Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
1 IBERIAN CURED-HAM CONSUMPTION IMPROVES ENDOTHELIAL 2 FUNCTION IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS 3 4

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that dietary components such as oleic acid or 18 polyphenols exert beneficial effects on endothelium. We aimed to assess the impact of regular 19 consumption of Iberian cured-ham (ICH) on endothelial function. Design: An open-label, 20 randomized controlled parallel study. Setting: Volunteers recruited through advertisements at a 21 hospital in Madrid, Spain. Participants: 102 Caucasian adults (76.8% females) aged 25–55 years, 22 and free from cardiometabolic disease. Intervention: Participants were randomized to an ICH23 enriched ad libitum diet or an ad libitum diet without ICH for 6 weeks. Subjects in ICH group were 24 randomly provided with either acornor mixed-fed ICH, and followed up for an additional 6-week 25 period under their usual diet. Measurements: Clinical parameters, biomarkers of endothelial function 26 and oxidative stress, microvascular vasodilatory response to hyperemia and arterial stiffness were 27 measured before and after the intervention. Results: After 6 weeks, a larger decrease in PAI-1 was 28 observed in subjects consuming ICH compared to the Control group (-6.2±17.7 vs. 0.3±1.4 ng/ml; 29 p=0.020). Similarly, microvascular vasodilatory response to hyperemia showed a significant increase 30 (112.4±391.7 vs. -56.0±327.9%; p=0.007). However, neither oxidative stress, hemodynamic nor 31 clinical parameters differed significantly over the study. Additionally, after stopping ICH 32 consumption, improvements in PAI-1 remained for 6 additional weeks with respect to baseline 33 (p=0.006). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that regular consumption 34 of ICH improves endothelial function in healthy adults. Strategies aimed to preserve or improve the 35 endothelial function may have implications in vascular aging beyond the prevention of the 36 atherothrombotic disease. 37
A qualitative study of the challenges faced by material designers when developing DIY-materials

The recent academic literature on material practices within design has revealed the emergence of a new design discipline, DIY-materials (Mariani, Rampino 2019, Rognoli, Bianchini et al. 2015, Rognoli, Ayala Garcia 2018). Designers educated in DIY-material
Role of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 for Diagnosing Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) controlled and promoted by inflammation within the coronary plaque. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a pro-inﬂammatory mediator, that’s playing a major role in plaque rupture. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of MCP-1 for early diagnosis of AMI among chest pain (CP) patients. Methods: MCP-1 and cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) were performed for all studied patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers. Results: The baseline level of MCP-1 has a good capacity for discriminating patients with AMI from non-coronary chest pain (NCCP), stable angina (SA), and unstable angina (UA) patients with efficiency 91%, 91%, and 83%; respectively. Area under the curves (AUCs) of MCP-1 for diagnosis AMI patients at 0-6 hours and > 6-12 hours after onset time of CP were 0.69 (P 12-24 hours, cTnI has AUC 0.93 (P < 0.0001) compared with MCP-1 0.74 (P < 0.0001). In conclusion: Independent early baseline MCP-1 has given sufficient diagnostic information for patients with AMI.
Evaluating Cycle Time Performance of Integrated Metrology Applied to 300 mm lithography and thermal treatment areas

Abstract – Integrated metrology, one of the present developments in semiconductor fabs, influences the cycle time performance of a fab. A general hypothesis is that integrated metrology has a positive impact on cycle time performance due to reduction or even elimination of handling and waiting times. However, a negative impact on cycle time performance is also probable because of a reduced productivity of the combined tools (process tool with integrated metrology). To investigate the overall effect of integrated metrology on cycle time performance, two 300 mm areas are considered: the lithography area and a mini-batch furnace in the thermal treatment area. For both areas the differences between integrated and stand-alone metrology are identified and for each difference the effect on cycle time is analyzed. For the lithography area, integrated metrology results in about 20% cycle time improvement. For the mini-batch furnace this is about 3%. The difference between these results is explained and conclusions are drawn on the overall effect of integrated metrology on cycle time.
A Comparison of Four Survey Methods for Detecting Fox Squirrels in the Southeastern United States

Abstract Fox squirrel Sciurus niger populations in the southeastern United States appear to have declined, and 3 (S. n. cinereus, S. n. shermani, and S. n. avicennia) of the 10 subspecies are currently listed with a conservation status of protection. Efforts to conserve and manage fox squirrels in the southeastern United States are constrained by difficulties in studying their populations because of low densities and low detectability. There is a need for an effective survey method to fill knowledge gaps on southeastern fox squirrel ecology. To address this need and to identify a cost-effective and reliable technique to survey and monitor southeastern fox squirrel populations, we compared four survey methods across seasons: live-trapping; camera-trapping; point counts; and line-transect surveys, in regard to whether a detection occurred at a survey point, the total number of detections at a survey point, and the total cost for each method. We assessed the effectiveness of capture and detection methods and.
Data report: X-ray fluorescence scanning of Site U1427, Yamato Basin, Expedition 346

Semiquantitative elemental results from X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning of sediment cores collected from Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Site U1427 in the Yamato Basin off the west coast of Japan are presented. XRF elemental data were collected every 1 cm from core sections located on the stratigraphically continuous Site U1427 spliced composite record over the depth interval from 13.32 to 116.71 m core composite depth below seafloor, Method D (CCSF-D). We report raw element intensities (counts) at subcentennial resolution for Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Br, Sr, and Zr and identify covariation patterns consistent with lithofacies variations that have been previously correlated with glacial–interglacial changes in sea level, sedimentation, and water-column productivity. Our high-resolution XRF scanning of Site U1427 sediments was conducted to aid in interpretation of sedimentation and facilitate more detailed paleoceanographic studies at this location.
A SUBCLASS OF P-VALENTLY CLOSE-TO-CONVEX FUNCTIONS OF ORDER α

In the present paper we introduce and investigate an intresting subclass K p (A,B, α) analytic and p-valently close-to-convex functions in the open unit disk U. For functions belonging to K p (A,B, α), we derive several properties including coefficient estimates, sufficient condition, distortion theorem. The connection with earliar works are also pointed out. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 30C45.
New Insights into Activity-Related Functional Bone Adaptations and Alterations in Neolithic Liguria (Northwestern Italy)

This study offers a combined analysis of longbone mechanical properties (cross-sectional geometry, CSG), upper-limb enthesopathies (entheseal changes, ECs), and external auditory exostoses (EAEs) among Neolithic people from Liguria (Italy). Previous CSG studies have suggested a high degree of mobility in mountainous terrain and sexual dimorphism in the upper limbs, with males being more oriented toward unimanual activities and females performing strenuous bimanual tasks. The aims of the study were to: 1) increase the sample size of the CSG analysis via the acquisition of surface 3D models, 2) provide a solid chronological framework through direct dating in order to allow for subsampling of individuals dated to the Impresso-Cardial Complex (ICC, c. 5800–5000 BCE) and the Square-Mouthed Pottery culture (c. 5000–4300 BCE), 3) integrate the results of CSG analysis with information on ECs of the humeral epicondyles, and 4) assess possible marine activities through analysis of EAEs. Results from the CSG analysis confirmed those of previous studies, with no significant diachronic change. ECs in the humeral medial epicondyle parallelled CSG adaptations: males tended to display more changes, especially unilaterally. Only one individual from the ICC period showed bilateral EAE, suggesting that marine activities were not prevalent. This study adds to our knowledge on activity patterns in the Neolithic in Liguria, and shows that integrating structural adaptations with information from specific entheseal alterations and exostoses can improve reconstructions of past habitual activities.
Examination of hepato-renal functions and lipid panel among pregnant women with preeclampsia in Sétif, Algeria

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem pregnancy disease inflecting maternal, fetal mortality and morbidity. This case-control study aims to determine the biochemical changes in lipid profile, hepatic and renal functions among sixty preeclamptic women compared to sixty age-matching normotensive pregnant women from the Maternity Hospital in Sétif, Algeria. Several biomarkers were collected and have been determined by appropriate kits. Association between various parameters was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, with significance at P<0.05. The PE women showed a significant increase in serum aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl-transferase, alkaline phosphatase, as well as total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels. However, a significant decrease in platelets, total protein, albumin, and plasma sodium levels were found in PE group. A positive correlation between aminotransferases and renal biomarkers was observed.PE has deleterious effects on liver and renal functions, and could be predicted by evaluating hepatic and renal biomarkers as well as lipid profile in the early stage of disease, for targeted prevention strategies in our population. Further studies on genetic assessment in cases of PE are needed for a better understanding of this disease’s pathophysiology in Algeria.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition System

: The traffic on the roads is increasing day by day. There is dire need of developing an automation system that can effectively manage and control the traffic on roads. The traffic data of multiple vehicle types on roads is important for taking various decisions related to traffic. A video based traffic data collection system for multiple vehicle types is helpful for monitoring vehicles under homogenous and heterogeneous traffic conditions. License plate recognition (LPR) algorithms in images or videos are generally composed of processing steps such as extraction of a license plate region, segmentation of the plate characters and recognition of each character. This task is quite challenging due to the diversity of plate formats and the nonuniform outdoor illumination conditions during image acquisition. Therefore, most approaches work only under restricted conditions such as fixed illumination, limited vehicle speed, designated routes, and stationary backgrounds. Numerous techniques have been developed for LPR in still images or video sequences, and the purpose of this paper is to categorize and assess them. Issues such as processing time, computational power, and recognition rate are also addressed.
Design and Simulation of a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) for a Seismic Uniaxial Shake Table

Shake table is one of the apparatus that aids in researches to generate techniques, structural developments, and strategies to prevent, prepare, and minimize an earthquake’s devastating effects. One important factor that should be considered in a shake table is the system dynamics due to control-structural interactions, which could either be linear or non-linear. To accurately model both has always been the challenge but becomes more plausible with the availability of faster hardware and computers and the continuous decrease in latency. Model Predictive Controller (MPC) is a type of controller extensively used in the industry that can be used on linear and non-linear systems. This study presents the design and simulation of an MPC for a uniaxial shake table intending to analyze the system’s behavior and accuracy. MATLAB Simulink was utilized to handle the simulation analysis of the controller. Different MPC parameters such as sample time, prediction horizon, control horizon, and closed-loop performance were manipulated and adjusted to observe their effects on the output of the system. A signal that mimics the actual earthquake data was inputted into the controller, and the system's behavior and outputs were measured and presented through graphical representations. To determine the accuracy of the system’s output, its relationship with the reference signal was compared. From the simulation produced, the system demonstrated high accuracy levels and could be adjusted depending on the set performance aggressiveness of the system.
Health Care Practitioners' Determinants of Telerehabilitation Acceptance

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary patient-tailored intervention that aims to improve the physical and psychological condition of people with chronic respiratory diseases. Providing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) services to the growing population of patients is challenging due to shortages in health care practitioners and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Telerehabilitation has the potential to address this shortage in practitioners and PR programs as well as improve patients' participation and adherence. This study's purpose was to identify and evaluate the influences of intention of health care practitioners to use telerehabilitation. Methods: Data were collected through a self-administered Internet-based survey. Results: Surveys were completed by 222 health care practitioners working in pulmonary rehabilitation with 79% having a positive intention to use telerehabilitation. Specifically, perceived usefulness was a significant individual predictor of positive intentions to use telerehabilitation. Conclusion: Perceived usefulness may be an important factor associated with health care providers' intent to use telerehabilitation for pulmonary rehabilitation.
Efficient spatial indexes for approximate range searching

Building efficient spatial indexes for range searching is a central problem in spatial databases. The Rtree has been a popular spatial index thanks to its simplicity, ability to answer various queries, and the flexibility to store spatial objects of different shapes. However, the R-tree is known to be a heuristic-based structure and no guarantees can be made on its query performance. In this paper, we present two disk-based indexes for approximate range searching that are as versatile as the R-tree, and at the same time provide good guarantees on the query performance, albeit in the approximate sense.
The Effect of Perceived Similarity on Leader-member Exchange and Deviant Workplace Behavior

Using a sample of two-hundred thirty-eight employees in the service industry, this study examined the relationships between perceived similarity, leader-member exchange (LMX), envy, and deviant workplace behavior (DWB) drawing on social comparison theory. Specifically, the current study predicts that an individual who perceives similarity to co-workers whose LMX is higher is more likely to report lower levels of LMX by focusing on upward social comparison. In addition, the study examines the moderating effect of envy in the relationship between perceived similarity and LMX. The results of the study supported the hypotheses, implying that, first, envious feelings coming from lower levels of LMX positively predict DWB. Second, employee envy moderated the relationship between perceived similarity and LMX such that envious people who report being similar to their colleagues also report lower levels of LMX with their supervisors. This means that employees who reported lower levels of LMX with their supervisors, reported committing more DWB than their counterparts. Finally, LMX mediates the relationship between perceived similarity and DWB, indicating that individuals who view themselves similarly to their colleagues report lower levels of LMX with their supervisors and in turn commit more DWB. We believe that it highlights the need for employees to feel special in order to have unique attention by, and relationships with their supervisors. These results have implications and suggest the need for the further study of employee’s negative emotions, LMX theory, and DWB. ■ keyword :∣Leader-Member Exchange∣Deviant Workplace Behavior∣Envy∣Social Comparison Theory∣ Perceived Similarity∣ 접수일자 : 2020년 06월 08일 수정일자 : 2020년 07월 06일 심사완료일 : 2020년 07월 06일 교신저자 : 김수경, e-mail : sookim@dankook.ac. kr 한국콘텐츠학회논문지 '20 Vol. 20 No. 7 630
Single-species allometric equations for above-ground biomass of most abundant long-lived pioneer species in semi-deciduous rain forests of the central region of Cameroon

The implementation of REDD+ and AFR100 mechanisms require the availability of reliable allometric models, which are mathematical functions for estimating forest biomass from independent variables such as diameter at breast height (dbh), crown diameter, wood density and tree height. Although many equations have been developed to estimate tree biomass in undegraded forests, very few models have been developed for secondary forest species. The aim of this study was to establish single-species allometric models for estimating biomass of pioneer species in semi-deciduous forests in the central region of Cameroon and to evaluate their accuracy. Data of above-ground biomass were obtained from destructive sampling of 103 pioneer trees belonging to three species: Distemonanthus benthamianus, Musanga cecropioides and Trema orientalis. Model comparison were based on Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), average deviation and the coefficient R2adj. The different tests with combinations of dendrometric variables shows that whatever the species considered, the diameter at breast height appears as a good single predictor of biomass (Adjuted R²adj ˃ 0.97 in all three species). The use of the crown diameter in the model in Musanga cecropioides has considerably improved the quality of the fit. However, the consideration of these three variables in the model gave even better results (Adj.R² = 0.978-0.988). The comparison of these present models with the equations previously developed shows that the models in this article provide a better estimate of biomass. However, several important data from semi-deciduous forest remain essential for the adjustment of multi-specie models.
The SNP rs13147758 in the HHIP Gene Is Associated With COPD Susceptibility, Serum, and Sputum Protein Levels in Smokers

Background Genetic association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) susceptibility. The aim of this study was to identify HHIP genetic variants associated with COPD, pulmonary function, and serum and sputum HHIP protein levels in Mexican mestizo smokers. Materials and Methods Association analysis was performed by carrying out a case–control study in Mexican mestizo smokers comprised of two groups: tobacco-smoking subjects with COPD (COPD-TS, n = 222) and smokers without COPD (SWOC, n = 333). We evaluated three SNPs (rs13147758, rs1828591, and rs13118928) in the HHIP gene. Allele discrimination was accomplished by qPCR using TaqMan probes, and determination of protein levels in the serum and sputum supernatants (SS) was performed using ELISA. Results Statistically significant differences were observed in the rs13147758 GG genotype (adjusted p = 0.014, OR = 1.95) and the rs13147758-rs1828591 GA haplotype (p = 6.6E-06, OR = 2.65) in the case–control comparison. HHIP protein levels were elevated in SS samples from the COPD-TS group compared to those from the SWOC group (p = 0.03). Based on genotype analysis, HHIP protein levels were lower in the serum samples of rs13147758 GG genotype carriers in the COPD-TS group than in the serum samples of rs13147758 GG genotype carriers from the SWOC group (p < 0.05), but there were no differences in the sputum samples. Conclusion The rs13147758 GG genotype and the rs13147758-rs1828591 GA haplotype are associated with susceptibility to COPD. Furthermore, an association in protein levels was observed between the HHIP rs13147758 genotype and COPD in Mexican mestizo smokers.
Assessing Effects of Agronomic Nitrogen Management on Crop Nitrogen Use and Nitrogen Losses in the Western Canadian Prairies

Effective agronomic nitrogen management strategies ensure optimum productivity, reduce nitrogen losses, and enhance economic profitability and environmental quality. Farmers in western Canada make key decisions on formulation, rate, timing, and placement of fertilizer nitrogen that are suitable for soils, weather, and farming operations within which they operate. Suitability of agronomic nitrogen management options are assessed by estimates from linear interpolations and extrapolations of temporally and spatially discrete field-plot measurements of nitrogen responses. Such estimates do not account for non-linear and offsetting biogeochemical feedbacks of nitrogen cycles and cannot provide comprehensive nitrogen budgets for alternative nitrogen management options. These limitations can be overcome by using process-based agro-ecosystem models that adequately simulate basic processes of nitrogen biogeochemical cycles and are rigorously tested against site observations. Ecosys is a process-based ecosystem model that successfully simulated the biogeochemical feedbacks among nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus cycles across different agro-ecosystems. This study deployed ecosys to generate spatially and temporally continuous estimates to assess crop nitrogen use and agronomic nitrogen losses from the crop fields across Alberta for alternative nitrogen fertilizer management scenarios. The study simulated effects of four nitrogen management scenarios: fall banded urea, fall banded ESN (Environmentally Smart Nitrogen), spring banded urea, and spring banded ESN on nitrogen recovery and losses from barley fields on mid-slope landforms. These simulations were done at township grids of ~10 km × 10 km over 2011–2015 utilizing provincial soil and climate datasets. Modeled annual N2O, N2, and NH3 emissions, and nitrogen losses in surface runoff and sub-surface discharge were lower by about 25, 30, 70, and 40%, respectively, with spring banding than in fall banding across Alberta. Modeled barley yields and grain nitrogen uptake were similar in spring and fall banding, indicating agro-economic and environmental sustainability advantage of spring banding in Alberta. These modeled estimates were consistent with estimates based on plot and laboratory research for Alberta and similar prairie conditions. This study pioneered a methodology of process-based agroecosystem modeling, which is replicable and scalable to assess cumulative impacts of alternative agronomic nitrogen management options on crop production and the environment on provincial, regional, federal, continental, and global scales.