Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Digestive development of the early-weaned pig

Gastric intubation was adopted as a means of comparing the effect of two feeding levels, continuous nutrient supply (C) and restricted nutrient supply (R), on the digestive development of pigs weaned at 14 d of age, during the first 5 d post-weaning. The absolute weights of the stomach and the pancreas were significantly greater (P < 0.001) in C compared with R pigs. The effect was not significant for pancreas weight when expressed per kg body-weight but was significant (P < 0.05) for stomach weight. The weights of the small intestine (SI), SI mucosa and total mucosal protein were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in C pigs but protein content per g mucosa was similar in the C and R groups. There was no significant effect of treatment on the activity of lactase (β-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.23) or sucrase (sucrose-α-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.48) irrespective of the basis of comparison used. The specific activity (μmol/min per g protein) of maltase (α-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.20) and of glucoamylase (glucan-1,4-α-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.3) were similar in C and R groups but activities of maltase (μmol/g mucosa) (P < 0.05), and maltase and glucoamylase (mol/d) (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in C pigs. Villous height and crypt depth were significantly greater in C pigs (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05 respectively). Enteroglucagon was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in C compared with R pigs. Xylose absorption and the digestibility of energy were not affected by treatment. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25) and carbohydrate were significantly higher (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively) in R pigs compared with C pigs but the differences were small, ranging from 1.3 to 2.5 %. These results demonstrate that (1) nutrient intake in the weaned pig affects the anatomy, morphology and function of the gut, (2) there is considerable ‘spare capacity’ for digestion of cereal-based diets even in pigs weaned at 14 d of age, (3) measurements in vitro of digestive function are of limited value unless supported by information in vivo on absorption/digestibility.
The Fermat-Steiner Problem

The original treatment of the problem considered only triangles with acute angles, for which P must be an interior point. Therefore, a discussion of the relative position of P with respect to the triangle did not emerge. Let us first make some simple observations about this relative position: P cannot lie outside ABC because in this case the “nearest point projection”, call it P ′, gives G(P ′) < G(P). By the convexity of the distance function it follows that if P is inside ABC , it is unique. Also, it is clear that if P lies on a side of ABC , it must be a vertex. To conclude: our minimizing candidates are the interior points and the vertices of ABC . Courant and Robbins [4, pp. 354–359] attribute this problem to the famous 18th century Swiss geometer Jacob Steiner who studied it, probably independently of the earlier references that we are aware of today. Steiner derived a systematic solution that covers all cases [9, pp. 24–35]. His answer can be summarized as follows: If all of the angles of ABC are less than 120◦, then P is the point inside ABC from which its sides are seen at the angle 120◦. If one angle of ABC is at least 120◦, then P is the vertex at this angle. History, however, indicates that the roots of our problem and its solutions are much earlier than Steiner’s analysis. It was Fermat (1601–1665) who proposed this problem to Torricelli (1608–1647). Torricelli solved the problem and passed it along to his student Viviani (1622–1703), who published his own and Torricelli’s solution in 1659. The earliest written discussion of this problem that we were able to trace is found in Cavallieri’s book from 1647; see [1], [13, pp. 443–444]. Torricelli’s solution uses what we call today Viviani’s Theorem: the sum of the distances of any interior point M from the sides of an equilateral triangle equals the altitude of the triangle. To solve the problem, Torricelli considered a point P inside the triangle from which the sides AB, BC , C A are seen at the angle 120◦. He constructed an auxiliary triangle whose sides pass through A, B, C and are perpendicular to P A, P B, PC , respectively. This auxiliary triangle is equilateral (see Figure 1), and applying Viviani’s Theorem solves the problem.
The origins of food production in north China: A different kind of agricultural revolution

By roughly 8,000 calendar years before the present (calBP), hunter‐gatherers across a broad swath of north China had begun small‐scale farming of broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica). 1–6 According to traditional wisdom, this early millet farming evolved from the intensive hunter‐gatherer adaptation represented by the late Pleistocene microblade tradition of northern China, 2 , 7 termed here the North China Microlithic. The archeological record of this hunter‐gatherer connection is poorly documented, however, and as a result the early agricultural revolution in north China is not as well understood as those that occurred in other parts of the world. The Laoguantai site of Dadiwan, in the western Loess Plateau, Gansu Province, PRC, furnishes the first complete record of this transition, which unfolded quite differently from other, better known, agricultural revolutions.
Characteristics of prevalent and new COPD cases in Greece: the GOLDEN study

Background Greece has one of the highest rates of smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Europe. Aim The study aimed to record both the disease characteristics among a sample of Greek COPD patients and the nationwide rates of newly diagnosed COPD cases. Methods In this noninterventional, epidemiological cross-sectional study, a representative nationwide sample of 45 respiratory centers provided data on the following: 1) the demographic and clinical characteristics of COPD patients and 2) newly diagnosed COPD cases monitored over a period of 6 months by each physician. Results Data from 6,125 COPD patients were collected. Advanced age (median age: 68 years), male predominance (71.3%), largely overweight status with median body mass index (BMI) =27.5 kg/m2, high percentage of current and ex-smokers (89.8%), and presence of comorbidities (81.9%) were evident in the sample. According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2011 criteria, majority of the COPD patients had moderate or severe airflow limitation (61%). Severity of airflow limitation was significantly associated with older age, male sex, obesity, ex-smoking status, and presence of comorbidity (all P-values <0.001). A total of 61.3% of the patients received medication, mostly bronchodilators (64.4%) and fixed-dose combinations of long-acting β2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids (39.9%), while 35.9% reported taking medication on demand. The majority (81.1%) of patients reported a preference for fewer inhalations of their bronchodilator therapy. Based on the mixed-effect Poisson model, the rate of newly diagnosed COPD cases was estimated to be 18.2% (95% confidence interval: 14.9–22.3) per pulmonologist/3 months. Of those newly diagnosed, the majority of patients had mild or moderate airflow limitation (78.2%). Conclusion The Greek Obstructive Lung Disease Epidemiology and health ecoNomics study reflected the real-life profile of COPD patients and provided evidence on the profile of new COPD cases in Greece. Various demographic factors were delineated, which can assist in designing more effective diagnostic and management strategies for COPD in Greece.
Rebar Graphene from Functionalized Boron Nitride Nanotubes

The synthesis of rebar graphene on Cu substrates is described using functionalized boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that were annealed or subjected to chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of graphene. Characterization shows that the BNNTs partially unzip and form a reinforcing bar (rebar) network within the graphene layer that enhances the mechanical strength through covalent bonds. The rebar graphene is transferrable to other substrates without polymer assistance. The optical transmittance and conductivity of the hybrid rebar graphene film was tested, and a field effect transistor was fabricated to explore its electrical properties. This method of synthesizing 2D hybrid graphene/BN structures should enable the hybridization of various 1D nanotube and 2D layered structures with enhanced mechanical properties.
Expect the unexpected? variations in question type elicit cues to deception in joint interviewer contexts

Summary: We examined the effect of (i) a second interviewer’s demeanour and (ii) asking expected and unexpected questions on cues to deception. We predicted that liars compared with truth tellers would provide more detail to expected questions and less detail to unexpected questions, particularly when the second interviewer is supportive. Liars prepare answers for expected questions, and a supportive interviewer will encourage them to provide more detail. By definition, liars have not prepared answers for unexpected questions, and their answers to such questions will be less detailed. Participants (N=168) appeared before two interviewers: The first asked all the questions, and the second remained silent. The second interviewer exhibited either a supportive or a neutral demeanour. As predicted, liars provided more detail to expected questions and less detail to unexpected questions, particularly when the second interviewer was supportive. In conclusion, a supportive second interviewer elicits cues to deceit. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Suspects are frequently interviewed with two interviewers present in the room. For example, a survey amongst UK police officers revealed that 68% of interviews with juvenile suspects are conducted with more than one investigator present (Sim & Lamb, 2012). In addition, suspect interviews in human intelligence settings are also frequently carried out with two interviewers (Soufan, 2011). Research papers on using pairs of interviewers, outside the intelligence (or police) context, have revealed three advantages of this technique (Huber & Power, 1985; Kincaid & Bright, 1957). First, it is efficient as one interviewer can engage in conversation while the other can concentrate on recording answers accurately and completely. Second, when the interview becomes unstructured orwhenthe first interviewervigorously pursues one train of thought, a second interviewer can pick up on points missed by the first interviewer. Third, when analysing the interviews, the second interviewer canaid the recall of the first.Despitethe frequent use of two interviewers, there is not much forensic research examining the effect of using a second interviewer on suspect’s responses. In the present experiment, we examined which demeanour (being supportive or neutral) a second interviewer should adopt to maximise verbal differences between truthful and deceptive interviewees. We examined the effect of the second interviewer’s demeanour on the answers to (i) questions that were in all likelihood anticipated and (ii) questions that were in all likelihood not anticipated.
Quantitative comparison between domestic and offshoring projects in the software factory environment driven by UML-modelled development standard

If we can depict our development standard by UML model and load it on a software factory engine which controls projects as we modelled, we'll be able to control over projects more effectively and make them more predictable. We named this concept as Model-Driven Adaptive Development (MDAD) and have been conducting researches. On the other hand Japanese SI'ers already have an insight that off shoring is to be one of the essential factors to maintain or gain their competitiveness. But it's not easy to make a valid comparison between off shoring project and domestic project concerning to their productivity and quality. This paper examines two research projects executed in MDAD environment with the same development standard model loaded. One project was executed by only domestic resources in 2008 and the other one by cooperation with offshore resources in 2009. Both projects developed exactly the same in-house system. This analysis based on various measured data of both projects provides quantitative insights into productivity and quality of the off shoring project by comparison with the domestic project, and also exposes some of the prerequisites for executing off shore projects successfully.
Phased Retirement and Workplace Flexibility for Older Adults

Phased retirement programs that allow older workers to reduce their hours and responsibilities and pursue more flexible work schedules could satisfy both the employee’s desire for flexibility and the employer’s need to maintain an experienced workforce. However, few employers have established formal programs, because they often complicate the provision of other benefits and might violate antidiscrimination rules. For example, federal laws limit retirement plan distributions to employees who are still working for the plan sponsor, which discourages phased retirement because few older workers can afford to reduce their work hours unless they can receive at least some retirement benefits. Many employers do not provide fringe benefits to part-time employees, and making exceptions for older workers could violate antidiscrimination rules. Federal laws requiring that benefits provided through tax-qualified plans be evenly distributed between highly compensated and lower-paid employees also complicate formal phased retirement programs. Reforming these policies could promote phased retirement.
Learning mobile robot navigation: a behavior-based approach

We describe a mobile robot navigation behavior based on learning from the visual environment of a particular task. This approach enables repetitions of such a previously learned navigation task. Navigation is performed from stored iconic visual information as well as stored motor-information from a reference or learning-run. This representation is then used to large-scale guide the robot on subsequent independent runs. A system of competing behaviors takes care of near to medium distance navigation problems such as obstacle detection and avoidance, finding independently moving objects and determine potential "danger". A special feature of this system is the use of retinal images. The large-scale navigation behavior is based on a "vergence-like" mechanism that determines the direction of the disparity between the current visual structure and the stored model. This method is very simple and computationally fast. Motor information is used for comparison to give gross position estimation. <<ETX>>
Differential Modulation of Excitatory and Inhibitory Striatal Synaptic Transmission by Histamine

Information processing in the striatum is critical for basal ganglia function and strongly influenced by neuromodulators (e.g., dopamine). The striatum also receives modulatory afferents from the histaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus which exhibit a distinct diurnal rhythm with high activity during wakefulness, and little or no activity during sleep. In view of the fact that the striatum also expresses a high density of histamine receptors, we hypothesized that released histamine will affect striatal function. We studied the role of histamine on striatal microcircuit function by performing whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of neurochemically identified striatal neurons combined with electrical and optogenetic stimulation of striatal afferents in mouse brain slices. Bath applied histamine had many effects on striatal microcircuits. Histamine, acting at H2 receptors, depolarized both the direct and indirect pathway medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs). Excitatory, glutamatergic input to both classes of MSNs from both the cortex and thalamus was negatively modulated by histamine acting at presynaptic H3 receptors. The dynamics of thalamostriatal, but not corticostriatal, synapses were modulated by histamine leading to a facilitation of thalamic input. Furthermore, local inhibitory input to both classes of MSNs was negatively modulated by histamine. Subsequent dual whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of connected pairs of striatal neurons revealed that only lateral inhibition between MSNs is negatively modulated, whereas feedforward inhibition from fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons onto MSNs is unaffected by histamine. These findings suggest that the diurnal rhythm of histamine release entrains striatal function which, during wakefulness, is dominated by feedforward inhibition and a suppression of excitatory drive.
On dynamic bin packing for resource allocation in the cloud

Dynamic Bin Packing (DBP) is a variant of classical bin packing, which assumes that items may arrive and depart at arbitrary times. Existing works on DBP generally aim to minimize the maximum number of bins ever used in the packing. In this paper, we consider a new version of the DBP problem, namely, the MinTotal DBP problem which targets at minimizing the total cost of the bins used over time. It is motivated by the request dispatching problem arising in cloud gaming systems. We analyze the competitive ratios of the commonly used First Fit, Best Fit, and Any Fit packing (the family of packing algorithms that open a new bin only when no currently opened bin can accommodate the item to be packed) algorithms for the MinTotal DBP problem. We show that the competitive ratio of Any Fit packing cannot be better than the max/min item interval length ratio μ. The competitive ratio of Best Fit packing is not bounded for any given μ. For First Fit packing, if all the item sizes are smaller than W⁄k (W is the bin capacity and k≥1 is a constant), it has a competitive ratio of k⁄k-1μ + 6k⁄k-1 + 1. For the general case, First Fit packing has a competitive ratio of 2μ + 13. We also propose a Modified First Fit packing algorithm that can achieve a competitive ratio of 8⁄7μ + 55⁄7 when μ is not known and can achieve a competitive ratio of μ + 8 when μ is known.
Training feedforward neural networks using hybrid flower pollination-gravitational search algorithm

Error minimization using conventional back-propagation algorithm for training feed forward neural network (FNN) suffers from problems like slow convergence and local minima trap. Here in this paper gradient free optimization is used for error minimization to avoid local minima. Hence we introduce a new hybrid algorithm integrating the concepts of physics inspired gravitational search algorithm and biology inspired flower pollination algorithm. Gravitational search algorithm is a novel meta-heuristic optimization method based on the Newtonian law of gravity and mass interaction, whereas flower pollination algorithm is an intriguing process based on the pollination characteristics of flowering plants. Gravitational search algorithm efficiently evaluates global optimum but it suffers from slow searching speed in the last iterations. Flower pollination algorithm exhibits faster searching but suffers from local minima due to the switch probability. Experimental results show that hybrid FP-GSA outperforms both FPA and GSA for training FNNs in terms of classification accuracy.
Promise for plant pest control: root-associated pseudomonads with insecticidal activities

Insects are an important and probably the most challenging pest to control in agriculture, in particular when they feed on belowground parts of plants. The application of synthetic pesticides is problematic owing to side effects on the environment, concerns for public health and the rapid development of resistance. Entomopathogenic bacteria, notably Bacillus thuringiensis and Photorhabdus/Xenorhabdus species, are promising alternatives to chemical insecticides, for they are able to efficiently kill insects and are considered to be environmentally sound and harmless to mammals. However, they have the handicap of showing limited environmental persistence or of depending on a nematode vector for insect infection. Intriguingly, certain strains of plant root-colonizing Pseudomonas bacteria display insect pathogenicity and thus could be formulated to extend the present range of bioinsecticides for protection of plants against root-feeding insects. These entomopathogenic pseudomonads belong to a group of plant-beneficial rhizobacteria that have the remarkable ability to suppress soil-borne plant pathogens, promote plant growth, and induce systemic plant defenses. Here we review for the first time the current knowledge about the occurrence and the molecular basis of insecticidal activity in pseudomonads with an emphasis on plant-beneficial and prominent pathogenic species. We discuss how this fascinating Pseudomonas trait may be exploited for novel root-based approaches to insect control in an integrated pest management framework.
Anchoring Dutch Cultural Heritage Thesauri to WordNet: Two Case Studies

In this paper, we argue on the interest of anchoring Dutch Cultural Heritage controlled vocabularies to WordNet, and demonstrate a reusable methodology for achieving this anchoring. We test it on two controlled vocabularies, namely the GTAA thesaurus, used at the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision (the Dutch radio and television archives), and the GTT thesaurus, used to index books of the Dutch National Library. We evaluate the two anchorings having in mind a concrete use case, namely generic alignment scenarios where concepts from one thesaurus must be aligned to concepts from the other.
Chance Constrained Programming for Optimal Power Flow Under Uncertainty

Solution approaches to chance constrained programming (CCP) have been recently developed and applied in many areas for optimization under uncertainty. Due to the nonlinear model with multiple uncertain variables as well as multiple output constraints, CCP has not been directly applied to optimal power flow (OPF) under uncertainty. The objective of this paper is twofold. First, we introduce the CCP approach to OPF under uncertainty and analyze the computational complexity of the chance constrained OPF. Second, the effectiveness of implementing a back-mapping approach and a linear approximation of the nonlinear model equations to solve the formulated CCP problem is investigated. Load power uncertainties are considered as multivariate random variables with correlated normal distribution. Based on both the nonlinear and the linearized model, results of a five-bus system and the IEEE 30-bus test system are presented to demonstrate the scope of chance constrained OPF.
A long term perspective on immigration and the crisis

Changes in the structure of the work market and their implications for migration are analyzed in this article. Together with these starting factors, they are exposed the different elements that should be taken into account when studying the current migration and labor markets, particularly the flexibility and qualification of immigrants to perform certain jobs in their host societies, as well as the native workforce, who are now competing for those jobs that years ago were not attractive for them. The flexibility of work market, public policies, funding sources, the access to improvements in working conditions and social participation, in addition to the female working force and transnational migration movements of highly qualified people previously trained in developed countries, have a direct impact on a context of economic crisis.
Exploratory Ethnoentomology

Carl Kendall (Johns Hopkins) Elli Leontsini (Johns Hopkins) Enrique Gil (PROCCOD) Fernando Cruz (PROCCOD) Patricia Hudelson (Johns Hopkins) Pertti Pelto (Connecticut) This report presents initial results of data collection in a pilot dengue fever control program PROCCOD (Proyecto de Control Comunitario del Dengue) in El Progreso, a small city approximately 30 kilometers southeast of San Pedro Sula, Honduras.