Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acetate Improves the Killing of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Alveolar Macrophages via NLRP3 Inflammasome and Glycolysis-HIF-1α Axis

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolites produced mainly by the gut microbiota with a known role in immune regulation. Acetate, the major SCFA, is described to disseminate to distal organs such as lungs where it can arm sentinel cells, including alveolar macrophages, to fight against bacterial intruders. In the current study, we explored mechanisms through which acetate boosts macrophages to enhance their bactericidal activity. RNA sequencing analyses show that acetate triggers a transcriptomic program in macrophages evoking changes in metabolic process and immune effector outputs, including nitric oxide (NO) production. In addition, acetate enhances the killing activity of macrophages towards Streptococcus pneumoniae in an NO-dependent manner. Mechanistically, acetate improves IL-1β production by bacteria-conditioned macrophages and the latter acts in an autocrine manner to promote NO production. Strikingly, acetate-triggered IL-1β production was neither dependent of its cell surface receptor free-fatty acid receptor 2, nor of the enzymes responsible for its metabolism, namely acetyl-CoA synthetases 1 and 2. We found that IL-1β production by acetate relies on NLRP3 inflammasome and activation of HIF-1α, the latter being triggered by enhanced glycolysis. In conclusion, we unravel a new mechanism through which acetate reinforces the bactericidal activity of alveolar macrophages.
Effect of food processing on aflatoxin reduction in cereals and nuts: A meta- analysis approach

Received: 2021.06. 08 Accepted: 2021.06. 28 Abstract Fungal toxins, mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, are compounds produced by different fungi during the growth and reproduction period. The most important fungal toxins that jeopardize human health are aflatoxins, which are produced by Aspergillus fungi and can grow in all crops. With toxic and carcinogenic effects of aflatoxins, many studies were performed using different methods to eliminate or reduce the amount of aflatoxin in cereals and nuts. On the contrary, using different methods for reducing aflatoxins in cereals and nuts make it impossible or difficult for researchers who study one or few related articles. This paper was conducted to review, investigate and do a meta-analysis on the results of the studies conducted and aimed to answer this general question as by which method can further reduce the amount of aflatoxin in cereals and nuts. Results showed that the methods of UV-irradiation, Ozone & UV irradiation and citric acid were the most important methods by 0.469, 0.441, and 0.427 of effect size respectively.
REVISTA AMBIENTE CONTÁBIL Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Purpose: Analyze the relationship between socio-environmental responsibility practices in the economic and financial performance of companies listed in [B3]. Methodology: Social and environmental information found in the annual sustainability reports published in accordance with the GRI 4 (Global Reporting Initiative) standard were used. For economic performance, the metrics EBITDA and ROA were considered, while for financial performance, market-to-book and Tobin's Q were used, collected on the Economática® platform. Binomial logistic regression was used to evaluate 220 observations corresponding to the period from 2014 to 2018. Results: It was not possible to verify the relationship between the disclosure of socioenvironmental practices on economic performance, measured by the companies' accounting result variables. However, it suggests that there is a negative influence of the disclosure of Naline Tres, Claudia Dalla Porta, Sady Mazzioni, Cristian Bau Dal Magro and Daniela Di Domenico Revista Ambiente Contábil UFRN Natal-RN. v. 14, n. 1, p. 88 109, Jan. /Jun. 2021, ISSN 2176-9036. 90 information on socio-environmental practices on the financial performance measured by market variables. Study Contributions: Despite the demands made by the set of stakeholders on companies for the practice of socioenvironmental actions, the market does not favorably recognize the organizational effort. The results point to indications that investors may consider organizational investments in socioenvironmental practices as undesirable.
PPA_A_348597 137..147

1Department of Midwifery, Mizan Aman College of Health Sciences, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia; 2School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia Background: Immediate postnatal care (PNC) satisfaction is considered as the desired outcome of the health care system and determines the use of subsequent health care services. There is a paucity of evidence on the level of immediate PNC satisfaction in the study setting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the level of immediate PNC satisfaction and associated factors among women who gave birth in Debre Markos town public health institutions, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to February 28, 2021, and a systematic sampling technique was used to select the postnatal women. An interviewer-administered pretested structured tool was used. The level of immediate PNC satisfaction was measured by Jipi’s postnatal satisfaction with the nursing care questionnaire (JPSNQ). The collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.6. 0 and exported to SPSS version 23 for management and analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were applied. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and statistical significance was declared at P-value <0.05. Results: A total of 389 postnatal mothers participated in this study with a response rate of 98.73%. Immediate PNC satisfaction was 60.90% (95%CI: 56.50–65.60). Postnatal women having multiparity (AOR=7.31, 95%CI: 4.40–12.17), four and more antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.08–3.36), satisfied by delivery care (AOR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.24– 3.40), received friendly care (AOR=7.72, 95%CI: 2.42–13.52) and having companion (AOR=2.48, 95%CI: 1.37–4.50) had higher likelihood of immediate PNC satisfaction. Conclusion: Women’s satisfaction with immediate PNC was higher than the national achievements of targets for the client satisfaction. Therefore, health-care providers should encourage frequent ANC visits, friendly care, and companionship to increase the level of immediate PNC satisfaction.
Linear Time Periodic Analysis of Dc-Dc converter

Aim of this thesis is to analyze Dc-Dc converters by using the techniques of Linear Periodic Time varying (LTP) systems to estimate the amount of subharmonics injected in the load. Dc-Dc converters are used to transform a Dc input to a Dc output of different voltage. In this thesis we study in particular the so called "switch mode" converters. In this kind of devices the conversion is obtained by using fast commutations of (at least) two switches. Due to the discrete switch-positions these converters are considered a typical example of hybrid systems. Linear models with fixed coefficients (LTI system) give a description of the system inadequate to predict and to analyze harmonic effects, while linear models with coefficients that vary periodically, namely LTP system, can be used effectively to this aim. We use therefore a Linear Time Periodic (LTP) system to describe the converter. This kind of description in much more accurate but the model and the tools used to study it are more complex. In the thesis we first introduce the LTP system theory and its main results. In particular we introduce the concept of Harmonic Transfer Function (HTF). A LTP model for a Dc-Dc converter is then derived and it is shown that this model accurately describes the response of the converter. Furthermore this LTP model is used to analyze the open and closed loop behavior of the system. It is shown that the linear model estimates correctly the amplitude of the subharmonics in the output. The thesis has been developed at the Automatic Control Department, Lund University, Sweden under the supervision of Andreas Wernrud and Anders Rantzer. The Italian supervisor of this thesis is Giorgio Picci, Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell' Informazione, Universita degli studi di Padova, Italy (Less)
Subglacial chemical erosion: seasonal variations in solute provenance, Haut Glacier D’Arolla, Valais, Switzerland

This paper determines the provenance of solute in bulk meltwaters draining Haut Glacier d’Arolla, Valais, Switzerland, during the 1989 ablation season. Dissolved species are partitioned into components derived from sea salt, acid aerosol, dissolution of atmospheric CO2, and lithogenic sources, namely carbonates, sulphides and aluminosillicates. A major conclusion is that trace geochemically reactive minerals in the bedrock contribute the bulk of the solute found in runoff. Seasonal changes in solute provenance and in the dominant chemical weathering process are observed. Whereas the chemical weathering of aluminosillicate minerals by carbonation reactions remains relatively constant during the ablation season, the chemical erosion of carbonates shows distinct seasonal variations, reflecting changes in the nature of the subglacial drainage system. Subglacial drainage structure and bedrock type are key controls on the extent of subglacial chemical weathering.
PENGARUH IKLIM ORGANISASI TERHADAP KEPUASAN KERJA DAN KOMITMEN KARYAWAN PADA UNIVERSITAS TERBUKA

This research aims to analyze the influence of organizational climate on job satisfaction and employees commitment at the Indonesia Open University. The methode used was survey. The data were collected using questionnaires distributed to 269 employees at UT using stratified random sampling. Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used to test hypotheses using SmartPLS software. The result shows that organizational climate does not have a significant effect on job satisfaction. However, organizational climate has a significant effect on employees commitment. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh iklim organisasi terhadap kepuasan kerja dan komitmen karyawan di Universitas Terbuka Indonesia. Metode yang digunakan adalah survei. Data dikumpulkan dengan menggunakan kuesioner yang dibagikan kepada 269 karyawan di UT menggunakan stratified random sampling. Structural Equation Model (SEM) digunakan untuk menguji hipotesis menggunakan software SmartPLS. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa iklim organisasi tidak memiliki pengaruh secara signifikan terhadap kepuasan kerja. Namun, iklim organisasi memiliki pengaruh secara signifikan terhadap komitmen karyawan.
An Investigation of Soil-Structure Interaction Effects Observed at the MIT Green Building

The soil-foundation impedance function of the MIT Green Building is identified from its response signals recorded during an earthquake. Estimation of foundation impedance functions from seismic response signals is a challenging task, because: (1) the foundation input motions (FIMs) are not directly measurable, (2) the as-built properties of the super-structure are only approximately known, and (3) the soil-foundation impedance functions are inherently frequency-dependent. In the present study, aforementioned difficulties are circumvented by using, in succession, a blind modal identification (BMID) method, a simplified Timoshenko beam model (TBM), and a parametric updating of transfer functions (TFs). First, the flexible-base modal properties of the building are identified from response signals using the BMID method. Then, a flexible-base TBM is updated using the identified modal data. Finally, the frequency-dependent soil-foundation impedance function is estimated by minimizing the discrepancy between TFs (of pairs instrumented floors) that are (1) obtained experimentally from earthquake data and (2) analytically from the updated TBM. Using the fully identified flexible-base TBM, the FIMs as well as building responses at locations without instruments can be predicted, as demonstrated in the present study.
The A–B Process: A Novel two Stage Wastewater Treatment System

New acts on wastewater disposal demand for higher process stability and effluent quality. The A-B process, a novel two step treatment system, meets these requirements in a cost effective way. Five full-scale plants have been put in operation over the last two years. The objective of this paper is to give an outline of the features of the A-B system in the context of the results of these full-scale plants. In spite of the extreme high load, the A-stage can be operated at a high reduction rate and is stable. Variations in the organic load and pH- and toxic shocks are leveled out and a constant, mainly soluble effluent is supplied. This implicates a low sludge production in the B-stage. As a consequence higher overall reduction rates are obtained as compared to conventional processes at the same sludge load. Very low and stable final effluent concentrations are observed in all full-scale plants. Of special interest are the possibilities of upgrading existing conventional treatment facilities, at minor costs, by incorporating the A-B technology. The A-B process therefore can be considered as a very promising, cost effective alternative for both existing and new wastewater treatment plants in responding to the increasing effluent demands.
Truck Driver Scheduling and U.S. Hours of Service Regulations

In the United States of America driving and working hours of truck drivers must comply with the hours of service regulations imposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Generating work plans complying with these regulations for a given sequence of locations to be visited is a non-trivial task if the service time at these locations is time constrained. For a planning horizon of one week this paper presents an O(\lambda^3) algorithm for problems in which each location must be visited within one of multiple time windows if the gap between these time windows is at least 10 hours. This situation occurs, for example, if, because of opening hours of docks, handling operations can only be performed weekdays between 8 hours and 22 hours. Furthermore, this paper presents a heuristic approach for scheduling driving and working hours of truck drivers for planning horizons of more than one week.
An assessment of the influence of bonding on the harmonic performance of AC XLPE insulated subsea cable transmission systems

This paper presents results from computer based simulations of the harmonic performance of high power AC XLPE-insulated cables in subsea transmission systems as used by offshore generators eg wind farms. The particular focus of this paper is on how the cable harmonic performance is influenced by the type of bonding method such as solid, single-point and cross bonding for the sheath and armour layers in the cable. The methods used to analyse the frequency response and to determine the harmonic resonances for each bonding arrangement are fully explained. Harmonic results obtained from the computer simulations for each different bonding method are presented and compared with a particular study on their performance at resonance. In the conclusions, the results obtained for the different transmission arrangements are discussed with due consideration of their impact for cable designers.
Teaching Writing

With just the two words of the title “Teaching writing,” we are thrown into ambiguity characteristic of the enterprise the title names. Is that second word a participle, referring to the activity of generating, composing, and revising ideas on paper, or is it a more static gerund noun form—writing as an artifact, as text presented on a page, performing social functions? The position we take with regard to the multiple realities encompassed in this dichotomy and in others in our field gives shape to our teaching. And that shape is changing.
Recommended Instruments for Analyzing Cyber Dating Violence: A Systematic Review

Abstract Cyber dating violence is an emerging form of dating violence that may have serious health effects on adolescents and young people, and in recent years interest in its study has increased. In order to understand completely the nature and magnitude of the problem, a clear understanding of the concept, constructs and well-established measurement tools are needed. The goal of this study was to analyze the measurement instruments of cyber dating violence in adolescents and young adults, and to determine which are the best suitable to use. To accomplish these objectives a systematic review was carried out. After reviewing the literature, twenty-four measurement instruments were analyzed, with important differences found between them in terms, constructs, dimensions and measurement attributes, as well as differences in their assessed psychometric properties. Once the methodological quality evaluation of the instruments was carried out following COSMIN (COnsensus based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments) guidelines, three scales were found to be recommendable depending on the age and cultural context of participants: Cyber Dating Abuse Questionnaire (Borrajo, Gámez-Guadix, Pereda, et al., 2015), Technology-facilitated Abuse in Relationships Scale (Brown & Hegarty, 2021), and Abuse in Teen Relationships (CARPA; Calvete et al., 2021).
SEISMIC RESPONSE OF STRUCTURES FREE TO ROCK ON THEIR FOUNDATIONS

SUMMARY The possibility of foundation rocking of shear wall structures designed to NZS 4203 is discussed. Theory developed by Housner for the free rocking of a rigid block is compared with experimental results from a simple structural model with a number of different foundation conditions. A simple design method for assessing maximum rocking displacements, using equivalent elastic characteristics and a response-spect ra approach is proposed, and compared with results from simulated seismic excitation of the model using an electro-hydraulic shake-table. A typical design example is included.
An Assessment of Uncertainty in Remaining Life Estimation for Nuclear Structural Materials

In recent years, several operating US light-water nuclear power reactors (LWRs) have moved to extended-life operations (from 40 years to 60 years), and there is interest in the feasibility of extending plant life to 80 years. Operating experience suggests that material degradation of structural components in LWRs (such as the reactor pressure vessel) is expected to be the limiting factor for safe operation during extended life. Therefore, a need exists for assessing the condition of LWR structural components and determining its remaining useful life (RUL). The ability to estimate RUL of degraded structural components provides a basis for determining safety margins (i.e., whether safe operation over some pre-determined time horizon is possible), and scheduling degradation management activities (such as potentially modifying operating conditions to limit further degradation growth). A key issue in RUL estimation is calculation of uncertainty bounds, which are dependent on current material state, as well as past and future stressor levels (such as time-at-temperature, pressure, and irradiation). This paper presents a preliminary empirical investigation into the uncertainty of RUL estimates for nuclear structural materials.
Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography # 21 . 04 Better by design ? Collaboration and performance in the boardgame industry

We study team-work among board-game designers to bring new insights on the effect of team composition on performance. Team-work in game design is an informal and unstructured process that strongly relies on creativity, imagination and out-of-thebox thinking. Current understandings on team composition and performance rely mainly on research in scientific, technological and corporate domains. In these fields team-work is organized in systematic, coordinated and formal processes. It is therefore unclear how the findings from these fields apply to team-work occurring outside corporate and academic boundaries and in less institutionalized and unregulated domains. Our work contributes by examining whether collaborating with someone with greater past performance increases the quality of output, both in the collaborated project and in subsequent single-authored output. Besides, we explore the role of cognitive distance in the team as a possible driver for performance improvement. We apply econometric and machine learning tools to a novel detail-rich database with information on 10,000 quality-rated board-games and their 5,167 designers. Our findings indicate that the quality of the output of a board-game designer significantly increases when (1) collaborating with a better performing designer and (2) having little or significant overlap in expertise with the collaborator. We conclude that the relation between team-work and performance in the board-game industry is different than in domains in which collaboration is coordinated in formal settings. We connect our results to other debates in the organization and innovation literatures and propose policy and managerial implications.
Accumulation Distribution in the IAGP Area, Antarctica: 90°E-150°E

The distribution of mean net accumulation rate over a large sector (90°E to 150°E) of the IAGP (International Antarctic Glaciological Project) area in Antarctica is presented in map form. The basic data have been compiled from direct measurements of accumulation at stake networks, and by dating horizons in the snow pack by gross β-activity measurements, on four long traverse routes. The spatial variability can be high, over 40%, for a single year, and typically about 20% for multiyear averages. Local surface topography in the form of undulations of several kilometres wavelength can account for about 35% of the variance. Averaging over Intervals of 50 km or more will give the smooth large-scale distribution pattern. But the resultant values can still deviate from the long-term average accumulation by 25% or more due to temporal variability over time scales of years to decades. A very high correlation (r = 0.97) was found for the relationship a = 1414 exp (0.060 θ10) between accumulation, a kg m−2 a−1, and 10 m depth snow temperature, θ10°C, when the data set was limited to a single large drainage basin in Wilkes Land.
In situ Out-of-Plane Cyclic Testing of Original and Strengthened Traditional Stone Masonry Walls Using Airbags

This article presents a field experimental campaign carried out on an existing one-story stone masonry building, aiming at characterizing the out-of-plane behavior of its walls. A bidirectional test set-up based on a self-equilibrated airbag system was developed and used on three similar masonry walls under distinct conditions: original, retrofitted, and strengthened. The results obtained and the main advantages and shortcomings found in the test set-up are discussed. Finally, some of the most popular retrofitting and/or strengthening techniques applied during the 1998 Azores reconstruction process are critically analyzed, aiming at suggesting quantifications for future interventions on existing unreinforced masonry buildings.