Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blended learning in practice: the impact of an economic simulation game on perceived learning

The goal of our analysis, in connection with the use of simulations in higher education, is to examine whether this method is suitable for making knowledge transfer more enjoyable and efficient. With the help of a questionnaire, we measured the perceived learning retention of students, as well as how much they en-joyed courses and challenging tasks. Besides descriptive statistical methods for the analysis of the data, we also applied PLS path modelling. Our results revealed that a challenging, exciting and enjoyable simulation game has a positive impact on perceived learning. At the same time, challenging tasks or merely exciting exercises do not alone achieve a significant effect if the enjoyment factor is missing as a feature of the simulation game.
Towards understanding the fate of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) within urban environments : implications for human exposure

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have been detected across the globe in a variety of media. The toxicity of these compounds and other precursors has led to concern about human exposure. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the presence of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in UK indoor and outdoor microenvironments and the impact this may have on human exposure. Both PFOS and PFOA were chosen for analysis (via LC-ESI-MS/MS) because of their highly persistent behaviour. Additionally, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), was chosen along with precursors to PFOS and PFOA; perfluorooctane sulfonamides (PFOSAs) and perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (PFOSEs). An international comparison of house dust was conducted and concentrations of PFCs in the UK (except for ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide (EtFOSA)) were found to be similar to those from France, Germany, USA, Canada and Australia and much greater than from homes in Kazakhstan and Thailand. Concentrations of EtFOSA were significantly higher in house dust samples from Australia compared to the UK, and were raised in all other countries. The reason for this is uncertain, but is speculated to derive from the use of EtFOSA as an active ingredient in Sulfluramid, which is an insecticide used for control of ants, cockroaches and termites.
Inclusión de harina de calamar gigante Dosidicus gigas como fuente de proteína en dietas para gallinas ponedoras

El calamar gigante Dosidicus gigas presenta un potencial para elaborar productos para consumo humano y alimentos balanceados por su alto contenido de proteina. El objetivo de este trabajo fue incluir 10 y 20 % de harina de calamar gigante (HCG) como fuente de proteina en dietas para gallinas ponedoras. Ciento treinta y cinco gallinas Bovans White se distribuyeron en testigo (T), 10 % (T1) y 20 % (T2) en ensayo de 6 semanas. Se midieron variables productivas, calidad fisica del huevo, proteina cruda, perfil de aminoacidos y evaluacion sensorial (sabor). Proteina cruda en HCG (77.76 %), aminoacidos (g aa/100 de proteina): metionina+cisteina (3.76), lisina (10.16), isoleusina (4.26), leucina (6.56), fenilalanina (4.56) y triptofano (2.0). Variables productivas (P 0.05) consumo (ave/dia/g). Calidad fisica del huevo con diferencias (P 0.05), calificando los 3 tratamientos en 4 “gusta”. Se concluye que la harina de calamar gigante puede ser una alternativa como fuente de proteina para la alimentacion de gallinas de postura no mayor al 10 %.
Peer-informed support for parents of burn-injured children

Burns are the fifth most common cause of non-fatal childhood injuries. In addition to the trauma of suffering a burn, the painful and intrusive medical procedures required to treat them can impact on the developing child cognitively, emotionally, psychologically, and socially. A child’s burn injuries and their treatment can also have a significant psychosocial impact on parents, affecting their health and mental well-being. Parents can experience a reactive distress including elevated stress, anger, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, guilt, marital and financial problems, and increased responsibility and load, during the acute phase of treatment. Many must also divide their time to meet the needs of any uninjured siblings, and between work, the hospital, and home. This PhD used mixed methods to explore the experiences, access to support, opinions of peer support, and support needs amongst parents and carers of burn-injured children. Thirteen interviews were conducted with parents, followed by a survey of a further 57 parents. The majority of parents reported that they were offered support, particularly during the acute phase of treatment. Most often, this was from nursing staff. Despite this, many parents also reported to feel isolated. Access to peer support has been recommended in the British Burn Care Standards (2013, 2018), and parents recognised the potential value of this. However, factors such as guilt, the pain of recollection, perceived stigma, time pressures, and distance to the hospital can make accessing such support difficult. The results of this research suggested that online delivery of supportive peer-informed information could be particularly appealing to parents, particularly that which retained the peer voice. With widespread access to the internet and growing dependence on computers and mobile devices, it is common for adults in the UK to seek health-related support and information on the Internet. Many parents involved in this research had searched online for burn-related information following their child’s injury but found this to be lacking. Therefore, using a partnership-based method of website development, www.SupportingChildrenWithBurns. co.uk was developed and tested with nine parents and 22 professionals before being publicly released and accessed worldwide. An initial evaluation of the performance of this new resource over the first 6 months is provided. 1 ‘Parent’ will be used throughout this thesis but it is acknowledged that the same or similar issues are likely to be present for primary caregivers and guardians of children affected by burn injuries.
Chemical Treatment of Low-quality Forages to Replace Cornin Cattle Finishing Diets

A finishing experiment evaluated substitution of corn with crop residues in diets containing wet distillers grains. Corn stover, corn cobs, and wheat straw were alkaline treated at 50% moisture or fed without chemical treatment at 20% inclusion. Chemical treatment improved performance compared to untreated. Compared to control (10% roughage), treated diets had similar performance and carcass merit. Economic analysis revealed $6.46, $21.42, and $36.30 average profit per head advantage for diets containing treated residues relative to control when corn was priced at $3.00, $4.50, and $6.00 per bushel. Feeding chemically treated crop residues and wet distillers grains is a cost-effective strategy for replacing corn in feedlot diets without compromising performance or carcass quality.
Biotechnology for the investigation of the monocyte-macrophage-system in microgravity and space

The immune system is one of the systems most affected in microgravity and during space flight. Substantial research and development activities are required in order to provide basic knowledge for appropriate risk management, including efficient countermeasures. The special sensitivity of immune system cells to altered gravity makes them an ideal model system to understand how gravity on Earth is required for normal mammalian cell function and signal transduction. As a direct result of reduced gravity, many studies have confirmed alterations in the molecular mechanisms and signal transduction processes in immune system cells - including the monocyte-macrophage system (MMS). The MMS belongs to the innate immune system and represents the body's first line of defense. The MMS is characterized by a fast, but unspecific immune reaction, and it activates the adaptive immune response. Given the extremely complex nature of cellular signal transduction networks, any observed effect in altered gravity could be secondary, adaptive, or driven by negative or positive feedback-loops, and thus far beyond the initial and primary cellular response. Therefore, coordinated in vitro studies with living human cells of the MMS in microgravity conditions, such as experiments on board parabolic flights, suborbital or orbital flights, and ground-based devices for simulated microgravity, provide suitable platforms to elucidate the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. They also help to clarify whether and to which extent gravity is involved in normal cell function or how cell function is impaired by altered gravity. We present technological developments for the investigation of the MMS in microgravity and space, in a coordinated research approach. Whereas the technology is often customized to the scientific project and just for singular applications, key components and key functions are usually patented.
A Hybrid Dynamic Event-Triggered Approach to Consensus of Multiagent Systems With External Disturbances

This article addresses the event-triggered consensus problem of multiagent systems (MAS) with disturbances. Model-based control protocols are designed, and a hybrid dynamic event-triggering mechanism (HDETM) is proposed. Based on the proposed event-triggered control protocol, continuous communication between neighboring agents is not needed, and a prespecified strictly positive minimum ETI is guaranteed, i.e., Zeno behavior is excluded. A timer variable with jump dynamics is introduced to describe the HDETM in the closed-loop system. Then, a novel hybrid model is constructed for the closed-loop MAS, which contains both flow dynamics, and jump dynamics. Lyapunov-based stability analysis and HDETM design are presented based on hybrid systems framework, and matrix inequality conditions are given to verify the consensus and $\mathcal {H}_{\infty }$ performance. Finally, a spacecraft formation example is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Investigation of the Effects of Perchlorate on Thyroid and Reproductive System Function in Goldfish

Abstract : With the development of new analytical detection capabilities, perchlorate contamination has been found in ground and surface waters across the United States (U.S.). Perchlorate, as ammonium perchlorate, is an oxidant used in solid rocket fuels; hence, sources of contamination generally occur near military test sites and chemical manufacturing plants. The perchlorate anion (ClO4 -) is known to inhibit thyroid function in mammals. In some locations in the U.S., perchlorate has been found at part per million concentrations in surface water inhabited by fish. To test the hypothesis that exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of perchlorate can impact fish thyroid and reproductive function, adult male and female common goldfish (Carassius auratus) were exposed in a laboratory flow-through exposure system for 30 days to four concentrations of perchlorate ranging from 14 ppb to 31 ppm, along with controls. Exposure was continued to 60 d for an additional set of controls and 31 ppm treatment groups. Gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonad histology, and plasma sex steroids (17 -estradiol, testosterone, and 11-ketotestosterone) were examined to assess reproductive function. Thyroid activity was assessed by use of a nonparametric rank-order assessment method developed for fish during this study. Significant increases in head kidney thyroid activity occurred at 1200 ppb and 31 ppm in females and at 31 ppm in males. Pharyngeal thyroid activity increased in both male and female goldfish exposed to 31 ppm perchlorate. Exposure to perchlorate concentrations up to 31 ppm for 30 or 60 d had no effect on GSI. Some statistically significant effects on plasma sex steroid concentrations were observed for both sexes, but the differences were small and concentrations remained within normal ranges previously reported for goldfish in this reproductive state.
Behaviour change communication for control of tuberculosis by healthcare workers in DOTS facilities in Nigeria

Introduction prevention and control of tuberculosis (TB) should be behaviour-centred to facilitate change of unhealthy behaviours that encourage the spread of the infective agent. This study aimed to ascertain the knowledge, beliefs and practices of Behavior Change Communication (BCC) in the control of TB by healthcare workers in DOTS in Nigeria. Methods using the qualitative research approach, we interviewed 38 healthcare workers from two states in Nigeria. The interview questions consisted of 13 open-ended questions framed to elicit information about the health workers' knowledge, beliefs and practices of BCC in the control of TB. Analysis was done using the conventional content analysis. Results the following themes emerged: lack of knowledge and understanding about BCC; BCC believed to be important in the control of TB; lack of adequate skills for BCC; some aspects of BCC practiced; BCC was mainly done in health facilities; and lack of adequate system for maintaining long term change. Conclusion the BCC training needs of healthcare workers in the area of study have been revealed. These should form the basis for effective BCC capacity building programme for healthcare workers in the prevention and control of TB. We recommended that BCC should go beyond interpersonal communication to community-wide campaign through mass media to produce a massive change in behaviour that will enable the elimination of TB.
Relationship between stress relaxation behavior and thermal stability of natural rubber vulcanizates

It is well-recognized that different sulphur curing systems have greatly influenced to the final properties of the rubber vulcanizates. In this study, the properties of vulcanizates with conventional vulcanization (CV) and efficiency vulcanization (EV) systems were correlated in the aspect of stress relaxation and thermal stability. The stress relaxation behaviour and thermal stability were studied with the temperature scanning stress relaxation (TSSR) and with thermogravimatric analysis (TGA) techniques, respectively. Thermo-oxidative degradation of rubber chains in the CV system was greater than the EV system, leading to easier stress relaxation and poorer aging resistance of the CV system. Also, thermal stability of the rubber crosslinked with CV system was poorer than that with the EV system as corroborated by the activation energy of degradation. TSSR result correlated well with TGA result, and both revealed type of crosslinkages governed the thermo-oxidative degradation and thermal stability of vulcanizates.
Caractérisation et modélisation du comportement des matériaux magnétiques doux sous contrainte thermique

Depuis longtemps, les dispositifs ou systemes electromagnetiques sont omnipresents dans les milieux industriel et domestique. Le circuit magnetique de ces systemes est un des elements clefs d’une conversion energetique efficace. Outre l’optimisation de la geometrie du circuit magnetique, la maitrise de l’efficacite energetique passe par l’utilisation de materiaux magnetiques performants et par une connaissance approfondie de leur comportement, notamment sous contraintes elevees comme les temperatures et frequences elevees que l’on rencontre de plus en plus aujourd’hui. Notre travail s’integre dans le cadre des recherches menees par l’equipe materiaux du laboratoire AMPERE, notamment sur les modeles comportementaux de materiaux magnetiques. Partant de nombreuses caracterisations experimentales en fonction de la temperature, nous avons developpe un modele « dynamique » adapte a differents types de materiaux ferromagnetiques, et permettant de simuler rapidement l’influence de la temperature sur le fonctionnement permanent et transitoire de systemes electromagnetiques simples. Il s’appuie sur l’association des modeles d’hysteresis de Jiles-Atherton et dit « tubes de flux ». Ce modele, et la demarche associee de couplage entre phenomenes magnetique, thermique et electrique, sont valides sur un capteur de courant et une inductance. Les resultats confirment l’importance de l’effet de la temperature sur les performances des systemes, et la pertinence de disposer d’un tel modele pour optimiser ces systemes
Effects of Four-Week Intake of Blackthorn Flower Extract on Mice Tissue Antioxidant Status and Phenolic Content

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) is a perennial shrub belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae), growing throughout Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa [Elez-Garofulić et al., 2018]. Recently, blackthorn has become interesting both industrially as a food plant and pharmacologically as a nutraceutical or a medicinal plant because it is a rich source of phenolic compounds [Meschini et al., 2017; Mikulic-Petkovsek et al., 2016; Pinacho et al., 2015; Yuksel, 2015]. The fruits of blackthorn, known also as the “sloe”, are small round with black skins covered in a blue waxy bloom and extremely acid-tasting, and must be thermally processed prior to consumption. They are used for jams, liqueurs, wines, juices, compote, and tea production. Blackthorn flowers, bark, and root have been traditionally used in folk medicine for diuretic and laxative properties, due to their abilities to remove excess sodium ions and harmful products of metabolism, to reduce blood vessels permeability, and against inflammation of the urinary tract [Elez-Garofulić et al., 2018]. In western and northern Europe and Mediterranean countries, fruits were traditionally consumed but consumption declined in the 20th cen-
State-Based Opportunistic Maintenance With Multifunctional Maintenance Windows

Industrial assets exposed to random environment often exhibit complex deterioration mechanisms with health status variations. In actual field operation, hidden defect signals are usually crucial indicators of upcoming malfunctions and also reminders of proactive maintenance executions. Despite the extensive applications of defect-centered maintenance, in the literature, little attempt has: a) captured the impact of random environments on health variation and restoration, and b) explored the differentiated functions of maintenance windows in separate states. This article addresses these challenges by introducing a state-based maintenance policy with multifunctional maintenance windows. The impact of environmental disturbance on both defect initialization and propagation is characterized by random increment of the state transition rate as well as probabilistic malfunction risk. Three types of maintenance windows (regular, opportunistic, and postponed) are scheduled to ensure a flexible scheduling of inspection and spare part resources. Importantly, the function of opportunistic window is state-based, defect identification when normal and removal when defective. The objective is to minimize the cost rate via the joint optimization of inspection interval, postponed interval, and opportunistic threshold. Experimental studies demonstrate the superior performance of this policy over some conventional policies.
Smart Consumers: A New Segment for Sustainable Digital Retailing in Korea

Today’s smart consumers are intelligent consumers with multiple roles in the digital consumption environment. Consumer smartness refers to the multi-dimensional qualities that support various roles. Aiming to discover who the smart consumers are in the digital consumption context, this study classifies consumer segments based on consumer smartness and explores each segment’s profile in terms of demographic and behavioral characteristics. Using the data of 541 adult consumers, a clustering analysis generated four optimal clusters: Go-getters, Socialites, Realists, and Shopping-pococurante. Consumers with a higher level of consumer smartness were likely to have stronger shopping and sharing intentions, which indicates that smart consumers are active entities in the digital consumption context. This is the first attempt to segment today’s consumers carrying out multiple roles based on the concept of consumer smartness.
Pre-germinated brown rice extract ameliorates high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome.

This study examined the effect of pre-germinated brown rice extract (PGBRE), containing no dietary fibers, but γ-oryzanol, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), flavonoids, and anthocyanidin, on high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome. C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: regular diet, HFD, HFD with oral PGBRE 30, 300, or 600 mg/kg per day for 18 weeks. In the HFD group, higher body and liver weight gain, hyperglycemia, HbA1c, and insulin; higher TG, TC, LDL-C, non-HDL, atherosclerosis index, lower HDL, adiponectin in blood; higher TG in the liver; higher TG, bile acid in feces; and lower protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase, insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1, insulin receptor substrate-2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, Akt/PKB, glucose transporter-1, glucose transporter-4, glucokinase in the skeletal muscle; lower glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in the intestine; higher sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), and lower PPAR-α, low-density lipoprotein receptor, cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase in the liver; higher SREBP-1, SCD-1, FAS, and lower PPAR-α, adiponectin in the adipose tissue were found. In HFD + PGBRE groups, the above biochemical parameters were improved. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: According to the results, we suggested that dietary fibers played a minor role in this study. Extract of PGBR, excluding dietary fiber, showed beneficial activity to ameliorate metabolic syndrome. γ-oryzanol, GABA, flavonoids, and anthocyanidin in PGBRE can inhibit HFD-induced metabolic syndrome and we demonstrated clearly its action mechanisms. This is the first report to examine the relation between PGBRE, GLP-1, and PCSK9. Taken together, PGBRE can potentially be used to develop a good supplement to control metabolic syndrome.
Enduring and Sex-specific Changes in Hippocampal Gene Expression after a Subchronic Immune Challenge

Major illnesses, including heart attack and sepsis, can cause cognitive impairments, depression, and progressive memory decline that persist long after recovery from the original illness. In rodent models of sepsis or subchronic immune challenge, memory deficits also persist for weeks or months, even in the absence of ongoing neuroimmune activation. This raises the question of what mechanisms in the brain mediate such persistent changes in neural function. Here, we used RNA-sequencing as a large-scale, unbiased approach to identify changes in hippocampal gene expression long after a subchronic immune challenge previously established to cause persistent memory impairments in both males and females. We observed enduring dysregulation of gene expression three months after the end of a subchronic immune challenge, Surprisingly, we also found striking sex differences in both the magnitude of changes and the specific genes and pathways altered, where males showed persistent changes in both immune- and plasticity-related genes three months after immune challenge, whereas females showed few such changes. In contrast, females showed striking differential gene expression in response to a subsequent immune challenge. Thus, immune activation has enduring and sex-specific consequences for hippocampal gene expression and the transcriptional response to subsequent stimuli. Together with findings of long-lasting memory impairments after immune challenge, these data suggest that illnesses can cause enduring vulnerability to, cognitive decline, affective disorders, and memory impairments via dysregulation of transcriptional processes in the brain.