jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Use of Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) to Enhance Properties of Paper Based on Recycled Pulp

Field: Chemical Engineering (Physical Sciences)

Nowadays, recycled paper is broadly used due to environmental reasons. Furthermore, the addition of starch as a dry strength additive improves the properties of recycled paper. Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA), a product from bio-refinery process, has recently been shown to act as a promising strength additive that could be used in combination with starch to further improve the strength of paper. In this study, the use of PLA of three molecular weights (MW) in combination with four different starches was investigated. Three recycled pulps from different origins, with the kappa number of 27.9 to 66 were used. Paper handsheets were made, and selected paper properties were tested. The results indicate that handsheets properties were influenced by the MW of PLAs, the type of starch used, and the lignin content of the pulp. The paper handsheets made from lignin-rich pulp (pulp A, kappa number 66), combined with 0.1% medium MW PLA (PLA_1) and 0.9% cationic starch containing 0.43% N gave the highest improvement for tensile strength, wet tensile strength, air and water resistance. This result verifies that a higher kappa number pulp has better attraction to the hydrophobic PLA. Moreover, the higher charge cationic starch led to higher tensile strength due to the increase of affinity to the anionic fiber surface. Interestingly, results show that amphoteric starch is a promising substitute for high cationic charge starch when combined with the medium MW PLA to improve tensile strength of paper. This study demonstrated that a starch-PLA blend represents a promising approach in improving properties of recycled paper.
Isolation of an extracellular proteinase (Keratinase) fromMicrosporum canis

Field: Immunology and Microbiology (Life Sciences)

Proteolytic activity was demonstrated when a strain of Microsporum canis was cultured in broth with human hair, but not in the medium without hair. The extracellular proteinase (keratinase) was isolated and purified by chromatography. Disc electrophoresis showed one protein band of extracellular proteinase, and the antibody against this enzyme gave a single precipitin line in agar diffusion. The IgG fraction completely neutralized the proteinase activity. The proteinase of M. canis may play a role in infection caused by this fungus, by affecting keratinized tissue such as stratum corneum and hair.
Connection Setup Signaling Scheme with Flooding-Based Path Searching for Diverse-Metric Network

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

Connection setup on various computer networks is now achieved by GMPLS. This technology is based on the source-routing approach, which requires the source node to store metric information of the entire network prior to computing a route. Thus all metric information must be distributed to all network nodes and kept up-to-date. However, as metric information become more diverse and generalized, it is hard to update all information due to the huge update overhead. Emerging network services and applications require the network to support diverse metrics for achieving various communication qualities. Increasing the number of metrics supported by the network causes excessive processing of metric update messages. To reduce the number of metric update messages, another scheme is required. This paper proposes a connection setup scheme that uses flooding-based signaling rather than the distribution of metric information. The proposed scheme requires only flooding of signaling messages with requested metric information, no routing protocol is required. Evaluations confirm that the proposed scheme achieves connection establishment without excessive overhead. Our analysis shows that the proposed scheme greatly reduces the number of control messages compared to the conventional scheme, while their blocking probabilities are comparable.
Panax notoginseng saponins ameliorate cisplatin‐induced mitochondrial injury via the HIF‐1α/mitochondria/ROS pathway

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

Cisplatin is a major antineoplastic drug that is used to treat solid tumors, but its use is restricted by its nephrotoxicity. Such cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity (CIN) is believed to occur primarily through mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Our previous studies have indicated that Panax notoginseng saponins (PNSs) mitigate CIN by enhancing hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α)‐induced mitochondrial autophagy. In this study, the role of the HIF‐1α/mitochondria/ROS pathway in PNSs protection against CIN was investigated using a rat model. A CIN model was generated by giving rats intraperitoneal injections with cisplatin (a single dose) and then treating them with or without 2‐methoxyestradiol (HIF‐1α inhibitor) and PNSs. We then measured ROS levels, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, catalase malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (to evaluate oxidative stress) and ATP, mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening (to evaluate mitochondrial function) in kidneys at different time points. We observed that PNSs remarkably reduced the levels of ROS, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, as well as the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, which is increased by cisplatin and further increased by HIF‐1α inhibition. In addition, PNSs increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione, as well as ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential in renal tissues; these are all reduced by cisplatin and further reduced by HIF‐1α inhibition. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that PNSs protects against mitochondrial damage induced by cisplatin through HIF‐1α/mitochondria/ROS.
Integrating artificial neural networks and remote sensing for prediction of peanut maturity as a function of management zones

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

Peanut producers face challenges to accurately determine crop maturity and the degree of maturity spatial variability. The use of precision agriculture techniques can assist in the identification of maturity variability. The objectives of this study were: (1) use principal component analysis (PCA) to study spatial variability of peanut maturity in relation to vegetation indices (VI) and soil texture; (2) evaluate two artificial neural network methods (ANN) for prediction of peanut maturity. The results showed that there were different peanut maturity clusters and those were associated with changes in VI and soil texture. The modified non-linear index (MNLI) was found useful for prediction of maturity using ANN models.
Broad Phenotypic Cross-Resistance to Elvitegravir in HIV-Infected Patients Failing on Raltegravir-Containing Regimens

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

ABSTRACT The failure of raltegravir (RAL) is generally associated with the selection of mutations at integrase position Y143, Q148, or N155. However, a relatively high proportion of failures occurs in the absence of these changes. Here, we report the phenotypic susceptibilities to RAL and elvitegravir (EVG) for a large group of HIV-infected patients failing on RAL-containing regimens. Plasma from HIV-infected individuals failing on RAL-containing regimens underwent genotypic and phenotypic resistance testing (Antivirogram v2.5.01; Virco). A control group of patients failing on other regimens was similarly tested. Sixty-one samples were analyzed, 40 of which belonged to patients failing on RAL-containing regimens. Full RAL susceptibility was found in 20/21 controls, while susceptibility to EVG was diminished in 8 subjects, with a median fold change (FC) of 2.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.1 to 3.1). Fourteen samples from patients with RAL failures showed diminished RAL susceptibility, with a median FC of 38.5 (IQR, 10.8 to 103.2). Primary integrase resistance mutations were found in 11 of these samples, displaying a median FC of 68.5 (IQR, 23.5 to 134.3). The remaining 3 samples showed a median FC of 2.5 (IQR, 2 to 2.7). EVG susceptibility was diminished in 19/40 samples from patients with RAL failures (median FC, 7.71 [IQR, 2.48 to 99.93]). Cross-resistance between RAL and EVG was high ( R 2 = 0.8; P < 0.001), with drug susceptibility being more frequently reduced for EVG than for RAL (44.3% versus 24.6%; P = 0.035). Susceptibility to RAL and EVG is rarely affected in the absence of primary integrase resistance mutations. There is broad cross-resistance between RAL and EVG, which should preclude their sequential use. Resistance to EVG seems to be more frequent and might be more influenced by integrase variability.
Certified by: __________________________________________________________________________

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

This work describes a genetic algorithm approach to resource-constrained scheduling using a direct, time-based representation. Whereas traditional solution methods are typically sequencebased, this representation encodes schedule information as a dual array of relative delay times and integer execution modes. The representation supports multiple execution modes, preemption, non-uniform resource availability/usage, a variety of resource types, probabilistic resource performance models, overlapping precedence relationships, and temporal constraints on both tasks and resources. In addition, the representation includes time-varying resource availabilities and requirements. Many objective measures can be defined such as minimization of makespan, maximization of net present value, or minimization of average tardiness. Multiple, possibly conflicting objectives are supported. The genetic algorithm adapts to dynamic factors such as changes to the project plan or disturbances in the schedule execution.
Physical and genetic analysis of the ColD plasmid

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

The plasmid ColD-CA23, a high-copy-number plasmid of 5.12 kilobases, encodes colicin D, a protein of approximately 87,000 daltons which inhibits bacterial protein synthesis. Colicin D production is under the control of the Escherichia coli SOS regulatory system and is released to the growth medium via the action of the lysis gene product(s). A detailed map of the ColD plasmid was established for 10 restriction enzymes. Using in vitro insertional omega mutagenesis and in vivo insertional Tn5 mutagenesis, we localized the regions of the plasmid responsible for colicin D activity (cda), for mitomycin C-induced lysis (cdl), and for colicin D immunity (cdi). These genes were all located contiguously on a 2,400-base-pair fragment similar to a large number of other Col plasmids (A, E1, E2, E3, E8, N, and CloDF). The ColD plasmid was mobilizable by conjugative transfer by helper plasmids of the IncFII incompatibility group, but not by plasmids belonging to the groups IncI-alpha or IncP. The location of the mobilization functions was determined by deletion analysis. The plasmid needs a segment of 400 base pairs, which is located between the mob genes and the gene for autolysis, for its replication.
Role of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DRB1 and HLADQB1 Alleles in HIV-1 Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis Co-infection from India

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

We studied the role of HLA HLA-A, B, DRB1 and DQB1 in HIV-1 patient’s co infected with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). A total of 102 HIV-1+ patients co-infected with pulmonary tuberculosis and 200 healthy controls were included in HLA analysis. HLA-A*, HLA B* HLA-DRB1*and DQB1*typing was done molecularly by PCR-SSOP (Polymerase Chain reaction-Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probing) method using kit (Dynal Kit - Invitrogen). The frequencies of the HLA-A*, HLA-B* HLA-DRB,1* and HLA-DQB1* alleles were determined using standard software. The HLA alleles identified among HIV+ve/PTB+ve co-infected patients was compared with healthy controls. Our results showed a significantly increased frequency o HLA-B*08:01:01(p=0.011, OR 3.335, 95% CI 1.35-8.18) HLA-DQB1*03:01:03 (p < 0.0001, OR 107.5, 95% CI 6.195-1865.3) in HIV+ve/PTB+ve co-infected patients when compared with healthy controls. Similarly HLA-DQB*06:01:02 (p=0.003, OR 4.808, 95% CI 1.72-13.39), HLA DQB1*03:01:01 (p=0.045, OR 0.219, 95% CI 0.051-0.940), HLA-DQB1*06:01:01:01 (p=0.012, OR 0.334, 95% CI 0.145-0.770),allele frequency was observed in HIV+ve/PTB+ve co-infected patients when compared with healthy controls. We can conclude that different HLA alleles may render susceptibility or protection to in different ethnic population.
Rab10, Crag and Ehbp1 regulate the basolateral transport of Na+K+ATPase in Drosophila photoreceptors

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

ABSTRACT Cells in situ are often polarized and have multiple plasma membrane domains. To establish and maintain these domains, polarized transport is essential, and its impairment results in genetic disorders. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of polarized transport have not been elucidated. Drosophila photoreceptor offers an excellent model for studying this. We found that Rab10 impairment significantly reduced basolateral levels of Na+K+ATPase, mislocalizing it to the stalk membrane, which is a domain of the apical plasma membrane. Furthermore, the shrunken basolateral and the expanded stalk membranes were accompanied with abnormalities in the Golgi cisternae of Rab10-impaired retinas. The deficiencies of Rab10-GEF Crag or the Rab10 effector Ehbp1 phenocopied Rab10 deficiency, indicating that Crag, Rab10 and Ehbp1 work together for polarized trafficking of membrane proteins to the basolateral membrane. These phenotypes were similar to those seen upon deficiency of AP1 or clathrin, which are known to be involved in the basolateral transport in other systems. Additionally, Crag, Rab10 and Ehbp1 colocalized with AP1 and clathrin on the trans-side of Golgi stacks. Taken together, these results indicate that AP1 and clathrin, and Crag, Rab10 and Ehbp1 collaborate in polarized basolateral transport, presumably in the budding process in the trans-Golgi network.
Origin of the excess specific heat in metallic glass forming liquids

Field: Materials Science (Physical Sciences)

We report excess specific heat in a series of metallic glass forming liquids. It is found that the excess specific heat relative to glass at glass transition temperature Tg is constant and close to, where R is gas constant. In the typical Pd40Ni10Cu30P20 metallic glass forming liquid, the excess specific heat is independent of temperature. A quantitative description of the excess specific heat is built up. The atomic translational diffusion is the origin of the excess specific heat. The results provide a fundamental understanding to the glass transition in metallic glasses.
Reinforcement Learning for Adversarial Environments

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

This paper explores the development of more intelligent and competitive AI agents for adversarial environments. A hide and seek simulation environment with three sensor models is developed, including a lidar, a far filed sensor, and a near-filed sensor. Four AI vs AI adversarial scenarios are investigated using the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) and Soft Actor Critic (SAC) reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms. Various experimental results across RL algorithms and sensor models have shown the seeker and hider have the most competitive advantage in the scenario of a SAC seeker versus a PPO hider and a PPO seeker versus a SAC hider, respectively. Additionally, the impact of sensing modalities on agent learning performance is investigated. Comparative studies reveal that extra sensing modalities improve agent performance, and the far-field sensor outperforms the near-field sensor. The results also suggest that an agent with a competitive advantage of AI algorithm is more resilient to variations in sensing modalities.
DNA based electrolyte/separator for lithium battery application

Field: Materials Science (Physical Sciences)

In this study, we demonstrated the use of DNA-CTMA (DC) in combination with PolyVinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) as a host matrix or separator for Lithium based electrolyte to form solid polymer/gel like electrolyte for potential application in Li-ion batteries. The addition of DC provided a better thermal stability of the composite electrolyte as shown by the thermos-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The AC conductivity measurements suggest that the addition of DC to the gel electrolyte had no effect on the overall ionic conductivity of the composite. The obtained films are flexible with high mechanical stretch-ability as compared to the gel type electrolytes only.
An exploratory study of nurses' knowledge of antipsychotic drug use with older persons

Field: Nursing (Health Sciences)

Aim: Previous research has documented the widespread use of antipsychotic drugs by nursing staff with older persons, although less is known about the knowledge that nurses actually have about these drugs. The purpose of this exploratory, descriptive study was to survey a sample of UK gerontological nurses from different work settings on their knowledge of antipsychotic drugs.Methods: An exploratory descriptive study design was utilised, whereby a sample of nursing staff was given a questionnaire developed to determine knowledge about antipsychotic drugs and their use with older persons. Questionnaires were distributed to 100 nursing staff, including registered general nurses, registered mental nurses, state enrolled nurses, nursing assistants and care assistants. Of the 100 questionnaires distributed, 62 were returned and 57 were completed substantially enough for data analysis.Results: Descriptive statistics including frequencies and means were calculated for demographic variables and the questionnaire responses. Results indicated that the use of antipsychotic drugs within the psychiatric hospital setting was substantial, with 43.7% of patients receiving antipsychotic drugs, for an average length of time of 1.8 years. Conclusions: Nursing staff participants from all three work settings revealed a number of significant knowledge gaps, particularly with regard to appropriate indications for antipsychotic drugs with older persons and the side-effects of antipsychotic drugs. Summary: This paper adds new information regarding the use of antipsychotic drugs in the nursing care of older people.
American Energy Tax Policies and Enlightenment

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance (Social Sciences)

With the popularity of the family cars and the rapidly increasing demand for energy during the production process of cars,American domestic energy supply is growing more and more acute day by day.Under the double pressure of energy shortage and increasingly severe environmental pollution,American government has recently adjusted substantially a series of tax policies related to energy production and consumption.The paper begins with the introduction to the energy policy and its related tax policies in the past 30 years in the United States of Amercia,and then analyses the impact of Amercia's energy tax policies on the taxpayers and the common consumers.On the basis of discussion,the paper suggests some proposals related to China's reform of energy tax policies.
Gyrfalcon Population and Reproduction in Relation to Rock Ptarmigan Numbers in Iceland.

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

I have studied the population ecology of the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) since 1981 on a 5,300-km 2 study area in northeast Iceland harbouring 83 traditional Gyrfalcon territories.The main questions addressed relate to the predator-prey relationship of the Gyrfalcon and its main prey, the Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta).Specifically, how does the Gyrfalcon respond functionally and numerically to changes in ptarmigan numbers?Field work involved an annual census to determine occupancy of Gyrfalcon territories, breeding success, and food.Also, Rock Ptarmigan were censused annually on six census plots within the study area.The Rock Ptarmigan population showed multi-annual cycles, with peaks in 1986, 1998 and 2005.Cycle period was 11 or 12 years based on the 1981-2003 data.The Gyrfalcon in Iceland is a resident specialist predator and the Rock Ptarmigan is the main food in all years.The functional response curve was just slightly concave but ptarmigan densities never reached levels low enough to reveal the lower end of the trajectory.Occupancy rate of Gyrfalcon territories followed Rock Ptarmigan numbers with a 3-4 year time-lag.Gyrfalcons reproduced in all years, and all measures of Gyrfalcon breeding success-laying rate, success rate, mean brood size, and population productivity-were significantly related to March and April weather and to Rock Ptarmigan density.The Gyrfalcon data show characteristics suggesting that the falcon could be one of the forces driving the Rock Ptarmigan cycle (resident specialist predator, time-lag).The Iceland Gyrfalcon and Rock Ptarmigan data are the longest time series on the Gyrfalcon-Rock Ptarmigan relationship, and the only series that indicate a coupled predator-prey cycle for the falcon and its ptarmigan prey.
SMEs’ Eco-Friendly Food Packaging Critical Factors: An Empirical Study

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Abstract. SMEs are economic driver that need to have a more sustainable business development strategy. Issues arise in food packaging which has a direct impact on environmental damage and pollution. In addition, food packaging is one of the factors of business competitiveness and attractiveness for customers. This study aims to obtain a direct picture from SMEs in the field about whether there is awareness to use eco-friendly packaging, what is their current condition of food packaging, and what they need for the next development strategy. The method used in this study is a qualitative approach using a survey with open-ended questions on 49 SMEs. This study uses a coding approach, content and semantic analysis to explore the study. The findings obtained from this study are that there is awareness and knowledge about the importance of using environmentally friendly products. For the perpetrators, the current conditions are not yet ideal for total use, due to business considerations, access to materials, and high prices. In the future, SMEs actors will focus on their packaging development strategy on several aspects, namely material, design, and cost. SMEs need to increase their skills and knowledge regarding eco-friendly packaging and support from relevant stakeholders in order to become a sustainable business.
Petrogenesis of highly fractionated I-type peraluminous granites: \nLa Pedriza pluton (Spanish Central System)

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences (Physical Sciences)

The La Pedriza pluton stands out as the most extensively fractionated granite (Rb < 629; Sr < 2 and Ba < 2 ppm) \nof the Spanish Central System Batholith. These granites show a strong enrichment in some rare metal contents \n(Nb = 44, Y = 136, Yb = 10.7, U = 17, Ta = 7, Sc = 15 ppm). The petrography and geochemistry (including Sr- \nNd isotopes) reveal that the pluton is composed of at least four units. These are classified as I-type peraluminous \nleucogranites (A/CNK=1.03-1.17), P-poor (P2O5<0.2 wt%) and Na2O-rich (< 4.24 wt%) exhibiting differences in \ntheir HFSE and REE contents and εNd compositions. Moreover, the units of the La Pedriza granite display different \ntrends of fractional crystallization. REE spectra of the two most fractionated units suggest the involvement of a \nfluorine-rich melt in the last stages favouring the crystallization of xenotime and niobotantalates. Intermediate \nmeta-igneous granulite protoliths are proposed as source rocks. The most evolved units of the La Pedriza pluton \nshow chemical features convergent to A-type granites; these are explained by extensive fractional crystallization \nof a P-poor, I-type granite magma.