Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inactivation of Listeria innocua on Frankfurters by Flash Pasteurization and Lauric Arginate Ester

Listeria monocytogenes , a psychrotrophic food-borne pathogen, is a recurring post-process contaminant on ready-to-eat meat (RTE) products including frankfurters. Flash Pasteurization (FP) uses short pulses of steam to decontaminate the surface of precooked sausages such as frankfurters. The antimicrobial lauric-arginate-ester (LAE) has been shown to reduce levels of L. monocytogenes and its nonpathogenic surrogate L. innocua on frankfurters. In this study the use of FP to inactivate L. innocua on frankfurters followed by application of LAE immediately prior to vacuum-packaging in a pilot plant setting was investigated. Use of FP (1.5 s, 120°C steam), LAE (3.33 ml of a 5% volume/volume solution per pack of four frankfurters), or FP followed by application of LAE, resulted in a 2.5, 1.6, and 3.3 of log reductions of L. innocua that was surface-inoculated onto frankfurters, respectively. Although FP alone reduced L. innocua levels by 2.5 log, the bacterium recovered and grew to a density of >10 6 CFU/g within 2 weeks during refrigerated storage (10°C). LAE inhibited L. innocua growth for 8 weeks, but the bacterium was able to recover and grow to a density of >10 6 CFU/g by week 12. The use of FP in combination with LAE effectively inhibited the growth of L. innocua for 12 weeks. The use of FP in combination with LAE had little effect on frankfurter color and texture, and was found to be an effective hurdle process for decontamination of frankfurter surfaces.
Synchronicity of Stress Wave Propagation in Bolt Body and Anchorage Medium

Accurate assessment of anchoring quality depends on the accuracy of assessing stress wave velocity in the anchor system. Stress wave velocity is closely related to collaborative vibration and depends on the degree of bonding between anchor body and anchorage medium. Bonding differences can be large at different ages. Based on stress wave reflection methods, non-destructive testing of anchors was performed using sensors arranged at the same cross-section of the anchor body and anchorage medium, which showed stress wave synchronization. In the early stage of filling, stress wave synchronicity was poorer between the anchor body and mortar. Therefore, the anchor should not be treated as a composite material when determining its wave velocity. Once the mortar hardens, the stress waves become more synchronous and the anchor can be regarded as a composite material. Stress wave synchronicity between the anchor body and mortar is related to mortar age and anchorage length. The anchor length required to provide stress wave synchronization between the anchor body and mortar decreases with increasing mortar age. Stress wave velocity rules were derived for different ages to provide the basis for accurately determining the stress wave velocity in the anchor.
Prevalence of Pain after Endodontic Treatment

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of postoperative pain and its intensity in association with clinical factors in patients undergoing root canal treatment. Material and Methods: 50 subjects over 18 years of age of both genders were included by demand. Questionnaires were applied to subjects in order to obtain demographic data, clinical features about presence of pain and its intensity at intervals of 24 and 48 hours after procedure. Teeth were treated by the crown-down technique in single or multiple visits, aided by irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, proceeding to the filling of root canals by the Tagger's hybrid technique, using gutta-percha and zinc oxideeugenol cement. Data were analyzed with univariate and bivariate statistical test (Fisher's exact test) using SPSS 13.0 software. Results: No statistical difference (p>0.05) was observed between prevalence of postoperative pain and its magnitude in association with clinical variables. Conclusion: Pulp sensitivity (vitality), pre-existence of apical lesion, single-session treatment, use of intracanal dressing, reported pain prior to treatment, and use of analgesic medication were not associated with the prevalence of postoperative pain.
Production and exchange during the Portuguese chalcolitic : The case of bifacial flaked stone industries

This study focuses on the economic organization of bifacial flaked stone industries of the Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic Portugal. It is often claimed that social hierarchies first appeared in Western Iberia during this period (ca. 3500-2500 BC). The specific research goals are: determining the production repertoire at lithic production sites, examining the possibility of craft specialization (with particular regard to artifact standardization), and investigating the geographic distribution of artifacts, in order to detect evidence of centralization. The analyses show that the organization of economy differed markedly between different artifact classes. Production of subsistence-related lithics was decentralized and they circulated through local exchange networks, although some of them could enter long-distance exchange. Prestige-related items were exchanged over large distances and apparently were produced by specialists. The level of specialization and its importance for the economy remained modest. There is no evidence for large-scale sociopolitical integration.
INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES USING DESIGN-FOR-ASSEMBLY TECHNIQUES

The efficiency of manufacturing processes can be increased if modular products are designed to be easily configured during assembly. This paper describes an approach that attempts to define a modular architecture in order to improve assembly by producing the product assembly sequence during the design phase. It optimizes the design-for-assembly approach by considering the role of different flows in the modular product structure. A case study demonstrates the approach.
Correlates and Determinants of Direct Democracy

This paper studies correlates and determinants of direct democracy institutions (DDIs), such as referendums and initiatives, based on the premise that constitutions themselves are endogenous. Our sample covers as many as 132 countries from 1950 to 2006. We find that the likelihood that a country includes DDIs in its constitution increases over time, particularly during the 1990s and 2000s. In our econometric analysis, we employ a two-tier approach, the first tier analyzing the time-invariant factors associated with the existence of DDIs, the second tier focusing on changes in time-variant factors. We discover that (i) new constitutions make the introduction of DDIs more likely; (ii) the degree of democratization is positively related to constitutions containing DDIs; (iii) an increase in the number of riots and assassinations raises the likelihood of constitutionally anchoring DDIs; (iv) if political leaders achieved power or were removed from office through irregular means, the introduction of DDIs is more likely; if they leave office due to health reasons, DDIs are less likely to be included in the constitution; and (v) religious fractionalization is negatively associated with the possibility of referendums.
Designing Science Games and Science Toys from the Perspective of Scientific Creativity

This study was conducted with the participation of 21 pre-service science teachers attending the faculty of education of a university in Turkey. The study aims to evaluate pre-service science teachers’ science games and science toy designs in terms of scientific creativity. Participants were given a four-week period to design science games or science toys to complement the contents of a biology course. The science games and science toys developed were then evaluated in terms of scientific creativity, using the following four criteria: “science knowledge, fluency, flexibility, and originality”. The science games and science toys developed by the pre-service science teachers were found to be satisfactory in terms of science knowledge and flexibility, and unsatisfactory in terms of fluency. There was an inconsistent distribution in the dimension of originality. Keywords : scientific creativity, science games, science toys, creative design
Co-creation of an Innovation Network: Engagement and User Involvement in Digital Care Services

This work in progress paper presents a study of digital innovation in municipal care services, and we highlight collaboration and communication among various stakeholders in the process of implementing welfare technologies. We characterize innovation in municipal care services as sociotechnical networks of organizations that enable innovation and we emphasize mechanisms that enable engagement and mutual learning across professional, organizational and geographical boundaries. In particular, we focus on how knowledge is mediated and how actors and resources are mobilized in the network. The study is further inspired by Action Design Research and we present ongoing activities of the creation of an innovation network. KeywordsWelfare technology; Innovation; Information Infrastructure; Socio-technical systems; Action Design
Spatial and temporal distribution of planktonic protists in the East Greenland fjord and offshore waters

Summer planktonic protist assemblages (>20 μm) were investigated in the East Greenland Young Sound fjord and offshore waters between 2009 and 2012. Samples were taken using 20 μm mesh nets and Niskin bottles, fixed in acidic Lugol’s solution, and analysed by microscopy. Comparison between the 2 methods showed that important colonial species present in net haul samples were not present in the water bottle samples. In Young Sound waters, the planktonic protist taxa varied significantly, corresponding to temperature and salinity gradients driven by runoff from the Greenland Ice Sheet. Fjord waters were characterised by diatoms and colonial chrysophyte species associated with meltwater (sea ice) and freshwater (snow and ice) input. Time series data from Young Sound showed inter-annual variations among the planktonic protist taxa due to dynamic water exchange between the inner and outer fjord. Little spatial variation among taxa was observed in offshore waters, which were characterized by diatoms, silico flagellates, and dinoflagellates. Different diatom compositions were observed in the shelf area dominated by the cold East Greenland Current and in the warmer Atlantic waters of the Mid Denmark Strait. Silicoflagellates characterised sub-surface water masses of the Greenland Sea, which were influenced by saline oceanic waters, possibly Modified Atlantic Water. Our study shows that summer planktonic protist assemblages varied along the East Greenland coast due to freshwater inputs, sea ice melt, and Polar and Atlantic water circulation.
AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE MODELLING THROUGH CFD RESULTS: ASSESSMENT OF A COMPLETE 3-D WING-BODY COMBINATION

Comprehensive information of fluid and flight dynamics of an aircraft is vital for most aircraft handlers, especially when it comes to more complex aircraft which are capable of flying at wider flight envelopes. In the case of trainer aircraft, it delivers valuable information to both student and trainers. A majority of aircraft manufacturers do no disclose such information to relevant stake holders due to various reasons. As such an information gap exists between handlers and designers as far as the aircraft's aerodynamics is concerned. In this research, an aerodynamic comparison will be done between the most frequently flown configurations of the Chinese built Karakorum-08 aircraft. Selected armament configuration for this research is the 250 Litre Drop Tank attached to the underside of the aircraft with the help of two outboard Pylons. Present work involved in extending the previous work in the area to model a three dimensional surface model and computational mesh of the aircraft including a drop tank and Outboard Pylon using solid modelling software. A 1:48 scaled model was created for the complete aircraft with and without external stores. A CFD tool models the flow physics involved in flight in both configurations, thus rendering performance parameters which are available only through trial and error in the present context. The results provide new insights into the behaviour of the wing-body combination, thus enabling means of enhancing performance and handling qualities of the aircraft for both designers and pilots.
CYTOTOXIC POTENTIAL OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEUCAS ASPERA

The cytotoxic properties of ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera (Family-Lamiaceae) has been investigated in the present study. The cytotoxic potential of the L. aspera ethanolic extract was assessed by brine shrimp lethality bioassay method. Phytochemical study was done through conducting preliminary phytochemical group tests. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, LC50 value of L. aspera ethanolic extract was found 181.68 µg/ml with 95% confidence limit where the lower and upper limits were 125.12 and 265.96 µg/ml respectively, which indicated that the extract has promising cytotoxic properties.
THE SEARCH OF SATISFACTION OF TOURISTS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MONTENEGRO TOURISM

This paper is based on the survey that was conducted from June to September 2012 in Montenegro. The results of the survey are presented in public for the first time. The survey itself seeks to reach the expectation, needs and desires of tourists, to understand their attitudes and beliefs, as well as to highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of tourist offer in order to improve the quality of Montenegrin tourism and suggest the main marketing- management strategies for positioning of Montenegro as an attractive, unique, desired whole year destination with a recognizable image on global market.
Correlation function of the luminosity distances

We present the correlation function of the luminosity distances in a flat ΛCDM universe. Decomposing the luminosity distance fluctuation into the velocity, the gravitational potential, and the lensing contributions in linear perturbation theory, we study their individual contributions to the correlation function. The lensing contribution is important at large redshift (z ≳ 0.5) but only for small angular separation (θ ≲ 3°), while the velocity contribution dominates over the other contributions at low redshift or at larger separation. However, the gravitational potential contribution is always subdominant at all scale, if the correct gauge-invariant expression is used. The correlation function of the luminosity distances depends significantly on the matter content, especially for the lensing contribution, thus providing a novel tool of estimating cosmological parameters.
Immuno-oncology of gynecological malignancies

Introduction. Intraepithelial CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are associated with a prolonged survival in endometrial cancer (EC). By contrast, stromal infiltration of CD8+ TIL does not confer prognostic benefit. A single marker to discriminate these populations would therefore be of interest for rapid assessment of the tumor immune contexture, ex vivo analysis of intraepithelial and stromal T cells on a functional level and/or adoptive T cell transfer. Here we determined whether CD103, the αE subunit of the αEβ7integrin, can be used to specifically discriminate the epithelial and stromal CD8+ TIL populations in EC. Methods. CD103+ TIL were quantified in a cohort of 305 endometrial cancer patients by immunohistochemistry. Localization of CD103+ cells and co-expression of CD103 with CD3, CD8, CD16 and FoxP3 was assessed by immunofluorescence. Further phenotyping of CD103+ cells was performed by flow cytometry on primary endometrial tumor digests. Results. CD8+CD103+ cells were preferentially located in endometrial tumor epithelium, whereas CD8+CD103cells were located in stroma. CD103+ lymphocytes were predominantly CD3+CD8+ T cells and expressed PD1. The presence of a high CD103+ cell infiltration was associated with an improved prognosis in patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma (p=0.035). Moreover, this beneficial effect was particularly evident in high-risk adenocarcinoma patients (p=0.031). Conclusions. Due to the restricted expression on intraepithelial CD8+ T cells, CD103 may be a suitable biomarker for rapid assessment of immune infiltration of epithelial cancers. Furthermore, this intraepithelial tumor-reactive subset might be an interesting T cell subset for adoptive T cell transfer and/or target for checkpoint inhibition therapy.
Post-Keynesian macroeconomics since the mid-1990s – main developments

In this paper the main developments in post-Keynesian macroeconomics since the mid-1990s will be reviewed. For this purpose the main differences between heterodox economics in general, including post-Keynesian economics, and orthodox economics will be reiterated and an overview over the strands of post-Keynesian economics, their commonalities and developments since the 1930s will be outlined. This will provide the grounds for touching upon three important areas of development and progress of post-Keynesian macroeconomics since the mid-1990s: first, the integration of distribution issues and distributional conflict into short- and long-run macroeconomics, both in theoretical and in empiri-cal/applied works; second, the integrated analysis of money, finance and macroeconomics and its appli-cation to changing institutional and historical circumstances, like the process of financialisation; and third, the development of full-blown macroeconomic models, providing alternatives to the mainstream ? New Consensus Model? (NCM), and allowing to derive a full macroeconomic policy mix as a more con-vincing alternative to the one implied and proposed by the mainstream NCM, which has desperately failed in the face of the recent crises.
Synthesis and Heme Polymerization Inhibitory Activity (HPIA) Assay of Antiplasmodium of (1)-N-(3,4-Dimethoxybenzyl)-1,10-Phenanthrolinium Bromide from Vanillin

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The synthesis of (1)-N-(3,4-dimethoxy-benzyl)-1,10-phenanthrolinium bromide had been conducted from vanillin . Heme polymerization inhibitory activity assay of the synthesized antiplasmodium has also been carried out. The first step of reaction was methylation of vanillin using dimethylsulfate and NaOH. The mixture was refluxed for 2 h to yield veratraldehyde in the form of light yellow solid (79% yield). Methylation product was reduced using sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) with grinding method and yielded veratryl alcohol in the form of yellow liquid (98% yield). Veratryl alcohol was brominated using PBr 3 to yield yellowish black liquid (85% yield). The final step was benzylation of 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate with the synthesized veratryl bromide under reflux condition in acetone for 14 h to afford (1)-N-(3,4-dimethoxy-benzyl)-1,10-phenanthrolinium bromide ( 84%) as yellow solid with melting point of 166-177 °C . The structures of products were characterized by FT-IR, GC-MS and 1 H-NMR spectrometers. The results of heme polymerization inhibitory activity assay of (1)-N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-1,10-phenanthrolinium bromide showed that it had IC 50 HPIA of 3.63 mM, while chloroquine had IC 50 of4.37 mM. These results indicated that (1)-N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-1,10-phenanthrolinium bromide was more potential antiplasmodium than chloroquine. /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
THE STRATIFIED MICRO-RANDOMIZED TRIAL DESIGN: SAMPLE SIZE CONSIDERATIONS FOR TESTING NESTED CAUSAL EFFECTS OF TIME-VARYING TREATMENTS

Technological advancements in the field of mobile devices and wearable sensors have helped overcome obstacles in the delivery of care, making it possible to deliver behavioral treatments anytime and anywhere. Increasingly the delivery of these treatments is triggered by predictions of risk or engagement which may have been impacted by prior treatments. Furthermore the treatments are often designed to have an impact on individuals over a span of time during which subsequent treatments may be provided. Here we discuss our work on the design of a mobile health smoking cessation experimental study in which two challenges arose. First the randomizations to treatment should occur at times of stress and second the outcome of interest accrues over a period that may include subsequent treatment. To address these challenges we develop the “stratified micro-randomized trial,” in which each individual is randomized among treatments at times determined by predictions constructed from outcomes to prior treatment and with randomization probabilities depending on these outcomes. We define both conditional and marginal proximal treatment effects. Depending on the scientific goal these effects may be defined over a period of time during which subsequent treatments may be provided. We develop a primary analysis method and associated sample size formulae for testing these effects.
Low-loss mode converter for coupling light into slotted photonic crystal waveguide

We design, fabricate and experimentally demonstrate a highly efficient adiabatic mode converter for coupling light into a silicon slot waveguide with a slot width as large as 320nm. This strip-to-slot mode converter is optimized to provide a measured insertion loss as low as 0.08dB. Our mode converter provides 0.1dB lower loss compared to a conventional V-shape mode converter. This mode converter is used to couple light into and out of a 320nm slot photonic crystal waveguide, and it is experimentally shown to improve the coupling efficiency up to 3.5dB compared to the V-shape mode converter, over the slow-light wavelength region.
New insights into nanomagnetism: spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy studies

We perform low-temperature spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) and spectroscopy measurements in magnetic fields to gain new insights into nanomagnetism. We use the magnetic field to change and control magnetizations of a sample and a magnetic tip, and measure the magnetic hysteresis loops of individual Co nano-islands on Cu(111). We also exploit the high spatial resolution of SP-STM in magnetic fields to measure maps of the differential conductance within a single Co nano-island. In connection with ab initio calculations, we find that the spin polarization is not homogeneous but spatially modulated within the nano-island. We ascribe the spatial variation of the spin polarization to spin-dependent electron confinement within the Co nano-island.
Assessment of the Degree of Mix of Powder Mixtures

The older methods for the determination of the degree of a random mix was solely based on the calculation of a simple standard deviation. Physical characteristics like, density, average particle weight and size of each component was not considered. Therefore, the evaluation, when the state of a random mix is reached, was somewhat superficial. Poole, Taylor, and Wall [1] have derived equations, where the physical characteristics of the components were taken into consideration. By this means, it is possible to calculate, in advance, the theoretical coefficient of variation and the corresponding confidence limits. One can then experimentally follow under which conditions this state can be achieved.