Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective effect of aminoguanidine against acute lung injury induced by influenza А (H1N1)pdm09 (mouse-adapted) virus in mice with diabetes mellitus

: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation is a reason for protein dysfunction and inflammatory response during acute lung injury (ALI) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Previous studies showed the efficacy of AGEs blockers against inflammatory response and protein dysfunction. But the efficacy of AGEs blockers against ALI with combined pathology stays unclear. This study was performed on albino female mice with DM. Virus-induced ALI was induced by the pandemic strain of influenza virus A(H1N1)pdm09. Experimental DM was induced by a single subcutaneous injection of alloxan monohydrate (180 mg/kg). Aminoguanidine bicarbonate (25 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was administered during 7 days post-infection. In our research, we evaluated parameters of ALI during influenza infection such as survival rate, blood-oxygen saturation, levels of cytokines in lung tissue, specific hematological parameters, lung tissue morphology, and AGEs level in the lungs. The protective effect of aminoguanidine was confirmed by reduction mortality, decreasing of hypoxia and limitation of lung damage(p<0.05). At the same time, a reduction of inflammation response and AGEs level in the lung was observed in treated infected mice with DM (p<0.05). Based on obtained results, aminoguanidine showed efficacy against virus-induced ALI with DM.
Three-dimensional crustal P-wave velocity structure and seismicity analysis in Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan Region

In this paper,we present a joint inversion investigation of both three-dimensional crustal P-wave structures and hypocenter parameters using double-difference seismic tomography method in Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan (BTT) region.The double-difference seismic tomography method was adopted to refine the absolute and relative event locations and P-wave velocity structures simultaneously with the direct use of both absolute arrival times and the more accurate differential travel times.These data came from the earthquake catalog records of totally 3983 events recorded by 112 stations from the Northern China Telemetry Seismic Network (NCTSN) and Capital Digital Seismic Network (CDSN) in BTT region during the years of 1993 to 2004. The inversion results indicated that this method produced a more pronounced and detailed velocity model of the BTT region,which was more consistent with the features of the local geological setting.It revealed the low P-wave velocity anomaly in the plains and basins.In the uplifts of mountain and exposed rock areas,it appeared as high P-wave velocity anomalies.In the BTT region,after being projected to the horizontal P-wave relative velocity perturbation maps in 10 km and 15 km depths,the relocated hypocenters of magnitude M_L≥3.0 earthquakes showed identical features with those of the historic earthquakes with magnitude M≥6.0. The majority of the hypocenters were located in the conjunctional areas of low and high P-wave velocity anomalies. And they were slightly closer to the high P-wave velocity abnormal areas.Only few earthquakes have ever occurred within the high P-wave velocity anomalies.
Bull’s age effect on the ratio of x and y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa

The reproductive efficiency improvements that can be achieved in bovine herds highly depend on the male, as the bulls account for approximately 80% of the gene pool. Likewise, age can impact the sires’ reproductive efficiency through its seminal quality, which is strongly influenced by the bull’s sexual maturity. The study aimed to assess the bull’s age effect on the X and Y chromosomes-bearing spermatozoa ratio in semen. Sixteen Brahman bulls (Bos indicus) were grouped into two age range and their reproductive capacity was assessed. Genomic DNA was extracted from a single collection of semen to quantify by qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) the PLP and SRY genes, used as sexual chromosome markers, and autosomal GAPDH as the reference gene. The values obtained were compared using the delta Ct (2-∆Ct) method and validated with the use of a commercial sample of semen sexed for the X chromosome. The SRY gene had a proportion of 43% in bulls of 4-5 years of age and 32% in the group of 9-10 years, while the proportions of the PLP gene were 57% in bulls of 4-5 years and 68% in the 9-10 years group. This deviation from the expected ratio (1:1) in bulls of nine and ten years old with a preponderance of the X chromosome content might suggest a possible influence of age in the sex chromosome proportions in the spermatozoa; however, these results were not statistically significant.
OF EDUCATORS AND EDUCATION Implementing and Facilitating STEAM Problem-Based Learning From the Perspective of Teacher Leadership

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education taught through Project-Based Learning (STEAM PBL) has expanded across 22 states in the United States in the last two years. The literature on STEAM teaching is just emerging with most of the studies having focused on descriptions of newly established STEAM schools and how the teaching methods have been incorporated in classrooms. These studies have mainly used qualitative research or case study design. While the majority of the studies have described what is going on in terms of STEAM teaching, little is known about what type of school leadership can best facilitate the implementation of STEAM PBL. This study explores this gap by examining the source, process, practices, and effect of teacher leadership in relation to the implementation of STEAM PBL. Data from 18 interviews with teachers in eight middle schools in a southern low-performing district point to the importance of ongoing, hands-on professional development, effective professional learning teams of teachers, and teacher leadership for the effective impl e mentation of STEAM PBL teaching.
Nonlinear analysis of inelastic frames considering a corotational approach and plasticity by layers: a discussion about computational implementation

This work presents the development of a numerical solver for nonlinear analyses of plane frame structures using the corotational formulation to take into account geometric nonlinearity and considering an elasto-plastic constitutive model. A one-dimensional rate-independent plastic model with isotropic hardening was implemented, and the cross-sections of beam-column elements were subdivided into layers to simulate plastification. The goal is to discuss the computational implementation aspects of the inelastic material behavior in an object-oriented framework for nonlinear finite element analysis of frame structural models. A numerical example is presented to highlight the influence of the inelastic behavior in the equilibrium path of structures.
HEADQUARTERS SITE S ELECTION OF PUBLIC LISTED FIRMS: A SELF - EXPLICATED CONJOINT MODEL

The selection of site for headquarters is a decision that any company has to wrestle with at the time of formation of the company and/or at some point in the life cycle of the company. This decision affects not only companies, but also regions, countries, municipalities, and cities that seek to attract headquarters into and retain them in their respective regions. This paper analysed site selection preferences using an online survey which was sent to company executives to understand the trade-offs in site selection decisions. The self-explicated conjoint model was used to understand such trade-offs. The results reveal that security, access by car, parking facilities, backup generators, layout flexibility, and energy efficiency are some of the most preferred attributes in headquarters site selection decisions. There has been limited study on understanding such decisions in a developing country like South Africa, and this study will help policy makers, government, property developers, and investors to understand the preferences of headquarters in the selection of sites for their operation.
ITACASE: A TOOL SUPPORTING THE DESIGN OF MAS USING THE GAIA METHODOLOGY

Gaia was one of the first agent-based methodologies to exploit the organizational abstractions, to provide clear guidelines for the analysis and design of complex multiagent systems. Moreover, the clear processes and models Gaia proposes have awakened a great interest for such methodology in the agent research arena. Nevertheless, a current successful design methodology should include some other strategic factors to obtain its adoption in the industrial environment. Among them, the support of a specific CASE tool to simplify the work of the designer according to the methodology design process may encourage the industrial software engineers to use it in their real world projects. For this purpose, the present study introduces ITACASE, a CASE which covers all the phases of Gaia allowing agent engineers to produce and document the corresponding models.
Recoupling: The driver of Human Success

This article’s point of departure is that most of life’s challenges are collective challenges, to be addressed through collective action that can be successful only when people act beyond enlightened self-interest. This is the opposite of the methodological individualism that underlies mainstream economic and political analysis. The core idea is that to address our collective challenges, we need to coordinate our collective capacities at a scale and scope at which these challenges occur. As our
COMPOSITE INDEX: METHODS AND PROPERTIES

Composite Index (CI) depends on method of combining several variables or indicators to reflect overall assessment. Each method of combining the component indicators results in different values of CI and different rankings from a given dataset. The paper describes problems for construction of CI at various stages and proposes a number of methods for obtaining CI along with desired properties which a good CI will satisfy. Existing and proposed methods to construct CI can be compared with respect to those desired properties. The Geometric Mean approach satisfies all the desired properties and avoids calculation of weights or variance-covariance matrix or correlation matrix. The Geometric Mean approach is applicable for situation even where only the two vectors X and T are given for the current year and the previous year. Thus, the Geometric Mean approach is well applicable for assessment of impact. The approach also helps to identify relative importance of the component indicators in terms of values of the ratios and also identify the critical areas and facilitate initiation of corrective measures. Such identification is important from a policy point of view. The GM method reduces the level of substitutability between component indicators and facilitates statistical test of significance of equality of two geometric means. Thus, the Geometric Mean approach and may be taken as best among the methods discussed.
FOR THE TRUST OF CAPM: THE EVIDENCE FROM ESTONIAN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

The main challenge for the real estate appraisers and investors is to acquire the adequate input data for their real estate investment and market valuations. One of those most challenging input data are those, which should be driven by the market players, especially the rates of returns. According to the finance theory, direct and indirect methods can be used to calculate investor’s required rate of return. In case of direct method, the required rate of return value will be given by investor(s), depending heavily on investor’s levels of risk aversion. In case of indirect methods, the discount rate is calculated using current or historic data. The major difficulty here is that actual required rate of return cannot be observed from market data and that is why scholars can estimate different rates of return. One of the most well-known methods both in theory and in practice for estimating required rate of return of an investment is capital asset pricing model (CAPM), which on the other hand, has been challenged and criticized by some of the scholars. Therefore, within this paper, an applicability of the CAPM theory in practice is tested by confronting it with the Estonian commercial real estate investors’ expert opinion. Due to the above said, the current paper aims to explore, whether the implicit way of assessing rates of returns matches with the explicitly assessed rates of returns, based on the example of Estonian commercial real estate market. The research is based on the surveys conducted in years 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018. The study findings show that the results of the market expert opinions acquired through the questionnaires verify the correctness of the results of required rate of return obtained by CAPM, calculated by 10-year based historical data. The overall results revealed that the average long-term required rate of return of a typical investor, considering a typical core investment in commercial real estate in Estonia, is around to 9% per annum.
Computers and Mathematics with Applications

We propose a simulator for time-dependent Maxwell’s equations with linear computational cost. We employ B-spline basis functions as considered in the isogeometric analysis (IGA). We focus on non-stationary Maxwell’s equations deﬁned on a regular patch of elements. We employ the idea of alternating-directions splitting (ADS) and employ a second-order accurate time-integration scheme for the time-dependent Maxwell’s equations in a weak form. After discretization, the resulting stiﬀness matrix exhibits a Kronecker product structure. Thus, it enables linear computational cost LU factorization. Additionally, we derive a formulation for absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) suitable for direction splitting. We perform numerical simulations of the scattering problem (traveling pulse wave) to verify the ABC. We simulate the radiation of electromagnetic (EM) waves from the dipole antenna. We verify the order of the time integration scheme using a manufactured solution problem. We then simulate magnetotelluric measurements. Our simulator is implemented in a shared memory parallel machine, with the GALOIS library supporting the parallelization. We illustrate the parallel eﬃciency with strong and weak scalability tests corresponding to non-stationary Maxwell simulations.
L 2 / L 1 induced norm and Hankel norm analysis in sampled-data systems

: This paper is concerned with the L 2 / L 1 induced and Hankel norms of sampled-data systems. In deﬁning the Hankel norm, the h -periodicity of the input-output relation of sampled-data systems is taken into account, where h denotes the sampling period; past and future are separated by the instant Θ ∈ [0 , h ), and the norm of the operator describing the mapping from the past input in L 1 to the future output in L 2 is called the quasi L 2 / L 1 Hankel norm at Θ . The L 2 / L 1 Hankel norm is deﬁned as the supremum over Θ ∈ [0 , h ) of this norm, and if it is actually attained as the maximum, then a maximum-attaining Θ is called a critical instant. This paper gives characterization for the L 2 / L 1 induced norm, the quasi L 2 / L 1 Hankel norm at Θ and the L 2 / L 1 Hankel norm, and it shows that the ﬁrst and the third ones coincide with each other and a critical instant always exists. The matrix-valued function H ( ϕ ) on [0 , h ) plays a key role in the sense that the induced / Hankel norm can be obtained and a critical instant can be detected only through H ( ϕ ), even though ϕ is a variable that is totally irrelevant to Θ . The relevance of the induced / Hankel norm to the H 2 norm of sampled-data systems is also discussed.
Arsenic Cancer Risk Confounder in Southwest Taiwan Data Set

Quantitative analysis for the risk of human cancer from the ingestion of inorganic arsenic has been based on the reported cancer mortality experience in the blackfoot disease (BFD)–endemic area of southwest Taiwan. Linear regression analysis shows that arsenic as the sole etiologic factor accounts for only 21% of the variance in the village standardized mortality ratios for bladder and lung cancer. A previous study had reported the influence of confounders (township, BFD prevalence, and artesian well dependency) qualitatively, but they have not been introduced into a quantitative assessment. In this six-township study, only three townships (2, 4, and 6) showed a significant positive dose–response relationship with arsenic exposure. The other three townships (0, 3, and 5) demonstrated significant bladder and lung cancer risks that were independent of arsenic exposure. The data for bladder and lung cancer mortality for townships 2, 4, and 6 fit an inverse linear regression model (p < 0.001) with an estimated threshold at 151 μg/L (95% confidence interval, 42 to 229 μg/L). Such a model is consistent with epidemiologic and toxicologic literature for bladder cancer. Exploration of the southwest Taiwan cancer mortality data set has clarified the dose–response relationship with arsenic exposure by separating out township as a confounding factor.
From a pandemic to a cost of living crisis. Associations between financial wellbeing, financial uncertainty and mental health in contemporary Britain

Background: Financial wellbeing is a determinant of mental health but the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent cost of living crisis generated by inflation have negatively impacted both aspects. Methods: Data come from Understanding Society. We address long-term (1991-2022) relationships between poor financial wellbeing (PFW), poor financial prospect (PFP) and psychological distress (GHQ-36 >= 9) using a conditional logit model as well as recent trends (2019-2022) using a Latent Growth Modelling (LGM) based on the diagonally weighted least squares (WLSMV) accounting for socio-demographic covariates and measures of deprivation. Multiple imputations were used for non-response. Results: Recent years have seen a surge in GHQ cases and PFP and consistent association between GHQ and PFW (OR=1.31; 95%CI=1.29;1.33) and PFP (OR= 1.13; 95%CI=1.12;1.15) are observed. The association between PFW and GHQ-36 slightly weakened during the pandemic [WLSMV: 0.30 (95%CI= 0.28; 0.33) in 2019; 0.27 (95%CI= 0.25; 0.30) in 2020] but strengthened for PFP [0.22 (95%CI= 0.19; 0.25) in 2019, 0.26 (95%CI= 0.23; 0.29) in 2020]. Those renting and those in the most deprived areas were more likely to report PFW whilst those in the least deprived areas and having a mortgage experiencing greater PFP, both contributing to explain psychological distress. Discussion: Policies implemented during the pandemic might have contributed to partially reduce the association between financial wellbeing and mental health but post-pandemic associations in the context of an early cost of living crisis show an increased risk with those living in the most deprived areas or not owing an accommodation more at risk.
Things we do not yet understand about solar driving of the radiation belts

This commentary explores how close we are to predicting the behavior of the radiations belts—the primary science objective of NASA's Van Allen Probes mission. Starting with what we know or think we know about competing sources, enhancement, transport, and loss, I walk through recent papers that have improved our understanding and then focus on flux dropouts as one particular yardstick of success. I mention a new paradigm for electrons and the importance of reliably matching models and observations for different solar inputs. Although the case for prediction remains a work in progress, there are encouraging signs of progress.
The Iron Age copper industrial complex: A preliminary study of the role of ground stone tools at Khirbat en-Nahas, Jordan

The first industrial revolution in the southern Levant crystallized during the Iron Age when copper production reached scales never before seen in this part of the Middle East. Ever since copper ore was first smelted during the Chalcolithic period, the Arabah valley, and its widespread distribution of copper mineralization, was the main source for copper ore in the region. The main ore deposits are located in Timna (Israel) in the southern part of the valley, and some 105 km to the north, in the Faynan region (Jordan). Faynan is the largest copper ore resource zone in the southern Levant. Excavations at the Iron Age Faynan site of Khirbat en-Nahas and the recent final publication of that project have revealed peaks in industrial-scale production during the 10 th and 9 th centuries BCE. However, the role of ground stone tools in the Iron Age copper industry in Faynan has not been systematically presented. This paper presents a preliminary study of the ground stone assemblage from one excavation season at Khirbat en-Nahas, thereby highlighting the great potential for ground stone tools research at the site. Using the chaine operatoire method of technological study, this paper takes a quantitative approach to the typological, material, and spatial distribution of ground stone artefacts at Khirbat en-Nahas to understand their role in copper production. Ethnoarchaeological study of hereditary bronze casting workshops in southern India provides a compelling model of how ground stone tools played a critical role in one of the most important dimensions of metal production in all periods - recycling - in an Iron Age copper factory.
Food provision to support improved nutrition and well-being of people experiencing disadvantage – perspectives of service providers

Objective: Diet quality is significantly impacted by social and environmental factors. People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage face inequitable barriers to accessing nutritious foods and health services, resulting in significant health disparities. This study aimed to explore the barriers faced by organisations that provide food support to people experiencing disadvantage as well as to identify potential strategies to enhance this support for improved well-being of clients. Design: Semi-structured interviews using an exploratory approach and inductive thematic analysis. Setting: Australia. Participants: Individuals from organisations involved in the provision of food support for people experiencing disadvantage aged ≥16 years. Results: Two major themes were identified from thirteen interviews. ‘Dignity and respect for clients’ serves as a guiding principle for food-related services across all organisations, while ‘food’ was a point of connection and a potential gateway to additional support pathways. Five additional subthemes included ‘food as a platform to reduce social isolation, foster connection and promote participation’, challenges with ‘servicing clients with diverse experiences and needs’, ‘dependence on staff and volunteers with varying knowledge and skillsets’, ensuring ‘adequate access to services, resources and facilities’ and ‘necessity of community collaboration’. Conclusions: This study highlights the unique position of organisations involved in food support to identify client-specific needs and implement broader holistic health support. Future interventions should prioritise dignity, respect and social connection in design. Organisations require an adequately trained, sustainable workforce, with shared or enhanced services, resources and facilities, and greater community coordination with other services to maximise effectiveness.