Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of biological sex and fitness status on markers of recovery optimisation in response to prolonged high intensity interval exercise

This study aimed to characterise recovery outcomes and repeated performance following 2h high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise, followed by consumption of 1.2g/kg body mass (BM) and 0.4g/kgBM of carbohydrate and protein, respectively, between biological sex and fitness status categories. Venous blood samples, muscle biopsies, BM, body water, and breath samples were collected, and gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) were measured, pre-exercise, and throughout 4h recovery. The following morning, participants returned to assess performance outcomes. Significantly greater body water losses were experienced by high (BM loss: 2.3%) vs. moderate fitness athletes (1.8%; P=0.009), but there were no differences between sexes (1.9%). Intestinal injury, carbohydrate malabsorption, and GIS occurred amongst all groups, with no differences. Phosphorylation of mTOR (P<0.001) and Akt (P=0.031), but not rpS6, increased from 0-2 h recovery in both fitness groups. Greater overall phosphorylation of GSK-3β was observed amongst high fitness (P=0.033). There were no group differences for glucose, insulin, cortisol, leukocyte or cytokine markers. A decline in neutrophil functional responses (36%) occurred for all groups. The following day, rates of carbohydrate oxidation were greater amongst males at all intensities. Rates of fat oxidation rates were greater at 50% and 60% VO2max, and carbohydrate oxidation were greater at 70% and 80% VO2max amongst high compared to moderate fitness athletes. Absolute performance was greater amongst high vs. moderate fitness; however, there were no differences in relative performance between groups. Recovery optimisation markers following a 2h HIIT exercise protocol and consumption of carbohydrate and protein at 1.2g/kgBM and 0.4g/kgBM, respectively, are similarly achieved by male and female athletes of moderate and high fitness status. Registration: This sub-group analysis was part of a larger study that was prospectively registered with ANZCTR (reference number 375090).
How do immobilised cell-adhesive Arg–Gly–Asp-containing peptides behave at the PAA brush surface?

ABSTRACT Bio-engineered surfaces that aim to induce normal cell behaviour in vitro need to ‘mimic’ the extracellular matrix in a way that allows cell adhesion. In this computational work, several model cell-binding peptides with a minimal cell-adhesive Arg–Gly–Asp sequence are investigated in the bulk as well as immobilised on a soft surface. For this reason, a combination of density functional theory and all-atom MD simulations is applied. The major goal of the modelling is to characterise the accessibility of the cell-recognition motif on the functionalised soft polymer surface. As a reference system, the behaviour of three peptide sequences is preliminarily studied in explicit water simulations. From the analysis of the MD trajectories, the solvent accessible surface area, the distribution of water molecules around peptide groups, the secondary structure and the thermodynamics of hydration are evaluated. Furthermore, each peptide is immobilised on the surface of a homopolymer poly(acrylic acid) brush. During MD simulations, all three peptides approach closely toward PAA brush, and their surface accessibility is characterised. Although the peptides are adsorbed onto the brush, they are not hidden by the polymer strands, with RGD unit accessible on the surface and available for guided cell adhesion.
Pharmacoeconomics of prophylactic, empirical, and diagnostic-based antibiotic treatments: Focus on surgical site infection and hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia

The microbial etiology and antibiotic resistance are often omitted from reports on the clinical and economic impact of antibiotic use, despite their importance for the mid- and long-term. This thesis focuses on the pharmacoeconomic aspects of prophylactic, empirical and diagnostics-based measures in the use of the antibiotic treatment in the three illustrative cases of sepsis, surgical site infections (SSIs), and hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Prophylactic antibiotics are used for SSI prevention, whereas empirical antibiotics are used for the temporary initial treatment of sepsis and hospitalized CAP. Typically, often antibiotics are often given before the pathogen has been identified. The prophylactic- and empirical-antibiotic treatments are based on the pathogenic patterns of causative agents and the patterns of antibiotic sensitivity and its accuracy. High intensity of antibiotics without guided microbiological tests can generate resistant organisms, causing therapy failure in individual patients, high medical costs and major future problems. The implementation of diagnostic-based antibiotic treatments in developing countries with a high incidence of infectious diseases, such as Indonesia, can be considered a cost-effective strategy as illustrated in this thesis. Diagnostic-based antibiotic treatments using microbiological evaluations contribute to improving optimally targeted use of prophylactic and empirical antibiotics. Furthermore, the thesis supports a policy that patients who have started on empirical antimicrobial therapy and who show clinical improvement within the first three days should be switched from the intravenous to the oral form of the same antibiotic.
Experts as Policy Entrepreneurs: SARS, Avian Influenza and Hurricane Katrina as Focusing Events in Dutch Agenda Setting

The idea that scientists provide sound scientific advice to politics, and that they communicate to the public in an unbiased manner suffered from the challenges that new crises posed for science. However, crises are not just a scientific, political and public challenge to scientific expertise; they also create an opportunity for agenda setting activities by experts. Experts then become policy entrepreneurs. In this article we study two cases in which Dutch virologists and water engineers used SARS, avian influenza and Hurricane Katrina as events that could be used for their potential to focus political and public attention into problems that should, according to the scientists, be resolved. By deploying a biographical-narrative approach, this article focuses on the individual problem assessments, actions and their underlying motives. The article demonstrates not just how the experts from the two cases interacted with the crises, but also how their role as policy advisors and public communicators was shaped by their work at the science-policy interface.
To act or not to act? Academic acceleration worked in the past, so what’s the current hold-up in New Zealand?

Despite a review of the literature showing the success of accelerative practices on academic and social outcomes, full-year acceleration is rarely implemented in New Zealand schools. The literature suggests that it is perceptions based on myth, rather than an examination of the evidence of published studies, which have hampered the adoption of full-year acceleration as a strategy for gifted students. This article begins by giving an understanding of the various forms of acceleration and a brief history of implementation. An attempt is made to explain the conundrum that has blocked fullyear acceleration being adopted as widespread practice, by examining both the international and the New Zealand evidence-based literature. A positive approach is suggested that identifies enablers, barriers and chokepoints and which has the potential to influence the way schools provide for bored, disenchanted gifted students.
Agitated thin-film drying of foods

Abstract Agitated thin-film drying (ATFD) has been proposed for efficient and mild drying of viscous liquid foods, pastes or pureed foods. We report a study on the influence of product and process parameters on ATFD. During ATFD of spinach leaf slurries, the wall temperature mainly affected the specific evaporation rate, while the absolute evaporation rate was proportional to the feed rate. The fact that blade rotation speed had limited effect on the drying rate suggested that the process is limited by heat transfer through the wall. ATFD is especially suited for slurries that show relatively limited sticky behavior during drying and liquid–solid phase transition with corresponding brittle viscoelastic behavior. This was demonstrated by drying juices from tomato and bell pepper, giving poor results, and by drying solutions from whey protein isolate (WPI) and sucrose, which could be successfully dried.
Microbiological attributes of a cultivated Plinthosol with sugarcane on different levels of straw

The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiological attributes of a Plinthossol cropped with sugar cane in straw. The experiment was installed in Uniao (04 ° 51'09”S and 42 ° 53'10 '' W, altitude 52 m), northern region of Piaui state, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications, and treatments corresponding to different rates of straw (Mg.ha-1) (0, 4.19, 9.54, 13.04 and 18.38). Microbiological attributes were determined at a depth of 0-10 cm. Data was submitted to analysis of variance, cluster analysis and main components. An increase of straw in the soil influenced the stocks and contents of C, Cmic, Nmic, respiration and microbial and metabolic quotients. Cluster analysis combined the treatments into three distinct groups. 9.54 Mg.ha-1 of straw treatment was isolated from other treatments, being strongly correlated to the microbial quotient. The group formed by the treatments 13.04 and 18.38 Mg.ha-1 of straw correlated with most of the evaluated attributes, being the best proportions to be used to improve soil quality.
Preparation and characterisation of nano enhanced phase change material by adding carbon nano tubes to butyl stearate

Abstract A nano enhanced phase change material, NEPCM, was prepared by the addition of carbon nanotubes, CNTs, to butyl stearate. This study utilised single walled nano tube, multi-walled nanotube and modified multi-walled nanotube. Several kinds of surfactants were used to stabilise nano-particles in butyl stearate. Tetramethyl ethylene diamine (TEMED) was the best surfactant for enhancing the stability time of nano-fluid. The effect of CNTs concentration on the thermal properties of base fluid was studied and it was found that for all kinds of CNTs, the highest thermal conductivity of NEPCM was observed in weight fraction of 0.03. The modified-MWCNTs have the most enhancements in the butyl stearate thermal conductivity. It was found from differential scanning calorimetry tests, that modified-MWCNTs with 2 wt. % contents have the most effect on the latent heat of fusion of the base fluid. It was also observed that the SWCNT has a considerable effect on the melting point of PCM.
Convective flow boiling heat transfer in an annular space: N-heptane/water case in a bubbly sub-cooled flow

The subcooled flow boiling heat transfer characteristics of n-heptane and water is conducted for an upward flow inside the vertical annulus with an inner gap of 30 mm, in different heat fluxes up to 132kW.m-2, subcooling max.:30C, flow rate: 1.5 to 3.5lit. min-1 under the atmospheric pressure. The measured data indicate that the subcooled flow boiling heat transfer coefficient significantly increases with increasing liquid flow rate and heat flux and slightly decreases with decreasing the subcooling level. Although results demonstrate that subcooling is the most effective operation parameter on onset of nucleate boiling such that with decreasing the subcooling level, the inception heat flux significantly decreases. Besides, recorded results from the visualization of flow show that the mean diameter of the bubbles departing from the heating surface decreases slightly with increasing the flow rate and slightly decreases with decreasing the subcooling level. Meanwhile, comparisons of the present heat transfer data for n-heptane and water in the same annulus and with some existing correlations are investigated. Results of comparisons reveal an excellent agreement between experimental data and those of calculated by Chen Type model and Gungor–Winterton predicting correlation.
Dynamics, stability and scaling of turbulent methane oxy-combustion

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an important strategy for reducing CO 2 emissions, with oxy-fuel combustion being one of the most promising technologies because of it is high efficiency and low cost. In oxy-combustion, CH4/0 2/CO 2 mixtures burn at low temperatures (~1700 K), high pressures (~40 bar), where laminar burning velocities are about 7 times lower than in traditional CH4 /Air mixtures. Thus oxy-fuel combustors are more prone to blowoff and dynamic instabilities. In this thesis we examine turbulent oxy-combustion flame stabilization physics at the large and small scales using experimental studies and numerical simulations. Experimental measurements are used to establish the stability characteristics of flame macrostructures in a swirl stabilized combustor. We show that the transition in the flame macrostructure to a flame stabilized along both the inner and outer shear layers (Flame IV), scales according to the extinction strain rate, similar to air flames. To achieve accurate scaling, extinction strain rates must be computed at the thermal conditions of the outer shear layer, emphasizing the role of heat interactions with the wall boundary layer. Care must be exercised while modeling the chemical structure of oxy-flames. We show that the kinetics of CO2 (used as a diluent in oxycombustion) is important in determining the consumption speed and flame extinction strain rate. Specifically, the extinction strain rate was found to be heavily impacted by the reaction C02+ H CO + OH. Large Eddy Simulations (LES) models, first validated for various combustor geometries, fuels and oxidizers, are used to examine the stabilization mechanisms of these flames. First, we demonstrate the importance of choosing the correct global chemical kinetics mechanism in predicting the flow structures in multi-dimensional simulations and develop a priori criterion of selecting a reduced mechanism based on the extinction strain rate. Besides flame macrostructures, recirculation zone lengths are found to linearly scale with extinction strain rates. This scaling holds regardless of fuel or oxidizer type, Reynold's number, inlet temperature, or combustor geometry. It is thus very important that a chemical mechanism is able to correctly predict extinction strain rates if it is to be used in CFD simulations. We use the validated LES 3 framework to model the transition to Flame IV in the swirl combustor for methane oxy-combustion mixtures. The 3D turbulent flame structure strongly resembles a ID strained adiabatic laminar flame structure in the combustor interior, and nonadiabatic flames near the combustor wall. The results support the earlier conclusions regarding the use of the extinction strain rate and the wall thermal boundary condition in scaling and modeling turbulent combustion dynamics. Thesis Supervisor: Ahmed F. Ghoniem Title: Ronald C. Crane Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Investigating the Catalytic Properties of Hydroxyapatite Derived From Mussel Shells for the Treatment of Wastewater

The seafood processing industry in New Zealand and worldwide generates a large amount of shell waste and currently the shell waste under-utilized. The possibility of producing a useful product from this shell wastes will greatly enhance and ensure sustainable economic development as well as the associated waste management problems. Therefore, as one possible solution, the overall objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of mussel shells waste for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite, CaiO(P04)6(0H)2 (denoted as HAP) and other derivatives from mussel shells to act as photocatalyst in degradation of methylene blue and dehydroabietic acid in aqueous media via photocatalysis.
Evolution in the structure of akaganeite and hematite during hydrothermal growth: an in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis

Synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to monitor the hydrothermal precipitation of akaganeite (β-FeOOH) and its transformation to hematite (Fe2O3) in situ. Akaganeite was the first phase to form and hematite was the final phase in our experiments with temperatures between 150 and 200 °C. Akaganeite was the only phase that formed at 100 °C. Rietveld analyses revealed that the akaganeite unit-cell volume contracted until the onset of dissolution, and subsequently expanded. This reversal at the onset of dissolution was associated with a substantial and rapid increase in occupancy of the Cl site, perhaps by OH− or Fe3+. Rietveld analyses supported the incipient formation of an OH-rich, Fe-deficient hematite phase in experiments between 150 and 200 °C. The inferred H concentrations of the first crystals were consistent with “hydrohematite. ” With continued crystal growth, the Fe occupancies increased. Contraction in both a- and c-axes signaled the loss of hydroxyl groups and formation of a nearly stoichiometric hematite.
Effects of Thymoquinone on Sperm Parameters, Apoptosis, Testosterone Level, and Oxidative Stress in a Mouse Model of D-Galactose-Induced Aging

Background: The aging process is accompanied by low secretion of sex hormones and testicular apoptosis. The antioxidant properties of thymoquinone (TQ) may prevent the effects of aging. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of different doses of TQ were investigated on sperm parameters, testosterone level, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in a mouse model of D-galactose-induced aging. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group did not receive any injections, while the D-galactose group received an intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg of D-galactose for 42 days. The TQ1-TQ3 groups received intraperitoneal injections of 5, 2.5, and 1.25 mg/kg of TQ plus D-galactose, respectively for 14 days (from the 1st to the 14th day of the experiment). The morphometric analysis, testicular apoptosis examination, and sperm analysis were performed, and testosterone level, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde level were evaluated on day 42 of the experiment. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Administration of TQ in the TQ1 group caused a significant difference in sperm parameters, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.05). The lowest amount of positive tunnel cells was related to 5 mg/kg of TQ and the highest to 2.5 mg/kg of TQ. There was no significant difference in the parameters of seminal vesicles, epididymis, prostate, and testis between the groups (P>0.05). The malondialdehyde level were decreased in the TQ1-TQ3 groups, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.001). On the other hand, the total antioxidant capacity was increased significantly in the TQ1 group, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Administration of 5 mg of TQ for 14 days improved sperm quality and biochemical parameters, while reducing apoptotic cells of the testes in a mouse model of aging.
PEDIGREE ANALYSIS AND POPULATION STRUCTURE OF BRAHMAN CATTLE FROM COSTA RICA

The objective of this study was to evaluate the population of Brahman cattle from Costa Rica. Pedigree analysis of 98,749 animals was used to estimate the following parameters: pedigree integrity, as a proportion of known ancestors; the number of complete generations, maximum generations traced, and equivalent complete generations; inbreeding coefficient (F); generation interval (GI) across four selection paths; additive genetic relationship (AGR); effective number of founders (fe) and ancestors (fa); and effective population size (Ne). The analysis was carried out using the ENDOG software. The maximum proportions of unknown parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were 14.1%, 38.9%, and 61.2%, respectively. Average F for the whole population was 0.86, while 27.4% of the population was inbred, with an average F of 3.1%. The inbred population increased through the time, while F decreased. The average AGR was 0.64, with maximum values of 4.1 and positive trends. The fe and fa were 617.8 and 172.0, respectively. The Ne indicated increases of F, with values lower than 1%. The GI fluctuated from 6.4 to 7.4, with an average of 6.85 years. These results summarize previous breeding practices and represent useful information for designing breeding programs by anticipating the relationship between the selection response and increases of inbreeding.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A

Neutrino interaction events in the MINERnA detector are visually represented with a web-based tool called Arachne. Data are retrieved from a central server via AJAX, and client-side JavaScript draws images into the user’s browser window using the draft HTML 5 standard. These technologies allow neutrino interactions to be viewed by anyone with a web browser, allowing for easy hand-scanning of particle interactions. Arachne has been used in MINERnA to evaluate neutrino data in a prototype detector, to tune reconstruction algorithms, and for public outreach and education. & 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Governance Mechanisms and Firm Value: The Impact of Ownership Concentration and Dividends

Manuscript Type:Empirical Research Question/Issue:This study examines whether ownership concentration affects board and audit committee independence, and whether the impact of board and audit committee independence on firm value is moderated by ownership concentration and dividend payouts. Research Findings/Insights:Using panel data on a sample of Australian publicly listed firms over the period 2000–2005 (1,530 firm-year observations), the study finds that ownership concentration has a negative impact on board independence, but no impact on audit committee independence. Results also suggest that board independence enhances firm value and that performance impact of board independence is stronger in closely-held firms and/or firms having low dividend payouts. A marginally positive impact of audit committee independence, especially among closely-held firms, is also found. Theoretical/Academic Implications:This study suggests that the impact of governance mechanisms is moderated by companies’ ownership structure and dividend policies. It extends research on the effectiveness of governance mechanisms by distinguishing two types of agency problems and using a simultaneous equations model. The findings underline the important governance role that independent boards and audit committee can play in a country that has high ownership concentration and high levels of private benefits of control. Practitioner/Policy Implications:The results of this study strengthen the idea that independent directors can also play a key role in the governance of closely-held firms. As such, for investors, as far as agency costs are concerned, investments in closely-held firms that have a higher proportion of independent directors on the board and audit committee are sensible. Closely-held firms should be aware of the investor’s need for more independent directors, especially when dividends are low.