated problems. This provides us the motivation for the following chapter. Finally, we propose a method to generate all valid inequalities based on the convex hull of the 2-period subproblems, which may be the simplest model that captures the basis of the difficulty of these problems. The proposed method, "2-period convex hull closure", does not need any predefined inequalities, but it uses a new approach that applies some theory developed using duality. As computational results indicate, these two period closures improve lower bounds significantly by approximating the convex hull of the problems creating the bottleneck. We also analyze some of the generated cuts to achieve a better understanding of these problems. Our main contribution is a thorough analysis of these difficult problems, for which only limited results exist, from both feasible solutions and lower bounds aspects, and generality is an important advantage of our approaches. In particular, the methodology of 2-period convex hull closure is an original approach for production planning problems that also has significant potential to extend to other MIP problems.
New Fluoroquinolone‐1,2,4‐triazoles as Potent Antibacterial Agents: Design, Synthesis, Docking Studies and in Silico ADME Profiles

Our current work is aimed at synthesizing novel substituted 1,2,4‐triazolyl‐fluoroquinolone analogs and study of their biological activity to find active promising molecules. The structural elucidation of the products was demonstrated by a variety of spectroscopic methods such as IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, mass and elemental analysis. The newly synthesized 1,2,4‐triazole derivatives were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit the growth of seven different microbes including S. epidermidis, S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. Five FQ derivatives 5d, 5e, 5h, 5j, and 5b have demonstrated good antibacterial activity against S. pneumoniae with MICs ranging from 2.5–22.0 μg/mL, while 5c, 5g reported comparable activity against P. aeruginosa with respect to the standard drugs moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The possible mechanism of antibacterial activity of fluoroquinolones was investigated via molecular docking by using DNA gyrase of S. pneumoniae (3RAE). The pefloxacin derivatives also tended a good antibacterial ability based on the results of the molecular docking, ligand 5h with good binding affinity (−9.92 Kcal/mol) and binding site interactions via ValA:86, SerA:79, TyrA:82, MetA:116, AspA:78, AlaA:63, ArgA:117, ProA:112, ProA:113, AlaA:115, AlaA:114. These scaffolds were further evaluated for their ADMET and physicochemical properties by using SwissADME, ADMETlab2.0 web server as a good oral bioavailability.
The Role of Filial Piety in Dyadic Recruitment of Chinese American Parents With Type 2 Diabetes and Their Adult Children

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is prevalent among Asian Americans, yet limited health care studies report on the recruitment and retention of this population. This study focuses on recruiting Chinese American dyads for family support of T2D management. Method: This is a descriptive study using active and passive recruitment strategies. Dyads consist of parents with T2D and their adult children without diabetes. All materials are culturally tailored and available in Chinese. Results: The final sample included 54 dyads. There were characteristic differences among parent participants in English language proficiency and education levels. Filial piety manifested as respect and care for one’s parents among Chinese American families contributed to recruitment success. Discussion: This article shares strategies for recruiting Chinese American dyads to explore family support dynamics for T2D self-management. The findings potentially add to current knowledge about culture, nursing, and health care.
Genetic fine‐mapping reveals single nucleotide polymorphism mutations in the MC1R regulatory region associated with duck melanism

Birds are among the most colourful terrestrial vertebrates, with various plumage colours and patterns. We conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on an intercross F2 population of Pekin ducks and mallards (n = 722) and identified a 1.57‐Mb genetic region (Chr11: 20,176,480–21,750,101 bp) related to duck melanism. Fine mapping by linkage disequilibrium (LD) and FST analysis narrowed the final candidate region to a region of 22,500 bp (Chr11: 20,677,500–20,700,000 bp) including three coding genes, TCF25, MC1R and TUBB3. Combined with transcriptome and qRT‐PCR analysis, MC1R was identified as the unique genetic locus responsible for black plumage in ducks, and it was significantly more highly expressed in the feather bulbs of black ducks. We also identified 52G > A (Chr11: 20,696,354G > A) and 376G > A (Chr11: 20,696,678G > A) mutations in the MC1R coding region that have been widely studied in ducks. In addition, structural variations (SVs) were screened by nanopore sequencing, and no significant SV was found to be associated with the duck black plumage trait. However, we identified four novel single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MC1R regulator region (Chr11: 20,678,412G > A, Chr11: 20,679,236G > A, Chr11: 20,692,496 A > G and Chr11: 20,692,791 A > G) that had a strong association with the black plumage phenotype of ducks and combined with potential changes in transcription binding affinities. The luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that Chr11: 20,678,412G > A and Chr11: 20,679,236G > A led to significant promoter activity changes. Our research emphasizes the importance of MC1R regulatory region mutation in determining the duck black plumage phenotype, and these results expand our understanding of the genetic mechanism underlying duck plumage colour.
COLOR DEPENDENCE IN THE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF MAIN BELT ASTEROIDS REVISITED

The size distribution of the asteroid belt is examined with 16956 main belt asteroids detected in data taken from the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey in two filters (g′ and r′). The cumulative H (absolute magnitude) distribution is examined in both filters, and both match well to simple power laws down to H = 17, with slopes in rough agreement with those reported the literature. This implies that disruptive collisions between asteroids are gravitationally dominated down to at least this size, and probably sub-kilometer scales. The slopes of these distributions appear shallower in the outer belt than the inner belt, and the g′ distributions appear slightly steeper than the r′. The slope shallowing in the outer belt may reflect a real compositional difference: the inner asteroid belt has been suggested to consist mostly of stony and/or metallic S-type asteroids, whereas carbonaceous C-types are thought to be more prevalent further from the Sun. No waves are seen in the size distribution above H = 15. Since waves are expected to be produced at the transition from gravitationally-dominated to internal strength-dominated collisions, their absence here may imply that the transition occurs at sub-kilometer scales, much smaller than the H = 17 (diameter ∼ 1.6 km) cutoff of this study.
MARVELD3 inhibits the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and cell migration by suppressing the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in non–small cell lung cancer cells

The epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), featured by abatement of cell–cell contact, is related to exacerbating non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by inducing metastasis. MAL and relevant proteins for vesicle trafficking and membrane link domain 3 (MARVELD3) is a novel tight junction protein participated in the EMT. There is limited information available about the mechanism of MARVELD3 in NSCLC. In this trial, the inhibition effect of MARVELD3 on human NSCLC cells will be discussed.
Delaying feedback during pre-device training facilitates the retention of novel myoelectric skills: a laboratory and home-based study

Objective. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of delayed feedback training on the retention of novel myoelectric skills, and to demonstrate the use of this training approach in the home environment. Approach. We trained limb-intact participants to use a motor learning-based upper-limb prosthesis control scheme called abstract decoding. A delayed feedback paradigm intended to prevent within-trial adaptation and to facilitate motor learning was used. We conducted two multi-day experiments. Experiment 1 was a laboratory-based study consisting of two groups trained over a 4 day period with concurrent or delayed feedback. An additional follow-up session took place after 18 days to assess the retention of motor skills. Experiment 2 was a home-based pilot study that took place over five consecutive days to investigate delayed feedback performance when using bespoke training structures. Main Results. Approximately 35 000 trials were collected across both experiments. Experiment 1 found that the retention of motor skills for the delayed feedback group was significantly better than that of their concurrent feedback counterparts. In addition, the delayed feedback group improved their retention of motor skills across days, whereas the concurrent feedback group did not. Experiment 2 demonstrated that by using a bespoke training protocol in an environment that is more conducive to learning, it is possible for participants to become highly accurate in the absence of feedback. Significance. These results show that with delayed feedback training, it is possible to retain novel myoelectric skills. Using abstract decoding participants can activate four distinct muscle patterns without using complex algorithms. The accuracy achieved in the pilot study supports the feasibility of motor learning-based upper-limb prosthesis control after home-based myoelectric training.
Biogenic amines and volatile N-nitrosamines in Chinese smoked-cured bacon (Larou) from industrial and artisanal origins

ABSTRACT This study aimed to compare biogenic amines (BAs), volatile N-nitrosamines (VNAs) and chemical properties of Chinese smoked-cured bacon (Larou) from industrial and artisanal sources. The results indicated that nitrite residues were low in artisanal Larou, whereas the salt content was relatively high in all samples. The family-made Larou accumulated high levels of BAs and probably present a health risk. Additionally, phenylethylamine exceeded 30 mg/kg in 4 out of 5 industrial Larou samples, whereas, 9 VNAs concentrations were low and unlikely to induce adverse health effects on consumers. Principal component analysis revealed that the industrial Larou products had similar safety properties in terms of BAs and VNAs content when compared to the family-made samples. Correlation analysis indicated that BAs and VNAs were significantly correlated with free amino acids, a w , pH and NaCl, respectively. This study suggests that the quality of Larou needs to be further improved by reducing salt and BAs content.
Investigation of the Relationship Between Xenophobic Attitude and Intercultural Sensitivity Level in Health Education Students

Introduction: Intercultural sensitivity and xenophobia levels of health education students can affect the care they give to the patient. It is important to know the level of intercultural sensitivity and xenophobia of students receiving health education and to determine the relationship between them. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between xenophobic attitudes and intercultural sensitivity among university students. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional research was conducted in between January and June 2022 with health education students. The study conducted with health education students at Gumushane University and Agri Ibrahim Cecen University. Child Development, Nursing, Emergency Management Services/Technicians, Nutrition and Dietetics, Elderly care, Social services, Medical Laboratory Techniques, and Disabled Care studying at these universities were included in the study. Students who received health education and wanted to participate voluntarily in the study were included. Students aged 18 and over, studying in the health education department of the university, studying in the 1, 2, 3, 4th classes and volunteering to participate in the study were included in the study. The Introductory Information Form, the Xenophobia Scale, and the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale were used to collect the research data. Results: This study was conducted with 789 students. According to our study, a significant negative correlation was found between the students’ xenophobia scale and the intercultural sensitivity scale total score means (p < .05). Intercultural sensitivity has a negative and significant effect on the level of xenophobia (β = -0.116; t (787) = -3.283, p = . 001). A significant difference was found between the students’ Xenophobia Scale total score mean and gender, department, and grade (p < .05) as was the case between Intercultural Sensitivity Scale total score mean and gender, department, grade, immigrant acquaintance, and foreign language knowledge (English language) level (p < .05). Discussion: Intercultural sensitivity has a negative and significant effect on the level of xenophobia. It can negatively affect the level of caregiving of students receiving health education. It is thought that intercultural sensitivity will be developed by including course content in the curriculum to increase students’ intercultural effectiveness and awareness levels and to reduce xenophobic prejudices.
A secreted phospholipase A2 (BmsPLA2) regulates melanization of immunity through BmDDC in the silkworm Bombyx mori

Insect immune‐associated phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is an important target of pathogen invasion. Melanization, an effective defense response, has significant correlations with other immune responses to coordinate immune attack against invaders. However, the effect of PLA2 on melanization has not yet been reported in insects or other arthropods. In this work, we cloned a PLA2 gene (BmsPLA2), and its protein had characteristic features of secreted PLA2 (sPLA2). After injection of bacteria, BmsPLA2 expression and sPLA2 activity in hemolymph significantly increased. BmsPLA2 fluorescence was transferred from the cytoplasm to the cell membranes of circulating hemocytes. These results indicated that BmsPLA2 was related to hemolymph immunity in silkworms. Interestingly, reducing BmsPLA2 by RNA interference decreased melanosis (melanistic hemocytes) levels in vivo and in vitro, while BmsPLA2 overexpression had the opposite effect. The larval survival and melanization rate in the hemocoel both slowed depending on the PLA2 inhibitor dosage. These results demonstrated that BmsPLA2 plays a role in melanization during the immune process of silkworms. Surprisingly, the level of BmDDC matched the degree of melanization in various observations. BmDDC expression showed a significant increase, with the peak occurring later than that of BmsPLA2 after injection of bacteria, implying that BmsPLA2 was activated prior to BmDDC. Moreover, the alteration of BmsPLA2 by RNA interference or overexpression led to altered BmDDC levels. These results suggested that BmsPLA2 regulates the melanization response in silkworms through BmDDC. Our study proposes a new regulatory mechanism of the melanization response and new directions for understanding the complex immune networks of insects.
The epidemiology of wild mushroom poisoning in Israel

ABSTRACT Wild mushroom (macrofungi) picking has become a popular activity in Israel in recent years. Besides the estimated 135 edible species, the mycobiota of Israel includes also around 65 poisonous and potentially dangerous species. We conducted a long-term retrospective study to monitor the frequency, severity, seasonal character, species composition, and geographic distribution of mushroom exposure and poisoning in Israel. Using data collected by the Israel Poison Information Center in Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, during the years 2010–2021, we report that only 4% of cases of exposures due to biological agents were caused by mushrooms. Males were significantly (P < 0.004) more affected than females. Most cases involved either above 18 years of age (41%) or below the age of 6 years (39%). Most of the children under 6 years of age did not develop signs or symptoms of toxicity. During 2017–2021, 128 cases (82.5%) involved the consumption of raw mushrooms, mostly by children under 6 years of age. The most common season of mushroom exposure was rainy winters (P < 0.05). Mushrooms collected from irrigated lawns in the summer also posed a risk. Ingestion of Chlorophyllum molybdites was the leading mushroom ingestion in summer and that of Inocybe species in winter. Our study contributes to improved awareness of mushroom exposure and poisoning patterns among the Israeli population. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Hierarchy Among Intersecting Equivalence Classes Formed by Unitary and Compound Stimuli

In Part 1 of the present research, three college students were trained in four interrelated conditional discriminations in which unitary stimuli were presented as samples and as comparisons. Subsequently, participants were presented with symmetry and equivalence tests that evaluated the formation of four intersecting equivalence classes, with each class made up of three unitary stimuli (e.g., A1-P1-B1, A1-Q1-A2, etc.). Two out of three participants passed the tests (the third one also did so in a follow-up probe). In Part 2, the trained discriminations were reviewed and the three participants demonstrated the emergence of four conditional discriminations, in which unitary samples and compound comparisons were presented, or vice versa. These discriminations defined symmetric relations among pairs of unitary and compound stimuli (e.g., A1 and P1Q1); therefore, we concluded that the stimuli of each pair were members of an equivalence class. In Part 3, the same participants were presented with two conditional discriminations probes in which they related same-class unitary and compound stimuli (e.g., A1 and P1Q1), instead of relating same-class unitary stimuli (e.g., A1 and P1, or A1 and Q1). Therefore, we concluded that there is a hierarchy among these intersecting equivalence classes and that the classes formed by unitary and compound stimuli have precedence over the classes formed only by unitary stimuli.
Modification of the structural stability of human serum albumin in rheumatoid arthritis

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) can indicate changes in structure and/or concentration of the most abundant proteins in a biological sample via heat denaturation curves (HDCs). In blood serum for example, HDC changes result from either concentration changes or altered thermal stabilities for 7–10 proteins and has previously been shown capable of differentiating between sick and healthy human subjects. Here, we compare HDCs and proteomic profiles of 50 patients experiencing joint-inflammatory symptoms, 27 of which were clinically diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The HDC of all 50 subjects appeared significantly different from expected healthy curves, but comparison of additional differences between the RA and the non-RA subjects allowed more specific understanding of RA samples. We used mass spectrometry (MS) to investigate the reasons behind the additional HDC changes observed in RA patients. The HDC differences do not appear to be directly related to differences in the concentrations of abundant serum proteins. Rather, the differences can be attributed to modified thermal stability of some fraction of the human serum albumin (HSA) proteins in the sample. By quantifying differences in the frequency of artificially induced post translational modifications (PTMs), we found that HSA in RA subjects had a much lower surface accessibility, indicating potential ligand or protein binding partners in certain regions that could explain the shift in HSA melting temperature in the RA HDCs. Several low abundance proteins were found to have significant changes in concentration in RA subjects and could be involved in or related to binding of HSA. Certain amino acid sites clusters were found to be less accessible in RA subjects, suggesting changes in HSA structure that may be related to changes in protein-protein interactions. These results all support a change in behavior of HSA which may give insight into mechanisms of RA pathology.
Memory Effects in Ultra-Small CoFe $_{2}$ O $_{4}$ Nanoparticles

We have employed the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation technique to study the aging effect on the Zero-Field-Cooled (ZFC) magnetization curves of ultra-small CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (mean size ~3 nm) embedded in a Si matrix. We consider spherical nanoparticles consisting of an ordered ferrimagnetic core and a ferrimagnetic disordered surface. The spins in the particles interact with nearest neighbors Heisenberg exchange interaction. Our simulations show that the spin-glass like disorder at the surface affects the magnetic properties to the extent that they exhibit aging effect: the low temperature ZFC magnetization depends on the time (waiting time, tW) spent before applying the magnetic field at a temperature at which most of the surface moments are frozen. The results of our MC simulations are in good agreement with the experimental findings confirming that the random freezing of surface spins is responsible for the aging effect.
Electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of p-type Ag-doped Mg2Sn and Mg2Sn1-xSix (x = 0.05, 0.1)

An experimental and theoretical study of p-type Ag-doped Mg2Sn and Mg2Sn1-xSix (x = 0.05, 0.1) is presented. Band structure calculations show that behavior of Ag in Mg2Sn depends on the site it occupies. Based on Bloch spectral functions and density of states calculations, we show that if Ag substitutes for Sn, it is likely to form a resonant level; if it substitutes for Mg, a rigid-band-like behavior is observed. In both cases, the doped system should exhibit p-type conductivity. Experimentally, thermoelectric, thermomagnetic, and galvanomagnetic properties are investigated of p-type Mg2Sn1−xSix (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1) samples synthesized by a co-melting method in sealed crucibles. Ag effectively dopes the samples p-type, and thermoelectric power factors in excess of 20 μW cm−1K−2 are observed in optimally doped samples. From the measured Seebeck coefficient, Nernst coefficient, and mobility, we find that the combination of acoustic phonon scattering, optical phonon scattering and defect scattering results in.