Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delft University of Technology Combining the enrichment and accumulation step in non-axenic PHA production: Cultivation of Plasticicumulans acidivorans at high volume exchange ratios

The process for non-axenic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production from organic waste generally comprises three steps: acidogenic fermentation of the waste stream, enrichment of a PHA-producing culture, and production of the PHA. This study assesses the feasibility of combining the enrichment and production step. Harvesting PHA-rich biomass directly from the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) used for enrichment of the microbial culture reduces capital cost, but may increase downstream-processing cost if the PHA content is significantly lowered. Operating an acetate-fed SBR at a volume exchange ratio of 0.75 (18 h cycles, 1 d SRT) allowed the production of biomass with 70 wt% poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) in a single-step process. By increasing the exchange ratio to 0.83 (20 h cycles) the PHB content of the harvested biomass increased to 75 wt%, but the operational stability decreased. SBR operation at these high exchange ratios makes that bacteria have to increase their growth rate and external substrate is available for relatively long periods. This allows the establishment of larger flanking populations and negatively affected the kinetic properties of Plasticicumulans acidivorans, the predominant organism. Maximizing the volume exchange ratio is, therefore, a suitable strategy to produce large amounts of PHA in the SBR, but does not ensure the enrichment of a culture with superior PHA productivity. Abbreviations: CL, cycle length; F/M ratio, food-to-microorganism ratio; HRT, hydraulic retention time; PHA, polyhydroxyalkanoate; PHB, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); SBR, sequencing batch reactor; SRT, solids retention time; TSS, total suspended solids.
Improved Histological Evaluation of Vascularity around an Immunoisolation Device by Correlating Number of Vascular Profiles to Glucose Exchange

The aim of this study was to determine which vessels are important for the exchange of small molecules, such as glucose, from the microcirculation into an immunoisolation device. Reasonably, those vessels should be the ones of interest in histological evaluations. In a previous study, we examined the diffusion of glucose from the microcirculation into immunoisolation devices that had been implanted subcutaneously in rats for various times (i.e., 1, 2, and 4 weeks and 3 months). The glucose kinetic data were then correlated with the number of vascular profiles within 15 and 250 μm from the device. Significant correlations were found only at 250 μm. To examine the relation further between function and vascularization, we used the histological samples from the previous study and counted vascular profiles within various distances between 15 and 400 μm from the device. The number was then correlated with the already available glucose kinetic data. The highest correlations were found at 75 and 100 μm (p < 0.05). We therefore suggest that vascular profiles within 100 μm should be used when evaluating the vascularity of tissue surrounding an immunoisolation device. We also studied neovascularization asymmetries between the side of the membrane facing the skin and that facing the muscle. At 1 and 2 weeks about half of the devices were mainly vascularized on the side facing the skin, whereas the rest were equally vascularized on the two sides. At 3 months, all devices were well vascularized, and no striking vascularization asymmetries were seen.
New forms of work organisation: Can Europe realise its potential?

Over the past few years the FoundationÕs EPOC Project (Employee Direct Participation in Organisational Change) examined the various European experiments in direct participation which, in the context of EPOC, is: individual consultation and delegation, group consultation and delegation. The earlier research in this project identified an information gap in the knowledge about practices in European enterprises. What is the extent of direct participation? What are the economic and social effects? To what degree can employees influence the organisation of work or control their working environment?
An Efficient Approach for Optimal Placement of TCSC in Double Auction Power Market

This paper proposes an investment cost recovery based efficient and fast sequential optimization approach to optimal allocation of thyristor controlled series compensator (TCSC) in competitive power market. The optimization technique has been used with an objective to maximizing the social welfare and minimizing the device installation cost by suitable location and rating of TCSC in the system. The effectiveness of proposed approach for location of TCSC has been compared with some existing methods of TCSC placement, in terms of its impact on social welfare, TCSC investment recovery and optimal generation as well as load patterns. The results have been obtained on modified IEEE 14-bus system. Keywords—Double auction market, Investment cost recovery, Optimal location, Social welfare, TCSC I. INTRODUCTION HE experience of last twenty years tells that electricity companies can be divided into those parts which are still natural monopolies and those parts where it is possible to have competition and to create a market for electricity. This experience is now being used all over the world to create cheaper electricity by means of competition amongst power stations and amongst companies that are in the business of purchasing and reselling electricity. With the increased power demand, more interconnections with limited transmission expansion and enhanced trading activities in the electricity market it has been challenging task to operate the system in an efficient manner. Flexible ac transmission systems (FACTS) are considered to be one technology that can benefit the emerging power system in terms of enhancing the system stability, providing better voltage control and increased loading capability of existing transmission systems with possibility to load lines much closer to their thermal limits (1), (2). Recently, there has been growing interest in allocation of FACTS devices for achieving different objectives for transmission network. Gerbex et al. (3) have used a genetic algorithm to seek the optimal location of FACTS devices in a power system. Optimizations have been performed on the location of the device as well as their values. However, in (3) the number of devices to be installed is decided arbitrarily not by optimization. The impact of TCSC on congestion and spot pricing is presented in (4). The paper demonstrated that the TCSC could reduce congestion as well as the losses. References (5) and (6) have proposed optimal allocation methods for TCSC to eliminate the line overloads, where sensitivity index is introduced for ranking the optimal placement. Priority list method for TCSC allocation for congestion management has been proposed in (7).
Subventions publiques et décisions de production des agriculteurs une analyse microéconomique

La these s’interesse a l’impact des subventions publiques sur les decisions de production des agriculteurs. Elle analyse d’abord le lien entre subventions et efficacite technique des exploitations, puis examine les effets des subventions decouplees sur la fourniture de services ecosystemiques par les agriculteurs. L'influence des subventions sur le comportement des agriculteurs est une question importante dans le contexte de reformes successives des politiques agricoles. Il existe une vaste litterature sur cette question, mais celle-la presente trois limites majeures. D’une part, la litterature sur le sujet specifique du lien entre subventions et efficacite technique repose sur une plethore de modeles empiriques qui traitent les subventions de facon ad hoc. De plus, cette litterature est presqu’exclusivement basee sur des modeles statiques, alors que les decisions de production sont essentiellement dynamiques.D’autre part, peu de travaux analysent le role des subventions decouplees en considerant la nature multitâche de l’agriculture. C’est pourquoi la these realise tout d’abord une meta-analyse des resultats empiriques existants sur le lien entre subventions et efficacite technique, afin de controler les effets qui seraient dus aux methodes utilisees. Les resultats indiquent que la modelisation des subventions comme outputs, ou l’utilisation du ratio subventions/revenu comme proxy, pourraient generer des resultats trompeurs. Ensuite, la these developpe et estime un modele de frontiere dynamique ainsi qu’un modele similaire mais statique. Les resultats montrent que le cadre statique surestime l'effet (negatif) des subventions sur l'efficacite technique. Enfin la these developpe et teste un modele d'agence multitâche indiquant que les aides decouplees peuvent inciter les agriculteurs a fournir des services ecosystemiques
Is the Funding of Public National Health Systems Sustainable over the Long Term? Evidence from Eight OECD Countries

This study examines what impact macroeconomic and health-related factors have on the financial sustainability of health care systems; provides insights on additional financial resources required in order for demand for health care to be met; and reflects on needed reforms by health care systems in the near future. Publicly available data are used to identify the key variables influencing health spending. Statistical analysis is used to provide estimates of future required levels of health spending. Average macroeconomic performance, high debt levels, the need to contain fiscal deficits combined with adverse demographic developments, high outlays on health technologies and competing public sector needs, suggest that a funding gap between required and committed levels of health spending will exist in the next few years. This funding shortfall can be significant and in cumulative terms may range between 39 per cent and 61 per cent of 2012 health expenditure levels over the 2013–2017 period. Health care decision makers will need to place emphasis on outcomes-based reimbursement, set priorities based on efficiency rules, and implement organisational innovations in order to ensure affordability and sustainability. In the opposite case, contraction of services offered and exclusions from coverage are not unlikely.
Fe Kα line in hard X-ray emitting symbiotic stars

The 6.4 keV iron emission line is typically created by irradiation of the neutral (or low ionized) iron by a hard X-ray source. Whereas the 6.7 and 7.0 keV emission lines are mainly produced by photoionization and collisional excitation in hot plasma, the 6.4 keV fluorescence line is typically a signature of either reflection from an accretion disk or absorption. We have surveyed the emission using a collection of Suzaku ob- servations of hard X-ray emitting symbiotic stars to better understand the geometry of these systems. We find that they do not seem to have a single geometry, and that while absorption-induced fluorescence leads to some emission in three of the hard X-ray emitting symbiotic stars (hSSs) in our study, CH Cyg, T CrB and RT Cru there are strong hints that significant 6.4 keV emission arises in the accretion disk irradiated by the hard X-rays from the boundary layer between the accretion disk and hot white dwarf in one of our sources, SS73 17. The 6.7 and 7.0 keV lines, however, are largely produced by collisional excitation in the vicinity of the compact white dwarf.
VIP Inhibits P. gingivalis LPS-induced IL-18 and IL-18BPa in Monocytes

IL-18 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is important in the regulation of T-cells and is elevated in inflammatory disorders such as periodontal disease. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) modulates immune responses to the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). Our objective was to investigate the effect of Pg LPS on IL-18 and its natural inhibitor, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BPa), in human monocytes, and the effect of VIP on this system. We demonstrated that Pg LPS induced both IL-18 and IL-18BPa secretion in cultures of the human monocytic cell line THP-1, as measured by specific ELISA. The addition of antibodies to IL-18BPa to the stimulated THP-1 cultures resulted in increased levels of free IL-18, indicating a specific interaction between IL18 and IL-18BPa in this system. VIP (10−8M) inhibited both IL-18 and IL-18Bpa secretion by stimulated monocytes. We conclude that IL-18 and IL-18BPa secretion by monocytes is part of the immune response to Pg, and that VIP can inhibit this process.
Unpacking Directions and Spatial Patterns of VFR Travel Mobilities in the Global South: Insights from South Africa

Unpacking the spatial patterns of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) mobilities within (and between) countries represents an investigatory void in existing international VFR scholarship. The paper seeks to interrogate the relationships between historical and contemporary migration flows and VFR travel by using the case of South Africa. The study highlights the importance of understanding the role of multi-locational households, the roots and persistence of circulatory migration flows and their manifestations in the present-day geography of VFR travel mobilities in post-apartheid South Africa. Interpreting the changing spatial patterns of VFR travel must be grounded in the historical and contemporary dynamics of local and regional migration systems. For South Africa's poorest areas where VFR travel flows are the dominant if sometimes the only form of tourism, policy issues arise for leveraging this form of tourism for enhancing local development. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection in free ranged chicken from rural and urban settlements in Oyo State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Free-range chicken preferred as source of meat by a large population in developing countries is now known to play an important role in the epidemiology of Toxoplasmosis. AIM This study was therefore aimed at investigating the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in free-range local chicken from rural and urban settlements in Oyo State, Nigeria. METHODS Sera from 225 chickens were assayed for T gondii antibodies using Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). RESULTS Ninety-one (40.4%) were positive for T gondii antibodies (MAT cut-off titre of 1:20). Seroprevalence were 41%, 38.5%, 41.9% and 38.2% in adolescents, adults, female and male chicken respectively. Antibodies were detected in chickens obtained from all Local Government Areas (LGAs) with higher titre in rural than urban chickens. Chickens from rural areas had significant association with seropositivity to T gondii infection (OR = 2.534; 95% CI = 1.442 - 454; P = 0.0016). There was no significant association of T gondii (P > 0.05) with age, sex and the origin of chicken. Conclusion: The study showed that detection of high antibodies titre to T gondii in free-range chicken suggests a wide spread of T gondii oocyst in the studied environment and that consumption of undercooked meat from these birds may be sources of T gondii infection to humans.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection plus radiofrequency ablation of neoplastic Barrett’s esophagus

Background and study aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of early gastrointestinal tumors has been shown to achieve complete resection rates superior to endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), but at the cost of higher risk. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the feasibility and oncological results of ESD in patients with neoplastic Barrett’s esophagus in conjunction with subsequent radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods: Patients with Barrett’s esophagus who had visible lesions containing high grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or mucosal adenocarcinoma (MAC) up to 3 cm in diameter were included in the study. ESD was performed using a new waterjet-assisted system (WESD) with a HybridKnife (Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH, Tübingen, Germany). Primary outcome was the rate of complete tumor resection. RFA of residual intestinal metaplasia was offered to all patients with at least two negative follow-up endoscopies. Results: Of 30 patients (m:f = 21:9; median age 60 years) with biopsy-proven MAC (n = 24) or HGIN (n = 6) with a median diameter of 2 cm, complete resection of the targeted area was achieved in 29 patients (96.7 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 82 % – 99 %); en bloc resection was achieved in 27 of these patients (90.0 %; 95 %CI 74 % – 97 %). Minor delayed bleedings occurred in two patients. One patient died due to a sudden cardiac death 7 days after an uneventful WESD. Specimen histology (n = 29) revealed no neoplasia in 3 patients, HGIN in 2, MAC in 21, and submucosal cancer in 3; complete resection was histologically confirmed in only 10 of the 26 patients with HGIN or adenocarcinoma (38.5 %; 95 %CI 22 % – 57 %). However, endoscopic follow-up (median 17 months) showed complete remission of neoplasia in 27 /28 (96.4 %; 95 %CI 81 % – 99 %) patients who underwent successful WESD and were alive at 30 days. One patient underwent EMR of residual tumor. All Barrett’s tissue was eradicated by ESD alone in 15 cases and by additional RFA in 8 /10 cases (not done in three patients). Conclusions: ESD of Barrett’s neoplasia is feasible and safe, but does not achieve sufficient R0 resection rates to warrant its recommended use over piecemeal EMR. In combination with RFA it can achieve complete eradication of neoplastic and non-neoplastic Barrett’s epithelium. The discrepancy between insufficient oncological resection and good medium-term results needs to be studied further.
The behavior response of the Nigerian youths toward mobile advertising: An examination of the influence of values, attitudes and culture

Abstract Mobile phone has become an integral tool for marketing and advertising. For advertisers to use it successfully to advertise they need to understand the behavior response of consumers toward it. Sequel to the above, the objective of this study is to examine the direct impact of mobile advertising value and attitude on the behavior response of Nigerian youths to mobile advertising. Equally, the study will also ascertain the moderating effects of culture on the relationships of value, attitude, and behavior response of Nigerian youth to mobile advertising. The study is an explanatory research and adopted the quantitative approach of data collection and analysis. Primary data from 296 Nigerian youths in selected tertiary institutions were analyzed using Smart PLS 3. Findings showed that both mobile advertising value and attitude toward mobile advertising have significant impacts on the behavior response of Nigerian youths to mobile advertising. Regarding, the moderating effect, culture moderated between attitude and behavior response, however it did not moderate between mobile advertising value and behavior response toward mobile advertising. A managerial implication from this is that advertisers should send valuable mobile advertising messages which are rich in cultural elements. That will help in eliciting favorable responses from the consumers toward it which can eventually translate to increment in product purchase thereby leading to adequate return on investment.
Melatonin prevents gentamicin‐induced testicular toxicity and oxidative stress in rats

This study investigated the protective effects of melatonin (MT) against gentamicin (GM)‐induced testicular toxicity and oxidative damage in rats. GM (100 mg kg−1) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) to rats for 6 days. MT (15 mg kg−1) was administered i.p. to rats for 6 days at 1 hr after the GM treatment. GM caused a decrease in prostate and seminal vesicle weights, sperm count and sperm motility. Histopathological examination showed various morphological alterations in the testis, characterised by degeneration of spermatogonia/spermatocytes, decrease in the number of early spermatogenic cells and vacuolisation. In addition, an increased malondialdehyde concentration and decreased glutathione content and glutathione reductase, catalase and glutathione‐S‐transferase activities were found in the testis. In contrast, MT treatment significantly attenuated the testicular toxicity of GM, including decreased reproductive organ weights, sperm count, and sperm motility and increased histopathological alterations. MT also had an antioxidant benefit by decreasing the lipid peroxidative product malondialdehyde and increasing the level of the antioxidant glutathione and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the testis. These results indicate that MT prevents testicular toxicity induced by GM in rats, presumably due to its potent antioxidant activity, and its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation, and restore antioxidant enzyme activity.
Protective effect of aminoguanidine against cardiovascular toxicity of chronic doxorubicin treatment in rats.

The cardiotoxicity-induced by chronic treatment of doxorubicin have recently be attributed to free radical formation and/or release of nitric oxide. In the present study, an already established rat model of doxorubicin -induced cardiotoxicity was used. Doxorubicin in a total cumulative dose of 15 mgkg(-1) I.P. given in six equal injections over two week period was administered. After three weeks of doxorubicin administration, the blood pressure, serum lactate dehydrogenase, lipid peroxides, asites fluid and mortality rate were significantly increased. Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity was further confirmed by examining the histopathology of heart sections. Myocardial fibres necrosis with prominent acute inflammatory cells were observed in rats hearts treated with doxorubicin. Aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, 100 mgkg(-1) injected every other day for two week was given concurrently with doxorubicin. Aminoguanidine given concurrently with doxorubicin return blood pressure, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxides to normal control values. Furthermore, aminoguanidine reduces the mortality rate, ascites fluid formation- induced by doxorubicin and improved the histopathology of rats hearts treated with doxorubicin. In conclusion, inhibition of nitric oxide formation may be beneficial in protecting rat hearts against doxorubicin- induced cardiotoxicity.
Alternative and New Methods for Measuring Persistence in Fund Performance

This research adds to the current literature of measuring fund persistence by introducing two novel quantitative methods. Firstly, an existing method based on the Markov modelling of a fund’s Morningstar rating over time is examined. An improvement to this model is then suggested based on the replacement of the Morningstar ratings with the alpha-based percentile ranking from a factor model. Secondly, a novel method based on the use of survival analysis techniques is explored in the context of a Cox regression model and an accelerated failure time model. The effect of two fund-specific covariates on fund persistence are analysed under these survival models. The improved Markov model and survival models are applied to a set of South African equity mutual funds, with evidence of short-term persistence being found for top and bottom decile performers respectively under both modelling frameworks.