Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical characterization of hemp-lime blocks

This paper is focused on the experimental characterization of the mechanical behaviour of hemp-lime block. To this purpose two different mechanical test are considered. After a preliminary geometric characterization of blocks and fibers a series of compression tests were carried out to characterize the elastic Young modulus and the compressive strength (UCS). Subsequently, a series of two direction stress path tests were carried out to describe the limit state behaviour of the material in term of internal friction angle and cohesion.
Comparative study on microbial enhanced oil recovery using mannosylerithritol lipids and surfactin

Worldwide oil production has been declining. Microbial enhanced oil recovery is one of the most important tertiary recovery processes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the surface activity properties of surfactin and mannosylerithritol lipids-B. In our previous studies, surfactin and mannosylerithritol lipids were produced using cassava wastewater as substrate and then purified by ultrafiltration. Thus, this work extends our previous studies. Experiments of surface activity under extreme conditions (temperature, ionic strength and pH), oil displacement, removal of oil from sand and emulsification index were carried out. Central composite rotational design was performed under extreme conditions of temperature, pH and ionic strength. The results indicated that ionic strength significantly affected the surface activity of surfactin. On the other hand, ionic strength, but also temperature and pH significantly affected the tenso activity of mannosylerithritol lipids-B. Regarding oil displacement test, mannosylerithritol lipids-B showed higher clear zone than surfactin. Contrary, in the experiments of removal of crude oil from sand, minimal differences were observed between surfactin and mannosylerithritol lipids-B. Therefore, both surfactin and mannosylerithritol lipids-B showed good surface activity under extreme conditions. In addition, it seems that mannosylerithritol lipids-B is subtly better than surfactin for microbial enhanced oil recovery.
‘She never actually let you walk into a trap’: exploring relational turning point events in the mentor–mentee relationship in the practicum

ABSTRACT The quality of the relationship between the mentor teacher and the student teacher is crucial for successful training. To date, however, little is known about how these relationships develop over time. The present study investigates this relationship formation based on the concept of relational turning point events. It presents findings of an interview study with 27 Swiss student teachers who had just completed a four-week practicum for teaching in kindergarten and primary education. They reflected on the relational turning point events that they had experienced with their mentor teacher. The results show that both positive and negative relational turning points were experienced. Appreciation and high-quality mentoring behaviour (e.g. high-quality feedback) contributed to a positive change in the relationship over time, while the reverse effect was found for a lack of appreciation and low-quality mentoring behaviour. Furthermore, the most positive relationships were experienced when ‘closeness’, an indicator of the interpersonal dimension of the relationship, was felt. These findings indicate that mentor teachers need strong professional and interpersonal skills in order to develop high-quality relationships with student teachers during the practicum.
“On the Detection of cTnI - A Comparison of Surface-Plasmon Optical -, Electrochemical -, and Electronic Sensing Concepts”

Research Article ISSN 2639-8109 Volume 6 “On the Detection of cTnI A Comparison of Surface-Plasmon Optical -, Electrochemical -, and Electronic Sensing Concepts” Rodrigues T1,2, Mishyn V1,2, Bozdogan A1,3, Leroux, Y.R. 4, Happy H2, Kasry A3,5, Boukherroub R2, Dostalek J1, Aspermair P1, Bintinger J1,6, Kleber C6, Szunerits S2 and Knoll W1,3,6 1AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Biosensor Technologies, 3430 Tulln, Austria 2Univ. Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, UMR 8520 IEMN, F-59000 Lille, France 3CEST Competence Centre for Electrochemical Surface Technology, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria 4Univ. Rennes, CNRS, ISCR –UMR 6226, Campus de Beaulieu, F-35000 Rennes, France 5Nanotechnology Research Centre (NTRC), The British University in Egypt (BUE), El-Sherouk City, Suez Desert Road, Cairo 11837, Egypt 6Department of Physics and Chemistry of Materials, Faculty of Medicine/Dental Medicine, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria
A Hybrid Analytical Model for Permanent Magnet Vernier Machines Considering Saturation Effect

This article proposes a new hybrid analytical model combining subdomain model and equivalent magnetic network for permanent magnet vernier machines, which are easy to get saturated due to the air-gap field modulation effect. The key is representing saturation effect by iterating equivalent surface current as part of interface conditions in the proposed subdomain model. First, five subdomains are divided to calculate magnetic field distribution. The equivalent surface current is utilized as the boundary constraint between subdomains and iron core. Second, the equivalent magnetic network is established based on stator structure, and the fluxes flowing into flux modulation poles are equivalent as the magnetic flux sources. Node magnetic potentials can be achieved with the application of Kirchhoff's law of current. Then, the equivalent surface current is updated for convergence by node magnetic potential to accurately predict saturated performance. Finally, a prototype is manufactured, and the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid model is verified by the finite-element analysis (FEA) and experimental results. The hybrid model combines the subdomain model and the equivalent magnetic network model to complement each other and it is demonstrated to be more efficient than the FEA model while maintaining high accuracy.
(In)secure Acoustic Mobile Authentication

Acoustic fingerprinting aims to identify a mobile device based on its internal microphone(s) and speaker(s) which are unique due to manufacturing imperfection. This paper seeks a thorough understanding of the (in)security of exploring acoustic fingerprints for achieving distributed mobile authentication. Our contributions are threefold. First, we present a new acoustic fingerprint-emulation attack and demonstrate that it is a common vulnerability of acoustic mobile authentication systems. Second, we propose a dynamic challenge-response defense to secure acoustic mobile authentication systems against the acoustic fingerprint-emulation attack. Finally, we thoroughly investigate existing acoustic fingerprinting schemes and identify the best option for accurate, secure, and deployable acoustic mobile authentication systems.
Colony: A Privileged Trusted Execution Environment With Extensibility

The code base of system software is growing fast, which results in a large number of vulnerabilities: for example, 296 CVEs have been found in Xen hypervisor and 2195 CVEs in Linux kernel. To reduce the reliance on the trust of system software, many researchers try to provide trusted execution environments (TEEs), which can be categorized into two types: non-privileged TEEs and privileged TEEs. Non-privileged TEEs (e.g., Intel SGX) are extensible, but cannot protect security services like virtual machine introspection (VMI) due to the lack of system-level semantics. On the contrary, privileged TEEs (e.g., the secure world of ARM TrustZone) have system-level semantics, but any additional service implemented in the privileged TEE directly increases the TCB of the entire system. In this article, we propose a new design of TEE to support system-level security services and achieve better extensibility with a small TCB. Each TEE instance of the proposed design is named a <sc>Colony</sc>. Specifically, we introduce a <italic>secure monitor</italic> for isolation and capability management. Each <sc>Colony</sc> is assigned capabilities to access only necessary system-level semantics. We use the new TEE to build four security services, including secure device accessing, VMI tools, a system call tracer, and a much more complex service to virtualize ARM TrustZone with multiple <sc>Colonies</sc>. We have implemented the system on ARMv7 and ARMv8 platforms, in Xen hypervisor and Linux kernel, and perform a detailed evaluation to show its efficiency. <xref rid="fn1" ref-type="fn"><sup>1</sup></xref><fn id="fn1"><label>1. </label><p>This paper is an extended version of the conference paper published in USENIX Security’17: vTZ: Virtualizing ARM TrustZone <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref29">[29]</xref> . A brief summary of differences is in Section<xref ref-type="sec" rid="sec8">8</xref> . </p></fn>
GaN-Based ZVS Bridgeless Dual-SEPIC PFC Rectifier With Integrated Inductors

This article investigates the gallium nitride based bridgeless dual single-ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) power factor correction (PFC) with full input voltage range zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) turn-on for the application of step down ac–dc converter. The operation principle for the bridgeless Dual-SEPIC PFC and the theoretical analysis for the ZVS operation has been investigated. Furthermore, a new magnetic integration has been proposed to assemble all three inductors, including one input inductor and two output side inductors into one E-I-E core. The integrated inductor reduces the total ferrite volume and makes the converter more compact. The inductance design for ZVS SEPIC PFC and the magnetic reluctance modeling for the E-I-E core with the coupled inductor has been analyzed. The effective equivalent inductance of the input inductor can be implemented with a much less number of turns by a carefully designed coupling coefficient. Finally, a 300 W GaN-based MHz bridgeless dual-SEPIC PFC with the integrated inductors is developed and tested with full–range ZVS, 97% peak efficiency based on the ZVS extension strategy.
Polyethersulfone-co-polyesters blend ultrafiltration membranes for biomedical and biotechnological applications. Preliminary study

Polyethersulfone (PES) L-lactide/glycolide/ε-caprolactone (LGC) terpolymer blend ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by non-solvent-induced phase separation method using macromolecular additives – polyvinylpyrrolidone and Pluronic® 127. The membrane forming mixtures were prepared by mixing two solutions: PES in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and LGC in tetrahydrofuran. The membranes before and after hydrolysis were characterized by: Fourier transform infrared, contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, elemental analysis, hydraulic permeability, and cut-off point. The hydrolysis of LGC terpolymer component in the membranes was tested by the gravimetric method. The changes of properties of membranes due to the hydrolysis were investigated. Hydrolysis was carried out for 46 weeks. The cut-off point of membranes did not change significantly after hydrolysis. A significant increase in hydraulic permeability ranging from 32% to 48% depending on the membrane was detected.
Measuring Green Space Effects on Attention and Stress in Children and Youth: A Scoping Review

Abstract:This scoping review compiles 42 published studies measuring children's attention and/or stress responses to green space settings. Attention and stress outcomes include objective (e.g., physiological) and subjective (rating scale) traditions. Attention studies had two distinct subjective measurement traditions, one measuring ADHD symptoms, the other measuring attention restoration theory constructs. Correlational studies were more likely to use subjective scales for outcomes whereas experimental studies more frequently used objective measures or a mix of objective and subjective measures. Care should be taken when interpreting and extending this literature as the comparability of outcome variables across studies is unclear.
Water quality in an urbanized river basin impacted by multi-pollution sources: from comprehensive surveys to modelling

: The Seneque / Riverstrahler (SR) model, which was developed to establish links between the biogeochemical functioning of river systems and the constraints set by their (i) meteorology, (ii) drainage network morphology and (iii) human activities, was applied to the Day-Nhue River basin (DNRB). The DNRB is the most polluted area in northern part of Vietnam where domestic, industrial, agricultural and aquacultural activities have generated multiple sources of pollutants to the DNRB. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in industrial zones (at manufacturers and factories) of the DNRB to establish initial conditions of industrial activities for the SR. At the same time, water samples were collected from various industrial sectors and analyzed for suspended matter and nutrients. Additionally, river water quality surveys were conducted monthly at 11 stations inside the DNRB in 2006 and 2015. Simulation results from the SR model were then compared with analytical results of water quality for model validation. As a result, a nutrient budget of the river network was established to access the risk of coastal eutrophication in the Tonkin Bay. The model will provide adequate knowledge for policy makers to develop suitable water pollution management plans regarding nutrient sources and sinks.
Porphyromonas gingivalis Promotes Colorectal Carcinoma by Activating the Hematopoietic NLRP3 Inflammasome

This study demonstrates that the periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis can promote colorectal tumorigenesis by recruiting myeloid cells and creating a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a keystone periodontal pathogen associated with various digestive cancers. However, whether P. gingivalis can promote colorectal cancer and the underlying mechanism associated with such promotion remains unclear. In this study, we found that P. gingivalis was enriched in human feces and tissue samples from patients with colorectal cancer compared with those from patients with colorectal adenoma or healthy subjects. Cohort studies demonstrated that P. gingivalis infection was associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. P. gingivalis increased tumor counts and tumor volume in the ApcMin/+ mouse model and increased tumor growth in orthotopic rectal and subcutaneous carcinoma models. Furthermore, orthotopic tumors from mice exposed to P. gingivalis exhibited tumor-infiltrating myeloid cell recruitment and a proinflammatory signature. P. gingivalis promoted colorectal cancer via NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro and in vivo. NLRP3 chimeric mice harboring orthotopic tumors showed that the effect of NLRP3 on P. gingivalis pathogenesis was mediated by hematopoietic sources. Collectively, these data suggest that P. gingivalis contributes to colorectal cancer neoplasia progression by activating the hematopoietic NLRP3 inflammasome. Significance: This study demonstrates that the periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis can promote colorectal tumorigenesis by recruiting myeloid cells and creating a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment. Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals. org/content/canres/81/10/2745/F1.large. jpg. Graphical Abstract
Fluorescent labeling of biocompatible block copolymers: synthetic strategies and applications in bioimaging

Among biocompatible materials, block copolymers (BCPs) possess several advantages due to the control of their chemistry and the possibility of combining various blocks with defined properties. Consequently, BCPs drew considerable attention as biocompatible materials in the fields of drug delivery, medicine and bioimaging. Fluorescent labeling of BCPs quickly appeared to be a method of choice to image and track these materials in order to better understand the nature of their interactions with biological media. However, incorporating fluorescent markers (FM) into BCPs can appear tricky; we thus intend to help chemists in this endeavor by reviewing recent advances made in the last 10 years. With the choice of the FM being of prior importance, we first reviewed their photophysical properties and functionalities for optimal labeling and imaging. In the second part the different chemical approaches that have been used in the literature to fluorescently label BCPs have been reviewed. We also report and discuss relevant applications of fluorescent BCPs in bioimaging.
Distributed Time-Varying Optimization With State-Dependent Gains: Algorithms and Experiments

This brief addresses distributed continuous-time optimization problems with time-varying objective functions. The goal is for multiple agents to cooperatively minimize the sum of local time-varying objective functions with only local interaction and information while explicitly taking into account distributed adaptive gain design. Here, the optimal point is time varying and creates an optimal trajectory. First, for the unconstrained case, a distributed nonsmooth algorithm coupled with a state-dependent gain is proposed. It is shown that the interaction gain for each agent can be computed according to the variation of the Hessian and gradient information of the convex local objective functions so that the algorithm can solve the time-varying optimization problem without imposing a bound on any information about the local objective functions. Second, for the case where there exist common time-varying linear equality constraints, an extended algorithm is presented, where local Lagrangian functions are introduced to address the equality constraints. The asymptotic convergence of both algorithms to the optimal solution is proved. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the theoretical results. In addition, the one proposed algorithm is experimentally implemented and validated on a multi-Crazyflie platform.
Impact of Perception of Performance Appraisal Politics on Affective Commitment: Mediate Effect of Perception of Organizational Support and Differentiation Effect of Perception Attribution

Performance appraisal politics is widespread in the organization. It provides a new perspective for improving performance appraisal to study its effects on employee attitudes. In addition, its influence on employees’ attitude is still blank. This paper utilizes questionnaire survey and structural equation model to study the impact of different types of perception of performance appraisal politics on employees’ affective commitment. The result shows that different types of perception of performance appraisal politics have different effect on employees’ attitude. Perception of public-private concerned high ratings has positive effect, however, perception of organizational-interested low ratings, selfish high rating perception and self-interested low rating perception have negative effect. The effect strength was decided by employee’s attribution about perception of performance appraisal politics. Perception of organizational support played a complete mediate role in the impact of perception of performance appraisal politics on employees’ affective commitment. Based on the findings of the study, managers can reduce employees’ negative perception of performance appraisal politics and passive consequences by restricting estimators’ selfish leniency and conscious oppressive evaluation, guiding employees to attribute performance appraisal politics positively and enhancing perception of organizational support.
Three - Dimensional Culture For Continuous Long Term Live Cell Imaging

Conventional cell culture systems are primarily two dimensional (2D). They are low cost and robust, and ensure homogeneous cell proliferation due to equal access to nutrients. However, they do not accurately represent in vivo conditions, with only horizontal spreading, in case of adherent cells. Three dimensional (3D) culture systems are now becoming increasingly popular since the conditions in these systems are similar to those in vivo, due to the presence of a matrix. 3D systems also make it easier to image and track individual cells over long periods of time, especially suspension cells. Continuous long term live cell imaging using a 3D culture system can aid in the detection of minute morphological changes in cells which can serve as indicators of complex cellular processes. In our study, we assessed the suitability of a collagenbased 3D culture system for continuous long term live cell imaging with respect to the collagen concentrations, cell seeding numbers for adherent and suspension cells and the longest duration for imaging. A primary test for diffusion of dye through the gel was also conducted. We found collagen concentrations of 1.5 and 2.0 mg/ml seeded with cell numbers from 1× 10 5 and 3 × 10 5 cells/ml (depending on the cell type) to be optimal for imaging up to 120 hours. The primary dye diffusion test showed successful staining of cells through the matrix. Thus, we demonstrate the practicability of 3D culture for continuous long term live cell imaging of adherent and suspension cells.
First look into the evolutionary history, phylogeographic and population genetic structure of the Danube barbel in Croatia

The Danube barbel,Barbus balcanicusis small rheophilic freshwater fish, belonging to the genusBarbuswhich includes 23 species native to Europe. In Croatian watercourses, three members of the genusBarbusare found,B. balcanicus,B. barbusandB. plebejus, each occupying a specific ecological niche. This study examined cytochromeb(cytb), a common genetic marker used to describe the structure and origin of fish populations to perform a phylogenetic reconstruction of the Danube barbel. Two methods of phylogenetic inference were used: maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML), which yielded well supported trees of similar topology. The Median joining network (MJ) was generated and corroborated to show the divergence of three lineages ofBarbus balcanicuson the Balkan Peninsula: Croatian, Serbian and Macedonian lineages that separated at the beginning of the Pleistocene. Croatian lineage ofB. balcanicusshows a uniform structure with many recently diverged haplotypes, which was further supported by the star-like shape of the MJ network. Effective size estimates were obtained for populations inhabiting separate river catchments and the results imply the good reproductive potential ofBarbus balcanicusin Croatia, which is in positive correlation with the overall high genetic diversity calculated for its populations. Nevertheless, population sizes of several population seem to be reduced as a consequence of habitat degradation and fragmentation.