Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foodbank of Western Australia's healthy food for all

Purpose – In Australia, the Foodbank of Western Australia (Foodbank WA) has a reputation for being at the forefront of health promotion. The purpose of this paper is to describe Foodbank WA's innovative food bank plus approach of incorporating healthy lifestyle initiatives (i.e. nutrition and physical activity education) into its core food bank business, so as to target priority issues such as food insecurity, poor food literacy, overweight, obesity, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach was utilised to explore Foodbank WA's Healthy Food for All® (HFFA) strategy. HFFA is a comprehensive state wide, school and community based strategy, including the School Breakfast Programme, Food Sensations® and Choose to Move initiatives, designed to promote healthy lifestyles to low socioeconomic and vulnerable groups – a major target group of food banks. Findings – Since its inception in 2007, the delivery of food, education and resources has increased across all o.
The respiratory retention of bacterial aerosols: experiments with radioactive spores

The distribution of inhaled bacterial aerosols has been studied in guinea-pigs, monkeys and mice, using Bacillus subtilis spores labelled with radiophosphorus. Particle sizes from about 1 to 12μ have been used. The guinea-pig shows the expected change of distribution with particle size; the proportion retained in the head increases with increased particle size. The figures correspond closely with those for man. Monkeys show similar results but are more irregular. The subsequent fate of the retained particles has been studied and accords with what is known about ciliary removal. The work is intended to link with parallel investigations of respiratory infection in closely similar conditions, and its implications are discussed in a paper on that subject (Druett et al. 1953).
In vivo Role of Cytochrome P450 2E1 and Glutathione-S-Transferase Activity for Acrylamide Toxicokinetics in Humans

Acrylamide, a potential food carcinogen in humans, is biotransformed to the epoxide glycidamide in vivo. Both acrylamide and glycidamide are conjugated with glutathione, possibly via glutathione-S-transferases (GST), and bind covalently to proteins and nucleic acids. We investigated acrylamide toxicokinetics in 16 healthy volunteers in a four-period change-over trial and evaluated the respective role of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and GSTs. Participants ingested self-prepared potato chips containing acrylamide (1 mg) without comedication, after CYP2E1 inhibition (500 mg disulfiram, single dose) or induction (48 g/d ethanol for 1 week), and were phenotyped for CYP2E1 with chlorzoxazone (250 mg, single dose). Unchanged acrylamide and the mercapturic acids N-acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-cysteine (AAMA) and N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxy-2-carbamoylethyl)-cysteine (GAMA) accounted for urinary excretion [geometric mean (percent coefficient of variation)] of 2.9% (42), 65% (23), and 1.7% (65) of the acrylamide dose in the reference period. Hemoglobin adducts increased clearly following the acrylamide test-meal. The cumulative amounts of acrylamide, AAMA, and GAMA excreted and increases in AA adducts changed significantly during CYP2E1 blockade [point estimate (90% confidence interval)] to the 1.34-fold (1.14-1.58), 1.18-fold (1.02-1.36), 0.44-fold (0.31-0.61), and 1.08-fold (1.02-1.15) of the reference period, respectively, but were not changed significantly during moderate CYP2E1 induction. Individual baseline CYP2E1 activity, CYP2E1*6, GSTP1 313A>G and 341T>C single nucleotide polymorphisms, and GSTM1-and GSTT1-null genotypes had no major effect on acrylamide disposition. The changes in acrylamide toxicokinetics upon CYP2E1 blockade provide evidence that CYP2E1 is a major but not the only enzyme mediating acrylamide epoxidation in vivo to glycidamide in humans. No obvious genetic risks or protective factors in xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes could be determined for exposed subjects. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(2):433–43)
A Novel gamma d/n, RLCG Transmission Line Model Considering Complex RC(L) Loads

In deep-submicrometer integrated circuits, inductance effects have become increasingly significant, and interconnects are often modeled as transmission lines. An equivalent circuit model, which is called the gammad/n model and regularly constructed by two elementary resistance-capacitance-inductance-conductance cells, is proposed for transmission line modeling in this paper. Unlike those moment-matching techniques, the gammad/n model is a physical model in nature, and it can be applied to generated high-accuracy, stable, passive, and reduced-order models of transmission lines. In addition, RC(L) interconnect loads are also considered in this paper. Experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately capture the transmission line effect and the capacitive load effect. The waveform obtained by this method differs from that by the exact model in SPICE simulation with the average voltage difference less than 0.9%. For a wide range of interconnect parameters, it has been shown that this method can achieve less than 6% in average error of the 50% delays for both the near-end response and the far-end response
End-point trajectory control, stabilization, and zero dynamics of a three-link flexible manipulator

The question of end-point trajectory control of a flexible manipulator based on the nonlinear inversion technique is discussed. The manipulator has two rigid links and the third link is elastic. A parameterization of the cartesian coordinates of a point close to the end effector position is suggested. Using these coordinates as output variables, an inverse feedback control law is derived for tracking reference cartesian trajectories. The stability of the zero dynamics associated with the end point motion control is examined. For regulation of the end point to a fixed position, a linear stabilizer is designed to damp the elastic vibration. <<ETX>>
A novel approach to high-level switching activity modeling with applications to low-power DSP system synthesis

We address high-level synthesis of low-power digital signal processing (DSP) systems by using efficient switching activity models. We present a technology-independent hierarchical scheme that can be easily integrated into current communications/DSP CAD tools for comparing the relative power/performance of two competing DSP designs without specific knowledge of transistor-level details. The basic building blocks considered for such systems are a full adder, a half adder, and a one-bit delay. Estimates of the switching activity at the output of these primitives are used to model the activity in more complex building blocks of DSP systems. The presented hierarchical method is very fast and simple. The accuracy of estimates obtained using the proposed approach is shown to be within 4% of the results obtained using extensive bit-level simulations. Our approach shows that the choice of multiplier/multiplicand is important when using array multipliers in a datapath. If the input signal with smaller mean square value is chosen as the multiplicand, almost 20% savings in switching activity can be achieved. This observation is verified by an analog simulation using a 16 /spl times/ 16 bit array multiplier implemented in a 0.6-/spl mu/ process with 3.3 V supply voltage.
ADC-Based Serial I/O Receivers

Digital receiver frontends have emerged as a possible solution for the next-generation serial I/O receiver design in advanced CMOS technologies. The challenge is to achieve low power dissipation so that the I/O links can be integrated in large ASICs. With a power budget of <; 20 mW/Gb/s, the feasibility of an ADC-based receiver is limited by the high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and complex digital processing in current fabrication technologies. In this paper, various designs and architectures for each component of an ADC-based receiver and their performance trade-offs are discussed. The design requirement of an ADC and digital processing can be relaxed with the aid of simple mixed-mode circuitry. More complex digital processing techniques are becoming feasible with the scaling of CMOS technology. However, the improvement from scaling is limited by the substantial leakage current, and the rate of improvement is slowing beyond 32 nm technology node.
Applications of Focus Group Interviews in Marketing

Basically, there are two types of group interview studies. One is nothing more than a question and answer session: the group moderator asks questions and the respondents give verbal or written answers. A second type is the focus group interview, where a group of people (generally eight to twelve) are led through an open, in-depth discussion by a group moderator. The moderator's objective is to focus the discussion on the relevant subject areas in a nondirective manner. Such interviews can be used to develop hypotheses in the planning or qualitative stage of the marketing research process. The interviews provide a basis in depth for the development of additional research, and they may be useful as a source of new and fresh ideas for new products and services, advertising themes, packaging evaluations, and the like. Marketing Applications
Presence of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli ST678/O104:H4 in France Prior to 2011

ABSTRACT Two isolates of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O104:H4 were isolated in France in 2004 and 2009. Both were characterized and compared to the strain which caused the German outbreak in 2011 and to other O104:H4 strains. This suggests that different O104:H4 EHEC strains were present several years prior to the 2011 outbreak.
Fibrous Dysplasia of the First Cervical Vertebra

Study Design. Case report. Objective. To describe a case of monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the first cervical vertebra. Summary of Background Data. Fibrous dysplasia is a disorder of bone development of unknown etiology in which cancellous bone is replaced with fibrous tissue, resulting in expansion of the bone. The disease presents in either a monostotic or polyostotic form. Although fibrous dysplasia can involve any bone in the body, vertebral involvement is quite unusual. Methods. A case of monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the first cervical vertebra is presented. Results. A 53 year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of occipito-cervicalgia associated with great restriction of neck movements. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an expansile, destructive lesion involving the right lateral mass of the first cervical vertebra, without involvement of the spinal cord. She was submitted to surgery and the lesion was removed. Microscopic examination was consistent with the diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia. Four years after surgery there was no clinical or imagiological recurrence. Conclusion. Although there are descriptions of vertebral fibrous dysplasia, this is the 12th case of monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the cervical spine described in the literature. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were essential for making the preoperative diagnosis.
Variable Lung Density Consideration in Attenuation Correction of Whole-Body PET/MRI

Present attenuation-correction algorithms in whole-body PET/MRI do not consider variations in lung density, either within or between patients; this may adversely affect accurate quantification. In this work, a technique to incorporate patient-specific lung density information into MRI-based attenuation maps is developed and compared with an approach that assumes uniform lung density. Methods: Five beagles were scanned with 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI. The relationship between MRI and CT signal in the lungs was established, allowing the prediction of attenuation coefficients from MRI. MR images were segmented into air, lung, and soft tissue and converted into attenuation maps, some with constant lung density and some with patient-specific lung densities. The resulting PET images were compared by both global metrics of quantitative fidelity (accuracy, precision, and root mean squared error) and locally with relative error in volumes of interest. Results: A linear relationship was established between MRI and CT signal in the lungs. Constant lung density attenuation maps did not perform as well as patient-specific lung density attenuation maps, regardless of what constant density was chosen. In particular, when attenuation maps with patient-specific lung density were used, precision, accuracy, and root mean square error improved in lung tissue. In volumes of interest placed in the lungs, relative error was significantly reduced from a minimum of 12% to less than 5%. The benefit extended to tissues adjacent to the lungs but became less important as distance from the lungs increased. Conclusion: A means of using MRI to infer patient-specific attenuation coefficients in the lungs was developed and applied to augment whole-body MRI-based attenuation maps. This technique has been shown to improve the quantitative fidelity of PET images in the lungs and nearby tissues, compared with an approach that assumes uniform lung density.
International Differences in IFRS Policy Choice

Building on literature that suggests motives and opportunities for national versions of IFRS practice, we examine whether there are systematic differences in IFRS accounting policies between countries. Using information from the annual reports of companies in the blue chip indices of the largest five stock markets that use IFRS, we reject a null hypothesis that IFRS practice is the same across countries. For 16 accounting policy issues, we find instead significant evidence that pre-IFRS national practice continues where this is allowed within IFRS. By this, we document the existence of national patterns of accounting within IFRS. We also point out some policy implications that arise from our findings.
An empirical evaluation of NASA-MDP data sets using a genetic defect-proneness prediction framework

In software engineering, software quality is an important research area. Automated generation of learning schemes plays an important role and represents an efficient way to detect defects in software projects, thus avoiding high costs and long delivery times. This study carries out an empirical evaluation to validate two versions with different levels of noise of NASA-MDP data sets. The main objective of this paper is to determine the stability of our framework. In all, 864 learning schemes were studied (8 data preprocessors × 6 attribute selectors × 18 learning algorithms). In line with statistical tests, our framework reported stable results between the analyzed versions. Results reported that evaluation and prediction phases were similar. Furthermore, the performance of the phases of evaluation and prediction between versions of data sets were stable. This means that the differences between versions did not affect the performance of our framework.
Unusual location and unexpected execution in advertising: A content analysis and test of effectiveness in ambient advertisements

Ambient advertising is a creative, innovative form of outdoor advertising that explicitly intends to surprise consumers by placing unexpected advertisements at unusual locations. The rising relevance of ambient advertising is not mirrored in the marketing literature yet. No study has empirically considered the key elements of location and execution of ambient advertising. This paper uses a mixed-method approach to (1) identify the locational and executional elements used in ambient advertising practice and to (2) analyze the effectiveness of ambient advertising. Study 1 (n = 340) applying a content analysis reveals that ambient advertising mainly uses unconventional 2D elements often combined with unexpected visual elements such as optical illusion. Study 2 (n = 234) using ANOVAs examines that unconventional advertisements have a stronger impact on consumer perception (e.g., attention, attitude toward the ad) than on conventional outdoor advertising. The paper provides contributions for marketing managers and further research.
Latency arbitrage in fragmented markets: A strategic agent-based analysis

We study the effect of latency arbitrage on allocative efficiency and liquidity in fragmented financial markets. We employ a simple model of latency arbitrage in which a single security is traded on two exchanges, with price quotes available to regular traders only after some delay. An infinitely fast arbitrageur reaps profits when the two markets diverge due to this latency in cross-market communication. Using an agent-based approach, we simulate interactions between high-frequency and zero-intelligence trading agents. From simulation data over a large space of strategy combinations, we estimate game models and compute strategic equilibria in a variety of market environments. We then evaluate allocative efficiency and market liquidity in equilibrium, and we find that market fragmentation and the presence of a latency arbitrageur reduces total surplus and negatively impacts liquidity. By replacing continuous-time markets with periodic call markets, we eliminate latency arbitrage opportunities and achieve further efficiency gains through the aggregation of orders over short time periods.
Dexamethasone Downregulates SLC7A5 Expression and Promotes Cell Cycle Arrest, Autophagy and Apoptosis in BeWo Cells

Synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) such as dexamethasone (Dex) are widely given to pregnant women to induce maturation and improve viability of preterm infants. Despite the beneficial effects, synthetic GCs have adverse effects on placental growth and nutrient transport system. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in these events remain unknown. Here we use a human placental choriocarcinoma cell line (BeWo) as model to explore the pathway linking amino acids transport with cell viability under Dex challenge. BeWo cells treated with Dex (100 nM) for 24 h demonstrated G1/S cell cycle arrest together with enhanced autophagy and apoptosis. Concurrently, the amino acid carrier SLC7A5 was down‐regulated in association with impaired cellular amino acids uptake and inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Similar cellular responses were observed in BeWo cells treated with BCH, a classical System L inhibitor which inactivates SLC7A5. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist RU486 was able to diminish Dex‐induced translocation of GR into nucleus and to abolish these effects. Furthermore, Dex treatment significantly promoted the binding of GR to the proximal promoter sequence of SLC7A5 gene. Taken together, our results show that Dex downregulates SLC7A5 expression via GR‐mediated transrepression. The impaired amino acids uptake leads to inhibition of mTOR signaling which in turn causes inhibited proliferation and enhanced autophagy and apoptosis in BeWo cells. These findings indicate that SLC7A5 mediates the effect of Dex on cell viability, thus providing a novel molecular target for the prevention and treatment of Dex‐induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in placental cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 233–242, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enterprise Resource Planning Readiness Assessment

Enterprise resource planning system in the field of information systems is a super system that its implementation requires considerable cost and time and affects various aspects of the organization. The impact of this system on the organization is to the extent that provided field of growth and development in some of organizations and for some organizations also have had bankruptcy and the end of the business. Enterprise resource planning system implementation projects have very complex nature. Enterprise readiness assessment is a way using it review the different aspects of enterprise and be tested the readiness of the components to accept enterprise resource planning system. Thus readiness assessment studies prior to the implementation of the system are very important and as a key factor of success for the implementation of the system are necessary.
A study of constraint-handling techniques in brain storm optimization

A study on three BSO algorithm versions: Brain Storm Optimization Algorithm (BSO), Modified Brain Storm Optimization Algorithm (MBSO) and Simple Modified Brain Storm Optimization Algorithm (SMBSO), for constrained numerical optimization problems is presented in this paper. The aim of the study is to know the performance of this recent Swarm Intelligence (SI) algorithm on constrained search spaces. The feasibility rules, ε-constrained method, and stochastic ranking are used as constraint-handling techniques. The performance of each version is analysed by solving 24 well-known benchmark problems. The final results suggest MBSO and the ε-constrained method as a good option to deal with constrained problems.
Achieving a hybrid brain–computer interface with tactile selective attention and motor imagery

Objective. We propose a new hybrid brain–computer interface (BCI) system that integrates two different EEG tasks: tactile selective attention (TSA) using a vibro-tactile stimulator on the left/right finger and motor imagery (MI) of left/right hand movement. Event-related desynchronization (ERD) from the MI task and steady-state somatosensory evoked potential (SSSEP) from the TSA task are retrieved and combined into two hybrid senses. Approach. One hybrid approach is to measure two tasks simultaneously; the features of each task are combined for testing. Another hybrid approach is to measure two tasks consecutively (TSA first and MI next) using only MI features. For comparison with the hybrid approaches, the TSA and MI tasks are measured independently. Main results. Using a total of 16 subject datasets, we analyzed the BCI classification performance for MI, TSA and two hybrid approaches in a comparative manner; we found that the consecutive hybrid approach outperformed the others, yielding about a 10% improvement in classification accuracy relative to MI alone. It is understood that TSA may play a crucial role as a prestimulus in that it helps to generate earlier ERD prior to MI and thus sustains ERD longer and to a stronger degree; this ERD may give more discriminative information than ERD in MI alone. Significance. Overall, our proposed consecutive hybrid approach is very promising for the development of advanced BCI systems.
Counting Markov Equivalence Classes by Number of Immoralities

Two directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) are called Markov equivalent if and only if they have the same underlying undirected graph (i.e. skeleton) and the same set of immoralities. Using observational data, a DAG model can only be determined up to Markov equivalence, and so it is desirable to understand the size and number of Markov equivalence classes (MECs) combinatorially. In this paper, we address this enumerative question using a pair of generating functions that encode the number and size of MECs on a skeleton $G$, and in doing so we connect this problem to classical problems in combinatorial optimization. The first is a graph polynomial that counts the number of MECs on $G$ by their number of immoralities. Using connections to the independent set problem, we show that computing a DAG on $G$ with the maximum possible number of immoralities is NP-hard. The second generating function counts the MECs on $G$ according to their size. Via computer enumeration, we show that this generating function is distinct for every connected graph on $p$ nodes for all $p\leq 10$.