Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Methods to Study Hepatic Glucose Metabolism and Their Applications in the Healthy and Diabetic Liver

The liver plays an important role in whole-body glucose homeostasis by taking up glucose from and releasing glucose into the blood circulation. In the postprandial state, excess glucose in the blood circulation is stored in hepatocytes as glycogen. In the postabsorptive state, the liver produces glucose by breaking down glycogen and from noncarbohydrate precursors such as lactate. In metabolic diseases such as diabetes, these processes are dysregulated, resulting in abnormal blood glucose levels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are noninvasive techniques that give unique insight into different aspects of glucose metabolism, such as glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, and gluconeogenesis, in the liver in vivo. Using these techniques, liver glucose metabolism has been studied in regard to a variety of interventions, such as fasting, meal intake, and exercise. Moreover, deviations from normal hepatic glucose metabolism have been investigated in both patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes, as well as the effects of antidiabetic medications. This review provides an overview of current MR techniques to measure hepatic glucose metabolism and the insights obtained by the application of these techniques in the healthy and diabetic liver.
THE OSCILLATORY SHAPE OF THE STATIONARY TWISTED DISC AROUND A KERR BLACK HOLE

We consider the twisted accretion disc around a Kerr black hole and derive the stationary twist equation in the leading order on small parameters of relative thickness b, viscosity ex and relativistic corrections rir. We take into account postNewtonian corrections which determine the shape of the stationary twisted accretion disc in the limit of small viscosity, ex < b4/S• We find the phenomenon of radial oscillations of the disc inclination angle P (r) due to this correction. The period 6fthe oscillations is about Ar:::::; b -4/\ and decreases with decreasing distance r. We present a qualitative analysis of the oscillatory behaviour and conclude that the oscillations are likely to destroy a disc of low viscosity at sufficiently small r < rf :::::; b-3P ( 00 )8/\. We suggest that the twisted disc might be in a highly turbulent state with ex :::::; 1 at r < rf •
A Systematic Review of Sustainable Investment Approaches

The article examined three widely accepted approaches to sustainable investing: Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and impact investing. Nevertheless, these sustainable investment strategies are under-institutionalised, characterised by a lack of consistent terminology and mixed return performance. Given that these inconsistencies are prevalent in academic research regarding sustainable investing, the paper aimed to perform a systematic review of related studies to compare, contrast and consolidate these sustainable investment approaches. The findings of this study reveal overlapping conceptual frameworks between SRI, ESG and impact investing. The paper recommends the development of a consistent conceptual framework for sustainable investing.
Microstructure of Cs-implanted zirconia: Role of temperature

The aim of this study was to identify experimentally the phase which includes cesium in yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The solubility and retention of cesium in YSZ were studied at high temperature (HT). Cesium was ion implanted (at 300 keV) into YSZ at room temperature (RT), 750 °C, or 900 °C at fluences up to 5×1016 cm−2. The temperature dependence of the radiation-induced damage and of the cesium distribution in YSZ single crystals was investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and ion channeling. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies were performed in order to determine the damage nature and search for a predicted ternary phase of cesium zirconate. Whatever the implantation temperature, the thickness of the damaged layer increases inwards with ion fluence. At RT, amorphization occurs, caused by the high Cs concentration (7at.%). In situ TEM during postannealing shows recrystallization of cubic zirconia after release of cesium. A high implantation temperature has a significant i.
Sustainability and technology: the contribution of “managerial talk” to the three pillars framework

PurposeThis article investigates whether accounting, a tool that affects the actions of both organisations and society, can contribute to further developing the concept of sustainability. Exploiting real-time accounts of management speeches, termed “managerial talk” in the context of this paper, the study is among the first to include technology within a sustainability framework.Design/methodology/approachA data structure with first-order and second-order categories was created using a methodology elaborated by Van Maanen (1979) and Gioia et al. (2012). The empirical data was collected during 20 presentations delivered by senior managers from companies, the financial industry, the Swedish government and non-profit organisations to the Swedish Society of Financial Analysts between November 2016 and February 2020.FindingsThe study develops an inductive model that emerges as a result of the data analysis process. It emphasises that technology can be both an enabler for, and an interference with, sustainability according to the application of steering mechanisms. The latter include governance and regulations, analysis and evaluation tools, and disclosure practice.Research limitations/implicationsAcknowledging the role of technology in sustainable development can potentially assist in the implementation of sustainability and, arguably, in fostering an alignment between the three pillars of sustainability.Originality/valueInterrelationships between sustainability, technology and accounting comprise a relatively unexplored research setting that has seldom been at the centre of academic studies.
Production Efficiency and Utility Features of Broiler Ducks Fed with Feed Thinned with Wheat Grain

Simple Summary The production of broiler ducks on farms (incl. small-scale farms) can be carried out using various feeding and maintenance systems. During times of increasing feed prices and many challenges, a solution is sought that will result in efficient production. Owing to the high cost of complete feed, partial replacement with a wheat grain (10–40%), often from the farm’s resources, could reduce these costs. In this study, we found no adverse effects on the production performance or on the quality characteristics of meat. Moreover, an increased profit was shown according to analysis of the potential sales of duck carcasses, which is the essence of production with changes and challenges faced by producers in the agri-food market. Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the production efficiency (economics), growth, and meat quality of ducks fed with feed partially replaced with wheat. A total of 200 ducks were reared for 49 days. Each group consisted of 50 ducks (5 pens with 10 birds). For slaughter, 10 birds per group were chosen. The control group (C) was provided with a complete feed. In the experimental groups, from 42 to 49 days, the feed was replaced with wheat grains at the level of 10% (W10), 20% (W20), or 40% (W40). In the W20 and W40 groups, the cost of feed was reduced. In the W40 group, the profit per 1 kg carcass was increased by PLN 3.34 (more than 24% higher than the C group profit). A higher percentage of pectoral muscles and intramuscular fat was observed in the W20 group, with lower water content. A lower water-holding capacity (WHC) was observed in the duck leg muscles in group W40. The muscles from the W20 group had higher protein, collagen, and water content, and the fat was highest in the W40 group. A lower toughness of cooked meat was observed in the W20 group, and lower shear force in the pectoral muscles of groups C and W40. Thinning feed with wheat grains could represent an alternative to conventional feeding of broiler ducks, owing to reduced feed costs, with no negative impact on utility features, including growth, except the share of pectoral muscle and water absorption traits.
Long‐Range Casimir Forces: Theory and Recent Experiments on Atomic Systems

An Overview of LongRange Casimir Interactions L. Spruch. Experimental Studies of High-L Rydberg States in Helium S.R. Lundeen. High Precision Calculations for the Rydberg States of Helium G.W. F. Drake. High Rydberg States of Two-Electron Atoms in Perturbation Theory R.J. Drachman. Long-Range Electromagnetic Forces in Quantum Theory J. Sucher, G. Feinberg. Index.
Preparation and applications of magnetostrictive thin films

Amorphous magnetostrictive films of the binary compound SmxFe1−x as well as of the ternary compound (TbyDy1−y)xFe1−x were prepared by rf or dc magnetron sputtering using either a multitarget arrangement with pure element targets or cast composite‐type targets. The magnetostrictive properties of (Tb0.3Dy0.7)0.4Fe0. 6 and Sm0.4Fe0. 6 films were investigated in relation to their preparation conditions. Depending upon these conditions (especially upon the deposition rate, the bias voltage, and the Ar sputtering pressure) amorphous films with a giant magnetostriction of about 250 ppm (−220 ppm) at 0.1 T and 400 ppm (−300 ppm) at 0.5 T for the TbDyFe (SmFe) and an in‐plane magnetic easy axis could be prepared. In view of applications in microsystem technologies (e.g., pumps, valves, positioning elements) these films have been tested in a simple cantilever arrangement and the predicted deflection of a magnetostrictive actuated membrane has been calculated.
Measurement and Calculation of Absolute Single- and Multiple-Charge-Exchange Cross Sections for Feq+ Ions Impacting CO and CO2

Charge exchange (CE) plays a fundamental role in the collisions of solar- and stellar-wind ions with lunar and planetary exospheres, comets, and circumstellar clouds. Reported herein are absolute cross sections for single, double, triple, and quadruple CE of Fe^(q+) (q = 5-13) ions with H_2O at a collision energy of 7q keV. One measured value of the pentuple CE is also given for Fe^(9+) ions. An electron cyclotron resonance ion source is used to provide currents of the highly charged Fe ions. Absolute data are derived from knowledge of the target gas pressure, target path length, and incident and charge-exchanged ion currents. Experimental cross sections are compared with new results of the n-electron classical trajectory Monte Carlo approximation. The radiative and non-radiative cascades following electron transfers are approximated using scaled hydrogenic transition probabilities and scaled Auger rates. Also given are estimates of cross sections for single capture, and multiple capture followed by autoionization, as derived from the extended overbarrier model. These estimates are based on new theoretical calculations of the vertical ionization potentials of H_2O up to H_2O^(10+).
A Novel Defined Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature for the Prognosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed necrotic cell death, but its potential prognostic value in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. On the basis of available AML data from TCGA and TARGET databases, a 10-gene signature model was constructed to effectively predict AML prognosis by performing LASSO Cox regression analysis, which showed that patients with a low-risk score had a significantly better prognosis than that of the high-risk group, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis achieved superior performance in the prognostic model. The model was further well-verified in an external GEO cohort. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that, in addition to age, the risk score was an independent poor survival factor for AML patients, and a nomogram model was constructed with high accuracy. Moreover, the high-risk group generally had higher cytolytic activity and increased levels of infiltrating immune cells, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), which could be related to the expression of immune checkpoint genes. Additionally, low-risk AML patients may have a better response from traditional chemotherapeutic drugs. In conclusion, a pyroptosis-related gene signature can independently predict the prognosis of AML patients with sufficient predictive power, and pyroptosis plays an important role in the immune microenvironment of AML, which may be used to develop a new effective therapeutic method for AML in the future.
Asymptotic and Bootstrap Properties of Rank Regressions

The paper develops the bootstrap theory and extends the asymptotic theory of rank estimators, such as the Maximum Rank Correlation Estimator (MRC) of Han (1987), Monotone Rank Estimator (MR) of Cavanagh and Sherman (1998) or Pairwise-Difference Rank Estimators (PDR) of Abrevaya (2003). It is known that under general conditions these estimators have asymptotic normal distributions, but the asymptotic variances are difficult to find. Here we prove that the quantiles and the variances of the asymptotic distributions can be consistently estimated by the nonparametric bootstrap. We investigate the accuracy of inference based on the asymptotic approximation and the bootstrap, and provide bounds on the associated error. In the case of MRC and MR, the bound is a function of the sample size of order close to n^{-1/6}. The PDR estimators belong to a special subclass of rank estimators for which the bound is vanishing with the rate close to n^{-1/2}. The theoretical findings are illustrated with Monte-Carlo experiments and a real data example.
A Selection Procedure for the Number of Signals in Presence of Colored Noise

Ranking and selection theory is used to estimate the number of signals present in colored noise. The data structure follows the well-known MUSIC (MUltiple SIgnal Classification) model. We deal with the eigenvalues of a covariance matrix, using the MUSIC model and colored noise. The data matrix can be written as the product of two matrices. The first matrix is the sample covariance matrix of the observed vectors. The second matrix is the inverse of the sample covariance matrix of reference vectors. We propose a multi-step selection procedure to construct a confidence interval on the number of signals present in a data set. Properties of this procedure will be stated and proved. Those properties will be used to compute the required parameters (procedure constants). Numerical examples are given to illustrate our theory.
The Split-Half Reliability and Construct Validity of the Virtual Reality-Based Path Integration Task in the Healthy Population

Objective: The virtual reality (VR)-based path integration task shows substantial promise in predicting dementia risk. However, the reliability and validity in healthy populations need further exploration. The present study investigates the relationship between task indicators and brain structures in a healthy population using a VR-based navigation task, particularly the entorhinal cortex (EC) and hippocampus. Methods: Sixty healthy adults were randomly recruited to perform a VR-based path integration task, the digit span task (DST), and an MRI scan. The indicators of the VR-based path integration task were calculated, including the absolute distance error (ADE), degree of angle deviation (DAD), degree of path deviation (DPD), and return time (Time). The reliability of the above indicators was then estimated using the split-half method and Cronbach’s alpha. Correlation and regression analyses were then performed to examine the associations between these indicators and age, general cognitive ability (DST), and brain structural measures. Results: ADE, DAD, and DPD showed reasonable split-half reliability estimates (0.84, 0.81, and 0.72) and nice Cronbach’s alpha estimates (0.90, 0.86, and 0.96). All indicators correlated with age and DST. ADE and DAD were sensitive predictors of hippocampal volume, and return time was a predictor of EC thickness. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the VR-based path integration task exhibits good reliability and validity in the healthy population. The task indicators are age-sensitive, can capture working memory capacity, and are closely related to the integrity of individual EC and hippocampal structures.
Gastrectomy for Cancer: A 15-Year Analysis of Real-World Data from the University of Athens

Background and Objectives: Encouraging data have been reported from referral centers following gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Our goal was to retrospectively review patient outcomes following gastrectomy for gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer at a high-volume unit of the University of Athens. Methods: The enrollment period was from June 2003 to September 2018. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to identify variables independently associated with time-to-event outcomes. Results: A total of 205 patients were analyzed. R0 resection was achieved in 183 (89.3%) patients and was more likely to occur following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.008). Recurrence developed in 46.6% of our cohort and the median disease-free survival was 31.2 months. On multivariate analysis, only staging (HR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.06–4.36) was independently associated with increased risk of recurrence. All-cause mortality was 57.2% and the median time of death was 40.9 months. On multivariate regression, staging (HR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.11–1.65) and recurrence (HR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.32–6.22) predicted inferior prognosis. Conclusions: Gastrectomy at the University of Athens has yielded favorable outcomes for patients with GEJ cancer.
The algebraic-geometric AKNS potentials

Abstract We characterize the algebraic-geometric potentials for the Schrödinger and AKNS operators using the Weyl m-functions and the Floquet exponent for these operators. The characterization is this: among random ergodic Schrödinger operators, the alebraic-geometric potentials are those for which (i) the spectrum is a union of finitely many intervals (or bands); (ii) the Lyapounov exponent vanishes on the spectrum.
Whistler-triggered lower hybrid resonance noise in irregularites [sic] of the ionosphere

The mechanism suggested for whistler triggered LHR noise is that of a whistler propagating from a region of the ionosphere where the unperturbed number densities are uniform into one where there is a small spatial irregularity i n number density. To investigate at what frequencies the resulting induced electric f i e l d may be significant compared to the inducing f i e l d (a whistler), steady state solutions were obtained for the elec t r i c and magnetic fields that may exist in a f u l l y ionized plasma that has a small spatial irregularity in number density. The plasma is taken to be i n a constant and uniform background magnetic f i e l d and to have parameters consistent with the upper ionosphere. The irregularity i s taken to be a spatially varying cosine function with wave number K. Assuming the governing equations to be Maxwell's equations and the zeroth and the f i r s t moment equations of the collisionless Boltzmann equation, we obtained solutions with a perturbation scheme. The equations were linearized and terms were only kept to second order. The f i r s t order terms formed a set of equations governing a plasma with unperturbed number densities that were constant in time and space. For f i r s t order variables that are plane waves with wave number k and frequency co, the postulated irregularity gives rise to a second order electric f i e l d with a frequency dependence of CJ. An investigation was made to determine at which frequencies the second order electric f i e l d was significant compared to f i r s t order f i e l d s . For k parallel to K and perpendicular to B ^ , i t was found that the second order f i e l d had a peak value at the LHR (lower hybrid resonance)
Enzymatic Oxidation of Ferulic Acid as a Way of Preparing New Derivatives

The ferulic acid (FA)-oxidation by Myceliophthora thermophila laccase was performed in phosphate buffer at 30 °C and pH 7.5 as an eco-friendly procedure. LC-MS analysis showed that oxidation products were four dehydrodimers (P1, P2, P3, P5) at MM = 386 g/mol, two dehydrotetramers (P6, P7) at MM = 770 g/mol and one decarboxylated dehydrodimer (P4) at MM = 340 g/mol. Structural characterization showed that FA-dehydrodimers were symmetric for P1 and P5 while asymmetric for P2, P3 and P4. Physicochemical characterization showed that oxidation products presented a higher lipophilicity than that of FA. Moreover, symmetric dimers and tetra dimers had a higher melting point compared to FA and its asymmetric dimers. Antioxidant and anti-proliferative assessments indicated that enzymatic oligomerization increased antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties of oxidation products for P2, P3 and P6 compared to FA. Finally, this enzymatic process in water could produce new molecules, having good antiradical and anti-proliferative activities.
Re‐examining the water affordability: A comparison of alternative measures

Water affordability is determined by the percentage of income households that must allocate to municipal water services, while factoring in essential or basic needs water use. With the rise in water prices reported in most areas of the country along with somewhat stagnant income growth—a combination that suggests ceteris paribus—more of a household's disposable income is being spent on water services. This paper adds to the discussion in three ways. First, given the lack of a consistent definition for “affordability” and the subjective connotation associated with such a term, we develop and compare five different water expenditure ratios, including two different measures of water for essential needs, as well as measures for indoor, efficient, and actual water use. Second, because of the granularity of our data, we illustrate how such “affordability” measures can vary significantly within a water district and thus highlight how using district‐ or county‐level income measures can mask the degree to which affordability is an issue for households living in low‐income block groups. Our results indicate that the choice of income measure and type of water service use can influence affordability measures substantially.
Linguistic Landscape in Najran: A Sociolinguistic Approach

This study attempts to investigate the linguistic landscape (LL) of the city of Najran, a city located in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. To achieve this objective, a sample of more than 450 signs is examined. The study focuses on the shop signs which are usually known as bottom-up signs (Ben-Rafael et al., 2006; Ben-Rafael, 2009). The analysis reveals that Najran’s LL is more multilingual than expected. In addition to Arabic and English, it displays some foreign expatriate languages such as Malayalam, Bengali, Tamil, and Hindi. Arabic appears to be the most dominant language followed by English, with the former having both informational and symbolic (cultural) roles while the latter has a commercial and advertising function through which shop owners want to appear more fashionable and more prestigious. The use of the expatriate languages of the Indian subcontinent serves mainly as a psychological tendency to compensate for the feeling of being homesick, and partially performs an informational function directed to the expatriate group.
Deviations in the Zipf and Heaps laws in natural languages

This paper is devoted to verifying of the empirical Zipf and Hips laws in natural languages using Google Books Ngram corpus data. The connection between the Zipf and Heaps law which predicts the power dependence of the vocabulary size on the text size is discussed. In fact, the Heaps exponent in this dependence varies with the increasing of the text corpus. To explain it, the obtained results are compared with the probability model of text generation. Quasi-periodic variations with characteristic time periods of 60-100 years were also found.