Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Filling in data gaps on the phaeton dragonet [Synchiropus phaeton (Günther, 1861)]: a study on biological characteristics in the eastern Mediterranean (Aegean Sea, Greece)

ABSTRACT The main objective of this work is to provide information on the age and growth, gonadal maturity and the feeding habits of the phaeton dragonet [Synchiropus phaeton (Günther, 1861)] in the eastern Mediterranean (Aegean Sea), a species for which there exists limited information. The phaeton dragonet is a demersal fish species with a wide distribution in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea and is considered as a by-catch in bottom-trawl fisheries. The species demonstrated a negative allometric growth in both sexes, though it exhibited an increasing sex-related gonad growth associated with each reproductive stage. The age range of the Aegean population was 0–7 years. Finally, the main food items in the stomach contents of the species were Crustacea and Polychaeta, and the fractional trophic level was estimated as 3.01 ± 0.3, classifying the species as an omnivore with preference for animal material. Despite the fact that the data of this study derived from a single sampling, this work can be considered as an effort to fill in knowledge gaps in the biology of this species.
Shifting Beliefs in Computer Science: Change in CS Student Mindsets

Two studies investigated change in computer science (CS) students’ implicit intelligence beliefs. Across both studies, we found that the strength of incremental and entity beliefs changed across time. In Study 1, we found that incremental beliefs decreased and entity beliefs increased across the semester. Change in implicit intelligence beliefs was similar for students taking introductory and upper-division courses. In Study 2, growth curve analysis revealed a small linear change in incremental beliefs across time but no change in entity beliefs—these trends were similar for students enrolled in introductory and upper-division CS courses. Across both studies, change in implicit intelligence beliefs was not associated with academic achievement in CS. Findings provide preliminary evidence that shifts in implicit intelligence beliefs occur as students progress through the CS curriculum. Finally, findings support that mindset interventions may be more effective if delivered at the beginning of the semester before shifts in beliefs occur.
THE VALUE OF PV IN SUMMER PEAKS

Electricity demand has increased rapidly in Australia over the past decade, accompanied by a significant shift to summer peaks, driven largely by increased air conditioner usage. Recent summer peaks in several States have resulted in supply disruptions and, on some occasions, extremely high spot prices on the National Electricity Market. This is now a major issue for the Australian electricity industry, which is set to spend over AUD 10 billion over the next decade in new generation plant, including significant expenditure on peak load plant, and on new and upgraded network assets. There may be opportunities for PV and other demand side measures to contribute to point of use energy supply, thereby reducing the need for central generating plant and for costly network upgrades. This paper examines the potential matching of PV generation to summer peak loads, using data from PV systems and electricity substations in three States. Preliminary results indicate that PV output on clear days can be a good match to overall system load and to electricity spot prices on peak summer days and for feeders with a high proportion of commercial load. For residential feeders, west facing PV arrays provide a better match to summer load than do north facing arrays.
The Influence of the Built Environment on Graduate Student Perceptions of Graduate School Experience

Abstract In recent years there has been an increased concern over the adequacy of educational facilities to create an environment that is conducive to learning. Many studies have investigated the influence of the built environment on undergraduate students; however, none have explicitly investigated the influence of the built environment on graduate student perceptions of their educational experience. Conclusions about the influence of the built environment on undergraduate students have previously been generalised to include graduate students, but graduate students typically have different educational motivations than undergraduates. This paper investigates the influence of the built environment on graduate student perceptions of their educational experiences. The findings challenge the generalisation of previous undergraduate research findings as being applicable to graduate students. It concludes that graduate student perceptions are not influenced by the built environment to the same degree as those of undergraduate students. Universities with a strategic focus on professional graduate education may be better advised to invest scarce resources in programme enhancements and marketing career benefits than in upgrading the built environment.
The Measurement by Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) of Disturbance Within the Nasca World Heritage Site

In this paper we report on our use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) as a means of monitoring the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana World Heritage Site in Peru, where the colossal ground drawings, popularly known as the Nasca Lines, are found. Our research to date indicates that the environment in which the Nasca geoglyphs are found, and the nature of the geoglyphs themselves, are suited perfectly for investigation by SAR. SAR also provides a new and valuable tool for understanding the human activities and natural processes that have damaged the geoglyphs and which, unchecked, will continue to do so in the future. Further, SAR can be used to categorize geoglyphs according to structural differences and similarities in ways that have heretofore not been possible, thereby serving as a basis for a geoglyph catalogue.
Measurement, analysis and modeling of centrifugal compressor flow for low pressure ratios

Increasingly stringent emission legislation combined with consumer performance demands has driven the development of downsized engines with complex turbocharger arrangements. To handle the complexity, model-based methods have become a standard tool, and these methods need models that are capable of describing all operating modes of the systems. The models should also be easily parametrized and enable extrapolation. Both single- and multi-stage turbo systems can operate with a pressure drop over their compressors, both stationary and transient. The focus here is to develop models that can describe centrifugal compressors that operate in both normal region and restriction region from standstill to maximum speed. The modeling results rely on an analysis of 305 automotive compressor maps, whereof five contain measured restriction operation and two contain measured standstill characteristic. A standstill compressor is shown to choke at a pressure ratio of approximately 0.5, and the corresponding choking corrected mass flow being approximately 50% of the compressor maximum flow capacity. Both choking pressure ratio and flow are then shown to increase with corrected speed, and the choking pressure ratio is shown to occur at pressure ratios larger than unity for higher speeds. Simple empirical models are proposed and shown to be able to describe high flow and pressure ratios down to choking conditions well. A novel compressor flow model is proposed and validated to capture the high flow asymptote well, for speeds from standstill up to maximum.
The Potential Effect of Lidocaine, Ropivacaine, Levobupivacaine and Morphine on Breast Cancer Pre-Clinical Models: A Systematic Review

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common types of cancer and the second leading cause of death in women. Local anaesthetics (LAs) and opioids have been shown to influence cancer progression and metastasis formation in several pre-clinical studies. However, their effects do not seem to promote consensus. A systematic review was conducted using the databases Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science (2010 to December 2021). Search terms included “lidocaine”, “ropivacaine”, “levobupivacaine”, “morphine”, “methadone”, “breast cancer”, “breast carcinoma” and “breast neoplasms” in diverse combinations. The search yielded a total of 784 abstracts for initial review, 23 of which met the inclusion criteria. Here we summarise recent studies on the effect of analgesics and LAs on BC cell lines and animal models and in combination with other treatment regimens. The results suggest that local anaesthetics have anti-tumorigenic properties, hence their clinical application holds therapeutic potential. Regarding morphine, the findings are conflicting, but this opioid appears to be a tumour-promoting agent. Methadone-related results are scarce. Additional research is clearly required to further study the mechanisms underlying the controversial effects of each analgesic or LA to establish the implications upon the outcome and prognosis of BC patients’ treatment.
Antecedents of empowering leadership: The roles of subordinate performance and supervisor–subordinate guanxi

ABSTRACT In a multi-source field study and three scenario-based experimental studies, we provide evidence that subordinate performance and supervisor–subordinate guanxi are antecedents to empowering leadership. Supervisor–subordinate guanxi moderates the relationship between subordinate performance and empowering leadership. Supervisors’ trust in subordinates is one of the potential mediating mechanisms. Together, we show that subordinate performance and supervisor–subordinate guanxi are important for empowering leadership within Chinese cultural context, which enriches our knowledge of empowering leadership.
Image Quality and Lesion Detectability of Lower-Dose Abdominopelvic CT Obtained Using Deep Learning Image Reconstruction

Objective To evaluate the image quality and lesion detectability of lower-dose CT (LDCT) of the abdomen and pelvis obtained using a deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm compared with those of standard-dose CT (SDCT) images. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 123 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 63 ± 11 years; male:female, 70:53) who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic LDCT between May and August 2020 and had prior SDCT obtained using the same CT scanner within a year. LDCT images were reconstructed with hybrid iterative reconstruction (h-IR) and DLIR at medium and high strengths (DLIR-M and DLIR-H), while SDCT images were reconstructed with h-IR. For quantitative image quality analysis, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio were measured in the liver, muscle, and aorta. Among the three different LDCT reconstruction algorithms, the one showing the smallest difference in quantitative parameters from those of SDCT images was selected for qualitative image quality analysis and lesion detectability evaluation. For qualitative analysis, overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, image texture, and lesion conspicuity were graded using a 5-point scale by two radiologists. Observer performance in focal liver lesion detection was evaluated by comparing the jackknife free-response receiver operating characteristic figures-of-merit (FOM). Results LDCT (35.1% dose reduction compared with SDCT) images obtained using DLIR-M showed similar quantitative measures to those of SDCT with h-IR images. All qualitative parameters of LDCT with DLIR-M images but image texture were similar to or significantly better than those of SDCT with h-IR images. The lesion detectability on LDCT with DLIR-M images was not significantly different from that of SDCT with h-IR images (reader-averaged FOM, 0.887 vs. 0.874, respectively; p = 0.581). Conclusion Overall image quality and detectability of focal liver lesions is preserved in contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic LDCT obtained with DLIR-M relative to those in SDCT with h-IR.
Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Immunotherapy for Leukemia

Simple Summary Conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation in leukemia increase infection susceptibility, adverse side effects and immune cell inactivation. Natural killer (NK) cells are the first line of defense against cancer and are critical in the recognition and cytolysis of rapidly dividing and abnormal cell populations. In this review, we describe NK cells and NK cell receptors, functional impairment of NK cells in leukemia, NK cell immunotherapies currently under investigation including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), adoptive transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-NKs (CAR-NKs), bi-specific/tri-specific killer engagers (BiKEs/TriKEs) and potential targets of NK cell-mediated immunotherapy for leukemia in the future. Abstract Leukemia is a malignancy of the bone marrow and blood resulting from the abnormal differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). There are four main types of leukemia including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). While chemotherapy and radiation have been conventional forms of treatment for leukemia, these therapies increase infection susceptibility, adverse side effects and immune cell inactivation. Immunotherapies are becoming promising treatment options for leukemia, with natural killer (NK) cell-mediated therapy providing a specific direction of interest. The role of NK cells is critical for cancer cell elimination as these immune cells are the first line of defense against cancer proliferation and are involved in both recognition and cytolysis of rapidly dividing and abnormal cell populations. NK cells possess various activating and inhibitory receptors, which regulate NK cell function, signaling either inhibition and continued surveillance, or activation and subsequent cytotoxic activity. In this review, we describe NK cells and NK cell receptors, functional impairment of NK cells in leukemia, NK cell immunotherapies currently under investigation, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), adoptive transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-NKs (CAR-NKs), bi-specific/tri-specific killer engagers (BiKEs/TriKEs) and future potential targets of NK cell-based immunotherapy for leukemia.
Changes in Sugar Sweetened Beverage Intake Are Associated with Changes in Body Composition in Mexican Adolescents: Findings from the ELEMENT Cohort

Changes in consumption of sugar sweetened beverage (SSBs) have been associated with increased body mass index (BMI), but little work has evaluated the effect on waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage during adolescence, a period characterized by rapid growth and change in dietary behaviors. We examined the relationship of changes in SSB intake and changes in adiposity over two years in 464 Mexican adolescents. Food frequency questionnaires were used to sum intake of regular soda, coffee with sugar, tea with sugar, sweetened water with fruit, chocolate milk, corn atole, and a sweetened probiotic milk beverage. Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations of changes in SSBs with changes in BMI, body fat percentage, and WC, adjusting for sex, socioeconomic status, screen time, physical activity, age, and change in age. Adolescents who increased their daily SSB intake by >2 serving had a −2.72% higher body fat percentage (95% CI: 0.61, 4.82); a 1–2 serving increase was associated with a 2.49 cm increase (95% CI: 0.21, 4.76) in WC compared with those with no change in intake. Within an adolescent sample, changes in SSB intake were related to concomitant changes in body fat percentage and WC, but not BMI.
Versatile, highly recon gurable, high bandwidth, radio frequency and microwave photonic Hilbert transformers with soliton crystal Kerr micro-comb sources

We experimentally demonstrate bandwidth-tunable RF photonic Hilbert transformer based on an integrated Kerr microcomb source. The micro-comb is generated by an integrated micro-ring resonator with a free spectral range of 48.9 GHz, yielding 75 micro-comb lines in the telecom C-band. By programming and shaping the generated comb lines according to calculated tap weights, we demonstrate high-speed Hilbert transform functions with tunable bandwidths ranging from 1.2 GHz to 15.3 GHz, switchable center frequencies from baseband to 9.5 GHz, and arbitrary fractional orders. The experimental results show good agreement with theory and confirm the effectiveness of our approach.
Insights into the Steps of Breast Cancer–Brain Metastases Development: Tumor Cell Interactions with the Blood–Brain Barrier

Brain metastases (BM) represent a growing problem for breast cancer (BC) patients. Recent studies have demonstrated a strong impact of the BC molecular subtype on the incidence of BM development. This study explores the interaction between BC cells of different molecular subtypes and the blood–brain barrier (BBB). We compared the ability of BC cells of different molecular subtypes to overcome several steps (adhesion to the brain endothelium, disruption of the BBB, and invasion through the endothelial layer) during cerebral metastases formation, in vitro as well as in vivo. Further, the impact of these cells on the BBB was deciphered at the molecular level by transcriptome analysis of the triple-negative (TNBC) cells themselves as well as of hBMECs after cocultivation with BC cell secretomes. Compared to luminal BC cells, TNBC cells have a greater ability to influence the BBB in vitro and consequently develop BM in vivo. The brain-seeking subline and parental TNBC cells behaved similarly in terms of adhesion, whereas the first showed a stronger impact on the brain endothelium integrity and increased invasive ability. The comparative transcriptome revealed potential brain-metastatic-specific key regulators involved in the aforementioned processes, e.g., the angiogenesis-related factors TNXIP and CXCL1. In addition, the transcriptomes of the two TNBC cell lines strongly differed in certain angiogenesis-associated factors and in several genes related to cell migration and invasion. Based on the present study, we hypothesize that the tumor cell’s ability to disrupt the BBB via angiogenesis activation, together with increased cellular motility, is required for BC cells to overcome the BBB and develop brain metastases.
How Armed Groups Fight: Territorial Control and Violent Tactics

This article analyzes the choice of tactics by armed groups. We claim this choice is largely determined by the capacity of the rebel groups to control territory. Groups that are not able to liberate territory remain underground and have to rely mainly on bombings. Groups with territorial control engage in guerrilla-like attacks in which there is a physical encounter with the enemy. This conjecture is tested and largely confirmed at three levels: a cross-sectional analysis of the distribution of tactics in 122 armed groups, using compositional data analysis; a geographical analysis of the distribution of tactics in the largest cities as opposed to the rest of the country; and a case study of Hezbollah.
Isolation of growth factors from whey and their application in the food and biotechnology industries: a brief review

Cheddar cheese whey contains a myriad of minor proteins and peptides. Among these are a number of factors that stimulate the growth and proliferation of a range of mammalian cell lines, several of which are involved in the tissue-repair process. These growth factors include insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-β. A simple and effective process has been developed to isolate and activate these growth factors from cheese whey. The patented process involves whey pre-treatment, cation-exchange chromatography, concentration and activation, and sterile filtration and packaging. The final product is termed whey growth-factor extract (WGFE). The product has demonstrated efficacy in a number of in vitro and in vivo models of the tissue-repair process, including mammalian cells in culture and several animal models of wound repair. This bioactivity has formed the foundation for an examination of the product as a 'natural' treatment in two human indications - oral mucositis and chronic cutaneous wounds (for example, ulcers). Phase-I trials of WGFE in these applications have either been recently completed or are in progress. These trials have demonstrated the safety of WGFE when taken orally or when administered topically. Clinical trials to establish dose response and efficacy of WGFE in the treatment of oral mucositis and chronic ulcers are either in progress or being planned. Combined market potential for WGFE in these applications is of the order of US$5 billion annually, although considerable substantiation and regulatory challenges in getting the product to market remain to be overcome.
The Impact of Job Stress and State Anger on Turnover Intention Among Nurses During COVID-19: The Mediating Role of Emotional Exhaustion

Based on the social exchange theory, the aim of this study is to identify the association between job stress state anger, emotional exhaustion and job turnover intention. This study postulates that job related stress and state anger among nurses during COVID-19 subsequently leads to their job turnover intentions. In addition, the study also aims to see the mediating role of emotional exhaustion between COVID-19-related job stress, state anger, and turnover intentions. The sample of this study is gathered from 335 registered nurses working in Pakistani hospitals dealing with COVID-19-related patients. The interrelationships between variables are checked by using structural equation modeling through AMOS. Key findings confirm that COVID-19-related job stress and state anger had a significant effect on nurses’ turnover intentions. Furthermore, emotional exhaustion mediated the relationship between COVID-19-related job stress, state anger, and turnover intentions. There is a lack of research which has assessed the impact of Novel COVID-19-related job stress and state anger on nurses’ turnover intentions in hospitals, providing empirical evidence from a developing country-Pakistan. This study offers managerial implications for hospital management and health policymakers. Moreover, nursing managers need to pay attention to nurses’ turnover intentions who are facing the issue at the front line as patients receive their initial treatment from nurses in the COVID-19 outbreak.
What Have We Learned in 30 Years of Investigations on Bari Transposons?

Transposable elements (TEs) have been historically depicted as detrimental genetic entities that selfishly aim at perpetuating themselves, invading genomes, and destroying genes. Scientists often co-opt “special” TEs to develop new and powerful genetic tools, that will hopefully aid in changing the future of the human being. However, many TEs are gentle, rarely unleash themselves to harm the genome, and bashfully contribute to generating diversity and novelty in the genomes they have colonized, yet they offer the opportunity to develop new molecular tools. In this review we summarize 30 years of research focused on the Bari transposons. Bari is a “normal” transposon family that has colonized the genomes of several Drosophila species and introduced genomic novelties in the melanogaster species. We discuss how these results have contributed to advance the field of TE research and what future studies can still add to the current knowledge.