Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food sovereignty, food security and health equity: a meta-narrative mapping exercise

There has been growing policy interest in social justice issues related to both health and food. We sought to understand the state of knowledge on relationships between health equity—i.e. health inequalities that are socially produced—and food systems, where the concepts of ‘food security’ and ‘food sovereignty’ are prominent. We undertook exploratory scoping and mapping stages of a ‘meta-narrative synthesis’ on pathways from global food systems to health equity outcomes. The review was oriented by a conceptual framework delineating eight pathways to health (in)equity through the food system: 1—Multi-Scalar Environmental, Social Context; 2—Occupational Exposures; 3—Environmental Change; 4—Traditional Livelihoods, Cultural Continuity; 5—Intake of Contaminants; 6—Nutrition; 7—Social Determinants of Health and 8—Political, Economic and Regulatory context. The terms ‘food security’ and ‘food sovereignty’ were, respectively, paired with a series of health equity-related terms. Combinations of health equity and food security (1414 citations) greatly outnumbered pairings with food sovereignty (18 citations). Prominent crosscutting themes that were observed included climate change, biotechnology, gender, racialization, indigeneity, poverty, citizenship and HIV as well as institutional barriers to reducing health inequities in the food system. The literature indicates that food sovereignty-based approaches to health in specific contexts, such as advancing healthy school food systems, promoting soil fertility, gender equity and nutrition, and addressing structural racism, can complement the longer-term socio-political restructuring processes that health equity requires. Our conceptual model offers a useful starting point for identifying interventions with strong potential to promote health equity. A research agenda to explore project-based interventions in the food system along these pathways can support the identification of ways to strengthen both food sovereignty and health equity.
Robust high-speed tracking against illumination changes for dynamic projection mapping

Dynamic Projection Mapping, projection-based AR for a moving object without misalignment by a high-speed optical axis controller by rotational mirrors, has a trade-off between stability of highspeed tracking and high visibility for a variety of projection content. In this paper, a system that will provide robust high-speed tracking without any markers on objects against illumination changes, including projected images, is realized by introducing a retroreflective background with the optical axis controller for Dynamic Projection Mapping. Low-intensity episcopic light is projected with Projection Mapping content, and the light reflected from the background is sufficient for high-speed cameras but is nearly invisible to observers. In addition, we introduce adaptive windows and peripheral weighted erosion to maintain accurate high-speed tracking. Under low light conditions, we examined the visual performance of diffuse reflection and retroreflection from both camera and observer viewpoints. We evaluated stability relative to illumination and disturbance caused by non-target objects. Dynamic Projection Mapping with partially well-lit content in a low-intensity light environment is realized by our proposed system.
Electronic Colloquium on Computational Complexity Natural Proofs

We introduce the notion of natural proof. We argue that the known proofs of lower bounds on the complexity of explicit Boolean functions in non-monotone models fall within our deenition of natural. We show based on a hardness assumption that natural proofs can't prove superpolynomial lower bounds for general circuits. Without the hardness assumption, we are able to show that they can't prove exponential lower bounds (for general circuits) applicable to the discrete logarithm problem. We show that the weaker class of AC 0-natural proofs which is suucient to prove the parity lower bounds of Furst, Saxe, and Sipser; Yao; and Hastad is inherently incapable of proving the bounds of Razborov and Smolensky. We give some formal evidence that natural proofs are indeed natural by showing that every formal complexity measure which can prove super-polynomial lower bounds for a single function, can do so for almost all functions, which is one of the key requirements to a natural proof in our sense. subject "MAIL ME CLEAR", body "pub/eccc/ftpmail.txt"
A New Method to the Realization of n-D Fornasini-Marchesini State-Space Model

A new method based on function analysis is presented in this paper, which can generate an F-M model realization for a given SISO n-D system with lower order than the existing method given by Alpay and Dubi's. By taking into account of the structural properties of the given transfer function or transfer matrix, it is possible to construct a realization with much lower order. Nontrivial example is given to illustrate the basic idea as well as the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Relative evaluation of performance of limestone calcined clay cement compared with Portland pozzolana cement

Cement is most widely used binder to produce concrete and the most common construction material today. Though concrete is a material with the lowest greenhouse emission, cement has the highest. With the carbon footprint of cement accounting for over 7% of total world emissions, it becomes single most important material of environmental concern around the world. This concern has led to a search for lower carbon emitting binders and use of blended cements, incorporating large number of natural and industrial by products. This paper describes the performance of a composite cement binder consisting of calcined clay, limestone, and Portland cement clinker as compared to a traditionally used fly ash based Portland pozzolana cement. This study reports behavior of the two cement binders with respect to strength development, hydration, porosity of hydrated pastes, normal consistency, and admixture response with ageing. This study finds that, though the clay based cement attains higher early age strength, the later age strength in mortar is lower as compared to commercial fly ash based cement. Further the clay based cement has higher water demand, but lower porosity compared to composite cement binder.
Summary of the Scientific Conference on Dietary Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Health: Conference Summary From the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association

The objective of this Executive Summary is to provide a synopsis of the research findings presented at the American Heart Association conference “Dietary Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Health—Dietary Recommendations for Fatty Acids: Is There Ample Evidence? ” held on June 5–6, 2000, in Reston, Va. The conference was held to summarize the current understanding of the effects of fatty acids on risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, as well as to identify gaps in our knowledge base that need to be addressed. There is great interest in learning more about the biological effects of the individual fatty acids, their role in chronic disease risk, and their underlying mechanisms of action. As research advances are made, there is always the need to question how new findings may be translated into practice. There is a long history of research providing the basis for the modification of existing dietary guidelines. Research findings have been used to verify intake criteria and are considered along with practical issues of implementation to establish new guidelines. A substantive body of consistent evidence sufficient to defend a dietary recommendation or a change in existing dietary guidance is essential. The conference highlighted the progress that has been made in understanding the biological effects of fatty acids and also addressed the need to learn more about how different fatty acids affect the risk of chronic disease, within the context of refining dietary guidance to further enhance health. As study designs have become increasingly rigorous, a number of megatrends have emerged from the data.1 2 There is increased emphasis on identifying the type of fat that best correlates with disease end points. The classic studies of Keys et al3 and Hegsted et al4 have shown that saturated fatty acids (ie, those with a carbon chain length of C12:0 …
Wallet-on-wheels — Using vehicle's identity for secure mobile money

Mobile Money is growing in the developed world while cars are becoming much smarter. Combine the two - and you get cars that `own' a wallet. We propose not a user-centric, but a car-centric service that enables cars to have Pre-Pay subscription accounts for car-related purchases and for linking to financial services. The solution uses advanced car communications capability and securely stored car credentials to offer enhanced authentication security, which is a pre-requisite for such financial services. We propose strengthening the authentication procedure further with the `Twin-Set' (of `Two-Factor') method using both car-based and SIM-based authentication, and the `Twin-Step' confirmation method for service authorization. In this paper we present an innovative use of advanced technologies, combining M2M, Mobile-Money, Automotive Communications and advanced security procedures.
Request distribution-aware caching in cluster-based Web servers

This work presents a performance analysis of request distribution-aware caching in cluster-based Web servers. We use the Zipf-like request distribution curve to guide static Web document caching. A combination of cooperative caching and exclusive caching provides for a cluster-wide caching system that avoids document replication accross the cluster. We explore the benefits of cooperative caching algorithms that use request distribution information to steer their behavior over general purpose cooperative caching algorithms. Exclusive caching exercises a fine-grained control over replication of data blocks across the cluster. The performance of the system has been assessed by using the WebStone benchmark. Our cluster-based server employs Linux kernel-level implementations of cooperative caching and exclusive caching. Current results show that request distribution-aware caching outperforms general-purpose caching algorithms, makes up for the performance loss of non-replicated data solutions and compares favorably to fully-replicated solutions.
Consequences of bile duct obstruction on intestinal expression and function of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), a transporter of organic anions in hepatocytes, renal epithelial cells, and enterocytes, is differentially regulated in liver and kidney during cholestasis, but little is known about its regulation in the intestine. METHODS We investigated duodenal protein expression of MRP2 in male Sprague-Dawley rats with bile duct ligation (BDL) or biliary diversion as well as in 20 cholestatic patients with biliary obstruction. RESULTS In biliary obstruction, but not biliary depletion, intestinal Mrp2 protein mass was reduced to 9.3% +/- 5.5% of controls and mRNA to 40.5% +/- 20.8% of controls after 7 days. Binding of RXR alpha:RAR alpha heterodimers to the Mrp2 promoter element was significantly reduced in BDL rats. Cytokine blockade identified IL-1 beta as the responsible inducer of Mrp2 down-regulation. In humans with obstructive cholestasis, intestinal MRP2 protein expression was reduced to 27.3% +/- 20.3% of control patients; this reduction correlated with the duration of cholestasis and was reversible after reconstitution of bile flow by stenting of the common bile duct. However, no significant differences in MRP2 mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR in humans. Intestinal protein expression of P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and MRP3 was unchanged. In BDL rats, oral bioavailability of the Mrp2 substrate and food-derived carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was elevated 2.5 times compared with sham-operated rats. CONCLUSIONS Cholestasis promotes down-regulation of MRP2 expression in the duodenum of rats and humans. Selective down-regulation during cholestasis might be the consequence of species-specific transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms and contributes to higher bioavailability of a food-derived carcinogen.
Merging plasmonics and metamaterials by two-dimensional subwavelength structures

As one of the major fields of photonics in the last few decades, plasmonics takes advantage of the coupling of light and free electrons in noble metals, and allows the localization of light beyond the diffraction limit. Recently, plasmonics has been introduced into the newly emerging metamaterials, which are artificially structured effective materials with unique physical properties that do not exist in natural materials. Based on the strong light–matter interaction below the diffraction limit, the plasmonic metamaterials have found important applications in various photonic devices, such as color filters, flat lenses and perfect absorbers. In this review article, we focus on the planar plasmonic metamaterials that rely on the patterned arrangement of metallic and dielectric inclusions in the two-dimensional (2D) space. The interesting optical effects, underlying physical principles and the practical applications in functional devices are outlined, with a brief discussion of their future development trends.
Alpha-synuclein A53T mutation is not frequent on a sample of Brazilian Parkinson's disease patients.

INTRODUCTION The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) involves both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, with focus on the mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene (SNCA). Objective To analyse the polymorphism SNCA-A53T in patients with familial PD (FPD) and sporadic PD (SPD). METHOD A total of 294 individuals were studied, regardless of sex and with mixed ethnicity. The study group with 154 patients with PD, and the control group included 140 individuals without PD. The genotyping of SNCA-A53T was performed by PCR/RFLP. Significance level was p < 0.05. RESULTS Among all patients, 37 (24%) had FPD and 117 (75.9%) had SPD. The absence of SNCA-A53T mutation was observed in all individuals. CONCLUSION SPD is notably observed in patients. However, the SNCA-A53T mutation was absent in all individuals, which does not differ controls from patients. This fact should be confirmed in a Brazilian study case with a more numerous and older population.
Methodologic issues in randomized trials of liaison psychiatry in primary care.

&NA; Most anxiety, depressive, and substance abuse disorders are treated exclusively in the primary care health system. However, recognition and treatment of these disorders in primary care is deficient. Psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions have been developed and proven effective in randomized trials in specialty care. However, the results of successful trials of mental health interventions in specialty settings may not generalize to primary care settings because of epidemiologic differences in patients, differences in skills of providers, as well as differences in the very structure of care. The importance of the development of innovative randomized trials to improve recognition and treatment of mental illness in primary care is emphasized, as well as the methodologic problems inherent in carrying out these trials.
Roles of Small, Acid-Soluble Spore Proteins and Core Water Content in Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Exposed to Environmental Solar UV Radiation

ABSTRACT Spores of Bacillus subtilis contain a number of small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) which comprise up to 20% of total spore core protein. The multiple α/β-type SASP have been shown to confer resistance to UV radiation, heat, peroxides, and other sporicidal treatments. In this study, SASP-defective mutants of B. subtilis and spores deficient in dacB, a mutation leading to an increased core water content, were used to study the relative contributions of SASP and increased core water content to spore resistance to germicidal 254-nm and simulated environmental UV exposure (280 to 400 nm, 290 to 400 nm, and 320 to 400 nm). Spores of strains carrying mutations in sspA, sspB, and both sspA and sspB (lacking the major SASP-α and/or SASP-β) were significantly more sensitive to 254-nm and all polychromatic UV exposures, whereas the UV resistance of spores of the sspE strain (lacking SASP-γ) was essentially identical to that of the wild type. Spores of the dacB-defective strain were as resistant to 254-nm UV-C radiation as wild-type spores. However, spores of the dacB strain were significantly more sensitive than wild-type spores to environmental UV treatments of >280 nm. Air-dried spores of the dacB mutant strain had a significantly higher water content than air-dried wild-type spores. Our results indicate that α/β-type SASP and decreased spore core water content play an essential role in spore resistance to environmentally relevant UV wavelengths whereas SASP-γ does not.
Assessing efficiency of different evolutionary strategies playing MasterMind

A MasterMind player must find out a secret combination (set by another player) by playing others of the same kind and using the hints obtained as a response (which reveal how close the played combination is to the secret one) to produce new combinations. Despite having been researched for a number of years, there are still many open issues: finding a strategy to select the next combination to play that is able to consistently obtain good results at any problem size, and also doing so in as little time as possible. In this paper we cast the solution of MasterMind as a constrained optimization problem, introducing a new fitness function for evolutionary algorithms that takes that fact into account, and compare it to other approaches (exhaustive/heuristic and evolutionary), finding that it is able to obtain consistently good solutions, and in as little as 30% less time than previous evolutionary algorithms.
Model matching by output dynamic feedback in discrete-time switching linear systems

This work deals with model matching by output dynamic feedback in switching linear systems. Namely, given a switching linear plant and a switching linear model, the problem consists in finding a mode-dependent, switching linear regulator that achieves exact matching between the response of the given plant and that of the model, for any admissible input, by means of dynamic feedback of the plant output. A necessary and sufficient condition for the problem to have a solution is shown. A complete computational procedure for the synthesis of the regulator is given. Stability of the closed-loop switching system has been taken into account.
Bilateral Two-Dimensional Locality Preserving Projections

In this paper, we investigate locality preserving projections (LPP) in two-dimensional sense. Recently, LPP was proposed for dimensionality reduction, which can detect the intrinsic manifold structure of data and preserve the local information. When image data are concerned, they are often vectorized for LPP. However, the dimension of image data is usually very high, LPP can't be implemented due to singularity of matrix. We propose two methods for image dimensionality reduction: two-dimensional LPP (2DLPP) and bilateral two-dimensional LPP (B2DLPP), which are based directly on 2D image matrices rather than 1D vectors as LPP does. Experiments are conducted on the ORL face database, which shows higher recognition performance of the proposed methods.
Neurosteroids modulate calcium currents in hippocampal CA1 neurons via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-coupled mechanism

The inhibition of Ca2+ channel currents by endogenous brain steroids was examined in freshly dissociated pyramidal neurons from the adult guinea pig hippocampal CA1 region. The steady-state inhibition of the peak Ca2+ channel current evoked by depolarizing steps from -80 to -10 mV occurred in a concentration-dependent manner with the following IC50 values: pregnenolone sulfate (PES), 11 nM; pregnenolone (PE), 130 nM; and allotetrahydrocorticosterone (THCC), 298 nM. THCC, PE, and PES depressed a fraction of the Ca2+ channel current with a maximal inhibition of 60% of the total current. However, substitution of an acetate group for the sulfate group on PES resulted in a complete loss of activity. Progesterone had no effect (4% inhibition at 100 microM). Intracellular dialysis of PES had no effect on the Ca2+ current; concomitant extracellular perfusion of PES showed normal inhibitory activity, suggesting that the steroid binding site can only be accessed extracellularly. Analysis of tail currents at -80 mV demonstrated that THCC and PES slowed the rate of Ca2+ current activation and deactivation with no change in the voltage dependence of activation. Inhibition of the Ca2+ channel current by THCC and PES was voltage dependent. THCC primarily inhibits the omega-conotoxin (CgTX)-sensitive or N-type Ca2+ channel current. PE was nonselective in inhibiting both the CgTX- and the nifedipine (NIF)-sensitive Ca2+ channel current. These neurosteroids had no effect on the CgTX/NIF-insensitive current. In neurons isolated from pertussis toxin (PTX)-treated animals by chronic intracerebroventricular infusion (1000 ng/24 hr for 48 hr), the Ca2+ channel current inhibition by PES, PE, and THCC was significantly diminished. Intracellular dialysis with GDP-beta-S (500 microM) also significantly diminished the neurosteroid inhibition of the Ca2+ channel current. Intracellular dialysis with the general kinase inhibitors H-7 (100 microM), staurosporine (400 nM), and a 20 amino acid protein kinase inhibitor (1 microM) also significantly prevented the THCC and PES inhibition of the Ca2+ channel current. Intracellular dialysis with the more specific inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), the pseudosubstrate inhibitor (PKCI 19–36) (1–2 microM) and bisindolylmaleimide (1 microM) significantly diminished the THCC and PE inhibition of the Ca2+ channel current. Rp- cAMP (100 microM), a specific inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), had no effect on the THCC and PE inhibition of the Ca2+ current. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Design and Control of a Multi-Functional Energy Recovery Power Accumulator Battery Pack Testing System for Electric Vehicles

In this paper, aiming at the energy loss and harmonic problems in the conventional power accumulator battery pack testing system (PABPTS), an improved multi-functional energy recovery PABPTS (ERPABPTS) for electric vehicles (EVs) was proposed. The improved system has the functions of harmonic detection, suppression, reactive compensation and energy recovery. The ERPABPTS, which contains a bi-directional buck-boost direct current (DC)-DC converter and a bi-directional alternating current (AC)-DC converter with an inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) type filter interfacing to the AC-grid, is proposed. System configuration and operation principle of the combined system are discussed first, then, the reactive compensation and harmonic suppression controller under balanced grid-voltage condition are presented. Design of a fourth order band-pass Butterworth filter for current harmonic detection is put forward, and the reactive compensator design procedure considering the non-linear load is also illustrated. The proposed scheme is implemented in a 175-kW prototype in the laboratory. Simulation and experimental results show that the combined configuration can effectively realize energy recovery for high accuracy current test requirement, meanwhile, can effectively achieve reactive compensation and current harmonic suppression.