Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cheilostomatida (Bryozoa) from the Ionian Apulian coast (Italy) with the description of new species

Abstract The mesophotic zone is a relatively poorly studied area of the Mediterranean Sea, drawing great interest by the scientific community in the last years. This zone represents a connection between the shallow water and the deep-sea communities, in which photophilic framework builders (e.g. coralline red algae) are gradually replaced by heterotrophic ones, such as ahermatypic corals and the bivalve Neopycnodonte cochlear. In this habitat the framework-forming organisms produce a hard substrate with a high topographic complexity, hosting a great biodiversity of secondary structuring taxa like bryozoans. During a survey on coralligenous banks in the mesophotic zone in c. 60 m depth off Gallipoli (southern Apulia), epibiotic aggregations of N. cochlear were found on the fans of the hexacoral Savalia savaglia. In the present paper the diversity of cheilostomatid bryozoans hosted by these bivalve aggregations is described and compared with published information on similar nearby habitats. A total of 48 taxa were found, six of which are newly described: Crassimarginatella matildae sp. nov., Micropora biopesiula sp. nov., Haplopoma celeste sp. nov., Schizomavella (Schizomavella) cerranoi sp. nov., Schizomavella (Calvetomavella) biancae sp. nov., and Schizoporella adelaide sp. nov. The species richness known from the southern Apulian shelf at this depth (47 species) is hereby raised to 83 cheilostomatid bryozoans. Moreover, only 12 species are shared with the other localities studied previously, while 36 are restricted to Gallipoli, supporting the hypothesis of a high rate of exclusivity among Apulian sites in terms of species composition. The differences in faunal composition, and particularly the presence of several new species discovered at Gallipoli, show once more that our knowledge of the bryozoan fauna in certain Mediterranean habitats is still incomplete and warrants further studies. https://doi.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DDC82039-EF44-4169-8198-C67F60B14BA0
High Capacity Reversible Data Hiding Scheme based on AMBTC for Encrypted Images

Reversible data hiding for encrypted images is a technique that allows for exact extraction of embedded data and precise reconstruction of the encrypted image to its original version. In this paper, we propose a novel, reversible data hiding technique based on an absolute moment block truncation coding (AMBTC) algorithm for encrypted images. In the proposed scheme, each selected block is represented by an AMBTC code to vacate space to embed data after image encryption. Upon obtaining the encrypted image with the embedded data, the receiver can separately extract the embedded secret data and also recover the cover image losslessly. The experimental results for the proposed scheme achieved excellent performance. The proposed scheme is significantly superior to state-of-the-art schemes in terms of embedding capacity and image quality.
Effects of Social Housing on Dairy Calf Social Bonding

Simple Summary Although cows and calves are typically separated at birth in intensive dairy farming, socially housing dairy calves provides an opportunity for social bonding. When tested in our study, calves housed in pairs preferred to be near their pen-mate, but spent more time near other calves regardless of their familiarity, compared to individually housed calves. In contrast, individually housed calves showed no preference between a calf housed within visual contact and a calf housed elsewhere in the barn. Additionally, the behavior of individually housed calves was affected by the first calf approached during the social preference test. Abstract Social housing for dairy calves has a range of benefits for social development, yet there is limited understanding of how social bonds form early in life. We characterized effects of early life social contact on the development of social preference for calves varying in familiarity. A total of 40 calves were tested in a social preference test at 4 weeks of age to assess the formation of social bonds and preference for their peers. Within an open-field social preference test, focal calves were presented with two stimulus calves, one ‘more familiar’ and one ‘less familiar’. We found that pair-housed calves spent more time in close proximity with either stimulus calf and had a greater preference for their pen-mate, compared to another calf reared within visual contact. Individually housed calves exhibited no preference for calves reared within visual but not physical contact compared to calves that were completely unfamiliar. Of the calves that approached both stimulus calves, individually housed calves that approached the ‘less familiar’ calf first spent less time near the ‘more familiar’ calf, whereas behavior of pair-housed calves was not affected by the first calf approached. These results suggest that physical contact is necessary for the development of social bonds in young dairy calves, and early life social housing may support the development of normal social behavior in dairy cattle.
Bridging the gap between theory and practice in basic statistical process monitoring

ABSTRACT Some issues are discussed relative to the gap between theory and practice in the area of statistical process monitoring (SPM). Among other issues, it is argued that the collection and use of baseline data in Phase I needs a greater emphasis. Also, the use of sample ranges in practice to estimate process standard deviations deserves reconsideration. A discussion is given on the role of modeling in SPM. Then some work on profile monitoring and the effect of estimation error on Phase II chart performance is summarized. Finally, some ways that researchers could influence practice more effectively are discussed along with how SPM research could become more useful to practitioners.
Bayesian estimation of electricity price risk with a multi-factor mixture of densities

The risks in daily electricity prices are becoming substantial and it is clear that improvements in price density forecasting can translate into improved risk management. However, the specification of the most appropriate price density function is challenging as the best functional forms differ by time of day evolve over time, dynamically respond to fluctuating exogenous factors such as wind speed and solar irradiance. This research develops and tests a new flexible, functional form based upon the Gamma Mixture of Uniform (GMU) densities which effectively avoids the choice of a particular density function and has conditional moments specified as a function of the dynamic exogenous drivers. Empirical testing shows that it outperforms the multi-factor skewed student-t family of densities, previously advocated in this context. Additionally, using Bayesian estimation the new methodology provides a complete description of the uncertainty in the estimation of the coefficients for those exogenous factors. Empirical testing on day-ahead hourly electricity prices in the German market from 2012 to 2016, where renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, play a critical role in the formation of electricity price risk, validates the extra accuracy of this formulation.
A first step in finite-element simulation of a grasping task

Abstract This paper investigates a biomechanical aspect of human hand during grasping, using the finite-element method. A realistic three-dimensional finite–element (FE) model of a human hand is developed, including wrist bones, phalanges, soft tissues and skin, reconstructed from medical computed tomography (CT) scan images. Material laws of the literature have been implemented in the model, in order to be able to simulate a simple activity of grasping. In a human design context, this model allows an interesting biomechanical study, which simulates the grasping task in a biofidelic manner. This model is a first step in the modeling of the human hand that can lead to future studies dealing with the interaction of the hand with its environment for the improvement of safety requirements of future products development.
Stem Cells Promote the Regeneration of Knee Joint Degenerative Bone and Articular Cartilage

Cartilage damage has a certain ability to spontaneously repair, but the repaired tissue often shows the phenomenon of cartilage terminal differentiation, which causes irreversible damage to its structure and function and seriously affects the quality of life and work of patients. It is of great significance to study the problems encountered in the process of cartilage damage repair. This article mainly studied stem cells to promote the regeneration of knee joint degenerative bone articular cartilage. First, the animal articular cartilage defect is modeled, 10 ml of animal venous blood is drawn, 0.5 ml of PRP is collected by centrifugation, mixed with cartilage fragments, and transplanted into the defect area into a gel. In the BMSCs group, 1 ml of BMSCs with a cell concentration of 107 cells/ml was injected intra-articularly. The histological chromosomes were observed after 6 weeks and 12 weeks, and the effect of cartilage tissue repair was analyzed and evaluated, and the related data were statistically analyzed. We evaluated the spontaneous repair ability of partial cartilage damage, full-thickness cartilage damage, and osteochondral damage. Furthermore, for partial cartilage damage repair, by using the cartilage damage in vitro model and biomaterials to simulate the in vivo microenvironment, the adhesion and cell morphology on the surface of partial- and full-thickness cartilage damage were evaluated, and the experiments were further used to evaluate the exogenous and internal induced migration effect of source on cultured cells in vitro. In the cell concentration study, the cartilage repair effect increased with the increase in concentration within a certain range, and the tissue repair ability remained stable when the concentration exceeded 107 cells/ml. Using ECM-oriented scaffolds to compound autologous BMSCs, tissue-engineered cartilage was successfully constructed, which had the histological and biochemical characteristics of normal cartilage tissue, and better repaired the damaged articular cartilage of large animals.
Attitudes of Ankara University Medical Faculty Term 3 Students Towards COVID-19 Vaccines and Related Factors

Objectives: Although the most important step in the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the development of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination hinder application. This study examines Ankara University Faculty of Medicine (AUTF) term-3 students' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines and its relationship with various factors. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and thirty six term-3 students from 394 students studying at AUTF were recruited for this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire and 5-point Likert "Attitudes Towards COVID-19 Vaccine Scale" with positive and negative attitude sub-dimensions were applied in April 2021 via Google Forms. Ethics committee and institution approvals were obtained. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed with SPSS 26.0.
Technical, economic, and environmental performance assessment of manufacturing systems: the multi-layer enterprise input-output formalization method

Abstract In the production planning and control field, assessing the performance of a manufacturing system is a multi-dimensional problem in which neglected dimensions may lead to hidden inefficiencies and missed opportunities for gaining a competitive advantage. In this paper, a new data formalization method is proposed to model a manufacturing system by simultaneously considering value creation and technical, economic, and environmental performance. The proposed method combines the principles of Material Flow Analysis and a new data structure that exploits some characteristics of the Multi-layer Stream Mapping and the Enterprise Input-Output methods to obtain a data-driven approach, typical of Industry 4.0. The proposed method can deal with complex systems and allows to consider also non-value-added activities such as transport and inventories. The implementation of the method and its advantages are shown through a numerical example based on a recycled plastic pipeline manufacturing system. The method shows positive synergies and mutual benefits between sustainable production, lean principles, and data-driven approaches and technologies of Industry 4.0. The method improves the alignment of environmental, technical, economic, and value creation information between operational and strategical levels, removing redundancies in data collection, conditioning, and processing activities, thus reducing partial information, hidden risks and opportunities, and inconsistencies.
The Mediating Role of Student Independence on Graduate Quality in Distributed Learning

This study explores factors that affect graduate quality in distributed learning during the Covid-19 pandemic period. We use survey research methods in conducting the research. We collected the data by distributing online questionnaires =to private high school and vocational high school teachers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. There were 916 online questionnaires collected from respondents. All data were analyzed using SPSS and Lisrel. The results showed that the teacher quality, the learning process quality, and school management's quality had a significant effect on student independence and graduate quality. In this case, the level of student independence becomes a mediating variable that links the teacher quality, the learning process, and school management with the graduate quality in distance learning. Further research on the process of the effect of student independence on the graduate quality is needed. © 2022 Eskisehir Osmangazi University. All rights reserved.
A comprehensive insight into the Six Sigma DMAIC toolbox

Purpose As opposed to general literature reviews, by narrowing down the context only around the resources related to Six Sigma tools, this study aims to offer a strong discussion about Six Sigma toolbox which has a vital role in the success of Six Sigma. Design/methodology/approach Based on a comprehensive literature research, the most used tools; classification of tools; flow of tools with respect to define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) steps; tools as critical success factors and reasons of ineffective use of tools are reviewed. To stay focused and not to diverge from the research aim, 60 articles which are suitable to the context and flow of the discussion are selected during the construction of the study. Findings The study provides a detailed and integrated review of Six Sigma articles about tools. The most used tools are listed from different perspectives and resources, and the role of these tools has been discussed. After a broad review, a more practical and combined classification of Six Sigma tools is proposed. Next, the issue of using which tools during which steps of DMAIC is systematically addressed. Finally, emergence of tools as a critical success factor and the gaps in the literature related to tools of Six Sigma are pointed out. Practical implications Addressing important statistics and the facts related to the tools of Six Sigma helps new practitioners in particular to build a strategic filter to select the most proper tools throughout their projects. Originality/value This study is unique in investigating only Six Sigma toolbox and providing a literature review on this subject.
Source-Target Misalignment in Employees’ Destructive Voice Responses to Perceived Organizational and Supervisor Unfairness

Working people differentiate between their relationships with their organizations and their relationships with their supervisors. To better understand how these simultaneous relationships influence each other, we examined the effects of organizational unfairness on subordinates’ supervisor-directed destructive voice behaviors, as well as the effects of supervisor unfairness on subordinates’ organization-directed destructive voice behaviors. We examined supervisor organizational embodiment as a boundary condition and perceived obstruction as a mediating mechanism within these relationships. We tested the hypothesized model with an online survey study and an experimental vignette study. Study 1 indicated that organizational unfairness was positively and indirectly related to supervisor-directed destructive voice through perceived supervisor obstruction when supervisor organizational embodiment was higher rather than lower. Study 2 indicated that supervisor unfairness was positively and indirectly related to organization-directed destructive voice through perceived organizational obstruction when supervisor organizational embodiment was higher rather than lower. Although study results differed in the observed significance of organization-to-supervisor and supervisor-to-organization effects, together they demonstrate the importance of controlling for source-target aligned relationships when examining source-target misaligned effects, and extend source-target misalignment research by examining the effect of supervisor organizational embodiment as a moderator of misaligned supervisor- and organization-directed workplace unfairness perceptions and destructive voice behaviors.
Perioperative Antithrombotic Management During Gastroenterological Surgery in Patients With Thromboembolic Risks: Current Status and Future Prospects

Antiplatelet medicines and anticoagulants are two types of antithrombotic pharmaceuticals, with anticoagulants including warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). During the perioperative phase, patients receiving antithrombotic therapy must balance two risks: bleeding and thromboembolism. To date, there are no defined recommendations for antithrombotic drug management in gastroenterological (GE) surgery, and the management strategy varies greatly between hospitals. The perioperative treatment of antithrombotic medications should be centralized according to the mechanism of each drug, and a suitable management strategy should be established. The proposed perioperative management for patients undergoing antithrombotic therapy is as follows: (1) in the case of antiplatelet medication, aspirin monotherapy is continued; (2) for patients on warfarin, it is substituted by DOAC bridging (preferred) or heparin bridging; and (3) in the case of DOACs, the short-term withdrawal of DOACs (typically 1-2 days) without heparin bridging is indicated. In the current review, the current state and future prospects of perioperative antithrombotic medication treatment during gastroenterological surgery are discussed.
Fluid Dynamic and Hemorheologic Considerations

The previous edition of this work, published in 1985 (l), included a section on fluid dynamic and hemorheologic considerations in which the basic concepts of fluid flow, protein and cell transport, and blood rheology were presented. That material will not be reiterated in depth in this chapter but rather referred to as appropriate. Instead, the present chapter will attempt to consider the current status of research in this field and, to the extent possible, indicate those areas where our understanding is incomplete and in need of additional research efforts. Since the publication of the previous edition, our appreciation of the ability of fluid dynamic forces to influence blood-surface interactions has increased considerably. Progress has been made, not necessarily with respect to a detailed understanding of the manner in which fluid forces affect the behavior of materials in contact with blood in vivo, but rather in the growing recognition that the various blood and vascular cells exist in a dynamic environment in which flow contributes to an essential modulation of homeostatic events. In recognition of the complexity of the various biological processes that can occur in the presence of a graft implant or an organ replacement, a mechanistic rather than phenomenologic approach has slowly evolved that emphasizes the manner by which changes in fluid flow can affect the behavior of individual cells or proteins and their possible interaction with foreign materials. The approach here. will be to consider the simplest case of blood flow and mass transport in a tube, as was done in the previous edition, and to delineate not only how basic characteristics of the system influence blood-material interactions, but also to distinguish where such simplifications can be misleading with respect to intravascular events or extracorporeal circuits. A description will be made of how the principles of blood flow and mass transport are being applied to such complicated events as cell proliferation and thromboembolism. In addition, the ability of shear stresses generated as a consequence of blood flow to modulate the biological activity of various cells will be discussed. Finally, several devices currently used to study the role of fluid flow in thrombotic and hemostatic processes will be described.
Polyenes in Medium Chain Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) Biopolymer Microspheres with Reduced Toxicity and Improved Therapeutic Effect against Candida Infection in Zebrafish Model

Immobilizing antifungal polyenes such as nystatin (Nys) and amphotericin B (AmB) into biodegradable formulations is advantageous compared to free drug administration providing sustained release, reduced dosing due to localized targeting and overall reduced systemic drug toxicity. In this study, we encapsulated Nys and AmB in medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA) microspheres (7–8 µm in diameter). The obtained formulations have been validated for antifungal activity in vitro against a panel of pathogenic fungi including species of Candida, Aspergillus, Microsporum and Trichophyton genera and toxicity and efficacy in vivo using the zebrafish model of disseminated candidiasis. While free polyenes, especially AmB, were highly toxic to zebrafish embryos at the effective (MIC) doses, after their loading into mcl-PHA microspheres, inner organ toxicity and teratogenicity associated with both drugs were not observed, even at 100 × MIC doses. The obtained mcl-PHA/polyene formulations have successfully eradicated C. albicans infection and showed an improved therapeutic profile in zebrafish by enhancing infected embryos survival. This approach is contributing to the antifungal arsenal as polyenes, although the first broad-spectrum antifungals on the market are still the gold standard for treatment of fungal infections.
The Ability of Vocational High School Teachers to Developing HOTS Question

The purposes of this study are to 1) describe the form of the question made by vocational school teachers, 2) elaborate the teacher's method in preparing questions to evaluate the learning outcomes, 3) explain the teacher's comprehension in preparing questions that measure high order thinking skills, and 4) analyze the teacher's skills in preparing questions that measure high order thinking skills. The research is descriptive and correlational. The population and sample of this research are productive vocational high school teachers who teach at the Technical of Construction and Property expertise program in the province of South Sulawesi. Data collection was carried out in March – June 2021. Determination of the samples used the Slovin formula with an error rate of 0.05. The sample used is 59 respondents. Analysis of research data using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation. The results of the study show that 1) the form of questions combines an objective test and a subjective test. 2) the preparation of examination questions is preceded by making a question grid, then dividing the categories of questions based on their cognitive level. 3) Dominant teachers have understood the preparation of questions that measure high-level thinking skills, however, almost 40% of teachers still need further strengthening. 4) Dominant teachers have been skilled in preparing HOTS questions, however, there are still 20% of teachers who still need assistance in preparing High-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions. 5) Teachers with 11-20 years of service are more dominantly skilled at preparing HOTS questions.