Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant properties of prunes (Prunus domestica L.) and their constituents

Prunes contain large amounts of phenolics and show high antioxidant activity. The aim of this study is to clarify the contents of caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) isomers, and to estimate the contribution of these isomers to the antioxidant activity of prunes. Furthermore, structural elucidation and evaluation of antioxidant activity of prune components were also performed. CQA isomers in prunes were quantified by HPLC analysis, and it has become apparent that prunes contain relatively high amount of 4‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid. The contribution of CQA isomers to the antioxidant activity of prunes was revealed to be 28.4% on the basis of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC); hence, it was indicated that residual ORAC is dependent on unknown antioxidant components. Total 28 compounds were isolated and their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS analyses. Four abscisic acid related compounds, a chromanon, and a bipyrrole were novel. Each CQA isomer in prunes showed high antioxidant activities when measured by the oil stability index (OSI) method, O2‐ scavenging activity, and ORAC. Other isolated compounds such as hydroxycinnamic acids, benzoic acids, coumarins, lignans, and flavonoid showed high ORAC values. Furthermore, a novel chromanon indicated a remarkable synergistic effect on ORAC of CQA isomers.
Role of the Zygomaticofacial Foramen in the Orbitozygomatic Craniotomy: Anatomic Report

OBJECTIVEElevation of the lateral orbital rim and zygomatic arch during an orbitozygomatic craniotomy requires a bone cut across the zygoma, which commonly extends into the lateral edge of the inferior orbital fissure. The zygomaticofacial foramen has been identified as a superficial landmark for the cut that extends into the inferior orbital fissure. This study examined the usefulness of the zygomaticofacial foramen during orbitozygomatic craniotomy. METHODSOne-hundred two dry hemicrania were used in this study. The zygomaticofacial foramen was considered to be related to the inferior orbital fissure when it was located on the zygoma in the area between lines extending in the medial-to-lateral direction along the long axis of the fissure and crossing the anterior and posterior ends of the lateral edge of the fissure. RESULTSThe zygomaticofacial foramen varied from being absent to representing as many as four small openings. A single foramen was observed in one-half of the specimens. Of the 115 zygomaticofacial foramina, 93 were related to the inferior orbital fissure. Among the 51 specimens with a single foramen, 49 foramina met the criteria for being related to the inferior orbital fissure; in those cases, there would have been no difference in the amount of bone resected using the inferior orbital fissure or the zygomaticofacial foramen as the landmark for the zygomatic cut. CONCLUSIONThe zygomaticofacial foramen was a reliable landmark for locating the inferior orbital fissure and making the cut across the zygoma in only 50% of the specimens.
Optimal Portfolio Strategy for Risk Management in Toll Road Forecasts and Investments

The study leveraged modern portfolio theory and stochastic time series models to develop a risk management strategy for future traffic projections along brownfield toll facilities. Uncertainty in future traffic forecasts may raise concerns about performance reliability and revenue potential. Historical time series traffic data from brownfield corridors were used for developing econometric forecast estimates, and Monte Carlo simulation was used to quantify a priori risks or variance to develop optimal forecasts by using mean-variance optimization strategies. Numerical analysis is presented with historical toll transactions along the Massachusetts Turnpike system. Suggested diversification strategies were found to achieve better long-term forecast efficiencies with improved trade-offs between anticipated risks and returns. Planner and agency forecast performance expectations and risk propensity are thus jointly captured.
Design of deep neural networks as add-on blocks for improving impromptu trajectory tracking

This paper introduces deep neural networks (DNNs) as add-on blocks to baseline feedback control systems to enhance tracking performance of arbitrary desired trajectories. The DNNs are trained to adapt the reference signals to the feedback control loop. The goal is to achieve a unity map between the desired and the actual outputs. In previous work, the efficacy of this approach was demonstrated on quadrotors; on 30 unseen test trajectories, the proposed DNN approach achieved an average impromptu tracking error reduction of 43% as compared to the baseline feedback controller. Motivated by these results, this work aims to provide platform-independent design guidelines for the proposed DNN-enhanced control architecture. In particular, we provide specific guidelines for the DNN feature selection, derive conditions for when the proposed approach is effective, and show in which cases the training efficiency can be further increased.
An empirical investigation of tourist’s choice of service delivery options: SSTs vs service employees

Purpose This paper aims to offer and examine a conceptual model of tourist innovativeness toward self-service technologies (SSTs) to confirm whether tourists prefer service delivery by SSTs over employees in an offline hospitality environment. Design/methodology/approach Tourists’ perceived usefulness (PU) of SSTs and need for interaction (NI) with service employees have been taken as crucial mediating variables to examine the effects of perceived ease of use and technology readiness index personality dimensions toward SST and employee-based service adoption. Findings Findings reveal that both “NI” and “PU” play significant roles in Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM) when tourists select one of two service delivery options – SSTs and service employees. Research limitations/implications The foremost limitation of the study is its dependence on domestic tourist samples. However, such samples were chosen because tourists comprising these samples tend to use similar service delivery options more, in turn increasing their use of SSTs available in sample hotels. Practical implications The study gives a deeper understanding of TRAM with an extremely crucial mediating variable (NI) in an offline service context. It also provides useful insights to service providers and policy makers for developing new strategies and policies to enhance user experience. Social implications This study recommends the usage of numerous SSTs by tourists. Originality/value During extensive literature review carried out in this research, no study was found that proposed such an effective framework in an offline service context.
A trust-based scheme against Packet dropping attacks in MANETs

Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) is a dynamic network topology in which nodes move without restraint anytime and anywhere; it does not require centralized authorization. Previous researches used traditional cryptographic or authentication function for security. Recently many trust-based routing protocols have been introduced but each has its own limitations. In MANETs, trust is a challenging task. In this network, it is imperative for the nodes to work in a trusted and cooperative way. This paper proposed a new secure trust based routing scheme which is combination of social and QoS trust. The primary goal of our proposed scheme is to mitigate nodes performing various packet forwarding misbehaviors. We calculated four parameters for trust which are control forward ratio, data forward ratio, intimacy and residual energy. We present adversary model of the packet dropping attack against which our trust-based scheme is evaluated. Simulation results in NS-2 show that the proposed scheme improves performance in terms of packet delivery ratio (PDR).
Does Too Much Energy Consumption Harm Economic Growth for Turkish Republics in The Transition Process? New Evidence on Threshold Effects

This paper examines whether the effect of energy consumption on economic growth is dependent on the level of energy intensity for 5 Turkish republics in the transition process over the period 1991-2012. These economies are divided into two groups in the context of their energy balance. The first group comprises all of the Turkish republics in the transition process while the second group is composed of only the net energy exporter countries among them. Using an innovative dynamic panel threshold technique, the estimated threshold of the energy intensity for the first group is 0.68%, while for the second group countries the threshold is 0.44%. The empirical results indicate that the energy consumption rate above the threshold energy intensity level adversely affects the economic growth, but this negative relationship becomes positive one when the energy consumption is below the threshold level. These findings reveal that the energy consumption is beneficial to economic growth only up to a certain threshold of the energy intensity; beyond the threshold level further the consumption tends to adversely affect the growth. In this regard, policy makers in the transition economies should not ignore threshold levels within the context of energy intensity while determining energy policies.
Static Characteristics of a New Doubly Salient Permanent Magnet Motor

In this paper, magnetic field analysis of a new doubly salient permanent magnet (DSPM) motor is carried out based on finite element method (FEM). Hence, the corresponding static characteristics including PM flux linkage, self-inductance, mutual inductance, and static torque-are deduced (the interaction between the PM field and armature field are taken into account). New methods for measuring the motor inductance are also proposed. The theoretical analysis is verified by experimental results.
Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) inhibition increases the inflammatory response in the brain during systemic immune stimuli

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways are currently recommended for the prevention and treatment of several inflammatory diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. However non‐selective blockade of COX was found to have pro‐inflammatory properties, because they have the ability to alter the plasma glucocorticoid levels that play a critical role in the control of the innate immune response. The present study investigated the role of non‐selective (ketorolac or indomethacin) or specific inhibitors of COX‐1 (SC‐560) and COX‐2 (NS‐398) in these effects. Mice challenged systemically with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exhibited a robust hybridization signal for numerous inflammatory genes in vascular‐associated cells of the brain and microglia across the cerebral tissue. Ketorolac, indomethacin and NS‐398 significantly increased the ability of LPS to trigger such an innate immune response at time 3 h post challenge, whereas SC‐560 failed to change gene expression in the brain of animals treated with the endotoxin. These data together with the crucial role of COX‐2‐derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the increase of glucocorticoids during systemic immune stimuli provide evidence that inhibition of this pathway results in an exacerbated early innate immune reaction. This may have a major impact on the use of these drugs in diseases where inflammation is believed to be a contributing and detrimental factor.
Replacement Strategies in Steady-State Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithm: A Comparative Case Study

The paper investigates different replacement strategies for an elite, steady-state multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), where the main population and archive population are evolved simultaneously. A new archive population replacement strategy is presented by updating the archive population with offspring based on epsilon-dominance relationship, which is able to maintain the extreme individuals and obtain a subset of Pareto optimal set without degradation. Furthermore, six different replacement strategies are implemented on the main population, which leads to different interaction between the main population and the archive population. All strategies are tested on two kinds of scalable test problems, and experimental results illustrate that high elitism is preferred in the steady-state MOEAs. Moreover, boundary points can effectively expand the final Pareto front in objective space when they are used in genetic operations.
Comprehensive analysis of CpG islands in human chromosomes 21 and 22

CpG islands are useful markers for genes in organisms containing 5-methylcytosine in their genomes. In addition, CpG islands located in the promoter regions of genes can play important roles in gene silencing during processes such as X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting, and silencing of intragenomic parasites. The generally accepted definition of what constitutes a CpG island was proposed in 1987 by Gardiner-Garden and Frommer [Gardiner-Garden, M. & Frommer, M. (1987) J. Mol. Biol. 196, 261–282] as being a 200-bp stretch of DNA with a C+G content of 50% and an observed CpG/expected CpG in excess of 0.6. Any definition of a CpG island is somewhat arbitrary, and this one, which was derived before the sequencing of mammalian genomes, will include many sequences that are not necessarily associated with controlling regions of genes but rather are associated with intragenomic parasites. We have therefore used the complete genomic sequences of human chromosomes 21 and 22 to examine the properties of CpG islands in different sequence classes by using a search algorithm that we have developed. Regions of DNA of greater than 500 bp with a G+C equal to or greater than 55% and observed CpG/expected CpG of 0.65 were more likely to be associated with the 5′ regions of genes and this definition excluded most Alu-repetitive elements. We also used genome sequences to show strong CpG suppression in the human genome and slight suppression in Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This finding is compatible with the recent detection of 5-methylcytosine in Drosophila, and might suggest that S. cerevisiae has, or once had, CpG methylation.
A stepped-care model of post-disaster child and adolescent mental health service provision

Background From a global perspective, natural disasters are common events. Published research highlights that a significant minority of exposed children and adolescents develop disaster-related mental health syndromes and associated functional impairment. Consistent with the considerable unmet need of children and adolescents with regard to psychopathology, there is strong evidence that many children and adolescents with post-disaster mental health presentations are not receiving adequate interventions. Objective To critique existing child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) models of care and the capacity of such models to deal with any post-disaster surge in clinical demand. Further, to detail an innovative service response; a child and adolescent stepped-care service provision model. Method A narrative review of traditional CAMHS is presented. Important elements of a disaster response – individual versus community recovery, public health approaches, capacity for promotion and prevention and service reach are discussed and compared with the CAMHS approach. Results Difficulties with traditional models of care are highlighted across all levels of intervention; from the ability to provide preventative initiatives to the capacity to provide intense specialised posttraumatic stress disorder interventions. In response, our over-arching stepped-care model is advocated. The general response is discussed and details of the three tiers of the model are provided: Tier 1 communication strategy, Tier 2 parent effectiveness and teacher training, and Tier 3 screening linked to trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy. Conclusion In this paper, we argue that traditional CAMHS are not an appropriate model of care to meet the clinical needs of this group in the post-disaster setting. We conclude with suggestions how improved post-disaster child and adolescent mental health outcomes can be achieved by applying an innovative service approach.
Racial and ethnic diversity.

The authors describe the "heterogeneous racial and ethnic minorities [in the United States] in 1990. They stress the rapid growth of minority populations vis-a-vis the white population. But they point out that the rapidly growing Asian and Hispanic populations are geographically concentrated so the shift away from numerical dominance by whites is occurring in some places but not in others. They address the question of whether todays minorities will replicate the highly successful assimilation process of the European immigrants who came to the United States between 1880 and the early 1920s. They conclude that this may happen for some groups including Asians but will probably not occur for others especially for African Americans and for American Indians. " (EXCERPT)
Structural and Functional Analysis of the cis-Acting Elements Required for Plus-Strand RNA Synthesis of Bamboo Mosaic Virus

ABSTRACT Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) has a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome. The secondary structure of the 3′-terminal sequence of the minus-strand RNA has been predicted by MFOLD and confirmed by enzymatic structural probing to consist of a large, stable stem-loop and a small, unstable stem-loop. To identify the promoter for plus-strand RNA synthesis in this region, transcripts of 39, 77, and 173 nucleotides (Ba-39, Ba-77, and Ba-173, respectively) derived from the 3′ terminus of the minus-strand RNA were examined by an in vitro RNA-dependent RNA polymerase assay for the ability to direct RNA synthesis. Ba-77 and Ba-39 appeared to direct the RNA synthesis efficiently, while Ba-173 failed. Ba-77/Δ5, with a deletion of the 3′-terminal UUUUC sequence in Ba-77, directed the RNA synthesis only to 7% that of Ba-77. However, Ba-77/Δ16 and Ba-77/Δ31, with longer deletions but preserving the terminal UUUUC sequence of Ba-77, restored the template activity to about 60% that of the wild type. Moreover, mutations that changed the sequence in the stem of the large stem-loop interfered with the efficiency of RNA synthesis and RNA accumulation in vivo. The mutant with an internal deletion in the region between the terminal UUUUC sequence and the large stem-loop reduced the viral RNA accumulation in protoplasts, but mutants with insertions did not. Taken together, these results suggest that three cis-acting elements in the 3′ end of the minus-strand RNA, namely, the terminal UUUUC sequence, the sequence in the large stem-loop, and the distance between these two regions, are involved in modulating the efficiency of BaMV plus-strand viral RNA synthesis.
Milk processing quality of suckled/milked goats: effects of milk accumulation interval and milking regime

Milk with a high concentration of fat and casein is required for cheese production, and these components have a major impact for both quality and yield of the curd. Recent observations have shown that suckling can elevate milk fat concentration in goats and our aim was therefore to check the hypothesis that animal welfare and cheese-processing properties of goat milk could be optimised by appropriate management of suckled/milked goats. Twelve Swedish dairy goats were kept together with one kid each in 4 different mixed management-systems (milking combined with partial suckling) in a cross-over design. Two milk accumulation intervals were tested; Short = dams and kids were together for 16 h (T16) and Long = ; dams and kids were together for 8 h (T8 h). In addition, two milking regimes were used; Suckled Before Milking = S and Milked Before Suckling = M. Milk accumulation interval referred to how long dams and kids were separated. The milk yield available for processing (milk offtake), was weighed and analysed from each milking occasion and the suckled milk yield was estimated by a weigh-suckle-weigh method (WSW) in combination with observing the suckling behaviour during the free suckling periods. Milking managements, such as ‘suckling before milking (S)’, increased milk fat concentration compared to milking before suckling (M) and ‘Short accumulation treatments (T16)’ gave higher milk fat, casein concentration and individual curd yield (%) compared to the ‘Long accumulation treatment (T8)’. The total individual curd yield (g) was the same despite treatment, but the animal welfare was most likely higher in T16 where dams and kids spent more time together.
Determination of robustness and optimal work conditions for a purification process of a therapeutic recombinant protein using response surface methodology

A typical chromatographic purification step has numerous operating parameters that can impact its performance. As it is not feasible to evaluate the influence of each one, the current practice in biopharmaceutical industry is to apply risk analysis approach to identify process parameters that should be examined during process characterization. Once these parameters are identified, a response surface study can be run to help understand the relationship between critical inputs and outputs. We performed a study comprising optimization and robustness determination for a Blue‐Sepharose purification step of rhEPO, a well‐known therapeutic glycoprotein. Initially, risk analysis was fulfilled to identify key parameters. A small‐scale model was created and qualified before its use in experimental studies, given by a Box–Behnken design with three factors. This method proved to be a very useful tool in bioprocess validation studies in which many input variables can affect product quality and safety. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2011
Effects of antiepileptic drugs on motor cortex excitability in humans: A transcranial magnetic stimulation study

The effect of a single oral dose of various antiepileptic drugs on the excitability of the motor system was studied in healthy volunteers by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation. Motor threshold, duration of the cortical silent period, and intracortical excitability after double‐shock transcranial stimulation were tested before and at defined intervals after drug intake. Antiepileptic drugs that support the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the neocortex (vigabatrin, baclofen) reduced intracortical excitability but had no effect on motor threshold. Gabapentin, whose mechanism of action has not yet been unequivocally identified, showed a similar profile. By contrast, sodium and calcium channel blockers without considerable neurotransmitter properties (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, losigamone) elevated motor threshold but did not change intracortical excitability. The cortical silent period was lengthened by gabapentin and carbamazepine. Changes in peripheral motor excitability (maximum M wave, peripheral silent period) were not observed. We conclude that the changes in intracortical excitability are caused by GABA‐controlled interneuronal circuits in the motor cortex while changes in motor threshold are dependent on ion channel conductivity and may reflect membrane excitability. Transcranial magnetic stimulation may be a promising noninvasive approach to study the selective effects of antiepileptic drugs on brain function.