Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Platelet-Tumor Cell Hybrid Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles for Enhancing Therapy Efficacy in Glioma

Purpose Cell membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles (NPs) are drawing increasing attention because their surfaces acquire some characteristics of the cell membranes, making them a unique class of biomimetic materials for diverse applications. Modification of cell membrane or combination of different types of membranes can enhance their functionality. Methods We prepared platelet and tumor cell membrane camouflaged β-mangostin-loaded NPs, which were synthesized with platelet–C6 hybrid biomimetic coating, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), and β-mangostin (β-PCNPs). Then, we evaluated their targeting ability and anticancer activity against glioma in vitro and in vivo. Results Biomimetic coating enhanced active drug targeting and immune escape properties of nanocarrier in C6 and THP-1 cells, respectively, which improved their cytotoxicity. β-PCNPs were characterized to study the inherent properties of both source cells. Compared with bare β-NPs, β-PCNPs exhibited high tumor-targeting capability and induced apoptosis of C6 cells in vitro. Similarly, intravenous administration of drug through β-PCNPs resulted in enhanced tumor-targeting and exhibited excellent rate of inhibition of glioma tumor growth in mice. Moreover, the blood circulation time of drug in mice in the β-PCNP group was markedly prolonged and these mice exhibited better outcome than those in the β-NP group. Conclusion These results provide a new strategy of utilizing PCNPs as carriers for drug delivery, which improves the targeting efficiency and therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents for glioma therapy.
Digital Storytelling as a Tool for Developing Computer Science Soft Skills in Elementary Learners: A Perspective from a STEM based Informal Learning Environment

The research explored the influence of digital storytelling as a tool for developing computer science soft skills in elementary learners. Such skills include: problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, team work, memorization, communication and computational thinking. This was conducted in an informal learning environment(ILE ) in the form of an after school program among elementary learners. The findings from the study indicate that informal learning and digital storytelling were beneficial to the elementary learners in the exploratory case study. The research questions were answered based on qualitative data from on-site data sources (interviews, observations and field notes). The study engaged elementary school children in STEM-related activities and digital storytelling in an afterschool program. Digital storytelling is viewed as an approach for enhancing children’s expression of their STEM learning experiences via the use of digital devices such as I-pads and laptops. Research in this study investigated the following hypothesis: Digital storytelling, when infused in an afterschool program, changes how elementary students think about computer science and STEM education. To assess this hypothesis, research in this study responded to two questions:
Civility and Rejection: The Contextuality of Cosmopolitan and Racist Behaviours

Applying a dual-process framework to in-depth interviews and survey data, this article explores behavioural manifestations of intercultural attitudes for white majority Norwegians. The article builds upon established literatures on social cognition showing that humans operate with two separate cognitive systems. Affective ‘automatic’ heuristics often generate negative stereotypes, aversive emotions and behavioural responses to ethnic diversities. In contrast, the ‘discursive’ cognitive system, which stores cultural scripts, motivates predominantly egalitarian aspirations and performances. As people balance their behaviours according to contextual evaluations of costs and benefits, the article’s findings indicate a tendency to practise openness and civility in public and spatio-temporally bounded encounters, and to reject or exclude the Other in half or more of privately made selection decisions.
Using vertices of a triangular irregular network to calculate slope and aspect

ABSTRACT Terrain derivative calculations from triangulated irregular network (TIN)-based digital elevation models (DEMs) have been extensively explored in geomorphometry. However, most calculation methods focus on the triangulation facets of TIN-based DEMs and ignore the vertices. In fact, these vertices are the original sampling points from the terrain surface and serve as the basis for triangulation. In this study, we argue that terrain derivative calculations using TIN-based DEMs should focus on the vertices. Employing examples with slope and aspect, we applied the TIN vertex-based method to a mathematical surface and a real topography using TIN-based DEMs with a range of sampling point densities. We performed a comparative analysis of the TIN vertex-based, TIN facet-based, and grid-based methods. Assessments on the mathematical surface showed that the TIN vertex-based method achieved the highest accuracy among the three methods. Error analysis for the real landform case indicated that the TIN vertex-based method performed slightly better than the grid-based method for slope calculation and slightly worse than the grid-based method for aspect calculation. Among the three methods, the TIN facet-based method was most sensitive to error. The TIN vertex-based method can provide a reference for the slope and aspect calculation based on point clouds.
A Design Method of Sparse Array with High Degrees of Freedom Based on Fourth-Order Cumulants

Recently, the design of sparse linear array for direction of arrival (DOA) estimation of non-Gaussian signals has attracted considerable interest due to the fact that the fourth-order difference coarray offered by non-Gaussian significantly increases the aperture of a virtual linear array, which improves the performance of DOA estimation. In this paper, a super four-level nested array (S-FL-NA) configuration based on fourth-order cumulants (FOC) is proposed. The S-FL-NA consists of uniform linear arrays which have different interelement spacing. The proposed array configuration is designed based on interelement spacing, which, for a given number of sensors, is uniquely determined by a closed-form expression. We also derive the closed-form expression for the degrees of freedom (DOFs) of the proposed array. The optimal distribution of the number of sensors in each uniform linear array of the proposed array is given for an arbitrary number of sensors. Compared with the existing sparse arrays, the proposed array can provide a higher number of degrees of freedom and a larger physical array aperture. In addition, to improve the calculation speed of the fourth-order cumulant matrix, we simplify the FOC matrix by removing some redundancy. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify the superiority of the S-FL-NA over other sparse arrays.
Optimal Scheduling of Dynamic Pricing Based V2G and G2V Operation in Microgrid Using Improved Elephant Herding Optimization

The unpredictable nature of the loads and non-linearity of the components of microgrid systems make optimal scheduling more complex. In this paper, a deterministic optimal load-scheduling problem is developed for microgrids operating in both islanding and grid-connected mode under different energy scenarios. Various cases are considered in this research, based on the interaction and dynamic behavior of the microgrid, considering electric vehicles (EVs) in the scenario. The aim of this research is to minimize the overall cost of microgrid operations. The concept of dynamic pricing has also been introduced in order to optimize the energy cost for the consumers. For ensuring the stability of the microgrids, a load variance index has been considered, and the fuzzy-based approach has been used for cost and load variance minimization to reduce the operation cost without compromising the stability of the microgrid. The grid-to-vehicle (G2V) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operations of EVs are integrated into the microgrid, which would help in valley filling and peak shaving of the loads during the off-peak and peak hours, respectively. In order to solve the proposed complex combinatorial optimization problem, elephant herding optimization (EHO) is modified and implemented. The performance of the proposed improved EHO (IEHO) is first tested on the latest CEC test functions. The results obtained by IEHO after 100 different trials are compared with the latest published methods and are found to be better based on the average value and the standard deviation for different CEC test functions. In addition, the simulation results obtained by particle swarm optimization (PSO), EHO, and proposed IEHO on a microgrid test system for different scenarios with all cases reveal that the proposed model with a mix of energy resources in the dynamic load dispatch environment bring the maximum benefits of microgrid systems. Furthermore, the results obtained from the simulation verifies that if free trade of power is allowed between the microgrids and the main grid, the process of power generation can be more economical, and further introduction of dynamic pricing into the scenario proves to be even cheaper. The implementation of the G2V and V2G operations of EVs operations in the proposed scenario not only helped in cost minimization but also helped in stabilizing the grid.
Academic self-concept, perceptions of inclusion, special needs and gender: evidence from inclusive classes in Sweden

ABSTRACT Even in inclusive classroom, children with special education needs (SEN) have been shown to have lower levels of emotional inclusion and academic self-concept. Although, their social inclusion may be comparable to their peers. At the same time, boys and girls may also experience differences in perceptions of inclusion and academic self-concept. Newly developed reliably short-ratings of these three variables (i.e. the Perception of Inclusion Questionnaire; PIQ) may offer an insight into developmental patterns for children with and without SEN in relation to perception of inclusion and academic self-concept. In this study, the PIQ is validated in a new setting and language group by looking at Swedish fifth and eighth graders in an inclusive school. Different levels of academic self-concept and emotional inclusion are found for children with SEN. Meanwhile eight-grade girls showed a lower self-concept in comparison to fifth-grade girls and to boys of either grade. Additionally, girls with SEN showed a higher level of academic self-concept than boys did in comparison to their same-sex peers without SEN.
Design and Implementation of an Autonomous Charging Station for Agricultural Electrical Vehicles

One of the goals in adopting more sustainable agricultural practices is to reduce green-house-gas emissions from current practices by replacing fossil-fuel-based heavy machinery with lighter, electrical ones. In a not-so-distant scenario where a single farmer owns a fleet of small electrical tractors/robots that can operate in an autonomous/semi-autonomous manner, this will bring along some logistic challenges. It will be highly impractical that the farmer follows each time a given vehicle moves to the charging point to manually charge it. We present in this paper the design and implementation of an autonomous charging station to be used for that purpose. The charging station is a combination of a holonomic mobile platform and a collaborative robotic arm. Vision-based navigation and detection are used in order to plug the power cable from the wall-plug to the vehicle and back to the wall-plug again when the vehicle has recharged its batteries or reached the required level to pursue its tasks in the field. A decision-tree-based scheme is used in order to define the necessary pick, navigate, and plug sequences to fulfill the charging task. Communication between the autonomous charging station and the vehicle is established in order to make the whole process completely autonomous without any manual intervention. We present in this paper the charging station, the docking mechanism, communication scheme, and the deployed algorithms to achieve the autonomous charging process for agricultural electrical vehicles. We also present real experiments performed using the developed platform on an electrical robot-tractor.
Quasiclassical trajectory study of the C(1D) + HD reaction

The isotopic product CD/CH branching ratios, thermal rate coefficients, as well as other dynamical quantities of the C(1D) + HD → CD(H) + H(D) reaction are investigated by detailed quasiclassical trajectory calculations on the highly accurate singlet ground-state (a1A′) and the first excited-state (1A′′) global ab initio potential energy surfaces (PESs) recently constructed by us. The calculated CD/CH branching ratios are in reasonable agreement with experiment. The thermal rate coefficients in the temperature range of 200–1500 K are calculated, and the obtained values at room temperature are in very good agreement with available experimental data. The distinct topographical features between the present and previous PESs, which influence the CD/CH branching ratio, are also discussed. In addition, the effect of the 1A′′ PES is investigated, and the results show that the contribution from the 1A′′ PES to the total reactivity is rather noticeable.
Reduction of pH by homolactic fermentation as indicator of fecal coliform inactivation in wastewater

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the capability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to remove pathogens present in domestic wastewater, generated in the eco-touristic circuit Lomas de Lucumo (Lima, Peru). The pH decrease was used as an indicator of the elimination of fecal coliform bacteria in the treated water. Experiments included 36 treatments, which consisted of different mixtures of sugar molasses and a lactic acid bacteria inoculum (B-Lac) in proportions of 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10% (v/v) and wastewater in a fixed proportion of 200 ml, under a completely randomized design (CRD) with factorial arrangement 6x6. The pH values on the third day were evaluated using an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey´s range test for mean differences (p < 0.05). The different treatments were analyzed in a first stage for 9 days, after which the best three were selected for a second evaluation: T16 (3% molasses and 5% B-Lac), T22 (5% molasses and 5% B-Lac) and T33 (10% molasses and 3% B-Lac); results show that the interaction effect between the two variables is significant. Finally, treatment T16 was selected as the most efficient, reaching a pH of 4.08 in a short time (3 days) that assured the complete removal of fecal coliform bacteria (9.65x10 5 MPN/100 ml) in the wastewater.
New approaches to dating intermittently varved sediment, Columbine lake, Colorado, USA

Abstract. Annually laminated lake sediment can track paleoenvironmental change at high-resolution where alternative archives are often not available. However, information about both paleoenvironmental change and chronology are often affected by indistinct and intermittent varves. We present an approach that overcomes these and other obstacles by using a quantitative varve quality index combined with a multi-core, multi-observer Bayesian varve sedimentation model that quantifies realistic under- and over-counting uncertainties while integrating information from radiometric measurements (210Pb, 137Cs, and 14C) into the chronology. We demonstrate this approach on thin sections of indistinct and intermittently varved sequences from alpine Columbine Lake, Colorado. The integrated model indicates 3137 (95 percentile highest density probability range: 2753–3375) varve years with a cumulative posterior distribution of counting uncertainties of −13/+7 % indicative of systematic observer undercounting. The sedimentary features of the thin and complex varves shift through time, from normally graded couplets to couplets interrupted with coarser sub-laminae, to inversely graded couplets. We interpret the normal grading couplets as spring nival discharge followed by winter settling, the coarser sub-laminae as high rainfall events, and the inverse grading as hyperpycnal flows and/or pulses of dust related to human impact changing the varve formation mechanism. Our novel approach provides a realistic constraint on sedimentation rates and quantifies uncertainty in varve counts by quantifying over- and under-counting uncertainties related to observer bias and the quality and variability of the sediment appearance. The approach permits the construction of a varve chronology and sedimentation rates for sites with intermittent or indistinct varves, which are likely more prevalent than sequences with distinct varves, and thus, expands the possibilities of reconstructing past environmental change with high resolution.
Strength Training for Long-Distance Triathletes: Theory to Practice

ABSTRACT Concurrent training, commonly acknowledged as a training method where strength and endurance training are completed complementary to each other, is a strategy often implemented in endurance cyclists' and runners' programs to improve physiological determinants of success such as exercise economy. Although concurrent training methods and strategies have been examined to a large extent in endurance cyclists and runners, literature examining optimal concurrent training methods to improve physiological variables in long-distance triathletes is minimal, leaving optimal programming relatively unknown. This practical applications paper identifies and outlines current concepts and considerations regarding concurrent training for long-distance triathletes including mechanisms contributing to improved performance, muscle and movement patterns used, exercise selection, load, velocity of movement, scheduling, frequency, and duration of training. Common misconceptions related to concurrent training are also identified and practical considerations for the application of concurrent training for coaches, athletes, and other professionals to improve all 3 disciplines of triathlon are discussed.
Economic restructuring and employment in Vietnam: A panel Granger causality approach

Economic restructuring is an objective process that alters structure, density, speed and quality of economic relations between sectors and regions to achieve a more reasonable structure for the social and economic development of a country. This process can be very diverse, as sometimes it is not in accordance with rules, thus the results of economic restructuring may depend on subjective or objective factors. Vietnam is a country with an abundant labor force, thus economic restructuring towards creating more jobs for workers is considered a key task of its today’s economy. Through the statistical data on the structure of economic sectors and employment in 56 provinces and cities across the country in the period of 1998–2017, combined with the use of Granger causality method, the article examines the relationship between economic restructuring and employment in Vietnam. The research results show that economic restructuring has a positive impact on employment, but there is no statistical evidence for the effect of employment on economic restructuring. The research results are consistent with the reality of economic restructuring and job growth in Vietnam, because when the structure of the economic sector changes suit the development of the world, the labor market in Vietnam also changes to meet the changing needs of the economy. unemployment rate in Indonesia from 1965 to 1996. The results estimated that when the proportion of agricultural employment decreases and the proportion of non-agricultural employment increases, the unemployment rate tends to decrease. Şahin (2020) used the panel cointegration method to examine the impact of the number of industrial robots on employment, minimum wage, and productivity. This study is dependent on the data available from 2006-2017 for 22 OECD countries. The result of the analysis shows that industrial robots' use positively affects both the long-term employment and productivity of the 22 OECD countries. This means that economic restructuring towards modernity will stimulate more job creation
A method for precipitating iron from a zinc sulphate solution as hematite

The present invention relates to a process for the removal of iron as hematite from a zinc sulphate solution in atmospheric conditions during the electrolytic production of zinc. According to the method, and the pH of the iron-containing solution was adjusted to a value of 2.7 or more, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the solution, part of the hematite is formed is recycled to the precipitation stage.
Green supply chain management and organizational culture: a bibliometric analysis based on Scopus data (2001-2020)

Purpose Along with rapid development in the green supply chain fields, questions have been raised about the direct effects of internal and external drivers. Recent evidence suggest that organizational culture is a prerequisite for the understanding of green supply chain management (GSCM). However, there has been limited examination of organizational culture in the green supply chain research area. The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between green supply chain management (GSCM) and organizational culture. Design/methodology/approach To do so, a bibliometric analysis is carried out. The search was conducted in the Scopus database by using different keywords. The records found were scanned and refined bringing the total number of documents to 46. A descriptive analysis covering influential authors, leading journals, contributing organizations and most popular words used in titles and keywords, using the Biblioshiny app, followed by a content analysis have been conducted. Findings The findings show the following: most of the influential studies were conducted by only a few researchers. The publications within the field started to increase during 2012–2020. It is worth mentioning, that the USA and UK universities have a strong research contribution among all, and there are seven core publishing journals that lead the field such as cleaner of production and sustainability. The content analysis revealed some aspects and shed light on two main topics: organizational culture as a driver or a barrier toward GSCM; and the organizational culture contribution role on the impact of GSCM on performance. Research limitations/implications This paper only addresses GSCM with organizational culture based on a small sample of papers. Furthermore, this study needs to be expanded with empirical research on the topic. It would be interesting to assess the effects of national culture within the same research area. More broadly, researchers may also need to explore the various databases instead of focusing only on Scopus database case of this paper, using various keywords. Practical implications This study plays an important role for managers and firms, and also this study is contributing in increasing the understanding of the role of cultural factors on implementing the GSCM practices and getting the highest benefits from it. Originality/value This paper holds significant contribution for scholars, especially for those who are interested in cultural issues within the management field, and for managers by enlightening a critical element to concentrate on for the betterment of green sustainability within their firms. Considering this, future research suggestions are identified.