Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measures in organizational behavior: why don’t we use big data and analytics?

Abstract Tradeoff analysis, between generalizability, precision, and realism, guides methodological choices in organizational behavior. These methodological choices were systematically reviewed in Brazilian articles and books (1996-2017) to answer the following question: why are there no Brazilian studies on organizational behavior that use big data or analytics? Among 1062 research articles on organizational behavior, published in 19 psychology and business journals, 68% used scales, and only 10% used observation. Observation was often unstructured and supported other methods. The focus was on “saying,” instead of “doing”. Big data and analytics have the potential to simultaneously reach generalizability, precision, and realism and may pave the way for new conclusions. Additionally, these methods could transform research in organizational behavior.
Broadband linearizer based on equivalent power‐dependent impedance function of diode and load match network

This paper presents a broadband linearizer based on equivalent power‐dependent impedance function (PDIF) of diode and load match network (LMN). A method to measure the PDIF is proposed, then the broadband LMN can be synthesized by using the PDIF and the transfer characteristic of the amplifier to realize a broadband linearizer. To verify the proposed method, a linearizer for a 100 W traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) is designed and measured from 29 to 31 GHz. By using the linearizer, the output 1‐dB compression point (OP1dB) has increased by more than 1.2 dB, and phase error has reduced by more than 16.9°. Then a two‐tone signal with 100 MHz spacing is used for test, the results show that 12.2 to 14.6 dB suppression of third‐order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) is achieved over the working frequency range without bias tuning.
Rabies lyssavirus Isolates from Brazilian Different Reservoirs Species PresentDistinct Pattern of Propagation in N2a Cell

Background: Rabies cell culture infection test was developed for the isolation of Rabies lyssavirus and as an alternative for the mouse inoculation test. However, tissue culture for street rabies strains produces low viral titer. Here, we assessed the quantity of brain tissue for successful viral isolation toward increased virus titer in effective way. Methods: Brain tissue isolates from different reservoirs species of Brazil were harvested in different concentration and inoculated in mouse neuroblastoma cells (N2a). These isolates were measured infectious viral titer and cell viability followed by consecutive passages in N2a cells. Results: Inoculum containing were prominent Rabies lyssavirus due to higher viral titer and not significantly dead cell. After consecutive passages in N2a cells Rabies lyssavirus variant maintained by vampire bat had remarkable adaptation to the culture system, while isolates from marmoset presents distinct pattern of propagation in N2a cell when compared with other groups. Conclusion: Based on these results, the isolation followed by viral replication assay may be used in isolates from different reservoirs which enable an effective amplification of the wild type virus strains.
A narrative review of surgical management of lung cancer involving the chest wall: oncologic results

The prevalence of chest wall invasion by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is <10% in published surgical series; however, its presence can greatly influence surgical management and invoke multimodality therapy. Randomized trials investigating the role of multi-modality therapy for lung cancer with chest wall invasion are few and are primarily limited to the management of superior sulcus tumors. The role of radiation or chemotherapy around the complete resection of lung cancer invading the chest wall, excluding the superior sulcus of the chest, has not been effectively evaluated in a randomized prospective study. Survival of patients with lung cancer invading the chest wall is highly dependent on the extent of lymph node involvement and the completeness of en-bloc resection. When performing chest wall resection, ≥1 cm margin in all directions is generally accepted. Invasive mediastinal staging should be a mandatory part of the metastatic survey of any patient harboring NSCLC with radiographic or clinical chest wall invasion. Surgeons should strive for complete resection and implement reconstruction techniques that are appropriate for chest wall location. Chest wall defects <5 cm can often be managed without reconstruction. In carefully selected patients 5-year survival in excess of 50% can be achieved in patients harboring T3N0 disease. Offering en-bloc resection of lung cancer invading chest wall to patients with T3N1 or T3N2 disease is
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Ozonated Sunflower Oil against Antibiotic-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Isolated from Endodontic Infection

ABSTRACT The antibacterial efficacy of ozonated sunflower oil against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm was evaluated comparing to gaseous ozone. Sixty disks of composite resin were distributed in sterile microtubes containing bacterial suspension of an antibiotic-resistant E. faecalis isolated from endodontic infection. After incubation for 24 hours at 37°C, six protocols were conducted (n = 10): group I, any treatment was performed; group II, treated with sunflower oil for 10 min; group III, treated with ozonized oil for 5 min; group IV, treated with ozonized oil for 10 min; group V, treated with ozone gas for 2 min; and group VI, treated with ozone gas for 4 min. The control groups I and II showed the highest numbers of colony-forming units (CFU)/mL, with significant differences in comparison to groups treated with ozone-based protocols. There was no significant statistical difference in the number of CFUs between ozone-treated groups. Ozonized oil for 10 min presented the lowest CFU/mL.
Virtual Learning and Readiness of Tutors of Colleges of Education in Ghana

COVID 19 has thrown a new challenge to tutors in the colleges of education in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to examine tutors’ readiness in the use of virtual/digital learning classrooms in the Colleges of Education in Ghana. The study employed an analytical survey design. The study targeted tutors in the colleges of education in Ghana. The sample size for the study was 590 (495 tutors and 95 students). Focused group discussion was used to validate the data obtained from the tutors that is why the tutor number is greater than that of the students. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and focused-group discussion. The hypotheses formulated for the study were tested using Pearson point-biserial correlation coefficient. The study found that tutors have not acquired any formal training in how to do the blended learning and also use virtual learning platforms in their lesson deliveries. The study also revealed that tutors’ pedagogical skills in delivering virtual lessons have a positive relationship on students’ achievement. The study recommended that tutors should be adequately trained on how to use virtual learning platforms. The study again recommended that all colleges of education should have a robust LMS that would curb future occurrences, and policies on LMS should be implemented.
Turbulent mixing and phytoplankton life history: a Lagrangian versus Eulerian model comparison

Phytoplankton dynamics models follow either an Eulerian or a Lagrangian approach. The Eulerian formulation assumes that all individuals of a population living in homogeneous environmental conditions, i.e. within a model grid cell, are in a single average physiological state, which generally depends on local conditions. By tracking each individual cell or cluster of cells, the Lagrangian formulation allows population behaviour to emerge from a broader range of individual physiological states inherited from different life histories. In order to determine in which mixing conditions the widely used Eulerian approach differs from a more representative but also more computationally costly Lagrangian formulation, we compared the results obtained from a simple 1-dimensional phytoplankton growth model using both formulations under various mixing conditions. The chosen model is based on Droop kinetics, where growth is a function of light and an internal nutrient cell quota. It is applied in cases with constant and uniform diffusivity, and in more realistic cases of wind-induced and tidal mixing. The 2 main outcomes of our study are: (1) results from both formulations converge in weakly stratified environments for any level of turbulent mixing, and (2) results diverge in stratified environments and intermediate mixing up to a diffusivity value above which the environment appears homogeneous to moving cells, and both formulations converge. These results suggest that in heterogeneous and dynamic marine environments, strong variability among individuals may prevent Eulerian models from accurately pre dicting phytoplankton production.
Colloidal engines for innovative tests of information thermodynamics

ABSTRACT Recent theoretical developments in information thermodynamics elucidated the link between the acquired information and the entropy production through measurement and feedback control by generalizing the fluctuation theorems and the second law of thermodynamics. We summarize here our recent experimental studies based on the colloidal system that have been conducted to test the theoretical findings of information thermodynamics. In particular, we present the design principles of error-free and noisy information engines consisting of a colloidal particle in an optical trap that is capable of performing nearly error-free measurement and ultrafast feedback control. Our perspectives on future experimental studies are also presented. Graphical Abstract
Analysis of the parameter extraction for on-chip transmission lines

Matching networks for ultra-high frequency chips are susceptible, and accurate extraction of passive devices parameters is essential. For on-chip transmission lines, the authors present a precise method of extracting transmission line propagation constant from two transmission line measurement structures with different lengths. After obtaining the propagation constant based on this method, to get the transmission line’s characteristic impedance, this paper conducts a Y-Z model analysis of the signal pad and gives mathematical expressions. This approximation method can obtain the characteristic impedance of the transmission line without solving the signal pad’s model parameters. The propagation constant and characteristic impedance derived from the methods proposed are compared with the corresponding electromagnetic simulation results, achieving fairly good agreement from 250 MHz to 110 GHz.
Consuming beyond means: debt trap of conspicuous consumption in an emerging economy

ABSTRACT With high prevalence of conspicuous consumption in low-income emerging economies like India, we argue that households in these economies resort to debts to finance their conspicuous consumption. Using nationally representative household panel data from Indian Human Development Surveys, we provide evidence that an increase in conspicuous consumption results in higher household debt and more number of loans, using multiple empirical strategies. We further illustrate that this effect on household debt i) is higher for rural households, and ii) reduces with higher education. We contribute to the literature on conspicuous consumption and its unfavorable consequences in emerging economies.
A 63.2μW 11-Bit Column Parallel Single-Slope ADC with Power Supply Noise Suppression for CMOS Image Sensors

A low power column parallel single-slope ADC with power supply noise suppression for CMOS image sensors is proposed. The ADC is composed of a dynamic bias comparator and a novel up/down double-data-rate (DDR) counter in the column. The column ADCs are divided into groups and several control signals are delayed by groups to avoid transient large current from source. A 12-bit current steering DAC with 2-dimension gradient error tolerant switching scheme is adopted as the ramp generator to improve the linearity of the ADC. The proposed techniques are experimentally verified in a prototype chip fabricated in the TSMC 180nm CMOS process. A single-column ADC consumes a total power of 63. 2μW and occupies an area of 4. 48μm × 310μm. The measured DNL and INL of the ADC are −0.43/+0.46 LSB and −0.84/1.95 LSB.
Brexit uncertainty and volatility persistence in tourism demand

ABSTRACT Tourism has emerged as one of the leading components of aggregate economic growth in most developed economies, especially in the UK, where it is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 3.8% through 2025. Because tourism demand represents individuals’ choice between leisure and work, a persistence of negative shocks, such as Brexit uncertainty, can be detrimental to the growth of tourism via its impact on agents’ utility function of a directed consumption of leisure for a specific country. This note fills a gap in the literature by providing an econometric estimate of time-varying volatility in tourism demand following Brexit-driven Economic Policy Uncertainty. Using seasonally adjusted and trend-extracted tourist arrival series along with Brexit uncertainty, we find a strong evidence of long-run persistence in (asymmetric) volatility in tourist arrival. In particular, the BREXIT referendum appeared to create ambiguity among international visitors to the UK. Our results have important policy implications.
Strengthening friendship and pursuing artist dreams by informal musical practices: Musical agency in a cross-cultural context

This article builds upon an ethnographic study of how young people growing up in cross-cultural contexts perform their musical agency (Strøm, 2016). The twofold focus of the article concerns the ways in which the pop duo GunnInga perform their collective musical agency as well as how they strengthen their friendship and fulfill their artist dreams through informal musical practices. The theoretical framework of the article builds upon Stones’s (2005) strong structuration theory. The analysis is structured using Karlsen’s (2011) musical agency lens as a point of departure. In line with Liamputtong’s (2010) request to cross-cultural researchers, the analysis also applies a poem as an analytical tool. The term cross-cultural is applied to situate the pop duo in a context characterized by diversity in terms of both nationalities and options when it comes to activities, concerts, projects, workshops and so on, offered by both municipal and private cultural agents attempting to respond to this reality.
Use of Modals as Stance Markers: A Corpus-Based Study on Pakistani English Newspaper Editorials

This study analyses the use of modals as stance markers in newspaper editorials. Corpora of the study comprised of 500 editorials published in Pakistani English newspapers, that is, The Daily Dawn and The Daily News (250 editorials from each newspaper) which were analysed with the help of AntConc 3.4. 4.0. Results show Pakistani editorial writers use all types of modals (i.e., prediction, possibility, necessity, modal adverbs, reporting verbs, knowledge verbs and generic phrases). The editorial writers use these modals to mark personal stance while commenting, reporting or informing about the state of affairs. Among these modals the use of prediction markers is the most frequent which indicates that prediction is a characteristic feature as well as function in the said newspaper editorials. Results also reveal that there is a difference in the use of modal adverbs in the editorials of both newspapers. In addition, the results reveal that the editorial writers of The Daily Dawn make less use of prediction markers as compared to the editorial writers of The Daily News. The study creates awareness of the stance of editorial writers’ and how it might affect readers’ opinions.
In Vitro Studies on the Immunomodulatory Effects of Pulicaria crispa Extract on Human THP-1 Monocytes

Background Pulicaria crispa (P. crispa) is a plant from the Compositae family that exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. Objective The current study aimed at investigating the immunomodulatory effects of P. crispa extract in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated human monocytic THP-1 cells. Methods To induce macrophage differentiation, THP-1 cell lines were treated with phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate, followed by exposure to LPS with or without 50 or 100 μg/ml of P. crispa extract. The following tests were employed to test the immunomodulatory effects of the extract: MTT assay, ELISA, Western blotting analysis, cell migration and phagocytosis assays, and Annexin V staining method. Results Exposure to 100 μg/ml P. crispa extract significantly reduced THP-1 cell proliferation, migration, and phagocytosis (in LPS-stimulated cells, but not in unstimulated cells). Moreover, the extract alone significantly reduced the rate of THP-1 cell apoptosis, while it increased the rate of late apoptosis. Molecular investigations showed that treatment with P. crispa extract significantly upregulated the expression of ERK1, p-MAPK, P-P38, and Bcl2, while it significantly reduced the expression of ERK5, Bax, NF-κB, P-NF-κB, CCL1, CCL2, CCL5, CCL22, CXCL1, and CXCL10. Conclusion Pulicaria crispa extract exhibited anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antimigratory, and antiphagocytic effects in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. Future studies should investigate these mechanisms in animal models with chronic inflammatory diseases.
*Hypoxia for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Expansion and Differentiation: The Best Way for Enhancing TGFß-Induced Chondrogenesis and Preventing Calcifications in Alginate Beads

We examined the respective influence of a sequential or a continuous hypoxia during expansion and transforming growth factor beta 1-driven chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The differentiation was performed within alginate beads, a classical tool for the implantation of MSCs within the joint. The standard normoxic 2D (expansion) and 3D (differentiation) MSCs cultures served as reference. To determine the quality of chondrogenesis, we analyzed typical markers such as type II and X collagens, SOX9, COMP, versican, and aggrecan mRNAs using polymerase chain reaction and we assessed the production of type II collagen and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α by histological stainings. We simultaneously assessed the expression of osteogenic mRNAs (Alkaline Phosphatase, RUNX2, and Osteocalcin) and the presence of micro-calcifications by Alizarin red and Raman spectroscopy. Chondrogenic differentiation is clearly improved by hypoxia in 3D. Best results were obtained when.
Low loss double cladding nested hollow core antiresonant fiber

A double cladding nested antiresonant hollow core fiber is reported in this article. We demonstrated that the addition of nested elements in the second cladding ring and the proper optimization of structural parameters lead to the loss reduction by more than five orders. The numerical simulation exhibits a loss of less than ∼ 0.1 dB/km over the O, E, S, C, L telecom bands, with the minimum loss of 0.001 dB/km at 1.40 µm wavelength with a fiber core diameter of 33 µm. The fiber also shows a better performance in terms of bending loss as well as single modeness, and may have effective applications in a telecommunication system.
An approach for the accurate investigation of full-scale ship boundary layers and wakes

Existing recommended practices in the literature do not provide clear and concise guidance for the selection of the most suitable numerical modelling strategy for investigating the boundary layer around a ship at full scale. For example, the International Towing Tank Conference procedure for calculating the nominal wake fields of full-scale ships does not clearly specify which turbulence modelling approach should be used to accurately represent the near-wall flow in the ship’s aft region.This paper presents a numerical approach that can accurately represent the boundary layer of full-scale ships. Three turbulence modelling strategies, suitable for the simulation of ship flows, have been assessed: k-ε, k-ω SST RANS and an IDDES formulation. Results from each method have been compared against the full-scale ship propeller torque data of the MV Regal, a 138m long general cargo vessel. Additionally, the capability of each turbulence strategy to resolve time-dependent features of the flow, such as the bilge vortex and its effect on the boundary layer velocity fields, has been evaluated.The results from this investigation show that the IDDES based numerical model replicated the sea trials measurements with the highest degree of accuracy. Furthermore, this study confirmed that the choice of turbulence strategy has a major impact on the full-scale velocity fields in the aft region of a ship.
Plant cell wall degrading enzymes and their potential application to biofuel production

Thermoanaerobacterium bryantii is capable of metabolizing hemicellulose and cellulose, the major components of the plant cell wall. The enzymes that allow this bacterium to capture energy from the two polysaccharides, therefore, have potential application in plant cell wall depolymerization, a process critical to biofuel production. For this purpose, a genome sequence of T. bryantii was generated. The genomic data depicted a bacterium endowed with multiple forms of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes. A hemicellulase gene cluster encoding genes predicted to have endoxylanase activity, -xylosidase activity, -glucoronidase activity, acetyl xylan esterase activity as well as oxido-reductase activity was isolated for further studies. We hypothesized that the endoxylanase should work synergistically with the other accessory enzymes in the cluster to breakdown xylan releasing mainly xylose for the utilization of the organism. To test this hypothesis, the gene encoding the predicted endoxylanase was expressed, and the protein was biochemically characterized either alone or in combination with accessory enzymes. The endoxylanase was able to hydrolyze a number of xylan containing polysaccharides releasing xylo-oligosaccharides with the -xylosidases converting the oligosaccharides released to xylose. The -xylosidases were also able to convert the xylo-oligosaccharides released from aldouronic acids by the -glucuronidase to xylose.
When GWAS meets the Connectivity Map: drug repositioning for seven psychiatric disorders

Our knowledge of disease genetics has advanced rapidly during the past decade, with the advent of high-throughput genotyping technologies such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, few methodologies were developed and systemic studies performed to identify novel drug candidates utilizing GWAS data. In this study we focus on drug repositioning, which is a cost-effective approach to shorten the developmental process of new therapies. We proposed a novel framework of drug repositioning by comparing GWAS-imputed transcriptome with drug expression profiles from the Connectivity Map. The approach was applied to 7 psychiatric disorders. We discovered a number of novel repositioning candidates, many of which are supported by preclinical or clinical evidence. We found that the predicted drugs are significantly enriched for known psychiatric medications, or therapies considered in clinical trials. For example, drugs repurposed for schizophrenia are strongly enriched for antipsychotics (p = 4.69E-06), while those repurposed for bipolar disorder are enriched for antipsychotics (p = 2.26E-07) and antidepressants (p = 1.17E-05). These findings provide support to the usefulness of GWAS signals in guiding drug discoveries and the validity of our approach in drug repositioning. We also present manually curated lists of top repositioning candidates for each disorder, which we believe will serve as a useful resource for researchers.