Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Portuguese Wood Pellets Market: Organization, Production and Consumption Analysis

Wood pellets are a form of energy that can be seen as an alternative to fossil fuels, thus contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, wood pellets can be considered a solution contributing to the mitigation of climate change. The use of wood pellets has grown significantly in recent years, with different markets emerging, such as Portugal, both from production and consumption perspectives. The wood pellet industry in Portugal began its development about 15 years ago, with the companies installed in the country initially almost exclusively dedicated to the production of wood pellets for export to central and northern European markets. However, over the years, the domestic market, initially considered insignificant, began to develop; it recently reached a considerable consuming share of the national production. This study presents an analysis of the Portuguese wood pellet market using data collected on the sector, and specifically on producers and consumers. The information was gathered using surveys presented directly to consumers and producers and through interviews with other stakeholders in the sector. From the analysis of the information, it was possible to understand the market’s dynamics, its current evolution and its prospects for the upcoming years, since it can already be considered mature and consolidated.
Statistics of electric conductance through anisotropically conductive adhesive

We have investigated the electric conductance between two contacts electrically interconnected by an anisotropically conductive adhesive (ACA). It is first demonstrated that as compared with the symmetric equipotential profile of a point contact between two half infinitely large conducting materials, the spatial distribution of the equipotential profile becomes deformed when the contact is close to the edge of the conducting material. The electric potentials of two contacts also redistribute when the two contacts are brought together in nearby vicinity. By simulating the metal fillers spatial distributions in an ACA, we have shown that the spatial uniformity of the electric conduction between two contacts depends on the number of metal particles that interconnect the two contacts. Increasing the number of metal fillers on the contact pad improves the uniformity of the electric conduction. It however also increases the constriction resistances due to fellow particles so that the total conductance does not increase in the additive manner.
Metamitron, a Photosynthetic Electron Transport Chain Inhibitor, Modulates the Photoprotective Mechanism of Apple Trees

Chemical thinning of apple fruitlets is an important practice as it reduces the natural fruit load and, therefore, increases the size of the final fruit for commercial markets. In apples, one chemical thinner used is Metamitron, which is sold as the commercial product Brevis® (Adama, Ashdod, Israel). This thinner inhibits the electron transfer between Photosystem II and Quinone-b within light reactions of photosynthesis. In this study, we investigated the responses of two apple cultivars—Golden Delicious and Top Red—and photosynthetic light reactions after administration of Brevis®. The analysis revealed that the presence of the inhibitor affects both cultivars’ energetic status. The kinetics of the photoprotective mechanism’s sub-processes are attenuated in both cultivars, but this seems more severe in the Top Red cultivar. State transitions of the antenna and Photosystem II repair cycle are decreased substantially when the Metamitron concentration is above 0.6% in the Top Red cultivar but not in the Golden Delicious cultivar. These attenuations result from a biased absorbed energy distribution between photochemistry and photoprotection pathways in the two cultivars. We suggest that Metamitron inadvertently interacts with photoprotective mechanism-related enzymes in chloroplasts of apple tree leaves. Specifically, we hypothesize that it may interact with the kinases responsible for the induction of state transitions and the Photosystem II repair cycle.
Impact of the War in Croatia (1991-1995) on the Differentiation of Age Structure between Serbs and Croats: A Case Study of the Banija Region

Abstract Aging is the subject of various studies by the scientific community and monitoring by responsible institutions. The intensity of aging and the proportion of age groups among various communities differ due to different socio-economic conditions and characteristics. This article researches the impact of the war in Croatia 1991–1995 and postwar living conditions on the divergence of population aging in the ethnically heterogeneous Banija region. The first postwar census in 2001 recorded a population decline of 44.9% compared to the 1991 census. We analyze the effects of the war on changes in ethnic and age structure, as well as their interrelations. The quantitative and qualitative magnitude of these demographic changes in the inter-census period had a decisive influence on the correlation of age and ethnic structure. The article examines whether the relative share of Serbs or Croats in the total population of a settlement affects the average age of the settlement. The results confirmed that the Serbs are older than the Croats, and are in the phase of the most advanced demographic age. These changes raise the question of the demographic future and the biological viability of the Serbs, who were the majority in the region before the war.
Measurements and Analysis of Day Lighting Conditions in the Iranian Traditional House: Case Study in Kerman

Natural light has a great effect on the health of humans. Providing natural light in living spaces is the best way to promote a healthy life. In Iranian traditional architecture, especially in residential building using natural light for lighting is very important. Based on research conducted on Iranian traditional house’s, is determined that they have many aspects in daylighting design. The aim of this research is to investigate deferent lighting methods to compare traditional design methodologies of the Iranian traditional building. In this paper, is tried to investigate a survey of observation, geometric assessment of devices and the results of measurements of daylight levels of rooms that selected in a traditional home in Kerman. The selected samples include 3 rooms, one of them with skylight roof (kolah Farangy) the others are rooms with door-windows into the yard (Seh Dari and Panj Dari). Also, the monitored results of models were analyzed results of, under the sunny and clear sky. The illumination was measured in this experiment by using light meter in selected rooms. In addition, some simulations were carried out in the selected samples by the means of simulation software “ECOTECT v 5.6”. Finally, the problems were determined and comparison of both results was discussed.Then the results have been analyzed.
Using A Delphi Study To Identify The Most Difficult Concepts For Students To Master In Thermal And Transport Sciences

In this paper, we describe the use of Delphi methodology to reach consensus among a group of experienced engineering faculty about the difficulty and importance of fundamental concepts in the thermal and transport sciences. Our purpose is to identify concepts of high importance and low student understanding to use as the focus for creating a concept inventory to assess students’ conceptual understanding in the thermal and transport sciences. Based on the Delphi study results, 12 concepts are currently under consideration for inclusion in the concept inventory.
Evaluation of Combined Cancer Markers With Lactate Dehydrogenase and Application of Machine Learning Algorithms for Differentiating Benign Disease From Malignant Ovarian Cancer

Background The differential diagnosis of ovarian cancer is important, and there has been ongoing research to identify biomarkers with higher performance. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of combinations of cancer markers classified by machine learning algorithms in patients with early stage ovarian cancer, which has rarely been reported. Methods In total, 730 serum samples were assayed for lactate dehydrogenase (LD), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), and risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA). Among them, 53 were diagnosed with early stage ovarian cancer, and the remaining 677 were diagnosed with benign disease. Results The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC-AUCs) of the ROMA, HE4, CA125, LD, and NLR for discriminating ovarian cancer from non-cancerous disease were . 707, . 680, . 643, . 657, and . 624, respectively. ROC-AUC of the combination of ROMA and LD (.709) was similar to that of single ROMA in the total population. In the postmenopausal group, ROC-AUCs of HE4 and CA125 combined with LD presented the highest value (.718). When machine learning algorithms were applied to ROMA combined with LD, the ROC-AUC of random forest was higher than that of other applied algorithms in the total population (.757), showing acceptable performance. Conclusion Our data suggest that the combinations of ovarian cancer-specific markers with LD classified by random forest may be a useful tool for predicting ovarian cancer, particularly in clinical settings, due to easy accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Application of an optimal combination of cancer markers and algorithms would facilitate appropriate management of ovarian cancer patients.
Perphenazine and prochlorperazine decrease glioblastoma U-87 MG cell migration and invasion: Analysis of the ABCB1 and ABCG2 transporters, E-cadherin, α-tubulin and integrins (α3, α5, and β1) levels

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most frequent type of malignant brain tumor, and is one of the most lethal and untreatable human tumors with a very poor survival rate. Therefore, novel and effective strategies of treatment are required. Integrins play a crucial role in the regulation of cellular adhesion and invasion. Integrins and α-tubulin are very important in cell migration, whereas E-cadherin plays a main role in tumor metastasis. Notably, drugs serve a crucial role in glioblastoma treatment; however, they have to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to be effective. ABC transporters, including ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) and ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), are localized in the brain endothelial capillaries of the BBB, have a crucial role in the development of multidrug resistance and are modulated by phenothiazine derivatives. The impact of perphenazine and prochlorperazine on the motility of human Uppsala 87 malignant glioma (U87-MG) cells was evaluated using a wound-healing assay, cellular migration and invasion were assessed by Transwell assay, and the protein expression levels of ABCB1, ABCG2, E-cadherin, α-tubulin and integrins were determined by western blotting. The present study explored the effects of perphenazine and prochlorperazine on the levels of ABCB1, ABCG2, E-cadherin, α-tubulin and integrins (α3, α5, and β1), as well as on the migratory and invasive ability of U87-MG cells. The results suggested that perphenazine and prochlorperazine may modulate the expression levels of multidrug resistance proteins (they decreased ABCB1 and increased ABCG2 expression), E-cadherin, α-tubulin and integrins, and could impair the migration and invasion of U-87 MG cells. In conclusion, the decrease in migratory and invasive ability following treatment with phenothiazine derivatives due to the increase in ABCG2 and E-cadherin expression, and decrease in α-tubulin and integrins expression, may suggest that research on perphenazine and prochlorperazine in the treatment of glioblastoma is worth continuing.
Oleic acid promotes atherosclerosis via multiple pathophysiological mechanisms: a narrative review

Abstract An increasing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that atherosclerosis is caused by multiple factors and mechanisms. A better understanding of the contribution of hypertriglyceridemia or oleic acid to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis would significantly increase our ability to successfully treat these diseases. We propose that oleic acid promotes atherosclerosis via multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. Here we suggest that (1) atherosclerosis may develop through multiple pathophysiological mechanisms and that this may be a common feature of human diseases; (2) diseases may be the consequence of natural selection or the interaction of internal and external factors; (3) diseases should be recognized with “biological diversity,” and that this concept should be introduced into medical education, clinical treatment, drug research and development, and medical research. The work reported here will benefit a new generation of medical trainees and promote the development of the relevant medical fields.
Diacetyl Vapor Inhalation Induces Mixed, Granulocytic Lung Inflammation with Increased CD4+CD25+ T Cells in the Rat

Diacetyl (DA) is a highly reactive alpha diketone associated with flavoring-related lung disease. In rodents, acute DA vapor exposure can initiate an airway-centric, inflammatory response. However, this immune response has yet to be fully characterized in the context of flavoring-related lung disease progression. The following studies were designed to characterize the different T cell populations within the lung following repetitive DA vapor exposures. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 200 parts-per-million DA vapor for 5 consecutive days × 6 h/day. Lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed for changes in histology by H&E and Trichrome stain, T cell markers by flow cytometry, total BALF cell counts and differentials, BALF IL17a and total protein immediately, 1 and 2 weeks post-exposure. Lung histology and BALF cell composition demonstrated mixed, granulocytic lung inflammation with bronchial lymphoid aggregates at all time points in DA-exposed lungs compared to air controls. While no significant change was seen in percent lung CD3+, CD4+, or CD8+ T cells, a significant increase in lung CD4+CD25+ T cells developed at 1 week that persisted at 2 weeks post-exposure. Further characterization of this CD4+CD25+ T cell population identified Foxp3+ T cells at 1 week that failed to persist at 2 weeks. Conversely, BALF IL-17a increased significantly at 2 weeks in DA-exposed rats compared to air controls. Lung CD4+CD25+ T cells and BALF IL17a correlated directly with BALF total protein and inversely with rat oxygen saturations. Repetitive DA vapor exposure at occupationally relevant concentrations induced mixed, granulocytic lung inflammation with increased CD4+CD25+ T cells in the rat lung.
Understanding people who volunteer with marine turtles: motives and values for engagement in conservation

ABSTRACT Volunteers play a key role in the conservation of many threatened species, yet volunteer motivations for participating in conservation and strategies used for attracting and retaining volunteers remain little studied. Iconic and charismatic megafauna species, such as marine turtles, attract the attention of conservation volunteers worldwide, making this species an ideal case study to explore volunteer motivations. We developed a novel values-based framework that examines the motivations and values of people volunteering with turtles in Queensland, Australia by harmonizing insights from Values Belief Norm (VBN) theory and intrinsic, instrumental, and relational values. We found that although motivations for these volunteers are multi-faceted, common factors underpinning volunteering decisions included values alignment with the organization, social influence, the ability to learn, and optimism. Awareness of these characteristics can assist organizations with designing more effective voluntary programs and further scholarly understanding of drivers of pro-environmental behaviors among a key group of environmental stakeholders.
Effect of bump height on the strain variation during the thermal cycling test of ACA flip-chip joints

Flip chip joining using anisotropically conductive adhesive (ACA) has become a very attractive technique for electronics packaging. Many factors can influence the reliability of the ACA flip-chip joint. Bump height, is one of these factors. In this work, the strain development during the thermal cycling test of flip-chip joining with different bump heights was studied. The effect of bump height is significant in the interface between the bumps and the pads. Bigger volume area of high strain is found for higher bump in the interface between the bumps and the pads. Our calculations show that there is practically no effect of the bump height on the strain variation in the bumps and in the pads.
The Association of Restrained Eating and Overeating during COVID-19: A Cross-Lagged Model

Widespread overeating has been found during the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The present study investigated whether pre-pandemic restrained eating (RE) predicted overeating during the pandemic, and further explored the behavioral (mortality threat, negative affect) mechanisms underlying this association. An eight-month longitudinal survey was conducted with a large sample of 616 undergraduates from Southwest university. From September 2019 to April 2020, three measurements were conducted. RE was tested before the pandemic (T1), and data of mortality threat, negative affect, and overeating were collected at the middle (T2) and end of (T3) the COVID-19 crisis in China. The correlation results showed that baseline RE was positively associated with mortality threat, negative affect, and overeating at T2 and T3. Moreover, negative affect and mortality threat were positively correlated with overeating. Results from longitudinal mediation showed that baseline RE would positively predict T3 overeating through T2 negative affect, but not T2 mortality threat. This study supports and extends the counterregulatory eating hypothesis that RE positively predicts future overeating, especially through negative emotions. These findings further reveal the core psychological mechanism underlying this positive RE-overeating relation in the context of COVID-19, indicating that the individuals with higher RE could not cope with negative affect adequately, contributing to more overeating.
Management of Osteoporosis in Men: A Narrative Review

Male osteoporosis is a still largely underdiagnosed pathological condition. As a consequence, bone fragility in men remains undertreated mainly due to the low screening frequency and to controversies in the bone mineral density (BMD) testing standards. Up to the 40% of overall osteoporotic fractures affect men, in spite of the fact that women have a significant higher prevalence of osteoporosis. In addition, in males, hip fractures are associated with increased morbidity and mortality as compared to women. Importantly, male fractures occur about 10 years later in life than women, and, therefore, due to the advanced age, men may have more comorbidities and, consequently, their mortality is about twice the rate in women. Gender differences, which begin during puberty, lead to wider bones in males as compared with females. In men, follicle-stimulating hormones, testosterone, estrogens, and sex hormone-binding levels, together with genetic factors, interact in determining the peak of bone mass, BMD maintenance, and lifetime decrease. As compared with women, men are more frequently affected by secondary osteoporosis. Therefore, in all osteoporotic men, a complete clinical history should be collected and a careful physical examination should be done, in order to find clues of a possible underlying diseases and, ultimately, to guide laboratory testing. Currently, the pharmacological therapy of male osteoporosis includes aminobisphosphonates, denosumab, and teriparatide. Hypogonadal patients may be treated with testosterone replacement therapy. Given that the fractures related to mortality are higher in men than in women, treating male subjects with osteoporosis is of the utmost importance in clinical practice, as it may impact on mortality even more than in women.
Assessment of Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Balanites Aegyptiaca and Curcuma Longa against Some Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Dairy Cow Infected with Mastitis

| Bovine mastitis is very important disease threatening the dairy industry and animal wealth globally, resulting in great economic losses. The present work was aimed to assess the phytochemical components, antioxidant activity and the antibacterial effectiveness of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits (BAF) and Curcuma longa powder (CLP) extracts. A total of 287 quarter milk samples were collected from dairy cows raised in four different governorates of Egypt; 95 from clinical mastitis, 37 from subclinical mastitis and 155 from normal milk samples. The isolates from milk samples were identified and differentiated by microbiological cultures, colony morphology, hemolytic activity of the colony, Gram’s stain and biochemical tests. Antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract of BAF (AE-BAF) and ethanolic extract of CLP (EE-CLP) at different concentrations were investigated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from clinical and subclinical mastitic cows using agar well diffusion technique. The isolated bacteria from collected milk samples were Staphylococcus aureus (30.30%), Escherichia coli (28.03%), Streptococcus agalactiae (19.70%), Salmonella spp. (10.60%), Bacillus subtilis (6.06%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.03%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.27%). Preliminary phytochemical screening of AE-BAF indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, carbohydrate, cardiac glycoside, terpenoids and steroids. Except the cardiac glycoside, the EE-CLP contains the same components. The antioxidant efficacy of the tested plant extracts was evaluated by using free radical scavenging assay method. The AE-BAF and EE-CLP posses 86.6% and 85.9% free radical scavenging activity with 1.5 and 0.125 mg /ml concentrations, respectively. The AE-BAF possess significant antibacterial activity at 400 and 800 mg/ml against all isolates, except K. pneumoniae which was not suppressed at the 400 mg/ml concentration. The significant (P ≤ 0.05) antibacterial activities of EE-CLP were observed at 20 and 50 mg/ml concentrations. It could be concluded that AEBAF and EE-CLP exhibited potent in-vitro antibacterial activities, thus justifying their application in treatment of clinical cases of bovine mastitis.