Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cardiorenal Syndrome 3: Renocardiac Effect of Vitamin C

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a pathological link between the kidneys and heart, in which an insult in a kidney or heart leads the other organ to incur damage. CRS is classified into five subtypes, and type 3 (CRS3) is characterized by acute kidney injury as a precursor to subsequent cardiovascular changes. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative and nitrosative stress have been reported in the pathophysiology of CRS3. It is known that vitamin C, an antioxidant, has proven protective capacity for cardiac, renal, and vascular endothelial tissues. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess whether vitamin C provides protection to heart and the kidneys in an in vivo CRS3 model. The unilateral renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR) protocol was performed for 60 min in the left kidney of adult mice, with and without vitamin C treatment, immediately after IR or 15 days after IR. Kidneys and hearts were subsequently collected, and the following analyses were conducted: renal morphometric evaluation, serum urea and creatinine levels, high-resolution respirometry, amperometry technique for NO measurement, gene expression of mitochondrial dynamic markers, and NOS. The analyses showed that the left kidney weight was reduced, urea and creatinine levels were increased, mitochondrial oxygen consumption was reduced, NO levels were elevated, and Mfn2 expression was reduced after 15 days of IR compared to the sham group. Oxygen consumption and NO levels in the heart were also reduced. The treatment with vitamin C preserved the left kidney weight, restored renal function, reduced NO levels, decreased iNOS expression, elevated constitutive NOS isoforms, and improved oxygen consumption. In the heart, oxygen consumption and NO levels were improved after vitamin C treatment, whereas the three NOS isoforms were overexpressed. These data indicate that vitamin C provides protection to the kidneys and some beneficial effects to the heart after IR, indicating it may be a preventive approach against cardiorenal insults.
Experimental Estimation of Deviation Frequency within the Spectrum of Scintillations of the Carrier Phase of GNSS Signals

The term deviation frequency denotes the boundary between the variable part of the amplitude and phase scintillation spectrum and the part of uninformative noises. We suggested the concept of the “characteristic deviation frequency” during the observation period which is defined as the most probable value of the deviation frequency under current local conditions. This work is a case study of the characteristic deviation frequency (fd) registered for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and SBAS signals under quiet and weakly disturbed geomagnetic conditions in April 2021 at the mid-latitude GNSS station. Our results demonstrated that the fd value for all signal components of GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO signals varied within 15-22 Hz. The characteristic deviation frequency was 20 Hz for the mentioned GNSS signals. In difference, the deviation frequency was limited within 13-20 Hz for SBAS with the lower characteristic deviation frequency at 18 Hz. We assume that the concept of the characteristic deviation frequency can be used to determine the optimal sampling rate of the GNSS carrier phase data for the ionospheric studies. The characteristic deviation frequency can also characterize the state of the regular trans-ionospheric radio channel.
Fuel Consumption Prediction for Construction Trucks: A Noninvasive Approach Using Dedicated Sensors and Machine Learning

Decision support and optimization tools to be used in construction often require an accurate estimation of the cost variables to maximize their benefit. Heavy machinery is traditionally one of the greatest costs to consider mainly due to fuel consumption. These typically diesel-powered machines have a great variability of fuel consumption depending on the scenario of utilization. This paper describes the creation of a framework aiming to estimate the fuel consumption of construction trucks depending on the carried load, the slope, the distance, and the pavement type. Having a more accurate estimation will increase the benefit of these optimization tools. The fuel consumption estimation model was developed using Machine Learning (ML) algorithms supported by data, which were gathered through several sensors, in a specially designed datalogger with wireless communication and opportunistic synchronization, in a real context experiment. The results demonstrated the viability of the method, providing important insight into the advantages associated with the combination of sensorization and the machine learning models in a real-world construction setting. Ultimately, this study comprises a significant step towards the achievement of IoT implementation from a Construction 4.0 viewpoint, especially when considering its potential for real-time and digital twins applications.
Partner selection patterns in transition: The case of Turkish and Moroccan minorities in Belgium

BACKGROUND The majority of Turkish and Moroccan minorities in Western Europe prefer transnational marriages over local co-ethnic and mixed marriages. Recent studies indicate partner selection patterns might be shifting after remaining unchanged for decades. However, it remains unclear to what extent changes observed in earlier studies have continued to carry on. OBJECTIVE This paper provides a comprehensive insight into the most recent partner selection trends of Turkish and Moroccan minorities in Belgium and assesses whether and to what degree known dynamics related to marriage age and educational attainment may change. METHODS The Belgian National Register data are analyzed, including all Turkish and Moroccan minority members who married between 2005 and 2015 (N = 91,916). After describing the prevalence of three partner types and their trends, multinomial logistic regressions estimate the effect of marriage age and educational attainment on partner choice. RESULTS The prevalence of transnational marriages declines for all minority members. Local coethnic marriages mostly absorb this decline, but a strong increase in mixed marriages is also observed. The influence of marriage age and educational attainment on partner choice has changed over the last 15 years. 1 Ghent University, Belgium. Email: amelie.vanpottelberge@ugent.be. 2 Ghent University, Belgium. Van Pottelberge et al.: Partner selection patterns in transition: Turkish and Moroccan minorities in Belgium 1042 https://www.demographic-research.org CONCLUSIONS Results reveal a strong decline in transnational marriages, reinforced by stricter immigration policies but initiated by other – possibly attitudinal – mechanisms. Dynamics regarding ethnic endogamy are subject to change as mixed marriages are also increasing among women and the lower educated. CONTRIBUTION The comprehensive overview given in this paper reveals significant changes in partner selection. These changes influence immigration from Turkey and Morocco, demographic characteristics of the minority groups, and their relationship to non-co-ethnics.
Improving Special Education and Inclusion Course in Primary Mathematics Teacher Education Program

This study aimed to improve special education and inclusion courses given to pre-service teachers in a primary mathematics education program at a university in Turkey. The aim was to enhance their knowledge and skills and present solutions to problems occurring in courses given during the term and changes in the sense of efficacy of preservice teachers. For this purpose, the research used qualitative and quantitative data collection methods based on the action research method. Shorter course duration and intense content were among the most important problems faced by the instructor. The course curriculum was adapted in line with the needs of primary school mathematics teachers. It was aimed to increase the effectiveness of teaching by providing a variety of materials. Pre-service teachers had the opportunity to gain experience working with special needs students by teaching them origami shapes in the special education and inclusion course. The data obtained from the scales at the end of the process revealed that teachers’ sense of efficacy showed improvement regarding inclusion. Pre-service teachers were pleased to have such a course and offered suggestions to the course instructor. Based on the findings, the elements for improving this education are discussed, and suggestions are presented.
DISAGGREGATE GAP-ACCEPTANCE MODEL FOR UNSIGNALIZED T-INTERSECTIONS.

This paper develops a system of disaggregate models that accounts for the effect of intersection, driver, and traffic characteristics on gap acceptance for left-turn maneuvers at urban T-intersections controlled by stop signs on the minor roads. The waiting time for each driver is first modeled using the hazard function. The binary probit model is then used to find the drivers' probabilities of accepting or rejecting a gap. These probabilities are used to calculate the critical gaps of individual drivers. The expected waiting time is included in the model as an explanatory variable. A multiple regression model is used for predicting the intersection mean critical gap. To estimate the parameters of the models, disaggregate data were collected by observing and interviewing drivers at 15 urban T-intersections in the Greater Amman area. The results show that the distribution of critical gaps is influenced by driver socioeconomic characteristics, expected waiting time, time of day, and trip purpose. The mean c.
Unintended Pregnancy During COVID-19 Pandemic Among Women Attending Antenatal Care in Northwest Ethiopia: Magnitude and Associated Factors

Background COVID-19 pandemic has a great impact on the disruption of maternal health-care services. Family planning is one component of maternal health-care service that needs attention during this devastating time. Compromise on family planning services and the preventive strategies of COVID-19 might increase the burden of unintended pregnancy, but there is limited evidence that shows the magnitude of unintended pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess unintended pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among women attending antenatal care in northwest Ethiopia. Methods This study was an institutional-based cross-sectional study, including 424 women attending antenatal care from November 12/2020 to December 12/2020. The study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. A pretested questionnaire was used. Binary logistic regression (bivariable and multivariable) was employed. The adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to declare statistically significant variables based on p<0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression model. Results The magnitude of unintended pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic among women attending antenatal care was found to be 47.17% (42.2–52.2%). Women did not expose to community education (AOR=2.2; 95% CI1.1–4), women with no bad obstetric history (AOR=2.3; 95% CI1.3–4.1), a woman was not the primary decision maker for family planning service (AOR=2.9; 95% CI 1.5–5.7), no complication during index pregnancy (AOR=5.4; 95% CI 2.2–13) and women with no health-care provider support (AOR=2.4, 95% CI1.4–3.9) were significantly associated with unintended pregnancy. Conclusions The magnitude of unintended pregnancy was found to be high. Community education about maternal health services including family planning, improving women’s decision-making power for maternal health-care services, giving emphasis on pregnancy-related complications with health-care provider support, and pregnant women with bad obstetric history were suggested to reduce the problem.
Prolonged exposure therapy and its implication through telehealth

Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) usually suffer from avoidance symptoms which might intervene against seeking adequate healthcare and medical consultation for their conditions. As a result of the reduced support to these patients, it has been demonstrated that PTSD symptoms usually persist based on the continuous feeling of avoidance among them. Evidence indicates the efficacy of prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD patients that are usually exposed to traumas as anger issues, comorbid depression, guilt, and alcohol overuse conditions. In the present literature review, we have discussed the concept of conducting prolonged exposure therapy for patients with PTSD and the different implications and effectiveness of telehealth in this field. Evidence indicates the effectiveness of prolonged exposure therapy in managing PTSD regarding symptoms reduction of intensity and improvement. Conducting the therapy through telehealth was also reported with favorable outcomes comparable with the outcomes of the in-person interviews with no adverse events. However, drop-outs have been reported to be high among telehealth-mediated sessions, and therefore, serious approaches should be exerted to overcome these issues. Further considerations should also be provided for patients in certain situations as pandemics to enhance the quality of treatment. Finally, further research is still needed to target areas with poor access to telehealth-related modalities, and introduce the modality to the affected populations and urge local health authorities to provide easy accessibility to these patients.
The effect of fuel/air mixing on actuation authority in an active combustion instability control system

The authority of an active combustion instability control system was improved by increasing the degree of mixing between a modulated gaseous fuel source and the remainder of the premixed reactants in a low-emissions combustor. Nonreacting acetone PLIF measurements were used to assess the mixedness of various fuel injection configurations, in both time-averaged and phase-locked modes. These configurations were also evaluated in combustion tests in which the authority of the actuator and the ability of the control system to attenuate the instability were measured. The results indicated that both control authority and emissions performance are tied directly to the ability to achieve temporal control over the spatially averaged fuel/air ratio leaving the premixer at any point in time while simultaneously maintaining the high spatial uniformity of this mixture. The cold-flow diagnostic techniques were proven to be an effective and low-cost method for screening fuel injection concepts.
The effect of metacognition strategy teaching on biology education

The development of students’ skills of using metacognition and their comprehension level of "Classification of Living Beings and Conscious Individual - Habitable Environment" were examined through teaching metacognitive strategies to the students. The study aims to determine whether there is a significant relationship between the score changes on the achievement scale and the use of metacognitive strategies in the classes in which metacognitive strategies are applied. The research is an experimental study using the "control group pre-post test model". 60 students were studied in the experimental and control groups. Two classes whose success levels are close to each other were selected among the students aged 14-15 who were educated in the same school. It was determined by the pretest that the success levels of these two classes and their knowledge of using metacognitive strategies were similar. Prior to the study, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire and the Achievement Scale were applied to the two classes. Classical lectures were made in the control group for 13 weeks. In the experimental group, the lesson was taught by applying metacognitive strategies. After the lesson process, the same questionnaires were applied as a post-test. Pre and post-test results were compared and interpreted. In addition, the relationship between the results of the two surveys was evaluated. As a result, the achievement test and GÖS Scale scores of the students whose pre and post-tests were evaluated changed significantly in a positive way. In addition, in the light of the findings, it was determined that the students with high scores of using metacognitive techniques had the highest average on the achievement scale.
Joint shear behaviour of reinforced concrete beam-column connections

An extensive experimental database (341 cases in total) has been constructed for reinforced concrete (RC) beam–column connections subjected to quasi-static cyclic lateral loading. All cases within the database experienced joint shear failure, either in conjunction with or without yielding of beam reinforcement. RC joint shear strength models, which are applicable to both modern and older types of beam–column connections, have been developed using the constructed database in conjunction with a Bayesian parameter estimation method. Following this same procedure established to develop the strength models, joint shear deformation models (at maximum joint shear stress) have also been developed. The proposed quantitative RC joint shear strength and deformation models indicate that the following parameters are most important towards determining joint shear strength and deformation capacity–concrete compressive strength, beam reinforcement, joint transverse reinforcement, in-plane geometry, out-of-plane geometry .
Study of the Sensitivity of the Guanabara Bay PE-3 Pipeline to Geometric Imperfections

This paper describes the study performed to investigate the sensitivity of the Guanabara Bay PE-3 pipeline to geometric imperfections. The main results of several FE analyses are presented. It is concluded that the PE-3 zigzag pipeline is geometrically stable when submitted to the maximum pressure loading and maximum temperature loading established in the design. Also it is shown that the von Mises stresses calculated in the analyses were below the yield strength of the pipe material.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE SEDIMENTARY COVER IN THE COLOGNE AREA (GERMANY) USING NOISE MEASUREMENTS

Noise measurements were carried out at 381 sites in the Cologne area (Germany) using both short period and broad band sensors. The large number of data allowed both assesment of the influence of different sensors in the site response estimation and to compare the widely used H/V technique with the recently proposed Fourier Phase Spectral Method (FPSM). The results show that short period sensors are able to reliably retrieve site effects at frequencies well below their corner frequencies. Moreover, the H/V method should be preferred to the FPSM in determining the fundamental resonance frequency of soils. Finally, a map showing the resonance frequency distribution in the studied area was drawn using the results obtained applying the H/V technique.
Experimental study of prefabricated funicular shell units

Prefabricated funicular shells were constructed using a stretched membrane as a mould. Forty-five shells with various rises and different types of reinforcement were loaded to failure and their behaviour in the elastic and non-linear range was investigated. The experimental values of membrane and bending stresses in the elastic range along diagonal sections of funicular shells subjected to uniform loading were calculated and compared with the results of numerical analysis. The results are generally found to be in close agreement with theory. Experimental values of vertical deflections along the longitudinal and transverse sections of the shells also compare favourably with the theory. The experimental failure and crack loads are obtained. Empirical equations expressing the relation between rise and reinforcement type with failure and crack loads are given.
Urban mobilizations and municipal policies to un-make housing precarity

In Spain, the Global Financial Crisis soon became a housing crisis. The Spanish national governments, despite the recognition of the right to an adequate housing by Article 47 of the Spanish Constitution, prioritized the rescue of the financial system and the application of austerity measures contributing to a sharp increase in housing precarity. In Barcelona, the social consequences of the housing crisis overlapped with the long-term effects of urban transformations and the growth of tourism promoted by the so-called ‘Barcelona Model,’ implemented since the end of the seventies. However, Barcelona can be also considered the epicentre of a grassroots response to urban and housing precarity. This response has been promoted by social movements and later, municipal institutions. In this article, starting from the experience of Plataforma Afectados por la Hipoteca - PAH (‘Platform of People Affected by Mortgages’) I consider the strategies used by this social movement since 2009 to respond to housing precarity. Then I look at how between 2015 and 2019 the municipal government led by Barcelona en Comú - BeC faced housing and gentrification-related problems, considering the main strategies adopted in these fields, their impact and limits. Using this twofold analysis, I will argue that, thanks to the strategies, counternarratives, mobilizations and policies developed by social movements, and later the municipal government, Barcelona is becoming a laboratory of possible responses to the housing crisis. Through a rights-based approach, the focus is moving from the needs of markets, profit and economic growth to the needs of those affected by housing precarity.
Investors’ Delight? Climate Risk in Stock Valuation during COVID-19 and Beyond

We use the COVID-19 pandemic period in 2020 as an exogenous shock event to assess in how far climate risks measured by carbon exposure have entered and established themselves in the valuation of global stocks. In addition to descriptive analyses, we conduct cross-sectional panel regressions to assess the influence of carbon intensity levels on return and risk characteristics during and after the shock period. Furthermore, a difference-in-differences model setup allows us to infer whether these influences were significantly different when comparing pre-shock, shock, and post-shock periods. We find that carbon intensity affected returns significantly and negatively during a time of high uncertainty. In fact, high-emitting stocks suffered significantly more compared to the pre-crisis period. However, they could make up for their additional losses in the recovery period. In line with their high-risk exposure towards stranded assets and climate policy uncertainty, carbon-intensive stocks face higher risk levels in more stable economic times, thus justifying a carbon premium.