Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Reprogramming of Liver Fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is an excessive and imbalanced deposition of fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) that is associated with the hepatic wound-healing response. It is also the common mechanism that contributes to the impairment of the liver function that is observed in many chronic liver diseases (CLD). Despite the efforts, no effective therapy against fibrosis exists yet. Worryingly, due to the growing obesity pandemic, fibrosis incidence is on the rise. Here, we aim to summarize the main components and mechanisms involved in the progression of liver fibrosis, with special focus on the metabolic regulation of key effectors of fibrogenesis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and their role in the disease progression. Hepatic cells that undergo metabolic reprogramming require a tightly controlled, fine-tuned cellular response, allowing them to meet their energetic demands without affecting cellular integrity. Here, we aim to discuss the role of ribonucleic acid (RNA)-binding proteins (RBPs), whose dynamic nature being context- and stimuli-dependent make them very suitable for the fibrotic situation. Thus, we will not only summarize the up-to-date literature on the metabolic regulation of HSCs in liver fibrosis, but also on the RBP-dependent post-transcriptional regulation of this metabolic switch that results in such important consequences for the progression of fibrosis and CLD.
A short-channel DC SPICE model for polysilicon thin-film transistors including temperature effects

A semi-empirical analytical model for the DC characteristics of both n- and p-channel polysilicon thin-film transistors is described. The model is suitable for implementation in a SPICE circuit simulator. Our semi-empirical approach results in a physically based model with a minimum of parameters, which are readily related to the device structure and fabrication process. The intrinsic DC model describes all four regimes of operation: leakage, subthreshold, above threshold, and kink. The effects of temperature and channel length are also included in the short-channel model.
Testing of cable insulation for aerospace applications

Reliable cable insulation is needed to replace MIL-W-81381 (polyimide) in low to medium voltage aerospace power applications. Potential cable insulation systems are tested to determine their suitability in an aerospace environment. The top ten cable insulations recommended by NASA Lewis Research Center (based on preliminary evaluation done by Air-Force Wright Laboratory (WL) and by NASA Johnson Space Center/White Sands Test Facility (WSTF)) are evaluated for their dielectric properties. Test results on electrical breakdown measurements made on the cables under dc, ac 60 Hz, and ac 400 Hz electric field at three temperatures: 23/spl deg/C, 100/spl deg/C, and 200/spl deg/C in a circulating hot air environment are presented. <<ETX>>
Design of the parallel resonant converter as a low harmonic rectifier

A 1.4 kW single-phase high-efficiency AC-DC converter which draws sinusoidal and in-phase current has been designed, constructed, and experimentally tested. The converter is based on the parallel resonant converter (PRC) with active control of the input line current. It operates in the frequency range from 44 kHz to 71 kHz below resonance, and features zero current switching (ZCS) of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). The converter steady-state input characteristics and component stresses are derived in closed form and in a new manner, which allows easy determination of how applied voltages, currents, and stresses on components vary with instantaneous input line voltage and load. Relevant transfer functions and equivalent circuit models in the presence of an input filter are also derived. The input filter is damped and the input current feedback loop is closed to actively regulate the input current waveshape. The results are verified by computer simulation and laboratory experiment. <<ETX>>
IMPACT OF VARIOUS PRESERVATIVE SOLUTIONS ON VASE LIFE AND POST-HARVEST QUALITY OF CUT ROSES

Short vase life and post-harvest losses of cut flowers are major threat to floriculture industry. There are different preservative solutions that have been used to extend the post-harvest life of cut flowers. Hence, this study was executed at Floriculture laboratory of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2018-2020 to explore the efficacy of different preservative solutions on vase life and post-harvest quality of cut roses. There were 6 treatments viz, (T1= Distilled water, T2= Silver nitrate @ 100 ppm, T3= 8-Hydroxyquiroline citrate @ 100 ppm, T4= Sodium thiosulphate @100 ppm, T5= Sodium benzoate @100 ppm, T6= Sucrose @ 40 g/L) and two rose cultivars Kardinal and Gold medal. The experiment was arranged according to complete randomized design (CRD). Results designated that longest vase life (15 days), maximum soluble solid contents (9.3 Brix) and longest opening period (7.4 days) were acquired with silver nitrate @100 ppm solution while maximum flower size (6.77 cm2) and largest head diameter (8.6 cm) were achieved with sodium thiosulphate when applied at the rate of 100 ppm in cultivar Kardinal. All other chemical solutions also displayed positive effects. Keeping in view the remarkable impact of Silver nitrate on vase life and quality of cut roses, it is recommended for commercial growers and cut flower industry for preservation of cut roses for longer time.
Communication and its role in influencing shipboard occupational health and safety management in Chinese shipping

The thesis looks at the communication between the management shore and crew on board vessels, and examines the role of such communication in influencing OHSM in two Chinese chemical shipping companies. The study was conducted in the shore offices of two companies, as well as on four of their chemical tankers. The data was mainly collected by semi-structured interviews, supplemented by field observations, informal discussions and document analyses. By examining major areas of communication closely related to OHSM, i.e., shore to ship communication for work support, shore to ship communication for management control, ship to shore communication for safety reporting, ship to shore communication for safety suggestions, the study presents the range of purposes behind communication between the two. The study shows that communication between shore management and ship’s crew is significantly influenced by divergent interests between the two. It reveals a set of socio-economic and cultural factors that underlie their communication. As a consequence, such communication has noticeable influence on crew’s shipboard working practices as well as indirect effects on crew’s health, safety and well-being. The findings of this study show that shore-ship communication is mainly in an asymmetrical form. It was generally disengaged with the concerns of OHSM. The communication contributed to an unfavourable working environment. The study suggested that communication achieved very limited outcomes for OHSM. The study concludes by calling policy makers as well as industrial practitioners to rethink the role of communication in effective OHSM and reshape maritime regulatory strategy in promoting OHSM in the global shipping industry.
Pengaruh Kiambang (Salvinia molesta) yang Difermentasi dengan Ragi Tempe sebagai Suplemen Pakan terhadap Peningkatan Biomassa Ayam Pedaging

This study aimed to determine the dose of fermented kiambang as feed supplements for increasing biomass of broiler; to define the number of consumption of feed boiler; and to determine feed conversion number caused by kiambang consumption. This research was experimental research with Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using fermented kiambang concentration as experimental factor. Kiambang was given using 6 kinds of concentrations: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% for 4 times repetition at random design. The data including increase of biomass boiler, feed consumption data, and conversion feed data, tested using Analysis of Variant and continued by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) 5% if the first test result was significant. Based on the increase of biomass boiler, feed consumption, and feed conversion, the 50% fermented kiambang concentration showed the best result to increase boiler biomass. These results suggested that kiambang fermentation can increase broiler biomass, reduce the number of feed consumed, and feed conversion.
Diffusion and noise in GaAs material and devices

The variation of the diffusion coefficient D(E) versus the electric field strength E is determined at 300 K in n-type GaAs (N/sub D/=3*10/sup -17/ cm/sup -3/), using pulsed high-frequency noise measurements. D(E) is found to increase slightly at low field, then to decrease down to one tenth of its ohmic value near the threshold field. Long (>or=4 mu m) real n/sup +/-n-n/sup +/ Gunn diodes, with an arbitrary doping profile, can be modeled. Comparisons are made, and excellent agreement is found, between experimental and theoretical characteristics of two real diodes, with notch and with gradual doping profiles. The doping profile N/sub D/(x) is shown to have a considerable influence on the diode behavior, in regard to the electric field profile as well as the noise characteristics. Using the impedance field method, the noise current is modeled and found to by very sensitive in the D(E) variation law, in particular in the range of 2.5-4 kV/cm. The agreement between the experimental noise and the computed noise of real diodes is quite satisfactory when using the D(E) determined. >
Molecular phylogeny of Lytorhynchus diadema (Reptilia, Colubridae) populations in Saudi Arabia

This study presents the molecular phylogenetic relationships among Lytorhynchus diadema (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) populations in Saudi Arabia relative to populations from Africa and Asia. This phylogenetic analysis was based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA partial gene fragments using Neighbor-joining, Maximum Parsimony, and Bayesian methods. The results strongly support the monophyly of Lytorhynchus based on two concatenated genes and the 12S rRNA gene separately. Also, a significant separation is observed between the Arabian samples from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman, and the African populations from Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.
In partnership with heads of department for sustainable educational development

ABSTRACT University teachers funded to engage in educational development projects have been found to become increasingly engaged in the scholarship of teaching and learning. However, research also points to obstacles such as departmental culture, lack of support from management, and unhelpful administrative processes. In this study, I interview university teachers and their heads of departments in an educational development grants scheme, to explore dimensions of sustainable educational development. The results show how the sustainability of projects is influenced by the way heads of departments work in partnership with university teachers in relation to local educational cultures, engagement of peers, and legitimacy.
Toward Fair Recommendation in Two-sided Platforms

Many online platforms today (such as Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, LinkedIn, and AirBnB) can be thought of as two-sided markets with producers and customers of goods and services. Traditionally, recommendation services in these platforms have focused on maximizing customer satisfaction by tailoring the results according to the personalized preferences of individual customers. However, our investigation reinforces the fact that such customer-centric design of these services may lead to unfair distribution of exposure to the producers, which may adversely impact their well-being. However, a pure producer-centric design might become unfair to the customers. As more and more people are depending on such platforms to earn a living, it is important to ensure fairness to both producers and customers. In this work, by mapping a fair personalized recommendation problem to a constrained version of the problem of fairly allocating indivisible goods, we propose to provide fairness guarantees for both sides. Formally, our proposed FairRec algorithm guarantees Maxi-Min Share of exposure for the producers, and Envy-Free up to One Item fairness for the customers. Extensive evaluations over multiple real-world datasets show the effectiveness of FairRec in ensuring two-sided fairness while incurring a marginal loss in overall recommendation quality. Finally, we present a modification of FairRec (named as FairRecPlus) that at the cost of additional computation time, improves the recommendation performance for the customers, while maintaining the same fairness guarantees.
Artificial Neural Network-Based Gain-Scheduled State Feedback Speed Controller for Synchronous Reluctance Motor

Abstract This paper focuses on designing a gain-scheduled (G-S) state feedback controller (SFC) for synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) speed control with non-linear inductance characteristics. The augmented model of the drive with additional state variables is introduced to assure precise control of selected state variables (i.e. angular speed and d-axis current). Optimal, non-constant coefficients of the controller are calculated using a linear-quadratic optimisation method. Non-constant coefficients are approximated using an artificial neural network (ANN) to assure superior accuracy and relatively low usage of resources during implementation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time when ANN-based gain-scheduled state feedback controller (G-S SFC) is applied for speed control of SynRM. Based on numerous simulation tests, including a comparison with a signum-based SFC, it is shown that the proposed solution assures good dynamical behaviour of SynRM drive and robustness against q-axis inductance, the moment of inertia and viscous friction fluctuations.
Estimation of Bioethanol Production from Jatropha curcas Using Neural Network

Fossil fuel is one of the main energy sources for almost all country in the world. However, it is non-renewable energy source, not environmental friendly and the limited supply of the fossil fuel encouraged the scientist to discover other alternative way of new renewable energy supply. New alternative source should be considered for prolonged lifetime. Thus, non-conventional energy sources should be placed in the prior consideration, for instant bioethanol. Jatropha curcas seed is a toxic substance; however, it has a very high oil content which is approximately 3545%. After the extraction of oil from the seed, Jatropha seed cake is formed. In the pressed seed cake, it is found that it contains cellulose and glucose that can be used as substrate in bioethanol production. The production of bioethanol can be estimated by neural network using data from previous research. A programme using MATLAB 7.8 was used to develop the neural network. The software consists of Neural Network Toolbox which functions to train the input data and estimate the production of glucose and bioethanol as output data. An input layer represents the criteria of the production properties of glucose and bioethanol concentration. The hidden layer determines either the input data can be proceed to further production of glucose and bioethanol, whereas the output layer gives the estimation values of glucose and bioethanol production. Back propagation algorithm with TANSIG transfer function was used to accomplish the estimation of production of bioethanol. The error value given by the network was 0.0390. Thus, training sessions were considered successful. Therefore, the users could determine and estimate the production of glucose and bioethanol concentration in just a short period of time.
Conspicuous Mobility: The Status Dimensions of the Global Passport Hierarchy

The world’s passports are not equal. Travelers from rich countries enjoy extensive travel freedom across the globe, whereas citizens of less developed nations are subject to stringent visa controls. This article examines this global hierarchy from a social cognition perspective, highlighting the status competition around international travel. It analyzes interviews with ninety-eight persons in Serbia and Israel who have acquired a second passport from a European Union country. The interviews illustrate how a social cognition perspective can shed new light on international mobility and global inequality: the analysis suggests that passengers continuously monitored how they and others were treated by border control authorities, perceiving different treatment as indicative of status. Respondents experienced shame when the treatment they received fell short of their expected standards and felt pleasure and pride when treated better than comparable others. Respondents tended to compare their travel freedom to that enjoyed by citizens of nations that they perceived as culturally similar.
Long-Term Effects of Biliverdin Reductase a Deficiency in Ugt1−/− Mice: Impact on Redox Status and Metabolism

Accumulation of neurotoxic bilirubin due to a transient neonatal or persistent inherited deficiency of bilirubin glucuronidation activity can cause irreversible brain damage and death. Strategies to inhibit bilirubin production and prevent neurotoxicity in neonatal and adult settings seem promising. We evaluated the impact of Bvra deficiency in neonatal and aged mice, in a background of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, by abolishing bilirubin production. We also investigated the disposal of biliverdin during fetal development. In Ugt1−/− mice, Bvra deficiency appeared sufficient to prevent lethality and to normalize bilirubin level in adults. Although biliverdin accumulated in Bvra-deficient fetuses, both Bvra−/− and Bvra−/−Ugt1−/− pups were healthy and reached adulthood having normal liver, brain, and spleen histology, albeit with increased iron levels in the latter. During aging, both Bvra−/− and Bvra−/−Ugt1−/− mice presented normal levels of relevant hematological and metabolic parameters. Interestingly, the oxidative status in erythrocytes from 9-months-old Bvra−/− and Bvra−/−Ugt1−/− mice was significantly reduced. In addition, triglycerides levels in these 9-months-old Bvra−/− mice were significantly higher than WT controls, while Bvra−/−Ugt1−/− tested normal. The normal parameters observed in Bvra−/−Ugt1−/− mice fed chow diet indicate that Bvra inhibition to treat unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia seems safe and effective.
Comparative performance of woven glass and polyester film backed micaceous tapes for the insulation of high voltage AC stator windings of rotating electrical machines

Film backed materials are currently used as the main dielectric for many ranges of high voltage industrial machines with voltages up to 13.8 kV. Details of some of the development work and some of the salient points regarding manufacture of windings and service experience are outlined. From the data presented it is evident that polyester film backed micapaper performs equally as well as equivalent glass backed material for machine windings operating up to the normal Class 'F' temperature limits. Long-term aging, electrical stressing and thermal cycling tests demonstrate that the overall performance is better with polyester film backed tapes.
Three-Dimensional Analyses of Spur Gear Bending Stresses by Global-Local Finite Element Technique

Three-dimensional elastic stresses developed in the root fillet of spur gear tooth due to uniform or non-uniform load distribution are analyzed in detail using global-local technique. Results indicate that root stresses distribute always non-uniformly along tooth width, and the maximum critical root stress (CRS) and its position depend on the face width and load distribution form. The maximum CRS is always higher than the corresponding value obtained under plane assumption and the value on the free surface. So, it is dangerous to use the CRSs calculated in practical gear designs. This research provides knowledge of root stresses for engineer to guard against gear failure and to design for increased loading.
A Sealed High Pressure Two Electrode Spark Gap For High Repetition Rate High Voltage Fast Swtiching

There is considerable interest at present in extending the high repetition rate capabilities of high voltage spark gaps whilst maintaining fast switching times. Devices with these capabilities would be suitable for applications such as the pulse sharpening of very high voltage microsecond risetime pulses. The results of tests on a number of two electrode compact sealed spark gaps are described. These devices are stand-alone components of envelope size, 60 mm diamter and 45 mm length. The devices were tested using half sine pulses of 500 ns risetime at repetition rates of up to 1 kHz. Successful operation at 120 kV, 1 kHz was achieved whilst maintaining a measured collapse time of 2 ns. is believed that this time was limited by the inductance of the test housing, since previous tests on lower voltage devices of similar gap spacing showed the collapse time to be less than 500 ps. Measurements of breakdown voltage and jitter at increasing repetition rates showed that a two stage recovery of voltage hold off capability occurred in agreement with other reported results. It
Getting Laid and Growing Close: Constructions of Masculinity in Relationship Advice for Heterosexual Men

Despite the growing popularity of men’s self-help products, recent debates surrounding hegemonic masculinity, and attention to the “crisis of masculinity,” research has ignored men’s advice about intimate relationships. Consequently, I examine 30 contemporary relationship advice books and conceptualize their constructions of heterosexual masculinity. Findings demonstrate authors’ overall rejection of hegemonic masculinity, alongside an overarching strategy of “masculinizing” intimacy that promotes two subsidiary gender strategies – relational heroism and tempered ambition – which reframe non-hegemonic behavior as manly. The overarching strategy appears in mild forms in books emphasizing “getting laid” and stronger variants in books that promote “growing close” through intimacy. The strategy promotes a promising departure from the constraints of hegemonic masculinity by broadening men’s acceptable range of talking about and doing masculinity, but continues to emphasize gender difference and enables a reconfiguration of heterosexual masculine intimacy within hegemonic masculinity, thereby limiting its promotion of gender equality.
Firms using advanced manufacturing technology management: an empirical analysis based on size

This study uses a moderated, regression model and data from four‐digit SIC manufacturing industries to examine the advanced manufacturing strategy based on organizational size. Its results confirm recent studies that high technology has a negative effect on to the size of an organization. This study also reveals that, contrary to some previous research, large and small firms respond differently to technological changes.