Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrient-Gene Interactions The Diurnal Rhythm of the Intestinal Transporters SGLT 1 and PEPT 1 Is Regulated by the Feeding Conditions in Rats 1

The intestinal Na /glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) and H /peptide cotransporter 1 (PEPT1) play important roles in the absorption of carbohydrate and protein. Although they exhibit a diurnal rhythm in their expression and function, the factors responsible for this are unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of various feeding conditions on the diurnal rhythm of intestinal SGLT1 and PEPT1. Rats were divided into 1 of 4 groups: group 1 was fed, group 2 was food deprived for 1–4 d, group 3 was food deprived for 4 d and then refed for 1 or 2 d, and group 4 was fed during the daytime (0900–1500 h) for 10 d. In fed rats, the SGLT1 protein level was significantly higher at 2000 h than at 0800 h. However, in rats deprived of food for 2–4 d, protein levels did not differ between 0800 and 2000 h. In contrast, the SGLT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) level was significantly higher at 2000 h than at 0800 h in rats deprived of food for 4 d. Refeeding for 2 d after 4 d of food deprivation returned the diurnal variation in SGLT1 and PEPT1 protein expressions to normal. Consuming food during the daytime only shifted the peaks of SGLT1 and PEPT1 mRNAs and protein expressions from the dark phase to the light phase. These findings suggest that food intake, rather than the light cycle, greatly affects the diurnal rhythm of SGLT1 and PEPT1 expressions. J. Nutr. 134: 2211–2215, 2004.
Community and International Nutrition Thiamine Deficiency is Prevalent in a Selected Group of Urban Indonesian Elderly People 1 , 2 , 3

This cross-sectional study involved 204 elderly individuals (93 males and 111 females). Subjects were randomly recruited using a list on which all 60–75 y-old-people living in seven sub-villages in Jakarta were included. The usual food intake was estimated using semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires. Hemoglobin, plasma retinol, vitamin B-12, red blood cell folate and the percentage stimulation of erythrocyte transketolase (ETK), as an indicator of thiamine status, were analyzed. Median energy intake was below the assessed requirement. More than 75% of the subjects had iron and thiamine intakes of ;2/3 of the recommended daily intake, and 20.2% of the study population had folate intake of ;2/3 of the recommended daily intake. Intakes of vitamins A and B-12 were adequate. Biochemical assessments demonstrated that 36.6% of the subjects had low thiamine levels (ETK stimulation . 25%). The elderly men tended to have lower thiamine levels than the elderly women. The overall prevalence of anemia was 28.9%, and the elderly women were affected more than the elderly men. Low biochemical status of vitamins A, B-12 and RBC folate was found in 5.4%, 8.8 % and 2.9% of the subjects, respectively. Dietary intakes of thiamine and folate were associated with ETK stimulation and plasma vitamin B-12 concentration (r 5 0.176, P 5 0.012 and r 5 0.77, P 5 0.001), respectively. Results of this study suggest that anemia, thiamine and possibly vitamin B-12 deficiency are prevalent in the elderly living in Indonesia. Clearly, micronutrient supplementation may be beneficial for the Indonesian elderly population living in underprivileged areas. J. Nutr. 129: 366–371, 1999.
Nitrogen Oxides and Particulate Matter from Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), Emulsified MDO, and Dimethyl Ether Fuels in Auxiliary Marine Engines

Exhaust gases from ships and automobiles have a significant impact on people and the environment. As a result, diesel engines used in land and marine vehicles are gradually being restricted, and low-carbon engines are under development. This study considers marine diesel oil (MDO) that is used in ships to meet the emission regulations required by the International Maritime Organization. This investigation explores the method and application technology for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter using emulsified fuel and mass-produced dimethyl ether (DME) fuel, which are analyzed. When comparing emulsified fuel and DME fuel to MDO, which is a ship oil, NOx are reduced by 20–45% and the particulate matter is reduced by 60–97%. When emulsified fuel containing moisture is used, the combustion chamber temperature is lowered due to the optimal expansion by moisture contained in the fuel. The particulate matter is also reduced. When DME fuel is used, it reduces the particulate matter by more than 97% in comparison with the existing MDO fuel and the emulsified fuel. The conditions are believed to be suitable for combustion and they can be satisfied by supplying oxygen during post-combustion.
A Connectivity-Prediction-Based Dynamic Clustering Model for VANET in an Urban Scene

Maintaining network connectivity is an important challenge for vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) in an urban scene, which has more complex road conditions than highways and suburban areas. Most existing studies analyze end-to-end connectivity probability under a certain node distribution model, and reveal the relationship among network connectivity, node density, and a communication range. Because of various influencing factors and changing communication states, most of their results are not applicable to VANET in an urban scene. In this article, we propose a connectivity prediction-based dynamic clustering (DC) model for VANET in an urban scene. First, we introduce a connectivity prediction method (CP) according to the features of a vehicle node and relative features among vehicle nodes. Then, we formulate a DC model based on connectivity among vehicle nodes and vehicle node density. Finally, we present a DC model-based routing method to realize stable communications among vehicle nodes. The experimental results show that the proposed CP can achieve a lower error rate than the geographic routing based on predictive locations and multilayer perceptron. The proposed routing method can achieve lower end-to-end latency and higher delivery rate than the greedy perimeter stateless routing and modified distributed and mobility-adaptive clustering-based methods.
Distributed Gibbs: A Linear-Space Sampling-Based DCOP Algorithm

Researchers have used distributed constraint optimization problems (DCOPs) to model various multi-agent coordination and resource allocation problems. Very recently, Ottens et al. proposed a promising new approach to solve DCOPs that is based on confidence bounds via their Distributed UCT (DUCT) sampling-based algorithm. Unfortunately, its memory requirement per agent is exponential in the number of agents in the problem, which prohibits it from scaling up to large problems. Thus, in this article, we introduce two new sampling-based DCOP algorithms called Sequential Distributed Gibbs (SD-Gibbs) and Parallel Distributed Gibbs (PD-Gibbs). Both algorithms have memory requirements per agent that is linear in the number of agents in the problem. Our empirical results show that our algorithms can find solutions that are better than DUCT, run faster than DUCT, and solve some large problems that DUCT failed to solve due to memory limitations.
Promote Higher Order Thinking Skills In Designing Interface.

: Higher Order Thinking (HOT) skills encourage three cognitive domains which are the analysis, synthesis and evaluation thinking domains. In designing Interface HOT skills, it requires learners to analyze, synthesize and evaluate students’ design decisions. Activities such as recognizing design claims, examining usability problems, pointing out usability problems required specific analysis skills. Choosing significant features and functions for the non-working prototype, incorporate alternative design ideas and propose design suggestions requires synthesis thinking skills. Whereas evaluation thinking is needed to justify the prototype, defend the modification and evaluate peer’s design. The “Prototype Valuation System (PROVAS)” was used to explore the HOT skills in designing Interface. This research will present the findings on how PROVAS was used by a group of 14 diploma students in a private higher education institution in Malaysia which has encouraged HOT skills in designing Interface. Data were collected from online observation, student’s journal and heuristic evaluation. The findings have indicate that PROVAS can encourage HOT skills in designing Interface.
ING STRUCTURED BEST-RESPONSE FUNCTIONS

Hyperparameter optimization can be formulated as a bilevel optimization problem, where the optimal parameters on the training set depend on the hyperparameters. We aim to adapt regularization hyperparameters for neural networks by fitting compact approximations to the best-response function, which maps hyperparameters to optimal weights and biases. We show how to construct scalable best-response approximations for neural networks by modeling the best-response as a single network whose hidden units are gated conditionally on the regularizer. We justify this approximation by showing the exact best-response for a shallow linear network with L2-regularized Jacobian can be represented by a similar gating mechanism. We fit this model using a gradient-based hyperparameter optimization algorithm which alternates between approximating the best-response around the current hyperparameters and optimizing the hyperparameters using the approximate best-response function. Unlike other gradient-based approaches, we do not require differentiating the training loss with respect to the hyperparameters, allowing us to tune discrete hyperparameters, data augmentation hyperparameters, and dropout probabilities. Because the hyperparameters are adapted online, our approach discovers hyperparameter schedules that can outperform fixed hyperparameter values. Empirically, our approach outperforms competing hyperparameter optimization methods on large-scale deep learning problems. We call our networks, which update their own hyperparameters online during training, SelfTuning Networks (STNs).
An m-Polar Fuzzy PROMETHEE Approach for AHP-Assisted Group Decision-Making

The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is arguably the most popular and factual approach for computing the weights of attributes in the multi-attribute decision-making environment. The Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment of Evaluations (PROMETHEE) is an outranking family of multi-criteria decision-making techniques for evaluating a finite set of alternatives, that relies on multiple and inconsistent criteria. One of its main advantages is the variety of admissible preference functions that can measure the differences between alternatives, in response to the type and nature of the criteria. This research article studies a version of the PROMETHEE technique that encompasses multipolar assessments of the performance of each alternative (relative to the relevant criteria). As is standard practice, first we resort to the AHP technique in order to quantify the normalized weights of the attributes by the pairwise comparison of criteria. Afterwards the m-polar fuzzy PROMETHEE approach is used to rank the alternatives on the basis of conflicting criteria. Six types of generalized criteria preference functions are used to measure the differences or deviations of every pair of alternatives. A partial ranking of alternatives arises by computing the positive and negative outranking flows of alternatives, which is known as PROMETHEE I. Furthermore, a complete ranking of alternatives is achieved by the inspection of the net flow of alternatives, and this is known as PROMETHEE II. Two comparative analysis are performed. A first study checks the impact of different types of preference functions. It considers the usual criterion preference function for all criteria. In addition, we compare the technique that we develop with existing multi-attribute decision-making methods.
Robust observer-based stabilization of Lipschitz nonlinear uncertain systems via LMIs-Discussions and new design procedure

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Robust observer-based stabilization of Lipschitz nonlinear uncertain systems via LMIs Discussions and new design procedure Ali Zemouche, Rajesh Rajamani, Houria Kheloufi, Fazia Bedouhene
TAPSim How-to

Atom Probe Tomography (APT) is an amazing analysis technique in materials science, which enables the analysis of local chemistry and atomic positioning in nanostructured materials. It offers outstanding spatial resolution in combination with sufficient mass resolving power for the determination of chemical species. The basic principle of this method is founded on the effect of controlled evaporation of single atoms from a field emitter. Due to the presence of extraordinary high field strengths in direct vicinity of the apex, single surface atoms can desorb and become ions. The needle shaped emitter represents at the same time the analysed sample and it acts as the most important part of the projective system for produced ions since it decisively effects the trajectories. TAPSim is a simulation package which has been developed to better understand the effects which arise in APT measurements of samples with heterogenous evaporation properties. It allows the theoretical analysis of tips with arbitrary shape, with arbitrary atomic structure and well-defined chemical composition. In this regard, practically no limitations exist. Each tip atom is represented by a Wigner-Seitz cell. The produced output by the simulation can be analysed with standard APT analysis techniques as they are applied to real experimental data, too. For this reason TAPSim enables a one on one comparison with a theoretical model of a sample and with direct measurements. From a theoretical point of view it offers the possibility for testing new concepts and procedures for APT
Understanding the role of hydrologic model structures on evapotranspiration-driven sensitivity

ABSTRACT Most conceptual hydrological models do not treat vegetation as a dynamic component. This study focuses on understanding the impact of model structural complexity on the sensitivity of hydrologic models to potential evapotranspiration forcing data. To achieve this, two classes of hydrologic models are examined: (1) lumped, conceptual rainfall–runoff models and (2) eco-hydrologic models. A sample of 57 US catchments, covering eight eco-regions, included in the MOPEX dataset is used. While streamflow simulation performance in complex models did not exhibit increased sensitivity to PET, actual evapotranspiration simulation performance showed greater sensitivity in energy-limited catchments. This analysis warns against using over-simplistic PET estimations in energy-limited catchments for eco-hydrologic models and for more complex conceptual hydrologic models. This is particularly true for streamflow-only calibrations that commonly fail to properly constrain physically based parameters. Ultimately, these results have the potential to inform data collection and model selection efforts to yield the greatest benefit.
Suggested Cost Minimization Techniques By Using Work Study Method At Powder Spray Painting Industry

The aim of this case study is to minimize the cost of the production in a spray powder line. The coating operation is the bottleneck point in modular furniture industries. For minimize the wastage of the powder by avoiding overspray painting on the article and improved the quality of the coating by using work study methodology. Many companies across the world are engaged in adopting work study (motion study and work measurement) are examination of humane work in all its contexts and which lead systematically to the investigation of all factors which effect the efficiency of the situation being reviewed, in order to seek improvements. Today the industries with all their complexities and modernization naturally demand a more systematic approach like the work study in its present form. This work suggest the best and most efficient way of using available resources, minimizing the operation, task duplication cost, scheduling and sequencing task and improved the production rate. Keywords— Flow process chart, sequencing operation, Work study, powder coating booth.
The Role of Fiscal Policy Components in Private Consumption: a Re-examination of the Effects of Military and Civilian Spending

In this paper, we re-examine the magnitude of the impact of government spending on private consumption by a new Keynesian approach, focusing on the role of military spending. For this reason, we separate civilian and military spending in the U.S. economy and analyse their respective effects. Our VAR estimates show, as expected, that civilian expenditure induces a positive and significant response on private consumption whereas military spending has a negative impact. We then develop a simple DSGE new Keynesian model to simulate the empirical evidence under a larger persistence of shocks and a different financing mechanism in military spending, the latter reproducing the propensity of policy-makers to use budget deficits to finance wars. Lastly, simulated impulse response functions of alternative specification models prove the robustness of our analysis.
Do Campaign Contribution Limits Curb the Influence of Money in Politics?

Author(s): Gulzar, Saad; Rueda, Miguel R; Ruiz, Nelson A | Abstract: Over 40% of countries around the world have adopted limits on campaign contributions to curb the influence of money in politics. Yet, we have limited knowledge on whether and how these limits achieve this goal. With a regression discontinuity design that uses institutional rules on contribution limits in Colombian municipalities, we show that looser limits increase the number and value of public contracts assigned to the winning candidate’s donors. The evidence suggests that this is explained by looser limits concentrating influence over the elected candidate among top donors and not by a reduction in electoral competition or changes in who runs for office. We further show that looser limits worsen the performance of donor-managed contracts: they are more likely to run over costs and require time extensions. Overall, this paper demonstrates a direct link between campaign contribution limits, donor kickbacks, and worse government contract performance.
Properties of human antibodies to factor VIII defined by phage display

Recent studies suggest that certain missense mutations associated with mild to moderate hemophilia A predispose to inhibitor development. In this study, we present a longitudinal analysis of the epitope specificity of an inhibitor that developed in a mild hemophiliac with an Arg —»Cys mutation. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed the presence of antibodies directed toward the light chain and A2 domain of factor VIII. Limited reactivity was observed with metabolically labeled C2 domain. Almost complete inhibitor neutralization was achieved upon addition of A2 domain. Binding of the inhibitor was not affected by the presence of the Arg —>Cys substitution in the recombinant A2 fragment. Evaluation of the epitope specificity of anti-factor VIII antibodies in plasma samples obtained at different time-points of inhibitor development revealed initial development of a low titer inhibitor directed toward the A2 domain and factor VIII light chain. A second period of factor VIII replacement therapy resulted in a dramatic rise in factor VIII inhibitor titer, which maintained their original epitope specificity. Based on the results of this and previous studies (Fijnvandraat et ah, 1997; Thompson et «/., 1997) it is argued that inhibitor development in patients with the Arg —>Cys mutation may proceed via a similar mechanism.
Estimating Knowledge Category Coverage by Courses Based on Centrality in Taxonomy

SUMMARY The proliferation of Massive Open Online Courses has made it a challenge for the user to select a proper course. We assume a situation in which the user has targeted on the knowledge deﬁned by some knowledge categories. Then, knowing how much of the knowledge in the category is covered by the courses will be helpful in the course selection. In this study, we deﬁne a concept of knowledge category coverage and aim to estimate it in a semi-automatic manner. We ﬁrst model the knowledge category and the course as a set of concepts, and then utilize a taxonomy and the idea of centrality to di ﬀ erentiate the importance of concepts. Finally, we obtain the coverage value by calculating how much of the concepts required in a knowledge category is also taught in a course. Compared with treating the concepts uniformly important, we found that our proposed method can e ﬀ ectively generate closer coverage values to the ground truth assigned by domain experts.
Quantitative and correlative extreme ultraviolet coherent imaging of mouse hippocampal neurons at high resolution

Imaging using coherent extreme ultraviolet radiation from laser sources provides high-resolution images of biological samples. Microscopy with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light can provide many advantages over optical, hard x-ray or electron-based techniques. However, traditional EUV sources and optics have large disadvantages of scale and cost. Here, we demonstrate the use of a laboratory-scale, coherent EUV source to image biological samples—mouse hippocampal neurons—providing quantitative phase and amplitude transmission information with a lateral resolution of 80 nm and an axial sensitivity of ~1 nm. A comparison with fluorescence imaging of the same samples demonstrated EUV imaging was able to identify, without the need for staining or superresolution techniques, <100-nm-wide and <10-nm-thick structures not observable from the fluorescence images. Unlike hard x-ray microscopy, no damage is observed of the delicate neuron structure. The combination of previously demonstrated tomographic imaging techniques with the latest advances in laser technologies and coherent EUV sources has the potential for high-resolution element-specific imaging within biological structures in 3D.