Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chapter 8. Variable type framing in Spanish constructions of directed motion

Spanish constructions of telic motion with manner verbs are somewhat problematic for the Talmian typology, while also posing a challenge for constructionist frameworks anchored in English grammar. In response to Talmy (2000), Aske (1989), Morimoto (2008), and Beavers et al. (2010) among others, I demonstrate in this article that this construction type tends to be acceptable whenever the lexical meaning of the verb implies an element of directed motion. Drawing on Goldberg (2006) and Pedersen (2009, 2013), I suggest that schematicity is a typological parameter, and, more specifically, that the term variable type framing may accommodate the case of variation under scrutiny here.
Good Agricultural Practices for greenhouse vegetable crops - FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper n° 217

Libro edito dalla FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations) e dalla ISHS (International Society for Horticultural Science) sulle buone pratiche agricole per la produzione di ortaggi in serra in ambiente mediterraneo. Il testo, in inglese, e molto utile per gli approfondimenti del corso [Book published by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations) and the ISHS (International Society for Horticultural Science) on good agricultural practices for the production of vegetables in greenhouses in the Mediterranean. The text, in English, is very useful as research material for the course]
Advance Directive Use and Psychosocial Characteristics: An Analysis of Patients Enrolled in a Psychosocial Cancer Registry

Advance directives (ADs) refer to a category of documents that enable individuals to state their preferences for future healthcare decisions in the event of incapacitation. The purpose of the study was to examine differences in psychosocial characteristics and AD completion rates in persons newly diagnosed with cancer. This sample comes from data collected for a psychosocial registry for patients with cancer. The following psychosocial data were collected: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, Profile of Mood States-short form, and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being Scale. The sample included 312 persons who had been diagnosed with cancer within the previous 5 months. There were no statistically significant differences between completion of an AD and the measured psychosocial characteristics at baseline (mean, 4.2 months); however, at 3 months, patients who reported higher quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General) were associated with lower AD completion rates and persons with greater mood disturbances had higher rates of AD completion. Our data suggest the need to develop strategies that would facilitate discussion of ADs for patients entering the cancer care continuum.
Molds, mycotoxins, and sick building syndrome

The following is a review of some of the work we have done since 2004 regarding the importance of molds and their mycotoxins in the phenomenon of sick building syndrome (SBS). In these studies we showed that the macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins (MTM) of Stachybotrys chartarum (SC) are easily dissociated from the surface of the organism as it grows and could therefore be consequently spread in buildings as the fungus experiences additional water events. We then showed that SC and Penicillium chrysogenum (PC) colonies remain viable long after a water source has been removed, and the MTM produced by SC remain toxic over extended periods of time. We next showed that PC when inhaled, can release in vivo, a protease allergen that can cause a significant allergic inflammatory reaction in the lungs of mice. We then showed, in a laboratory study, that the MTM of SC can become airborne attached to spores or SC particulates smaller than spores. Following that study, we next showed that the same phenomenon actually occurred in SC infested buildings where people were complaining of health problems potentially associated with SBS. Finally, we were able to demonstrate the presence of MTM in the sera of individuals who had been exposed to SC in indoor environments. This last study was done with enough mold exposed individuals to allow for the statistical significance of SC exposure to be evaluated.
In vitro Evaluation of Abrasion of Eroded Enamel by Different Manual, Power and Sonic Toothbrushes

This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of eroded enamel to brushing abrasion performed by manual, power or sonic toothbrushes. Bovine enamel samples were subjected to 5 cycles, each consisting of 5 min demineralisation, 15 min remineralisation and 10 min brushing in a machine. Toothbrushing with the activated electric devices was supplemented with 20 linear strokes/min. Furthermore, enamel specimens were brushed with 20 linear strokes/min or 80 linear strokes/min with the electric toothbrushes without their individual operating action. A manual brush was applied at 100, 20 or 80 linear strokes/min. Specimens of the control group were not brushed after demineralisation. Loss of enamel was determined by profilometry. For all groups, substrate loss for linear brushing treatment applying 20 or 80 strokes/min did not differ significantly from the control (4.97 ± 1.49 µm). Three power toothbrushing treatments significantly increased abrasion compared to linear brushing treatment with 20 or 80 strokes/min in their inactivated condition. The results indicate that brushing treatment with power or sonic toothbrushes may lead to significantly higher loss of demineralised enamel compared to toothbrushing without power or sonic support.
Impact of comorbidity on physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background Physical disability is a main outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which tends to increase with comorbidities. However, the extent to which comorbidities contribute to the multifactorial process of disability has not been investigated. Objective To quantify the contribution of comorbidity to physical disability in patients with RA. Methods In a prospective cohort study, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (CCIA), serial measurements of disease activity and functional disability (evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, HAQ) of 380 patients with established RA seen at an outpatient clinic over 1 year (June 2007 to July 2008) were ascertained. The association between comorbidity and physical disability was assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and adjusted general linear regression models. Results Four patient groups with increasing levels of comorbidity (CCIA 0, 1–2, 3–4 and 5–9; potential range 0–38) were defined. Mean HAQ scores were significantly different across these groups (0.67, 0.80, 1.24, 1.40, respectively; p<0.001) and also when adjusted for disease activity, gender and disease duration in the regression model (0.84, 0.88, 1.14, 1.48, respectively; p<0.001). The effects of CCIA on disability were similar within different strata of disease activity: namely, remission (0.26, 0.31, 0.48 and 0.88, p<0.01); low disease activity (0.83, 0.78, 0.98 and 1.36, p<0.01); and moderate to high disease activity (1.22, 1.33, 1.70 and 1.91, p<0.01), and thus were independent of disease activity. Several sensitivity analyses, including the use of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), confirmed these observations. Conclusion Physical disability becomes worse with increasing levels of comorbidity, irrespective of disease activity.
On the composition of large biomedical ontologies alignment

Ontology alignment process is seen as a key mechanism in order to reduce heterogeneity and linking diverse data masses and ontologies arising in the semantic Web. In such a large infrastructures and environments, it is inconceivable to assume that all ontologies dealing with a particular knowledge domain are aligned in pairs. Moreover, the high performance of the alignment techniques is closely related to two major factors, i.e., time consumption and resource machine limitations. Indeed, good quality alignments are valuable and it would be appropriate to harness. From this statement, this paper introduces a new indirect ontology alignment method. Indeed, the proposed method treats biomedical ontologies alignments and implements a strategy of indirect ontology alignment based on a smart and efficient direct alignments composition and reuse. The core of the proposed method process relies on the alignment algebra that governs the composition of semantic relations and confidence values. Results obtained after extensive and detailed carried experiments are very encouraging and highlight many useful insights about the new proposed method.
Effective standby power reduction using non-dissipative single-sensor method

This paper presents an implementation of the "single-sensor" method for controlling a power factor correction (PFC) circuit. The method eliminates lossy resistive feedback by deriving control variables such as the input and output voltages of the power converter via the switching action of the power MOSFET of the power converter. It can be applied directly to control the PFC circuit under all conditions. A simple technique is also introduced to overcome the sensing problem under the no-load condition. This proposed scheme requires only simple modifications of existing PFC control integrated circuits (IC) and can be extended to all other PFC control ICs. Practical results of an 80 W PFC system for 88 V to 265 V operation from no-load to 100% load conditions under both steady-state and transient conditions are included to confirm the success of such implementation. The proposed method can in principle be applied to a wide range of switched mode power electronic systems for reduction of standby power.
Pilot Reuse and Sum Rate Analysis of mmWave and UHF-Based Massive MIMO Systems

In this paper, a pilot reuse scheme has been considered for the uplink (UL) transmissions of a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. Subsequently, a lower bound on the throughput of the system, that uses a maximal ratio combining (MRC) receiver, has been derived, which is applicable for any number of antennas. The throughput, along with other metrics, has been used to differentiate between the performance of ultra high frequency (UHF) and millimetre wave (mmWave) networks. The results indicate that the reuse factor plays a critical role in the least achievable throughput for UHF systems only, whereas the performance is almost independent for the mmWave networks.
Examining e-democracy through a double structuration loop

This paper develops a structurational framework for examining e-democracy. This framework draws on the Giddens structuration theory, Owanda Orlikowski's Structurational Model of Technology (SMT) and her technology-practice lens, to bring into focus democratic practices facilitated by Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). An examination of social practices mediated by technology assists in uncovering the underlying structures that enable and constrain actors in democratic engagement. The framework ties together the technology-shaping process and technology-use process, that both act on each other to shape the emergent role of e-democracy. It sensitises researchers to the dialectic interaction of institutional mediation structures, technology mediation structures and human agency. In particular, this framework draws attention to 11 key social structures and agency issues that need to be explored by researchers for building a deeper understanding of how the role of e-democracy is enacted and its impacts moderated in the democratic process. This paper argues that this framework provides a useful lens for analysing social issues surrounding e-democracy.
Isolation and characterization of an endo-(1,4)-β-glucanase secreted by Achlya ambisexualis

Models of wall loosening in fungi and other walled eukaryotes require the action of proteins able to reduce the degree of linkage between components of the wall. In the oomycete Achlya ambisexualis, such a role has been proposed for a suite of endoglucanases that are secreted during branching and during the measurable wall softening associated with osmotic stress. We report here the isolation and characterization of one of these isoenzymes. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 32 kDa, a pH optimum of 6.75, a pI of 4.5, and a temperature optimum of 35 C. It is partially inhibited by sulfhydryl-binding reagents and completely inhibited by the tryptophan-binding reagent NBS. The enzyme has an endohydrolytic mode of action with substrate specificity towards glucans that contain β-(1,4) linkages, either alone (carboxymethyl cellulose) or as mixed linkage (1,4–1,3)-β-glucans (e.g., Avena glucan). It does not, however, degrade amorphous insoluble (phosphoric acid swollen) cellulose. Most significantly, the enzyme can also hydrolyze linkages in an Achlya cell wall fraction previously shown to consist of a mixed-linkage (1,4–1,3)-β-glucan. This property is consistent with the long-standing hypothesis that the branching-related endoglucanases of oomycetes play a role in cell wall loosening.
Social shopping communities as an emerging business model of youth entrepreneurship: exploring the effects of website characteristics

This paper focuses on the social shopping community (SSC), an emerging e-commerce business model of youth entrepreneurship that generates revenues through facilitating online purchase. We develop a model based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework and use it to investigate how website characteristics, which we describe as sociability and self reference, of social shopping environment influence consumers’ cognitive and emotional trust in SSCs, as well as how trust in turn affects their purchase intention. The results of our survey of 405 members of Meilishuo, a Chinese SSC, indicate that sociability and self reference features significantly influence cognitive and emotional trust, and in turn the likelihood and magnitude of online purchase. Moreover, the emotional trust plays a greater role in influencing consumers’ intention to purchase through the SSC than cognitive trust, and participant involvement moderates the relationship between trust and purchase intention. This work contributes to our understanding of the dynamics that govern consumer behaviour in SSCs and adds to the broader line of research on social commerce. It also provides insights into how young entrepreneurs can tap the economic values of social commerce.
Testicular teratomas. I. Demonstration of teratogenesis by metamorphosis of multipotential Cells

HE IDEA of teratogenesis by metamorphoT sis of undifferentiated cells was first advanced by Askanazy in 1907.l This theory was essentially an adaptation to oncology of Spemann's work in developmental biology concerning morphogenesis in amphibians. Askanazyl felt that the differentiated elements of a teratoma could stem either from a single type of totipotential cell or from a group of cells, each representing a germ layer and capable of differentiating only within the confines of that layer. He believed that these cells were derived from early embryonic primordia, could remain dormant for years, and then commence growing and differentiating. He rejected on philosophic grounds the theory of parthenogenetic origin for teratomas. Budde, in 1926.2 was the next to use the principles of developmental biology in the study of teratomas. He was of the opinion that teratomas probably represented misdirection of the action of a primary embryonic organizer, and he felt that the tumors originated in cells released from normal developmental control at the stage of the primitive streak. WilNeedham,16 and Nicholson18 in the 1930's and 1940's were in agreement with Askanazy'sl *tention that the differentiated elements arose by the morphogenesis of tumor cells with embryonic potentialities, but they all rejected the idea of fetiformity of teratomas on the gr und that they lacked evidence of primary or axial organization. Willis24 rejected the ide of sex cell origin for teratomas and favor \ d the theory that they originated from blastomeres misplaced in early embryonic development.
Mastery Profiling Through Entity Linking - To Support Project Team Formation in Higher Education

Computer-supported group formation enables educators to assign students to project teams. The focus in this paper is placed on gathering data about student attributes that are relevant in the context of specific course projects. We developed a method that automatically produces learner models from existing documents, by linking students to topics and estimating the levels of skill, knowledge, and interest that students have in these topics. The method is evaluated in an experiment with student participants, wherein its performance is measured on two levels. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to link students to topics with high precision, but suggest that estimating mastery levels is a more challenging task.
Amyloid Fibril Formation by Pentapeptide and Tetrapeptide Fragments of Human Calcitonin*

The process of amyloid fibril formation by the human calcitonin hormone is associated with medullary thyroid carcinoma. Based on the effect of pH on the fibrillization of human calcitonin, the analysis of conformationally constrained analogues of the hormone, and our suggestion regarding the role of aromatic residues in the process of amyloid fibril formation, we studied the ability of a short aromatic charged peptide fragment of calcitonin (NH2-DFNKF-COOH) to form amyloid fibrils. Here, using structural and biophysical analysis, we clearly demonstrate the ability of this short peptide to form well ordered amyloid fibrils. A shorter truncated tetrapeptide, NH2-DFNK-COOH, also formed fibrils albeit less ordered than those formed by the pentapeptide. We could not detect amyloid fibril formation by the NH2-FNKF-COOH tetrapeptide, the NH2-DFN-COOH tripeptide, or the NH2-DANKA-COOH phenylalanine to the alanine analogue of the pentapeptide. The formation of amyloid fibrils by rather hydrophilic peptides is quite striking, because it was speculated that hydrophobic interactions might play a key role in amyloid formation. This is the first reported case of fibril formation by a peptide as short as a tetrapeptide and one of very few cases of amyloid formation by pentapeptides. Because the aromatic nature seems to be the only common property of the various very short amyloid-forming peptides, it further supports our hypothesis on the role of aromatic interactions in the process of amyloid fibril formation.
Measurements of high voltage DC fields in air

The global demand for electric power continues to increase in most countries but in particular in non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries [1]. Often the generation is located far from the consumers, and this requires transmission of electric power over long distances. For various reasons, high voltage direct current (HVDC) is often the preferred technology for these links [2]. To keep losses at a minimum, the voltage must be as high as possible, and this has stimulated the development of ultra-high voltage DC transmission. Over the last decade, 800 kV has been established as a new standard level for long transmission links [3].
Intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia.

OBJECTIVE Although the incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma in the U. S. is declining, the incidence of cancer localized to the gastric cardia has risen dramatically. It is not yet clear whether cancer of the gastric cardia arises from a premalignant lesion such as intestinal metaplasia (IM). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of IM involving the cardia in patients presenting for elective EGD, and evaluate potential associated factors. METHODS During a 7 month period patients referred for elective EGD at the Tucson VA Medical Center were invited to participate in the study. Prior to EGD each patient was surveyed with regard to GERD symptoms and smoking and alcohol history. During EGD note was made of the presence of esophagitis, hiatus hernia, and Barrett's-appearing mucosa. The esophagogastric junction (EGJ) was defined as the end of the tubular esophagus coinciding with the proximal heads of the gastric folds. Seven biopsies were taken from specific sites in the antrum, angularis, cardia, and EGJ. Biopsy specimens were stained with a combination of H & E and Alcian blue at a pH of 2.5. Histologic evidence of IM was defined as columnar-type epithelium including goblet cells staining with Alcian blue. Patients were also evaluated for H. pylori infection by histologic and serologic examinations. RESULTS There were 104 patients (99 male, 5 female) with a mean age of 61.6 years. Twenty-four (23%) were found to have IM involving the gastric cardia, although none of these had dysplasia. Eleven patients (11%) had Barrett's esophagus; however, only 2 of these had concomitant IM of the cardia. On the other hand, 9 of the 24 with IM of the cardia had concomitant IM elsewhere in the stomach. Forty-nine patients (47%) were found to be positive for H. pylori infection and there was a significant association between H. pylori infection and IM of the gastric cardia (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS These data show that IM of the gastric cardia is a relatively common finding and is associated with H. pylori infection. Although dysplasia was not identified, long-term follow-up studies will be necessary to determine the incidence of dysplasia or adenocarcinoma developing from IM of the cardia.
Two-Stage Screening for Math Problem-Solving Difficulty Using Dynamic Assessment of Algebraic Learning

The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of a dynamic assessment (DA) of algebraic learning in predicting third graders’ development of mathematics word-problem difficulty. In the fall, 122 third-grade students were assessed on a test of math word-problem skill and DA of algebraic learning. In the spring, they were assessed on word-problem performance. Logistic regression was conducted to contrast two models. One relied exclusively on the fall test of math word-problem skill to predict word-problem difficulty on the spring outcome (less than the 25th percentile). The second model relied on a combination of the fall test of math word-problem skill and the fall DA to predict the same outcome. Holding sensitivity at 87.5%, the universal screener alone resulted in a high proportion of false positives, which was practically reduced when DA was included in the prediction model. Findings are discussed in terms of a two-stage process for screening students within a responsiveness-to-intervention prevention model.
Fabrication of cRGD-modified reduction-sensitive nanocapsule via Pickering emulsion route to facilitate tumor-targeted delivery

Purpose: To fabricate multifunctional nanocapsule via Pickering emulsion route to facilitate tumor-targeted delivery. Methods: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) nanoparticles (PNA) stabilized nanocapsules were fabricated by Pickering emulsion (PE) technology. For controllable drug-release and enhancing targeted antitumor effects, the nanocapsules were crosslinked with cystamine and coupled on cell-surface molecule markers (cRGDfK) to achieve on-demand drug release and targeted delivery. Results: The fabricated PE and nanocapsules with average particle sizes (250 and 150 nm) were obtained. Encapsulation efficiency of hydrophobic anticancer drug (DOX) was determined as >90%. Release kinetic profiles for encapsulated nanocapsules displayed circulation stability and redox-sensitive releasing behavior with the supposed increase bioavailability. Both cytotoxicity assay, cellular uptake analysis and anticancer efficacy in B16F10 murine model demonstrated these redox-responsive drug-release and active targeted delivery. Conclusion: The results clearly demonstrated nanocapsule via PE route as promising candidate to provide an effective platform for incorporating hydrophobic drug for targeted cancer chemotherapy.