Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alleviation of Intestinal Inflammation by Oral Supplementation With 2-Fucosyllactose in Mice

Milk oligosaccharides exert a prebiotic action that contributes to the development of the infant gut microbiota during lactation. Given that milk oligosaccharides remain intact after passage through stomach and small intestine, they can potentially influence the composition of the gut microbiota when ingested as dietary supplements after weaning. To address the regulatory effects of specific oligosaccharides in colitis linked to the microbiota composition, we have supplemented interleukin-10 null (Il10-/-) mice with four fucosylated and sialylated oligosaccharides. We found that oral supplementation with 2-fucosyllactose significantly decreased the severity of colitis as displayed by reduced inflammatory marker expression, histological and diarrhea scores, an increased epithelial integrity and less pronounced colon shortening. Oral supplementation with 2-fucosyllactose led to a marked expansion of the commensal Ruminococcus gnavus, which was accompanied by an enhanced cecal concentration of propionate. Decreased activation of immune cells by R. gnavus was confirmed by reconstitution of antibiotic-treated Il10-/- mice and by stimulation of dendritic cells in vitro. This study demonstrates that post-weaning administration of specific oligosaccharides can shift the composition of the gut microbiota to lessen chronic inflammation as observed in Il10-/- mice. The expansion of R. gnavus sets a positive microbial environment at the cost of pro-inflammatory Gram-negative bacteria, thereby lowering intestinal inflammation.
Use of Farmer Knowledge in the Delineation of Potential Management Zones in Precision Agriculture: A Case Study in Maize (Zea mays L.)

One of the fields of research in precision agriculture (PA) is the delineation of potential management zones (PMZs, also known as site-specific management zones, or simply management zones). To delineate PMZs, cluster analysis is the main used and recommended methodology. For cluster analysis, mainly yield maps, remote sensing multispectral indices, apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa), and topography data are used. Nevertheless, there is still no accepted protocol or guidelines for establishing PMZs, and different solutions exist. In addition, the farmer’s expert knowledge is not usually taken into account in the delineation process. The objective of the present work was to propose a methodology to delineate potential management zones for differential crop management that expresses the productive potential of the soil within a field. The Management Zone Analyst (MZA) software, which implements a fuzzy c-means algorithm, was used to create different alternatives of PMZ that were validated with yield data in a maize (Zea mays L.) field. The farmers’ expert knowledge was then taken into account to improve the resulting PMZs that best fitted to the yield spatial variability pattern. This knowledge was considered highly valuable information that could be also very useful for deciding management actions to be taken to reduce within-field variability.
The nature and extent of voluntary intellectual capital disclosures by Australian and UK biotechnology companies

Purpose – The purpose of this research project is to compare the nature and extent of voluntary intellectual capital disclosures (ICD) by UK and Australian biotechnology companies. The motivating research question was whether the nature and extent of voluntary ICD by preparers of financial report data in these countries reflected the relative maturity of the UK, compared to Australian industry.Design/methodology/approach – ICD was measured in annual reports and financial statements published on the company websites. A Danish disclosure index was used to evaluate voluntary disclosures by 156 companies about customers, employees, IT, strategy, R&D and processes (78‐items scored for each company). Findings – A significant leverage effect was demonstrated in relation to the “nature” of ICD by UK and Australian biotechnology companies. Interestingly, mean customer ICD were higher in annual reports from high‐leveraged compared to low‐leveraged Australian firms. In contrast, UK firms showed higher mean R&D ICD fo.
Network competition : empirical evidence on mobile termination rates and profitability

We analyze a model of multi firm competition between mobile network operators. The model assumes inelastic usage demand and full penetration, and allows for asymmetric termination rates, differences in marginal costs and vertical differentiation. A key property is that operators’ equilibrium profit is unaffected by an identical change in all termination rates in the market we call this the profit neutrality hypothesis. The model is well suited for econometric implementation. We use a panel data set comprising north western European mobile operators to estimate equilibrium profit functions and find that we cannot reject the profit neutrality hypothesis. The results suggest that a reduction in mobile termination rate levels in mature markets will not necessarily benefit consumers. ∗ We are grateful to Kjell Arne Brekke, Oystein Foros, Espen Moen and seminar participants at the Departments of Economics at the Norwegian School of Management, the Department of Economics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the ZEW 2008 Conference on “The Impact of Regulation on Investment and Innovation Incentives” for helpful comments. ∗* Affiliation: NTNU and Telenor R&I, email: kjetil.andersson@telenor.com ∗** Corresponding author, affiliation: The Norwegian School of Management and Telenor R&I, email: bjorn.hansen@bi.no
Succession of protease activity in seawater and bacterial isolates during starvation in a mesocosm experiment

Protein biodegradation in the marine environment is caused by proteases derived from various organisms, including bacteria, which are considered to be a major source of these enzymes. We investigated the succession of bacterial proteases in seawater to determine the variation in protease activity over time. The potential activities of proteolytic enzymes in stored seawater and isolated bacteria were studied using 19 different synthetic oligopeptide substrates for aminopeptidase, trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase. In time-course experiments carried out over 112 d, aminopeptidase activity increased, whereas trypsin activity decreased over time. Amino peptidase activity was mainly found in unfiltered seawater containing bacterial cells, whereas trypsin activity was mainly found in 0.2 μm seawater filtrates. Individual bacterial isolates showed different proteolytic properties but all exhibited aminopeptidase activity. Members of the Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes showed high trypsin and chymotrypsin activities. Based on these results, we conclude that protein degradation in seawater occurs via the combined action of various bacterial proteases.
Response to Referee # 1 ( Andreas Zuend ) on “ Influence of Organic Compound Functionality on Aerosol Hygroscopicity : Dicarboxylic Acids , Alkyl-Substituents , Sugars and Amino Acids ”

On consideration of the comments, all predictions generated by AIOMFAC-web have been repeated with careful consideration of the functional groups used. Methyl malonic acid, 3-methyl adipic acid, dimethyl malonic acid, 2,3-dimethyl succinic acid and pimelic acid were found to differ marginally from the original predictions. All figures (Figure 2, 4, 5 and 7), supporting information and tabulated data have been updated to reflect these changes. Although the corrections lead to slight numerical changes, they do not alter the overall conclusions of the manuscript.
Genetic Evaluation of Litter Size Traits in Pannon White Rabbits

In this study 21060 kindling records (collected between 1992 and 2016) of 4926 Pannon White (PW) does inseminated with 1414 PW mating bucks were analysed. Genetic components and genetic trends for the number of kits born alive (NBA), number of kits born dead (NBD) and the total number of born kits (TNB) were estimated using the four single trait animal models. Heritability estimates were low for all traits. For NBA and TNB they ranged between 0.06-0.07±0.01. For NBD they were close to zero (0.019-0.020±0.004). Th e ratios of the permanent environmental to the phenotypic variances ranged between 0.07-0.1±0.01 for NBA, 0.009-0.013 ±0.004 for NBD and 0.07-0.10±0.01 for TNB. Analysing the models’ fi t showed that bias values were practically zero for all traits and models. Aft er selecting the best fi tted model (containing parity, age of the doe and year-month of kindling) it was extended with dominance eff ects. As a result, heritability estimates decreased to 0.06±0.01 for NBA, 0.02±0.01 for NBD and 0.06±0.01 for TNB. Th e ratio of the permanent environmental eff ects to the phenotypic variances also decreased to 0.08±0.01 for NBA, 0.008±0.005 for NBD and 0.08±0.001 for TNB. Ratios of the dominance eff ects were larger than those of the heritability estimates for NBA (0.09±0.01) and TNB (0.08± 0.01). On the contrary for NBD ratio of the dominance eff ects was smaller than the heritability estimates (0.01±0.002). Confounding was found among additive genetic, permanent environmental and dominance eff ects. Inclusion of dominance eff ects also reduced genetics trends (0.027 vs 0.026, 0.0003 vs -0.0004 and 0.0258 vs 0.0255 for NBA, NBD and TNB, respectively). Spearman rank correlation coeffi cients between breeding values of the additive and dominance models were high for all traits (0.99). However, some re-ranking was observed among the top ranked animals for all litter size traits.
The galaxy luminosity function at z ≃ 6 and evidence for rapid evolution in the bright end from z ≃ 7 to 5

We present the results of a search for bright (-22.7 5. We calculate the bright end of the rest-frame Ultra-Violet (UV) luminosity function (LF) at z ~ 6. The galaxy number counts are a factor of ~1.7 lower than predicted by the recent LF determination by Bouwens et al. In comparison to other smaller area studies, we find an evolution in the characteristic magnitude between z ~ 5 and z ~ 7 of dM* ~ 0.4 mag, and show that a double power-law or a Schechter function can equally well describe the LF at z = 6. Furthermore, the bright-end of the LF appears to steepen from z ~ 7 to z ~ 5, which could indicate the onset of mass quenching or the rise of dust obscuration, a conclusion supported by comparing the observed LFs to a range of theoretical model predictions.
Traumatic Brain Injury Modifies the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Global and Cognitive Health: Results From the Barcelona Brain Health Initiative

Physical activity has many health benefits for individuals with and without history of brain injury. Here, we evaluated in a large cohort study the impact of physical activity on global and cognitive health as measured by the PROMIS global health and NeuroQoL cognitive function questionnaires. A nested case control study assessed the influence of a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the effects of physical activity since underlying pathophysiology and barriers to physical activity in individuals with TBI may mean the effects of physical activity on perceived health outcomes differ compared to the general population. Those with a history of TBI (n = 81) had significantly lower Global health (β = −1.66, p = 0.010) and NeuroQoL cognitive function (β = −2.65, p = 0.006) compared to healthy adults (n = 405). A similar proportion of individuals in both groups reported being active compared to being insufficiently active (X(1)2 = 0.519 p = 0.471). Furthermore, the effect of physical activity on global health (β = 0.061, p = 0.076) and particularly for NeuroQoL (β = 0.159, p = 0.002) was greater in those with a history of TBI. Individuals with a history of TBI can adhere to a physically active lifestyle, and if so, that is associated with higher global and cognitive health perceptions. Adhering to a physically active lifestyle is non-trivial, particularly for individuals with TBI, and therefore adapted strategies to increase participation in physical activity is critical for the promotion of public health.
Determinants of Individual Investors' Behaviors: Evidence from Tunisian Stock Market

Recent studies on individual investors' have shown that they do not act in a rational manner. However, several behavioral factors influence their investment decisions in Stock Markets. The present study considers the theory of individual investors' irrationality and investigates into their behavior with regard to investment decisions. In this sphere, we attempt to find out whether some psychological as well as demographic factors affect Tunisian individual investors' behavior and then try to examine the factors that are more influencing than others. To achieve our aims, we used a survey approach and developed a questionnaire that included sixty three items dealing with six biases. Then, we conducted a descriptive and factorial analysis on the biases of the collected data. Therefore, results have indicated that the Tunisian investors' behaviors are subject to five behavioral biases: representativeness, herding attitude, loss aversion, mental accounting, and anchoring. Apart from these biases, when attempting to categorize Tunisian investors on the basis of demographic variables, we have also found that gender, age and experience have an interaction with behavioral financial factors in investment decisions.
Porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite promotes migration and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell to accelerate bone fracture healing in a rat model

Background: Delay or failure of bone union is a significant clinical challenge all over the world, and it has been reported that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) offer a promising approach to accelerate bone fracture healing. Se can modulate the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs. Se-treatment enhances the osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs and inhibiting the differentiation and formation of mature osteoclasts. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite on bone regeneration and the underlying biological mechanisms. Methods: We oxidized Se2- to develop Se quantum dots, then we used the Se quantum dots to form a solid Se@SiO2 nanocomposite which was then coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and etched in hot water to synthesize porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite. We used XRD pattern to assess the phase structure of the solid Se@SiO2 nanocomposite. The morphology of porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the biocompatibility of porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite were investigated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. Then, a release assay was also performed. We used a Transwell assay to determine cell mobility in response to the porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite. For in vitro experiments, BMSCs were divided into four groups to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell apoptosis, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, gene activation and protein expression. For in vivo experiments, femur fracture model of rats was constructed to assess the osteogenic effects of porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite. Results: In vitro, intervention with porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite can promote migration and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and protect BMSCs against H2O2-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation. In vivo, we demonstrated that the porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite accelerated bone fracture healing using a rat femur fracture model. Conclusion: Porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite promotes migration and osteogenesis differentiation of rat BMSCs and accelerates bone fracture healing, and porous Se@SiO2 nanocomposite may provide clinic benefit for bone tissue engineering.
An estimate on the parabolic fractal dimension of the singular set for solutions of the Navier–Stokes system

We estimate the parabolic fractal (or parabolic box-counting) dimension of the singular set for suitable weak solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations in a bounded domain D. We prove that the parabolic fractal dimension is bounded by 45/29 improving an earlier result from (Kukavica 2009 Nonlinearity 22 2889–900). Also, we introduce the new (parabolic) λ-fractal dimension, where λ is a parameter, which for λ = 1 agrees with the parabolic fractal and for λ = ∞ with the parabolic Hausdorff dimension. We prove that for a certain range of λ, the dimension of the singular set is bounded by 3/2.
Air Distribution Systems and Cross-Infection Risk in the Hospital Sector

We protect ourselves from airborne cross-infection in our indoor environment by supplying fresh air to the room by natural or mechanical ventilation. The air is distributed in the room according to different principles as e.g. mixing ventilation, downward ventilation, displacement ventilation, etc. A large amount of air is supplied to the room to ensure dilution of airborne infection. The paper discusses both the macroenvironment and the microenvironment. The macroenvironment is the conditions created by the air distribution system, and the microenvironment is the conditions created by the local flow around persons in combination with the surrounding conditions. Analyses of the flow in the room (macroenvironment) show a number of parameters that play an important role in minimising of airborne cross-infection. The air flow rate to the room must be high, and the air distribution pattern can be designed to have high ventilation effectiveness. Furthermore, personalized ventilation may reduce the risk of cross-infection. Personalized ventilation can be used especially in hospital wards, aircraft cabins and, in general, where people are located at defined positions. Analyses of the flow in the microenvironment show that a number of variables are important, as e.g. distance between people, people’s posture, surrounding temperature gradients and surrounding temperature, activity level, etc. Experiments with tracer gas simulating droplet nuclei and experiments with large particles, simulating droplets are used for the study of airborne cross-infection risk and for the study of dropletborne transmission of a disease. CFD predictions are used to support these experiments.
Self- Compassion as a Mediator and Moderator of the Relationship between Psychological Suffering and Psychological Well-being among Palestinian Widowed Women

The main purpose of this study was to examine the mediator and moderator role of self-compassion on the relationship between psychological suffering and psychological well-being among Palestinian widowed women. The participants were 160 Palestinian widowed women ranging in age from 30-55 and benefited from social affairs services in the southern governorates of Gaza. The participants responded to questionnaire measuring self-compassion, psychological suffering and psychological well-being. The results showed that the relationship between psychological suffering and psychological well-being was fully mediated by self-compassion. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that self- compassion also moderated the relationship between psychological suffering and psychological well-being. This study presents an empirical framework for the research through investigating the relationship between psychological suffering, self-compassion, and psychological well-being for Palestinian widowed women. Keywords: Self-Compassion, mediator, moderator, Psychological Suffering, Psychological Wel-being
Stock return predictability: the role of inflation and threshold dynamics

Abstract This paper argues that the nature of stock return predictability varies with the level of inflation. We contend that the nature of relations between economic variables and returns differs according to the level of inflation, due to different economic risk implications. An increase in low level inflation may signal improving economic conditions and lower expected returns, while the opposite is true with an equal rise in high level inflation. Linear estimation provides contradictory coefficient values, which we argue arises from mixing coefficient values across regimes. We test for and estimate threshold models with inflation and the term structure as the threshold variable. These models reveal a change in either the sign or magnitude of the parameter values across the regimes such that the relation between stock returns and economic variables is not constant. Measures of in-sample fit and a forecast exercise support the threshold models. They produce a higher adjusted R2, lower MAE and RMSE and higher trading related measures. These results help explain the lack of consistent empirical evidence in favour of stock return predictability and should be of interest to those engaged in stock market modelling as well as trading and portfolio management.
Co-opetition in knowledge intensive networks: Two case studies

In a dynamic business environment that accommodates many competing organizations that co-operate in networks, and where knowledge has become vital, it is necessary to improve our understanding of how these organizations manage such co-opetitive relationships. In this paper we develop a framework that is largely based on the work of Bengtsson and Kock (2000). The framework is used to analyze two case studies of co-operative networks in knowledge-intensive networks; one in the domain of hydraulics engineering and the other in software engineering. We contribute to co-opetition theory in two ways. A) We add empirical observations to co-opetition theory, which until now has primarily been focused on a discussion at a more conceptual level. B) We extend and refine the framework first introduced by Bengtsson and Kock by complementing it with concepts from related theoretical domains and by assessing its value through empirical study.
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT AND HAEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN BABESIOSIS IN BUFFALOES

Babesiosis in four graded Murrah she buffaloes aged between 6-8 years with symptoms of haemoglobinuria, anorexia, suspended rumination, reduced milk yield, depression and reluctance to move was studied. The clinical examination revealed elevated temperature ranging from 102.5 o F to 104.2 o F, accelerated heart rate and respiration and icteric mucus membranes with mild to moderate tick infestation. Haematological studies revealed reduced Hb, PCV and TEC. Serum chemistry revealed hyperglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, BUN, AST and hypoprotienemia. Urine was coffee coloured and positive for haemoglobin, glucose and bile pigments. All the affected animals were treated with Diminazine aceturate along with supportive therapy, except for one animal which succumbed to illness, all the animals became afebrile by 24 h. The colour of urine became normal only after 3 days, while milk production was restored to its normal level by 3 weeks.
Effects of Visual Control and Graphical Characteristics of 3D Product Presentations on Perceived Trust in Electronic Shopping

The importance of online trust lies at its ability to predict users’ adoption of electronic shopping. However, little is known about the role of three dimensional (3D) product presentations in enhancing online trust based on graphical characteristics (GC) and visual control (VC). Therefore, this paper discusses the effects of different levels of visual control and graphical characteristics on perceived trust. While visual control allows users to manipulate 3D product images (to view products from various angles and distances), graphical characteristics allows consumers to experience different colours and 3D motions of presented products. The individual and joint effects of visual control and graphical characteristics were investigated in a laboratory experiment. Our results showed that visual control and graphical characteristics increased users’ perceived trust. Furthermore, we find an interaction effect of graphical characteristics on perceived trust of the 3D product presentation only when visual control of the 3D product presentation is high.