Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trans-Ned 19-Mediated Antagonism of Nicotinic Acid Adenine Nucleotide—Mediated Calcium Signaling Regulates Th17 Cell Plasticity in Mice

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is the most potent Ca2+ mobilizing agent and its inhibition proved to inhibit T-cell activation. However, the impact of the NAADP signaling on CD4+ T-cell differentiation and plasticity and on the inflammation in tissues other than the central nervous system remains unclear. In this study, we used an antagonist of NAADP signaling, trans-Ned 19, to study the role of NAADP in CD4+ T-cell differentiation and effector function. Partial blockade of NAADP signaling in naïve CD4+ T cells in vitro promoted the differentiation of Th17 cells. Interestingly, trans-Ned 19 also promoted the production of IL-10, co-expression of LAG-3 and CD49b and increased the suppressive capacity of Th17 cells. Moreover, using an IL-17A fate mapping mouse model, we showed that NAADP inhibition promotes conversion of Th17 cells into regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo. In line with the results, we found that inhibiting NAADP ameliorates disease in a mouse model of intestinal inflammation. Thus, these results reveal a novel function of NAADP in controlling the differentiation and plasticity of CD4+ T cells.
An analysis of the viscous flow through a compact radial turbine by the average passage approach

A steady, three-dimensional viscous average passage computer code is used to analyze the flow through a compact radial turbine rotor. The code models the flow as spatially periodic from blade passage to blade passage. Results from the code using varying computational models are compared with each other and with experimental data. These results include blade surface velocities and pressures, exit vorticity and entropy contour plots, shroud pressures, and spanwise exit total temperature, total pressure, and swirl distributions. The three computational models used are inviscid, viscous with no blade clearance, and viscous with blade clearance. It is found that modeling viscous effects improves correlation with experimental data, while modeling hub and tip clearances further improves some comparisons. Experimental results such as a local maximum of exit swirl, reduced exit total pressures at the walls, and exit total temperature magnitudes are explained by interpretation of the flow physics and computed secondary flows. Trends in the computed blade loading diagrams are similarly explained.
Ontology-Centered Knowledge Management Using Information Retrieval Techniques

The paper argues that an effective solution to information and knowledge management (KM) needs of practitioners in the construction industry can be found in the provision of an adapted knowledge environment that makes use of user profiling and document summarization techniques based on information retrieval sciences. The conceptualization of the domain through ontology takes a pivotal role in the proposed knowledge environment and provides a semantic referential to ensure relevance, accuracy, and completeness of information. A set of KM services articulated around the selected ontology have been developed, using the Web services model, tested, and validated in real organizational settings. This provided the basis for formulating recommendations and key success factors for any KM project development.
Accounting for Inequality Aversion Can Justify the 2◦ C Goal

Impact assessment models are a tool largely used to investigate the benefit of reducing polluting emissions and limiting the anthropogenic mean temperature rise. However, they have been often criticised for suggesting low levels of abatement. Countries and regions, that are generally the actors in these models, are usually depicted as having standard concave utility functions in consumption. This, however, disregards a potentially important aspect of environmental negotiations, namely its distributive implications. The present paper tries to fill this gap assuming that countries\regions have Fehr and Schmidt (1999) (F&S) utility functions, specifically tailored for including inequality aversion. Thereby, we propose a new method for the empirical estimation of the inequality aversion parameters by establishing a link between the well known concept of elasticity of marginal utility of consumption and the F&S utility functions, accounting for heterogeneity of countries/regions. By adopting the RICE model, we compare its standard results with the ones obtained introducing F&S utility functions, showing that, under optimal cooperation, the level of temperature rise is significantly lower in the last scenario. In particular, in the last year of the simulation, the optimal temperature rise is 2.1 ◦ C. Furthermore, it is shown that stable coalitions are easier to be achieved when F&S preferences are assumed, even if the advantageous inequality aversion parameter (altruism) is assumed to have a very low value. However, self–sustaining coalitions are far from reaching the environmental target of limiting the mean temperature rise below 2 ◦ C despite the adoption of F&S utility functions.
TESTS OF COLD-FORMED CHANNELS WITH LOCAL AND DISTORTIONAL BUCKLING

Thin‐walled channel sections may undergo a mode of buckling, called distortional, in which a lip‐stiffened flange of the section rotates about the flange‐web junction. If the sections are composed of high‐strength steel, then there may be a significant postbuckling reserve of strength beyond the elastic distortional buckling stress in a similar manner to that which normally occurs for local buckling. The results of compression tests of thin‐walled channel section columns formed by brake‐processing are described. Two different section geometries, a simple lipped channel and a lipped channel with an intermediate stiffener in the web, were tested between fixed‐end boundary conditions. The geometries and yield strength were chosen to ensure that a substantial postbuckling strength reserve occurred in the distortional mode and that local buckling might occur simultaneously at a shorter wavelength. Distortional or mixed local‐distortional buckling stresses obtained from testing are compared with theoretical buc.
Lower Mantle Melting: Experiments and Thermodynamic Modeling in the System MgO‐SiO2

Characterizing and modeling melting relations in the system MgO‐SiO2 at lower mantle pressures rely on the location of the eutectic points for MgO‐MgSiO3 and MgSiO3‐SiO2. While at an uppermost lower mantle pressure there is general consensus on the eutectic composition in the former, large discrepancies exist for MgSiO3‐SiO2 from experiments in the diamond anvil cell, ab‐initio simulations and models built on them. In order to address this discrepancy, we have performed multi‐anvil press experiments at 24 GPa for Mg4Si6O16 and Mg3Si7O17 at temperatures of 2650±100 K and 2750±100 K. In the experiments at 2750±100 K, we observe the presence of partial melt. The recovered Mg4Si6O16 sample shows SiO2 stishovite as the liquidus phase, and electron microprobe analysis of the quenched melt determines XSiO2=0.53±0.03 as the eutectic composition. We fit a thermodynamic model to describe the melting relations in the MgO‐SiO2 system, and extrapolate to core‐mantle boundary pressure. At 136 GPa, we predict that the eutectic points have moved further away from enstatite composition, and solidus temperatures remain similar for MgO‐MgSiO3 and MgSiO3‐SiO2.
The Impact of Lifestyle Interventions in High-Risk Early Breast Cancer Patients: A Modeling Approach from a Single Institution Experience

Simple Summary High body mass index (BMI) is correlated with an increased production of hormones (estrogens, insulin, testosterone, leptin), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which have been associated with breast cancer (BC) risk and recurrence. Regular physical activity (PA) decreases BMI and blood concentrations of testosterone, estrogens, insulin and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the Mediterranean diet (MD) reduces obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance, which are all associated with increased risk of BC onset and recurrence. Despite the accumulating evidence of the detrimental effect of physical inactivity and overweight on BC recurrence, weight control and PA counseling are not yet current practice. The principal aim of the lifestyle intervention is to promote weight loss through diet and physical activity in overweight and/or high-risk breast cancer survivors. Moreover, implementing a “lifestyle interventions program” in clinical practice can lead to improvements in psychophysical well-being and favor the correction of cardiovascular risk factors and compliance with endocrine therapy, potentially translating into a prognostic advantage. Abstract A healthy lifestyle plays a strategic role in the prevention of BC. The aim of our prospective study is to evaluate the effects of a lifestyle interventions program based on special exercise and nutrition education on weight, psycho-physical well-being, blood lipid and hormonal profile among BC patients who underwent primary surgery. From January 2014 to March 2017, a multidisciplinary group of oncologists, dieticians, physiatrists and an exercise specialist evaluated 98 adult BC female patients at baseline and at different time points. The patients had at least one of the following risk factors: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, high testosterone levels, high serum insulin levels or diagnosis of MS. Statistically significant differences are shown in terms of BMI variation with the lifestyle interventions program, as well as in waist circumference and blood glucose, insulin and testosterone levels. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was reported in variations of total Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score, in the anxiety HADS score and improvement in joint pain. Our results suggested that promoting a healthy lifestyle in clinical practice reduces risk factors involved in BC recurrence and ensures psycho-physical well-being.
Simulation of the effect of downtown greenery on thermal comfort in subtropical climate using PET index: a case study in Hong Kong

Understanding how greenery can improve outdoor thermal comfort is important in downtown planning. This article presents a simulation approach to investigate the cooling effect of downtown greenery on the urban microclimate, primarily air temperature and solar radiation, and therefore pedestrian thermal comfort during summertime in Hong Kong. The numerical simulation software of ENVI-met was used to generate microclimate data for a downtown development site with and without greening design scenarios. Two types of scenarios were tested, one being 50% of tree coverage and the other being 30% of grass coverage with modified building design. The simulation results were transformed into geographic information system (GIS)-supported format using self-developed computer programs. Another computer module was developed to assess pedestrian thermal comfort based on the human–biometeorological index of physiological equivalent temperature (PET) within a GIS framework. Thermal comfort maps were generated accordingly. Through visualization and analysis using the ArcGIS software, it was shown that both the tree scenario and the grass scenario can reduce the average PET of the domain by 0.4K, suggesting that strategic design of urban greenery can effectively improve the downtown urban environment and outdoor thermal comfort.
From Triode Oscillations to Pulse Modulated Radar: Sir Edward Appleton’s Involvement

Abstract The history, and some of the later developments, of Sir Edward Appleton’s researches into the properties of the triode valve are discussed. These began in 1918, and continued until late 1924. Following an overview of his earliest work on the physics of the device, which he carried out both independently and with other research scientists, notably Van der Pol, the paper moves on to discuss Appleton’s invention of a pulse oscillator circuit, which he always referred to as his ‘squegger circuit’. This was initially used for a variety of pulse sounding experiments on the ionosphere, a new branch of research physics with which Appleton was intimately involved during the 1930s. The use of the squegger circuit as a method of detecting friendly aircraft on the radar screens of British operators, provides the premise for the final part of the paper.
Identifying Key Sites of Green Infrastructure to Support Ecological Restoration in the Urban Agglomeration

The loss and fragmentation of natural space has placed tremendous pressure on green infrastructure (GI), especially in urban agglomeration areas. It is of great importance to identify key sites of GI, which are used to economically and efficiently restore urban ecological network. However, in the existing research, few scholars have explored the identification and application of GI key sites. Taking the Southern Jiangsu Urban Agglomeration as an example, based on the ecosystem service assessment and landscape connectivity analysis, we identified the multi-class key sites of GI in the study area by MSPA, InVEST model, MCR model, and Linkage mapper. The results showed that: (1) a total of 60 GI sources and 130 GI corridors were extracted. The ecological resources of the study area were densely distributed in the north and south and sparsely in the middle. (2) Three-hundred eighty GI key sites were identified, including 53 water ecological points, 251 ecological fracture points, and 76 ecological pinch points. The GI key sites we identified were large in number and widely distributed, yet were hardly included in the existing ecological protection policies. These key sites should be prioritized in GI planning and differentiated for management strategies, ensuring that limited land resources and public funds can be directed to where restoration is really needed. The present study provides land managers and urban planners with additional tools to better understand how to effectively restore and develop the ecosystems of urban agglomerations in the context of scarce land resources.
Self-managing teams in manufacturing companies: Implications for the engineering function

AbstractThis article reports on an exploratory multiple case-study (N=11) of companies with self-managing teams. We mention briefly the reasons for the introduction of self-managing teams, different team designs, and implementation strategies. We identify some implications of self-managing teams for the engineering and development function. The cooperation between the teams and process engineers and product developers becomes more intensive. The concept of the client-supplier relationship seems to be a suitable vehicle for this cooperation.
Land Value in a Disaster-Prone Urbanized Coastal Area: A Case Study from Semarang City, Indonesia

Coastal areas have been growing massively worldwide. The fast growth also affects the land value in either a positive or a negative way. Many scholars have studied land value and the factors that affect it in areas prone to sudden-onset disasters. In contrast, studies on urbanized coastal areas that suffer from slow-onset disasters are still lacking. Using a case study from Semarang City in Indonesia, this research aims at ameliorating this limitation. To comprehensively understand the aim, two research questions are addressed: (1) What is the distribution of land value in urbanized coastal areas? (2) How do the different distribution factors determine the land value? Based on in-depth interviews with key persons, map analyses, and desk studies, this research discovers that land value is distributed randomly among coastal areas. The dynamics of land value are determined by road access, distance, and accessibility to the city center and CBD, public facilities, transportation facilities, population composition, physical environment, and disasters. Surprisingly, the coastal areas in Semarang that experience combined disasters showed that disasters could not decrease the land value; the value in some areas is constant or even increasing. This shows the different impacts of disasters on land value for slow-onset disasters and sudden-onset disasters.
Effect of exposure to oestrous ewes on rams’ sexual behaviour, testosterone secretion and ability to stimulate ovulation in seasonal anoestrous ewes

The proportion of seasonal anoestrous ewes that ovulate in response to the introduction of rams has long been thought to be influenced by pheromone production by the rams (Watson and Radford, 1960). More recently the role of the sexual behaviour of the rams as a source of ewe stimulation has been demonstrated (Perkins and Fitzgerald, 1994). The present study investigated the hypothesis that the exposure of rams to ewes in oestrus can enhance rams’ sexual behaviour and consequently improve the efficacy of the ram effect.Sixteen groups of 16 anoestrous ewes, described as the experimental ewes, were randomly allocated to 4 treatments and 4 periods. Treatments were as follows; ewes introduced to 2 rams (R), ewes introduced to 2 rams and 4 oestrous ewes (RE), ewes introduced to 2 rams recendy exposed to 4 oestrous ewes (ER) and ewes introduced to 2 rams recently exposed to 4 oestrous ewes plus a further 4 oestrous ewes (ERE). Treatments were replicated 4 times (4 periods) with 2-week intervals starting on 4 July. Another group of 16 ewes remained isolated from rams during the course of the experiment (C).
Three-dimensional models of the cervicovaginal epithelia to study host–microbiome interactions and sexually transmitted infections

Two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems have provided controlled, reproducible means to analyze host-pathogen interactions. Although inexpensive, straightforward, and requiring very short time commitment, these models recapitulate neither the functionality of multi-layered cell types nor the microbial diversity of an infected human. Animal models have commonly been used to recreate the complexity of human infections. However, extensive modifications are commonly required to recreate interactions that resemble those in the human reproductive tract microbiologically and physiologically. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have emerged as alternative means of reproducing key elements of human infections at a fraction of the cost of animal models and on a scale that allows for replicative experiments to be readily performed. Here we describe a new 3D model that utilizes transwells with epithelial cells seeded apically and a basolateral extra cellular matrix (ECM)-like layer containing collagen and fibroblasts. In this system, basal feeding creates a liquid/air interface on the apical side. The model produced tissues with close morphologic and physiological resemblance to human cervical and vaginal epithelia, including observable levels of mucus produced by cervical cells. Infection by both Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was demonstrated as well as the growth of bacterial species observed in the human vaginal microbiota, enabling controlled mechanistic analyses of the interactions between host cells, vaginal microbiota and STI pathogens. Future experiments may include immune cells to mimic more closely the genital environment. Finally, the modular set up of the model makes it fully applicable to the analysis of non-genital host-microbiome-pathogen interactions. IMPORTANCE Infected sites in humans are a complex mix of host and microbial cell types interacting with each other to perform specific and necessary functions. The ability to understand the mechanism(s) that facilitate these interactions, and interactions with external factors is paramount to being able to develop preventative therapies. Models that attempt to faithfully replicate the complexity of these interactions are time intensive, costly, and not conducive to high throughput analysis. Two-dimensional (2D) models that have been used as a platform to understand these interactions, while cost effective, are generally limiting in experimental flexibility and structural/physiological relevance. Our three-dimensional (3D) models of the cervicovaginal epithelium can facilitate analysis of interactions between the host epithelium, sexually transmitted pathogens and bacteria present in the vaginal microbiota. Due to the modular design, additional cell types and environmental modulators can be introduced to the system to provide added complexity, approaching conditions in the infected human host.
Zinc-enriched cookies improve immunity and decrease opportunistic diaseases in AIDS patients

Introduction: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system resulting from infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) virus. Methods: The study was carried out between 2015 and 2016 with patients who attended a Specialized Center for Parasitic Infectious Diseases in Paraná. The research was divided into two stages, where the effects of supplementation on TC4 + cells, viral load (LV) and number of opportunistic diseases were verified. 20mg / day of zinc was added to the cookies for 3 months. Results: Data analysis does not show statistical differences in VL and Zinc supplementation; however, supplementation shows that it is able to promote an increase in the TCD4 + count. Patients reported an improvement in their well-being and a decrease in the incidence of opportunistic diseases. Conclusion: Thus, it was observed that zinc supplementation was highly effective in increasing TCD4 + positively improving the immune response and quality of life. In addition, the supplementation in the form of biscuits proved to be innovative and very effective.
Validation of kinematics and lower extremity injuries estimated by total human model for safety in SUV to pedestrian impact test

In recent years, the distributions of vehicle types include a substantial number of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). Pedestrian injury distribution of SUVs is different from that of passenger cars and head, torso, and lower extremities are most frequently injured body regions of pedestrian impacted with SUV. Therefore, kinematics of pedestrian and mechanism of injuries of pedestrian, who is impacted by SUV, are emerging research area. In this paper, the kinematics and lower extremity injuries of pedestrian were simulated by using a human FE model “Total Human Model for Safety” (THUMS) and SUV FE model. The result by the simulation was validated with test result and showed generally good correlations. Kinematics of whole pedestrian and mechanism of injuries of lower extremities of pedestrians impacted by SUV were discussed.
Methods for rating directly buried high voltage cable circuits

To manage a cable network effectively it is desirable to rate cable assets precisely. To investigate the conservatism of cable ratings provided by accepted modelling approaches several models have been employed to provide comparative continuous ratings for a directly buried cable group arrangement. Operational ratings are performed using expedient cable rating calculations, typically employing analytical or one dimensional (1D) finite difference (FD) methods. The case for a directly buried cable group is considered; ratings are obtained using three methods including the international standard analytical approach (IEC 60287), 1D FD and a 2D finite element analysis (FEA) approach. A continuous equation for resultant heat-flux has been derived to more precisely model the dielectric loss in 2D and 3D FEA models. Comparing results shows that all the models have good agreement when modelling an isothermal ground surface condition and validate the 2D FEA model against established approaches. The FEA model developed has been used to investigate more realistic ground surface boundary conditions. Results for different cable burial depths and ground surface boundary conditions show that using the established methods can lead to overestimation of cable ratings in the case of shallow buried cables.