Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Life Cycle Cost Comparison and Optimisation of Different Heat Pump Systems in the Canadian Climate

This paper presents a life cycle cost analysis of several combinations of heat pump systems with renewable sources in the Canadian climate. Using TRNSYS, the proposed systems were modeled for three housing types – a 1980’s house, an energy efficient house and a future “Net Zero Ready” house in the Toronto region with a 210 m 2 heated floor area. Through optimisation and a 20 year life cycle analysis, it was found that a standard air source heat pump system is the most economically viable for a 1980’s and energy efficient house. A ground source heat pump system is the most economically viable for a future “Net Zero Ready” house. The effect of natural gas pricing on system selection was also investigated.
The Landscape of COVID-19 Vaccination in Zimbabwe: A Narrative Review and Analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the Programme

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for the population. The advent of national COVID-19 vaccination programmes was therefore welcome as a key control strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidence has shown that vaccination is the best strategy to reduce the adverse individual and population level adverse outcomes associated with infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Zimbabwe rolled out its vaccination programme in February 2021 with an ambitious target to vaccinate at least 60% of its eligible population by December 2021. However, by that time, the country was still to reach that target. To move the vaccination programme towards achieving this target, it is crucial to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the programme. We, therefore, with this narrative review, discuss some of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the programme since its rollout in February 2021. Though the programme has several strengths and opportunities to leverage on, we argue that among other challenges, the emergence of new variants of concern poses one of the biggest threats to local, regional and international vaccination programmes and requires concerted multistakeholder efforts to deal with. Additionally, addressing vaccine hesitancy remains as important as availing the vaccines to the population, to obtain the most benefits out of the programme.
Control of Synapse Structure and Function by Actin and Its Regulators

Neurons transmit and receive information at specialized junctions called synapses. Excitatory synapses form at the junction between a presynaptic axon terminal and a postsynaptic dendritic spine. Supporting the shape and function of these junctions is a complex network of actin filaments and its regulators. Advances in microscopic techniques have enabled studies of the organization of actin at synapses and its dynamic regulation. In addition to highlighting recent advances in the field, we will provide a brief historical perspective of the understanding of synaptic actin at the synapse. We will also highlight key neuronal functions regulated by actin, including organization of proteins in the pre- and post- synaptic compartments and endocytosis of ion channels. We review the evidence that synapses contain distinct actin pools that differ in their localization and dynamic behaviors and discuss key functions for these actin pools. Finally, whole exome sequencing of humans with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders has identified synaptic actin regulators as key disease risk genes. We briefly summarize how genetic variants in these genes impact neurotransmission via their impact on synaptic actin.
Effects of 2′,4′-Dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone from Syzygium nervosum Seeds on Antiproliferative, DNA Damage, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Apoptosis in Human Cervical Cancer Cell Lines

2′,4′-Dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone (DMC), a natural product derived from Syzygium nervosum A. Cunn. ex DC. , was investigated for its inhibitory activities against various cancer cell lines. In this work, we investigated the effects of DMC and available anticervical cancer drugs (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and doxorubicin) on three human cervical cancer cell lines (C-33A, HeLa, and SiHa). DMC displayed antiproliferative cervical cancer activity in C-33A, HeLa, and SiHa cells, with IC50 values of 15.76 ± 1.49, 10.05 ± 0.22, and 18.31 ± 3.10 µM, respectively. DMC presented higher antiproliferative cancer activity in HeLa cells; therefore, we further investigated DMC-induced apoptosis in this cell line, including DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis assays. As a potential anticancer agent, DMC treatment increased DNA damage in cancer cells, observed through fluorescence inverted microscopy and a comet assay. The cell cycle assay showed an increased number of cells in the G0/G1 phase following DMC treatment. Furthermore, DMC treatment-induced apoptosis cell death was approximately three- to four-fold higher compared to the untreated group. Here, DMC represented a compound-induced apoptosis for cell death in the HeLa cervical cancer cell line. Our findings suggest that DMC, a phytochemical agent, is a potential candidate for antiproliferative cervical cancer drug development.
Payload mass improvements of supersonic retropropulsive flight for human class missions to Mars

Fagin, Maxwell H. MS, Purdue University, December 2015. Payload Mass Improvements of Supersonic Retropropulsive Flight for Human Class Missions to Mars. Major Professor: Michael J. Grant. Supersonic retropropulsion (SRP) is the use of retrorockets to decelerate during atmospheric flight while the vehicle is still traveling in the supersonic/hypersonic flight regime. In the context of Mars exploration, subsonic retropropulsion has a robust flight heritage for terminal landing guidance and control, but all supersonic deceleration has, to date, been performed by non-propulsive (i.e. purely aerodynamic) methods, such as aeroshells and parachutes. Extending the use of retropropulsion from the subsonic to the supersonic regime has been identified as an enabling technology for high mass humans-to-Mars architectures. However, supersonic retropropulsion still poses significant design and control challenges, stemming mainly from the complex interactions between the hypersonic engine plumes, the oncoming air flow, and the vehicle’s exterior surface. These interactions lead to flow fields that are di cult to model and produce counter intuitive behaviors that are not present in purely propulsive or purely aerodynamic flight. This study will provide an overview of the work done in the design of SRP systems. Optimal throttle laws for certain trajectories will be derived that leverage aero/propulsive e↵ects to decrease propellant requirements and increase total useful landing mass. A study of the mass savings will be made for a 10 mT reference vehicle based on a propulsive version of the Orion capsule, followed by the 100 mT ellipsoid vehicle assumed by NASA’s Mars Design Reference Architecture.
A New Super-Resolution Method at Subarray Level in Planar Phased Array for Coherent Source

2-D super-resolution methods at subarray level possess important significance for multi-function phased array radar.The WSF method at subarray level suitable for coherent source is presented.The application of simplified array manifolds is a quite effective approach to reduce calibration cost and expense of phased array.Therefore,weighting network at subarray level is introduced so that simplified array manifold based on approximate Gaussian patterns is constructed,thereby the flexibility of super-resolution direction finding is improved greatly.This method overcomes the disadvantage of the method based on direct simplified array manifold whose available direction finding area can't be changed and the sidelobe sources can't be suppressed completely.Compared with the simplified array manifold based on the Gaussian patterns,cost and complexity of calculation is reduced remarkably and the direction finding performance is basically not degraded at the same time.Simulation results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
An Overview of Corporate Fraud and its Prevention Approach

Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature on corporate fraud as well as financial crime and the prevention approaches used in different contexts. It also aims to find suitable approaches that have effectively been applied to prevent fraud. In addition, this paper attempts to identify the causes and effects of those frauds on the stakeholders of the business. Design/methodology/approachBased on the review of the literature concerning corporate fraud as well as financial crime from 2003 to 2018. Findings-Focusing on peer-reviewed articles from 2003 to 2018, the study reveals that the internal control system is the most effective approach to prevent and detect corporate fraud which is the component of
Brownification reduces oxygen gross primary production and community respiration and changes the phytoplankton community composition: An in situ mesocosm experiment with high‐frequency sensor measurements in a North Atlantic bay

In recent decades, the increase in terrestrial inputs to freshwater and coastal ecosystems, especially occurring at northern latitudes, has led to a process of water color darkening known as “brownification. ” To assess how brownification affects plankton community composition and functioning in northern coastal areas, an in situ mesocosm experiment using a highly colored humic substance to simulate a brownification event was performed in a North Atlantic bay (Hopavågen, Norway) in August 2019. Manual sampling for analyses of nutrient concentrations, phytoplankton pigments and zooplankton abundances was combined with high‐frequency (every 15 min) monitoring of key environmental variables to investigate the response of the plankton community in terms of oxygen metabolism and community composition. In response to brownification, the oxygen gross primary production (GPP) and community respiration (R) slowed down significantly, by almost one‐third. However, GPP and R both decreased to the same extent; thus, the oxygen metabolic balance was not affected. Moreover, the chlorophyll‐a concentration significantly decreased under brownification, by 9% on average, and the chemotaxonomic pigment composition of the phytoplankton changed, indicating their acclimation to the reduced light availability. In addition, brownification seemed to favor appendicularians, the dominant mesozooplankton group in the mesocosms, which potentially contributed to lowering the phytoplankton biomass. In conclusion, the results of this in situ mesocosm experiment suggest that brownification could induce significant changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton community composition and significantly alter the overall oxygen metabolism of plankton communities in a northern Atlantic bay.
Transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) improves depression in AD patients on state‐of‐the‐art treatment

Ultrasound‐based brain stimulation is a novel, non‐invasive therapeutic approach to precisely target regions of interest. Data from a first clinical trial of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) receiving 2‐4 weeks transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) have shown memory and cognitive improvements for up to 3 months, despite ongoing state‐of‐the‐art treatment. Importantly, depressive symptoms also improved.
Socioeconomic Status, English Exposure and CLIL Motivation in High and Low Exposure CLIL Groups

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) programs are often praised for bringing equity to foreign language learning (e.g., Lorenzo et al., 2020). However, streaming processes, such as those of the Community of Madrid Bilingual Program, may reinforce social inequalities among students (e.g., Llinares & Evnitskaya, 2020). In line with recent research comparing CLIL students’ affective factors in high exposure (HE) and low exposure (LE) tracks (e.g., Fernández-Agüero & Hidalgo-McCabe, 2020), the present study examines potential differences in the socioeconomic status (SES), CLIL motivation and exposure to English of HE and LE students at a bilingual (Spanish/English) secondary school in a low SES town in Madrid. A questionnaire measuring cultural and economic capital, CLIL motivation, and teachers’ use of English was administered to a sample of LE and all HE students in year 10. Results show that the students of lowest and highest SES were concentrated in LE and HE tracks, respectively. In the LE track, CLIL and English teachers used English less frequently, and students exhibited lower intrinsic motivation. For students with lower English proficiency (often of lower SES), access to the cultural and economic capital afforded by knowledge of English may be constrained by fewer meaningful learning opportunities.
Ibuprofen in Therapeutic Concentrations Affects the Secretion of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells, but Not Their Proliferative and Migratory Capacity

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are able to modulate the immune system activity and the regeneration processes mainly through the secretion of multiple soluble factors, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGE2 is produced as a result of cyclooxygenases (COX) activity. In the present study, we investigated how ibuprofen, a nonselective COX inhibitor, affects the proliferation, migration and secretion of human bone marrow MSCs (hBM-MSCs). For this purpose, six hBM-MSCs populations were treated with ibuprofen at doses which do not differ from maximum serum concentrations during standard pharmacotherapy. Ibuprofen treatment (25 or 50 µg/mL) substantially reduced the secretion of PGE2 in all tested populations. Following ibuprofen administration, MSCs were subjected to proliferation (BrdU), transwell migration, and scratch assays, while its effect on MSCs secretome was evaluated by Proteome Profiler and Luminex immunoassays. Ibuprofen did not cause statistically significant changes in the proliferation rate and migration ability of MSCs (p > 0.05). However, ibuprofen (25 µg/mL for 3 days) significantly decreased mean secretion of: CCL2 (by 44%), HGF (by 31%), IL-6 (by 22%), VEGF (by 20%) and IL-4 (by 8%) compared to secretion of control MSCs (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that ibuprofen at therapeutic concentrations may impair the pro-regenerative properties of hBM-MSCs.
The Indices of Instantaneous Pulse Rate Variability Are Indicators for Daily Life Quality Assessment in Patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory illness. Questionnaires such as modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and COPD assessment test (CAT) are useful for COPD condition and life quality assessment. These questionnaires reflect how respiratory disorder affects daily life. Breathing and autonomic nervous system (ANS) usually regulate each other. Few studies discussed the ANS activity and daily life quality in patients with COPD. Therefore, this study aimed to find the relationship between daily life quality assessed by mMRC or CAT and ANS assessed by a novel method, instantaneous pulse rate variability (iPRV), a method indicating not only the ANS activity but also the peripheral response. The result showed that the change in mMRC and the change in low frequency power to high frequency power ratio, which usually represents the sympathetic activity in conventional heart rate variability analysis, had significant correlation (r = 0.63; p < 0.05). The change in CAT and the change in high frequency power (regulated by vagal nervous and respiratory system) or very high frequency power (new frequency band can be indicated in iPRV spectrum) had significant negative correlation (r = −0.64 and −0.55, respectively; p < 0.05 for both). This study showed the change in iPRV indices when the condition of COPD was improvement or exacerbation. This study presents a possible way to show how cardiovascular activity affects daily life quality in patients with COPD. Increase in LF or decrease in HF and VHF would cause poorer quality of daily life in patients with COPD. The result can also be a reference for patients with COPD to choose the breathing type to adjust rehabilitation and therapy program for ANS regulation to indicate or improve their daily life quality.
COVID-19 pandemic, stock returns, and volatility: the role of the vaccination program in Canada

ABSTRACT This paper examines how stock returns and volatility in the Canadian stock market have been affected by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated vaccination program. The empirical analysis is based on the generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroskedastic model which explicitly allows the inclusion of information on the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccination program. The analysis uses daily Canadian equity returns and volatility, spanning the period 27 January 2020, to 31 August 2021. The findings provide evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic exerts a significant negative impact on the mean of Canadian stock returns and a positive impact on their volatility. In contrast, the findings provide novel evidence that the vaccination program in Canada has reversed these detrimental effects.
EFEKTIVITAS DAYA HAMBAT ASAP CAIR TEMPURUNG KELAPA (Cocus nucifera) TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN JAMUR Ganoderma boninense

Asap cair mengandung berbagai senyawa yang dapat di kelompokkan ke dalam kelompok senyawa fenol, asam dan kelompok senyawa karbonil. Kelompok-kelompok senyawa tersebut berperanan sebagai anti mikroba, anti oksidan, pemberi flavor dan pembentuk warna. Karena asap cair dapat berperan sebagai anti mikroba dan anti oksigen, maka asap cair dapat digunakan sebagai bahan pengawet. Manfaat asap cair sebagai anti jamur dapat mengendalikan jamur Ganoderma boninense pada kelapa sawit pada busuk pangkal batang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui manfaat asap cair tempurung kelapa dalam menghambat pertumbuhan jamur Ganoderma boninense. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pada perlakuan yang paling efektivas menghambat pertumbuhan jamur paling rendah C0 dengan daya hambatnya 0% dan paling tinggi C4 dengan daya hambat 100%. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa asap cair tempurung kelapa memiliki manfaat dalam menghambat pertumbuhan jamur.
Metagenome-Assembled Viral Genomes Analysis Reveals Diversity and Infectivity of the RNA Virome of Gerbillinae Species

Rodents are a known reservoir for extensive zoonotic viruses, and also possess a propensity to roost in human habitation. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and catalogue the potentially emerging zoonotic viruses that are carried by rodents. Here, viral metagenomic sequencing was used for zoonotic virus detection and virome characterization on 32 Great gerbils of Rhombomys opimus, Meriones meridianus, and Meiiones Unguiculataus species in Xinjiang, Northwest China. In total, 1848 viral genomes that are potentially pathogenic to rodents and humans, as well as to other wildlife, were identified namely Retro-, Flavi-, Pneumo-, Picobirna-, Nairo-, Arena-, Hepe-, Phenui-, Rhabdo-, Calici-, Reo-, Corona-, Orthomyxo-, Peribunya-, and Picornaviridae families. In addition, a new genotype of rodent Hepacivirus was identified in heart and lung homogenates of seven viscera pools and phylogenetic analysis revealed the closest relationship to rodent Hepacivirus isolate RtMm-HCV/IM2014 that was previously reported to infect rodents from Inner Mongolia, China. Moreover, nine new genotype viral sequences that corresponded to Picobirnaviruses (PBVs), which have a bi-segmented genome and belong to the family Picobirnaviridae, comprising of three segment I and six segment II sequences, were identified in intestines and liver of seven viscera pools. In the two phylogenetic trees that were constructed using ORF1 and ORF2 of segment I, the three segment I sequences were clustered into distinct clades. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis showed that PBV sequences were distributed in the whole tree that was constructed using the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of segment II with high diversity, sharing 68.42–82.67% nucleotide identities with other genogroup I and genogroup II PBV strains based on the partial RdRp gene. By RNA sequencing, we found a high degree of biodiversity of Retro-, Flavi-, Pneumo-, and Picobirnaridae families and other zoonotic viruses in gerbils, indicating that zoonotic viruses are a common presence in gerbils from Xinjiang, China. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the zoonotic potential of these viruses that are carried by other rodent species from different ecosystems and wildlife in general.
Sick Leave and Intention to Quit the Job among Nursing Staff in German Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Sick leave and turnover of nurses exacerbate an already existing nursing shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany and other countries. Frequency and associated factors of sick leave and intention to quit among nurses need to be examined to maintain healthcare. Methods: An online survey among nursing staff (N = 757) in German hospitals was conducted between May and July 2021. Sick leave days, intention to quit, working conditions, depression, anxiety and sleep disorder symptoms, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), COVID-19-related and sociodemographic variables were measured. Regression analyses were performed. Results: The intention to quit was present in 18.9%. One third (32.5%) reported sick leave of ≥10 and 12.3% more than 25 days in 12 months. Significant predictors for ≥10 sick leave days were infection with SARS-CoV-2, a pre-existing illness, exhaustion, trust in colleagues and fear of becoming infected. Higher ERI reward levels, perception of sufficient staff and contact with infected patients were associated with lower odds for ≥10 sick leave days. Lower reward levels, having changed work departments during the pandemic, working part-time and higher depression levels significantly predicted turnover intention. Conclusion: Alarmingly, many nurses intend to quit working in healthcare. Perceived reward seems to buffer both sick leave and turnover intention. Enhancing protection from COVID-19 and reducing workload might also prevent sick leave. Depression prevention, improved change management and support of part-time workers could contribute to reducing turnover intention among nurses.