Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sticky Cost Drivers: An Analytical Study of Cost Stickiness’ Causes

The current study provides an analytical study of the causes of sticky cost behavior from the perspective of both the deliberate decision theory and the cost adjustment delay theory. In the traditional model of cost behavior, the relationship betw een cost and activity volume is independent of managers’ decisions, but the ABJ model presented by Anderson, Banker and Janakiraman (2003) demonstrated the role of managerial decisions in cost behavior. This means that cost stickiness is not an inevitable phenomenon but rather a result of managers’ decisions whether intentional, unintended or inappropriate. Moreover, company policies, ownership structure, and social legislation may affect the cost stickiness. Using the desk research method, the author relied on previous literature to determine and categorize the cost stickiness’ drivers. According to the theory of deliberate decision, the author distinction between the potential drivers of cost stickiness resulting from managers’ decisions, and the drivers related to the firm. In addition, the cost may become sticky due to the inability of cost to keep pace with declining sales. According to cost adjustment delay theory, managers keep the unused resources until it is assured of a continued decline in demand or based on their expectations for a future sale, but in the long run, prices, wages, and expectations are fully adapted to the state of the markets and economy, reducing cost stickiness. This study has implications for researchers by enhancing their understanding of the sticky cost drivers.
Depression in healthcare workers from the COVID-19 Care and Isolation Center - Villa Panamericana: a single-center prospective study in Peru

ABSTRACT Objective Depression is a mental problem that affects the well-being of healthcare workers, impacting the quality of care and even leading to commit suicide. We aim to the levels of depression in frontline healthcare workers during the first severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in Peru. Methods A prospective cohort study was designed in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Care and Isolation Center – Villa Panamericana in eastern Lima. Care and Isolation Center-Villa Panamericana houses about 150 healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale was used for depression assessment. Results A total of 96 participants (30±5.6 years) were analyzed: 15 (15.6%) physicians, 39 (40.6%) nurses, 14 (14.6%) medical technologists, and 28 (29.2%) nurse technicians. Mild, moderate, and severe depression were present in 35 (36.5%), 44 (45.8%), and 9 (9.4%) of the cases, respectively. The physicians and nurses reported more severe levels of depression: 8 (53.3%) physicians and 18 (46.2%) nurses presented moderate depression; and 2 (13.3%) physicians and 3 (7.7%) nurses presented severe depression (p=0.005). This study determined greater symptoms of depression according to years of work (p=0.001). Thirty-two healthcare workers had COVID-19, 4 (12.5%) physicians, 9 (28.1%) nurses, 7 (21.9%) medical technologists, and 12 (37.5%) nurse technicians. Twenty-four (75%) participants showed symptoms of COVID-19 and developed moderate (12 [37.5%]) and severe (3 [9.4%]) symptoms of depression (p=0.041). Conclusion This study clearly demonstrated a high prevalence of depression in the Care and Isolation Center-Villa Panamericana frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru.
Bioactive compounds from a haloalkalitolerant Streptomyces sp. EMSM31 isolated from Um-Risha Lake in Egypt

Wadi Al-Natrun, Egypt is considered an extreme environment, where, salinity and alkalinity are high. It was aimed in this work to explore such an environment for novel actinobacteria producing bioactive compounds. A total of 31 actinobacteria isolated from sediment of Um-Risha Lake at Wadi Al-Natrun were screened for antimicrobial activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The
An Empirical Study on the Blocking of HTTP and DNS Requests at Providers Level to Counter In-The-Wild Malware Infections

Enquanto o bloqueio de exemplares de malware em nível de endpoint é essencial para o tratamento de ameaças recém-criadas, o controle de ameaças em larga escala só é possível através do bloqueio dos serviços de rede utilizados por estas. Este estudo se propõe a investigar como este tipo de bloqueio ocorre na prática, visando identificar os problemas existentes e oportunidades de desenvolvimento. Para tanto, consideramos a análise diária de milhares de exemplares de malware de duas bases de dados distintas (representativas de exemplares brasileiros e mundiais) e investigamos a prevalência e a forma com que os servidores HTTP e DNS contatados pelos exemplares são tornados indisponíveis. Nós identificamos que: (i) A indisponibilização de serviços para todos os exemplares ocorre de forma semelhante, com os exemplares brasileiros sendo primeiramente afetados; (ii) ameaças armazenadas em servidores de nuvem computacional são indisponibilizadas de modo diferente das ameaças armazenadas em servidores dedicados; (iii) o bloqueio da resolução de nomes de domínio tem uma escalabilidade maior do que o bloqueio de tráfego HTTP de modo individualizado; e (iv) ainda há um grande espaço para desenvolvimentos futuros visto que a maior parte das ameaças não teve nenhum serviço indisponibilizado durante o período de observação.
Chemical Characterization of the Roman Glass Finds from Muricelle Archaeological Site (Luzzi, Cosenza)

This study reports the results obtained on seventeen glass finds collected from the archaeological site of Muricelle near Cosenza in Calabria (Italy), dated between the first and third century AD. Chemical characterization was undertaken by using an electron probe micro analyser (EPMA). The glasses showed a soda–lime–silica composition indicating the use of the natron as a flux. The comparison between the collected data and those on coeval finds available from the literature allowed us to subdivide the Muricelle glass into three compositional groups: (1) Mn_a, classified as Roman-Mn glasses; (2) Mn_b, which can be compared to the Mn-unintentionally coloured Roman glasses; and (3) Sb + Mn, obtained by the recycling of the Sb and Mn Roman-type glasses. These groups were different not only with respect to the contents and the types of decolourants but also for soda, lime, and aluminium contents, highlighting the use of different raw materials in the primary glass production and also indicating the procedures used in secondary glass production. The compositional characteristics suggested the Levant region as the primary glass source for the Mn_a and Mn_b groups. On the other hand, the Sb + Mn group was obtained through recycling, involving the melting and mixing of two types of primary glass (Sb-decolourised and Mn-decolourised) of Egyptian and Levantine origins, respectively.
Testing Earthquake Nucleation Length Scale with Pawnee Aftershocks

The interpretation of precursory seismicity can depend on a critical nucleation length scale h*, yet h* is largely unconstrained in the seismogenic crust. To estimate h* and associated earthquake nucleation processes at 2–7 km depths in Oklahoma, we studied seismic activity occurring prior to nine M 2.5–3.0 earthquakes that are aftershocks of the 3 September 2016 M 5.8 Pawnee, Oklahoma, earthquake. Four of the nine M 2.5–3.0 aftershocks studied did not have detectable seismicity within a 2 km radius of their hypocenters in the preceding 16 hr time windows. For the other five events, which did exhibit foreshock sequences, we estimated the static stress changes associated with each event of each sequence based on precise earthquake relocations and magnitude estimates. By carefully examining the spatiotemporal characteristics, we found all five of these M 2.5–3.0 aftershocks, and 70% of our studied events were plausibly triggered via static stress transfer from nearby earthquakes occurring hours to seconds earlier, consistent with the cascade nucleation model and a small h* in this region. The smallest earthquakes we could quantitatively study were M −1.5 events, which likely have 1–2 m rupture dimensions. The existence of these small events also supports a small nucleation length scale h*≤1 m, consistent with laboratory estimates. However, our observations cannot rule out more complicated earthquake initiation processes involving interactions between foreshocks and slow slip. Questions also remain as to whether aftershocks initiate differently from more isolated earthquakes.
MECHANISM ANTAGONISM of Trichoderma viride AGAINST SEVERAL TYPES of PATHOGENS and PRODUCTION of SECONDARY METABOLITES

Biological control agents using antagonistic fungi have the ability to inhibit the development of disease-causing pathogens by various mechanisms such as competition for space and nutrients, antibiosis by producing antibiotics in the form of chemical compounds, and parasitism by entangling pathogenic hyphae. Antibiotic mechanism is a condition in which an organism secretes one or more metabolites that have a negative effect on other organisms. One of the fungi that has the ability as an antibiosis is Trichoderma viride, where this fungus secretes secondary metabolites in the form of a viridiol phytotoxin compound. This study conducted to determine the antagonist mechanism of the fungus T. viride in suppressing the growth of Alternaria solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotium rolfsii which causes disease in some cultivated plants, as well as what compounds T. viride possesses in suppressing the growth of other pathogens. This research was carried out at the Plant Disease Laboratory, Department of Plant Pest and Disease, Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University from November 2020 to August 2021. The research was conducted using Trichoderma viride as antagonist fungus and Alternaria solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotium rolfsii as pathogenic fungi. This research consisted of 3 stages, the first stage was rejuvenation and macroscopic and microscopic characterization of pathogenic fungi and antagonist fungi. The second stage is the in vitro antagonist test using the dual culture method using a completely randomized design with 6 replications. The third stage is the phytochemical test of secondary metabolites using 5 test, namely terpenoid and steroid test, the alkaloid test, the flavonoids test, the tannin test, and the saponin test. The results showed that T. viride had an inhibitory ability >50% against four types of pathogens. The mechanism of T. viride antagonist against four treatments, three treatments belonged to the competition mechanism and one treatment belonged to the microparasite mechanism. The content of secondary metabolites of T. viride are steroids and alkaloids.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Mediated Regulation of Early Myeloid Cells in Zebrafish.

BACKGROUND Colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3), more commonly known as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), acts via a specific cell surface receptor CSF3R (or G-CSFR) to regulate hematopoiesis, with a particularly key role in the myeloid cell lineage where it impacts the development and function of neutrophilic granulocytes. Zebrafish possess a conserved CSF3R homologue, Csf3r, which is involved in both steady-state and emergency myelopoiesis, as well as regulating early myeloid cell migration. Two CSF3 proteins have been identified in zebrafish, Csf3a and Csf3b. METHODS This study investigated the roles of the Csf3a and Csf3b ligands as well as the downstream Janus kinase (JAK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways in mediating the effects of Csf3r in early myeloid cell development and function using gene knockdown and pharmacologic approaches. RESULTS This study revealed that both Csf3a and Csf3b contribute to the developmental and emergency production of early myeloid cells, but Csf3a is responsible for the developmental migration of early neutrophils whereas Csf3b plays the major role in their wounding-induced migration, differentially participated in these responses, as did several downstream signaling pathways. Both JAK and PI3K signaling were required for developmental production and migration of early myeloid cells, but PI3K signaling was required for emergency production and initial migration in response to wounding, while JAK signaling mediated retention at the site of wounding. CONCLUSIONS This study has revealed both distinct and overlapping functions for Csf3a and Csf3b and the downstream JAK and PI3K signaling pathways in early myeloid cell production and function.
Relationship between Apathy and Subjective Poor Night-time Sleep in de novo, Untreated Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND Sleep disturbance is one of the most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the confounding effects of dopaminergic medication on sleep are a major challenge in understanding the impact of sleep disturbance in PD. We investigated the sleep disturbance and associated clinical features in patients with de novo, untreated PD. METHODS One-hundred-eight patients with de novo, untreated PD were included. Night sleep disturbance was evaluated using the night sleep subscale of the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease (SCOPA-Sleep). Depression, anxiety, and apathy were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), respectively. Early perfusion and dopamine transporter imaging of F-18 FP-CIT PET/CT were performed together with statistical parametric mapping analysis. RESULTS The night sleep SCOPA-Sleep sub-score was correlated with the AES (p = 0.014), BAI (p = 0.014), and GDS (p = 0.023) scores. Patients with poor night sleep were more apathetic (p = 0.013). Additionally, there was increased perfusion in the left posterior cingulate in patients with sleep disturbance and apathy compared to those with sleep disturbance only. CONCLUSIONS Night sleep disturbance was related to mood disorders, particularly apathy, in patients with de novo, untreated PD.
Hempseed By-Product in Diets of Italian Simmental Cull Dairy Cows and Its Effects on Animal Performance and Meat Quality

Simple Summary At the end of their productive career, dairy cows are culled without a fattening period and, therefore, sold at a low market price. On the other hand, the cultivation of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is increasing, and hempseed cake is a by-product obtained during the mechanical extraction of the seed. Hempseed cake is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, so its use in the diets of cull cows could probably improve meat value and contribute to pursuing the objectives of a circular economy. In this study, hempseed cake was added to the diets of culls cows for the first time with the aim to assess its effect on animal performance and meat quality. The results of the present paper suggest that hempseed cake did not affect animal performance and the characteristics or the fatty acids profile of the meat. From this point of view, although no improvement in the level of unsaturated fatty acids in meat was found, this study showed that hempseed cake can replace soybean meal, thus improving the circular economy. Abstract Cull dairy cows are important contributors to total beef production in the USA and in Europe. Hempseed cake is a by-product of oil production and it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (FA). This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding hempseed cake to the diet of Italian Simmental (IS) cull dairy cows on performances and meat quality. Twenty-six cull dairy cows were divided into three dietary groups: hay-based, corn silage-based and pasture-based diets. Within each group, the animals were equally divided into two treatments according to the protein source of the concentrate: hempseed cake (HEMP) or soybeans meal (SB). The trial lasted four months. HEMP showed similar in vivo performance and carcass characteristics, such as average daily gain (p > 0.05) and dressing percentage (p > 0.05), compared with SB. Meat characteristics, such as ether extract content and Warner–Bratzler shear force, were also similar between experimental groups (p > 0.05). Considering FA composition, HEMP showed similar saturated FA and polyunsaturated FA content (p > 0.05) but lower desirable fatty acids (p < 0.05) content and a tendentially lower hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (p < 0.10) than SFA. Hempseed cake can substitute soybean in the diet of cull dairy cows without effects on performance or meat quality.
Using Robot-Based Variables during Upper Limb Robot-Assisted Training in Subacute Stroke Patients to Quantify Treatment Dose

In post-stroke motor rehabilitation, treatment dose description is estimated approximately. The aim of this retrospective study was to quantify the treatment dose using robot-measured variables during robot-assisted training in patients with subacute stroke. Thirty-six patients performed fifteen 60 min sessions (Session 1–Session 15) of planar, target-directed movements in addition to occupational therapy over 4 (SD 2) weeks. Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA) was carried out pre- and post-treatment. The actual time practiced (percentage of a 60 min session), the number of repeated movements, and the total distance traveled were analyzed across sessions for each training modality: assist as needed, unassisted, and against resistance. The FMA score improved post-treatment by 11 (10) points (Session 1 vs. Session 15, p < 0.001). In Session 6, all modalities pooled, the number of repeated movements increased by 129 (252) (vs. Session 1, p = 0.043), the total distance traveled increased by 1743 (3345) cm (vs. Session 1, p = 0.045), and the actual time practiced remained unchanged. In Session 15, the actual time practiced showed changes only in the assist-as-needed modality: −13 (23) % (vs. Session 1, p = 0.013). This description of changes in quantitative-practice-related variables when using different robotic training modalities provides comprehensive information related to the treatment dose in rehabilitation. The treatment dose intensity may be enhanced by increasing both the number of movements and the motor difficulty of performing each movement.
Osteopontin (OPN)/Secreted Phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) Binds Integrins to Activate Transport of Ions Across the Porcine Placenta.

BACKGROUND Fetal-placental development depends on a continuous and efficient supply of nutrients from maternal blood that are acquired by exchange through the placenta. However, the placenta is a low permeability barrier, and effective transport of substances depends on specific transport mechanisms. Active transport requires that ions or nutrients be moved against an electrical and/or concentration gradient. In pigs, active transport of ions occurs across the chorioallantois placenta to produce an electrochemical gradient that changes throughout gestation. The aim of this study was to utilize Ussing chambers to detect regulation of ion transport across the porcine chorioallantois by a factor(s) within the uterine-placental environment of pigs. METHODS For the measurement of transchorioallantoic voltage potential as an index of ion transport across the placenta, pieces of chorioallantoic tissue from Day 60 of gestation were mounted into the cassettes of Ussing chambers, and treatments were added to the mucasal side of the tissue. Treatments included: (1) media incubated with Day 60 chorioallantois (placenta-conditioned media); (2) osteopontin/secreted phosphoprotein 1 (OPN/SPP1) purified from cow's milk; (3) placenta-conditioned media from which OPN/SPP1 was removed; and (4) recombinant rat OPN with an intact RGD integrin binding sequence or a mutated RAD sequence. Ouabain was added to both sides of the chamber. Immunofluorescence was utilized to localize beta 3 integrin, aquaporin 8 and OPN/SPP1 in porcine placental tissues, and OPN/SPP1 within porcine lung, kidney and small intestine. RESULTS Day 60 chorioallantoic membranes had greater transepithelial voltage in the presence of porcine placenta-conditioned media, indicating that a molecule(s) released from the placenta increased ion transport across the placenta. OPN/SPP1 purified from cow's milk increased ion transport across the placenta. When OPN/SPP1 was removed from placenta-conditioned media, ion transport across the placenta did not increase. Recombinant rat OPN/SPP1 with a mutated RGD sequence that does not bind integrins (RAD) did not increase ion transport across the placenta. Ouabain, an inhibiter of the sodium-potassium ion pump, ablated ion transport across the placenta. CONCLUSIONS The present study documents a novel pericellular matrix role for OPN/SPP1 to bind integrins and increase ion transport across the porcine chorioallantoic placenta.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system is an incredibly complex yet balanced network of central nervous system circuits and internal and external pelvic organs. The feedback circuit composed of the hypothalamic–pituitary– gonadal (HPG) axis leads to reproductive tract formation and development during embryogenesis, sexual maturation at puberty, and testosterone and sperm production by the testis. The HPG axis continues to stimulate androgen production throughout adulthood to maintain adequate testosterone and sperm production. This axis and the internal and external pelvic organs are the key components in themale reproductive system. This chapter outlines the anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive system, including the HPG axis, control of testosterone production and spermatogenesis within the testis, maturation of sperm within the epididymis, and the transportation of sperm from the distal epididymis through the ejaculatory duct during seminal emission (Figure 1.1).
Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts Language Arts Portrayals of Bullying in Children’s Picture Books and Implications Portrayals of Bullying in Children’s Picture Books and Implications for Bibliotherapy for Bibliotherapy

Bullying, a serious issue in today’s schools, negatively impacts children. This article summarizes research and emphasizes the need for effective tools, such as bibliotherapy, to deter bullying. To assist professionals in selecting books for bibliotherapy, 38 bully-themed children’s K-3 picture books ranked 1- 4 by The Horn Book Guide (HBG) from January 1, 2004 through January 1, 2010 were analyzed. Comparisons were made between the selected books’ portrayals of bullying and aspects of bullying, and bully prevention described in research literature. Information was summarized, including the following details: (a) gender of bully and victim, (b) type of bullying, (c) location of bullying, (d) responses of bystanders and adults, and (e) resolution of bullying problems. Considering this descriptive information, professionals are advised to more selectively recommend books to fit the unique needs of students and encourage desired bullying resolution strategies.