Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lubricant Transport across Piston Rings in Large Two-Stroke Diesel Engines - Theory and Experiments

Lubricant Transport across Piston Rings in Large Two-Stroke Diesel Engines Theory and Experiments. A study of the lubricant transport across the piston rings in large two-stroke marine diesel engines is presented. Cylinder lubrication systems for large two-stroke marine diesel engines do not support recirculation of the lubricant and it is lost after usage. The lubricant is expensive and may contain several polluting additives. Reducing the lubricant consumption is economically profitable and reduces emissions. The physical mechanisms of lubricant transport across piston rings are investigated and presented in this work. The structure of the numerical model is described. The work covers solving Reynolds equation by the finite difference method, force equilibrium of the piston ring by considering the lubricant stiffness, transient mass conservation as well as the influence from rough surfaces in the hydrodynamic effects and asperity contact. Theoretical investigations of the influence by piston ring curvatures for fully flooded and starved conditions as well as different lubricant profiles on the liner are conducted. Results are presented for the lubricant consumption and asperity contact friction as functions of lubricant injection positions on the liner, piston ring asymmetries and curvatures.
Worksite Health Promotion

GOOD BUSINESS Good business is good for society. It was true more than two centuries ago, when Adam Smith wrote that business plays an important role in creating wealth and prosperity for people. And it’s still true today. In that light, society and business help each other out. Society allows companies the ability to govern themselves and access workers and consumers. When it works well, it’s been a win-win deal. From time to time, the agreement about what good business is has shifted and evolved. Through our history, we’ve seen this evolution with the changing influence of labor unions, the ebb and flow of regulation, and the tightening of laws against insider trading. Today, we’re seeing recognition that companies do more than sell products and create shareholder returns. What a company does has other profound effects.
The role of leadership in the relationship between collective organizational efficacy and collective work engagement

The present study analyses the mediating role of transactional and transformational leadership in the relationship between collective organizational efficacy and collective work engagement. The data was collected from 86 employees working in nine Italian companies of the Food & Beverage sector. The questionnaire included three scales: a) collective organizational efficacy (Bohn, 2010); b) collective work engagement (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2003); c) Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) (Bass & Avolio, 1995). Results showed positive relationship between one component of transactional leadership — contingent reward — and collective work engagement. This result confirms that even if it lacks inspirational appeal in some situations contingent reward could be a rather effective leadership style contributing to employees' work engagement. Also a positive relationship was found between collective work engagement and three components of transformational leadership intellectual stimulation, idealized influence (behavior) and idealized influence (attributed) that is consistent with the studies that investigated individual work engagement and leadership. The mediation effects of contingent reward and transformational leadership on the relationship between collective organizational efficacy and collective work engagement were confirmed. This result has an important practical implication: managers can promote collective work engagement through development of a sense of collective organizational efficacy using not only transformational leadership style but also contingent reward. Directions of future research are discussed.
Promoter Selectivity of Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase E and E Holoenzymes

The functional specificity was compared between two factors, (the major at exponentially growing phase) and (the essential at stationary growth phase), of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. The core enzyme binding affinity of was less than half the level of as measured by gel filtration column chromatography or by titrating the concentration of required for the maximum transcription in the presence of a fixed amount of core enzyme. In addition, the holoenzyme concentration required for the maximum transcription of a fixed amount of templates was higher for E than E. The transcription by E was, however, enhanced with the use of templates with low superhelical density, in good agreement with the decrease in DNA superhelicity in the stationary growth phase. We thus propose that the selective transcription of stationary-specific genes by E holoenzyme requires either a specific reaction condition(s) or a specific factor(s) such as template DNA with low superhelical density.
Effects of a carbohydrate restricted diet on the metabolic state and progressive pancreatic beta-cell loss in transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative GIP receptor

Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a carbohydrate restricted diet on the metabolic state and the progressive loss of beta-cells in transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative GIP receptor. The expression pattern of the endogene and trasngenic GIP receptor, clinical parameters, and the number of beta-cells and islets were investigated among other things.
BIOCONTROL OF ROOT ROT OF STRAWBERRY CAUSED BY PHYTOPHTHORA CACTORUM WITH A COMBINATION OF TWO PSEUDOMONAS FLUORESCENS STRAINS

Pseudomonas fluorescens strains EPS817 and EPS894 protecting strawberry plants against Phytophthora cactorum root rot and producing different bioactive metabolites were used in combination to enhance the level of biocontrol achieved by each strain used alone. Moreover, it was confirmed by chemical analysis that the strains have clear physiological differences in terms of biocontrol potential. EPS817 produced 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol and HCN, and EPS894 produced phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and pyoluteorin. Interaction studies between bacterial strains and P. cactorum revealed a significant inhibition of cyst germination in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that each strain inhibited P. cactorum cyst germination on the strawberry root surface. Bacterial strains were able to colonize and survive on strawberry roots individually and together in a substrate potting mixture, thus indicating compatibility between strains. Biocontrol experiments performed in strawberry potted plants under greenhouse conditions revealed that the mixture of both strains not only reduced the disease severity of Phytophthora root rot but also the variability within experiments compared to single strain application.
Drought Stress Responses of Wheat Genotypes with respect to Nutritional Quality

Effect of post-anthesis drought stresses on photosynthesis (in terms of chlorophyll content) and subsequent impact on starch accumulation in grain, micronutrients and phytic acid composition along with seed test weight was investigated in different drought tolerant wheat varieties viz. RSP-566, RSP-561, PBW-396, HD-2687, C-306, PBW-175, RSP-81, PBW-550, DBW17 and WH-542. Leaf chlorophyll content, 100 seed test weight and grain starch content was found to decay under all moisture stress conditions (10, 17, 24 days after anthesis) and decay pattern of these parameters with respect to wheat genotype was similar. Chlorophyll and starch under irrigated condition recorded highest values in HD-2687 and seed weight in PBW-175 but PBW-175 was able to sustain comparatively high values in all parameters, whereas HD-2687 showed low values with high reduction percent with days of water stress. However, RSP-561 and PBW-396 followed PBW-175 in decay trends of the parameters. Calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and phytic acid under control condition varied intergenotypically raging from 25.42 -76.67, 41.57–63.94, 3.82 -4.45, 2.50 -3.95 mg/100g and 0.33 -1.66 g/100g, respectively. Water deficiency caused a gradual and significant rise in all these parameters with highest values at 24 days stress. However, calcium level was found to enhance up to 17 days of stress but a down fall started afterwards and minimum value was recorded at 24 days of stress. RSP-561 showed highest potency in micronutrient quality possessing highest zinc and second highest iron and calcium compositions with lowest level of phytic acid at all degree of moisture deficiency. However, RSP-566, PBW-396 and PBW-550 showed medium potency with highest efficacy in iron, calcium and phosphorus content respectively and low to moderate phytic acid levels at all stages including irrigated condition. Comparison of different doses of moisture deficiency revealed that 10 days stress improved micronutrient composition to a good extent with little increase of phytic acid and small decay of starch composition in grain. Hence 10 days moisture stress at post-anthesis may be considered as assistance factor for improving nutritional quality in general for all wheat genotypes and especially for drought tolerant genotypes where starch reduction was comparatively low. The genotype RSP-561 which had highest starch (66.57%), calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc (75.50, 56.0, 4.94 and 4.06 mg/100g, respectively) and phytic acid (0.40g/100 g) at 10 days drought stress was considered best sustainable genotype having highest nutritional quality.
The Growth of Selected Central and Eastern European Economies with Reference to the Global Competitiveness Innovation Factor

Innovation is perceived as the key factor contributing to the economic prosperity of countries and regions. Endogenous growth models provide vast theoretical support for regarding technical progress as internal factor determining economic growth. The experience of developed countries proves positive impact of innovation on the growth of their GDP in the long term, on the other hand, many emerging economies search for the way of further transformation to support faster development. In this context, the analysis of innovation and business sophistication factor, as well as, GDP growth of selected emerging European economies, seems an interesting research area. The study’s conclusions can contribute to the discussion of possible ways of further transformation of emerging economies of Central and Eastern Europe. #0#
In vivo evaluation of the gastrointestinal effects of arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides in healthy subjects

S Cloetens L, De Preter V, Rutgeerts P, Verbeke K. Short and long term effects of resistant starch with or without wheat bran by means of lactose-(N,N’)-ureide to determine the site of fermentation in the colon. Gut 2005;54(Suppl 7):A16. Cloetens L, De Preter V, Rutgeerts P, Verbeke K. Influence of resistant starch with or without wheat bran on p-cresol: short and long term effects. Gut 2005;54(Suppl 7):A234. De Preter V, Cloetens L, Rutgeerts P, Verbeke K. Differential effect of resistant starch type 2 and type 3 on gastric emptying and protein digestion in healthy volunteers. Gut 2005;54(Suppl 7):A234.
EFFECTS OF SOIL CONDITIONERS ON EMERGENCE AND GROWTH OF TOMATO, COTTON, AND LETTUCE SEEDLINGS

We grew tomato, cotton, and lettuce seedlings in containers in a glasshouse in various soils with different combinations of a polyacrylamide and a polysaccharide as soil conditioners. In some tests all soil conditioners were applied in solution, and in other tests part was applied in solution and part mixed dry into soil. The conditioners increased rate of emergence and dry weights of seedlings. Results were similar to those for Krilium over 30 years ago, but application rates for the soil conditioners used in this study were much smaller.
In-Vitro behavior of resin luting cement material polymerized with different light sources under different hybrid CAD/CAM materials thicknesses

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of two types of modified CAD/CAM restorative material and its thickness, together with the type of resin luting cement, and its method of curing on color difference (∆E) and VHN as an indicator of the degree of polymerization of resin luting cement. Materials and methods: A total of 36 groups were used in this study (n=5) where, 32 Groups representing the each of the two different resin luting cement materials, under each of the two different modified CAD/CAM materials interface with four different materials thicknesses (0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.9 mm and 1.2 mm) and polymerized with either conventional halogen or LED light curing system. Another four groups were prepared representing the control groups for each resin luting cement and light curing unit used. ∆E Measurement: Specimens in all groups was measured just after polymerization at the top of the specimens after removal of the ceramic face and Mylar strip to be compared with stored in dry boxes in darkened incubator at 37˚C for one week to be subjected to the color measurement again at the surface of the specimens. Micro Hardness Measurement : The resin luting cement specimens were subjected to micro-hardness tester (WilsonO Hardness Tester, Model Tukon 1102, Buehler, Lake Bluff, IL, USA). The data obtained from the means of ∆E and VHN test were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s test at a 5% level of significance.Results: Four-Way ANOVA was used to test the four main effects namely, type of indirect esthetic restorative material and its thickness, together with the type of resin luting cement, and its method of curing the types of resin luting cement, the mode of curing. The first main effect (type of modified CAD/CAM material) had two levels namely, Lava Ultimate, and Vita Enamic. The second main effect (modified CAD/CAM material thickness) had four levels namely, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.9 mm and 1.2 mm. The third main effect (type of resin luting cement) had two levels namely Vario Link Dual and Nexus 3 LC. The fourth main effect (type of light curing unit) had two levels namely QTH and LED. Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, it could be concluded that, the thickness of the CAD/CAM material and the type of the resin luting cement had a higher effect on the ∆E and micro-hardness, hence the degree of maturation, of resin luting cement than did either the type of tested CAD/CAM materials or the curing units.
Saldolepta kistnerorum, new genus and new species from Ecuador (Hemiptera, Leptopodomorpha), the sister group of Leptosalda chiapensis. American Museum novitates ; no. 2698

Saldolepta kistnerorum, new species is described from the nest of Nasutitermes dendrophilus from the western lowlands of Ecuador. It is considered the sister group of Leptosalda chiapensis from Tertiary Chiapas amber, and as such is the first recent member of the Leptosaldinae. It is the first known apparent inquiline in the Leptopodomorpha.
PRODUTIVIDADE DA GOIABEIRA ‘PALUMA’ EM FUNÇÃO DA ADUBAÇÃO MINERAL

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of mineral fertilization on productivity of guava 'Paluma' in the micro region Vale do Curu - CE. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Universidade Federal do Ceara, in a guava orchard 'Paluma', located in Vale do Curu on Pentecoste - CE. We adopted a randomized block design, with sixteen treatments: T1 (294-89-202); T2 (294-89-360); T3 (294-162-202); T4 (294-162-360); T5 (541-89-202); T6 (541-89-360); T7 (541-162-202); T8 (541-162-360); T9 (415-128-274); T10 (42-89-202); T11 (793-162-360); T12 (294-15-202); T13 (541-241-360); T14 (294-89-29); T15 (541-162-533) and T16 (42 -15-29) g plant -1 year -1 N-P2O5-K20 respectively, with four replications. Each experimental unit consisted of five plants. At the end of the crop productivity was measured in average number of fruits per plant and ton per hectare per harvest, we measured the average fruit weight in grams and economic dose of NPK. The major physical and economic productivity (12,90 t ha -1 crop -1 ) was obtained with 540-90-360 g plnata -1 year -1 of N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization had a positive effect, while phosphorus
Effect of Acid Adaptation on the Thermal Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in Heating Menstrua Having Various Combinations of pH and Water Activities

Title of Thesis: EFFECT OF ACID ADAPTATION ON THE THERMAL INACTIVATION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN HEATING MENSTRUA HAVING VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF PH AND WATER ACTIVITIES Sharon G. Edelson-Mammel, Master of Science, 2003 Thesis Directed by: Professor Sam W. Joseph Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics The impact of prior growth and food matrix conditions on thermal resistance of L. monocytogenes, a causative agent of the foodborne illness listeriosis, was evaluated in this study. In an initial study ( Main Study #1), acid induced and non-induced cells of thirteen strains of Listeria monocytogenes were placed into two heating menstrua: pH 3.0, water activity (Aw) 0.987 and pH 7.0, Aw 0.970. In twelve out of twenty-six combinations, non-induced cells were more heat resistant than induced cells. L. monocytogenes strain #201, in a follow-up study ( Main Study #2) using a factorial design to test additional combinations of water activity and pH heating menstrua, nonacid-induced cells generally were more heat resistant than acid-induced cells although the acid-induced cells showed greater thermal resistance in the heating menstrua having the lowest pH values. An increase in thermal resistance could lead to underestimation of treatments necessary to eliminate potential contamination by L. monocytogenes. EFFECT OF ACID ADAPTATION ON THE THERMAL INACTIVATION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN HEATING MENSTRUA HAVING VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF PH AND WATER ACTIVITIES
Effect of organo-mineral fertilization on growth and development of perennial grass mixture, cultivated in Strandzha region

During the period 2005-2008 at the Experimental Station of Agriculture in the town of Sredetz, based on field experiment with organo-mineral fertilization of grass mixture comprising: alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-60%, tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae, Schreb)-20%, and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) - 20%. The following variants were included in the trial: 1. Background P80K80 -kg/ha - control, 2. N40P80K80 kg/ha; 3. N80P80K80 kg/ha; 4. N120P80K80 kg/ha; 5. Bovine manure of 20 t/ha; 6. Bovine manure of 40 t/ha; 7. Sheep manure of 20 t/ha; 8. Sheep manure of 40 t/ha; 9. Treatment was before sowing of seeds and three times as leaf fertilization with humustim. The purpose of this study was to test the influence of organo-mineral fertilization on the development of perennial grass mixture, cultivated in Strandzha region, Bulgaria. It was found that the fertilization with mineral fertilizer reduces the participation of pulses, increasing that of wheat and various types of grass. Fertilization with manure reinforces the presence of leguminous grasses, increases density, reduces participation of weeds and weed composition. Leaf treatment with humustim increases the participation of legumes and decreases weed components, but reduces the density of grass mixture.
Assessment of hepatoprotective effect of Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem., Bignoniaceae, on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The aim of the present study was to validate the hepatoprotective activity of bark of Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem. , Biognoniaceae, against paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatic damage. Chloroform soluble fraction (Fraction-I), acetone soluble fraction (Fraction-II), methanol soluble fraction (Fraction-III) and methanol insoluble fraction (Fraction-IV) of ethanolic extract of bark of T. undulata were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatic damage using biochemical, morphological, functional and histopathological studies. The methanol soluble fraction (Fraction-III) was most potent among the four fractions studied in detail. Fraction-III showed significant hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatic damage as evident by normalization of substantially elevated levels of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TBil), decreased level of total protein (TP), increased wet liver weight and volume, increased thiopentone sodium induced sleeping time and abnormal histopathology. Present study showed that the Fraction-III of ethanolic extract of bark of T. undulata significantly restores physiological integrity of hepatocytes. Fraction-III did not show any sign of toxicity up to oral dose of 1500 mg/kg in mice.
Physical techniques to overcome the cutaneous barrier: how iontophoresis and fractional laser ablation change the delivery kinetics of drugs

The aim of this thesis was to investigate how different physical techniques, in particular iontophoresis and fractional laser ablation, could be used to enhance transdermal and cutaneous drug delivery. First part of the thesis describe how iontophoresis can be used to control transdermal delivery kinetics of drugs for neurodegenerative disorders. Second part of the thesis was focused on to investigate the transdermal iontophoretic delivery of degarelix. Overall, this research highlights the complicated interaction between peptide structure, skin membranes and plasma proteins that must be judiciously considered in order to achieve significant delivery. Last part of the thesis presents a novel approach for creating intraepidermal drug reservoirs using fractional laser ablation to deposit microparticles loaded with either a low molecular weight drug (triamcinolone acetonide) or an antibody (cetuximab) so as to provide localized sustained delivery. The results justify that this combination approach is of particular interest for dermatological conditions.
Novel combination of ITGB2 mutations causing leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (LAD-1)

Abstract In this case report, we describe for the first time the identification of a compound heterozygote mutation in the β2 integrin gene (ITGB2), which is associated with Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency type 1 (LAD-1). The patient was a 6-year-old male referred for evaluation of multiple recurrent infections. Laboratory evaluation revealed persistent leukocytosis with normal immunoglobulins, complement, mannose-binding lectin, and vaccine antibodies. There was also a complete absence of the integrins – CD18 and CD11a on monocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes, and CD11b on monocytes and lymphocytes with normal expression on granulocytes. Gene sequencing showed two heterozygous mutations, one being a missense mutation, G284S in exon 7 (c.850G>A), and the second, a single base-pair deletion resulting in a premature stop codon (c.2070delT). Based on the clinical and laboratory findings, a diagnosis of LAD-1 was reached, but it was delayed by an apparent lack of early recognition of the clinical features. LAD-1 should be considered as a potential diagnosis and aggressively pursued in any patient who presents with leukocytosis, delayed umbilical cord separation and non-purulent recurrent infections. Key diagnostic work-up includes flow cytometry for CD18, CD11a and CD11b on white blood cells followed by appropriate confirmatory gene sequencing analysis.