Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimuslimische Einstellungen in der Polizei?

Zusammenfassung Antimuslimische Einstellungen, die in Zusammenhang mit diskriminierenden und gruppenbezogenen menschenfeindlichen Übergriffen gebracht werden, sind besonders verheerend für die Polizei. Immer wieder gerät die Polizei in den Verdacht, auf dem »rechten« Auge blind zu sein. In diesem Beitrag werden Ergebnisse einer Befragung an Kommissaranwärterinnen und -anwärtern (N = 364) vorgestellt, die 2016 und 2017 an der Hochschule der Akademie der Polizei Hamburg durchgeführt wurde. Die Studie berichtet Befunde zu selbstberichteter Kontakthäufigkeit und -qualität mit als muslimisch wahrgenommenen Menschen im privaten und beruflichen Bereich und deren Zusammenhänge mit Vorurteilen und Stereotypen gegenüber Muslimen. Insgesamt berichten die Befragten negative Stereotype gegenüber als muslimisch wahrgenommenen Männern sowie Dehumanisierungstendenzen gegenüber Muslimen. Jedoch weisen sie nicht substanziell negativere Vorurteile gegenüber Muslimen auf als die Allgemeinbevölkerung. Während selbstberichtete berufliche Kontakte mit als muslimisch wahrgenommenen Menschen mit stärkeren selbstberichteten Vorurteilen und negativeren Stereotypen in Zusammenhang stehen, stehen selbstberichtete positive und private Kontakte mit geringeren Vorurteilen und weniger negativen Stereotypen in Zusammenhang. Interaktionen zwischen selbstberichteten privaten und beruflichen Kontakten werden ebenso wie die Rolle der Sozialen Dominanzorientierung untersucht und praktische Implikationen der Erkenntnisse diskutiert.
Modulation of cell yields and genetic responses of Salmonella fermentation and colonization in the gastrointestinal ecology of avian species

Modulation of Cell Yields and Genetic Responses of Salmonella Fermentation and Colonization in the Gastrointestinal Ecology of Avian Species. (December 2006) Kingsley Delroy Dunkley, B.S., Prairie View A&M University; M.S., Prairie View A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Steven C. Ricke Dr. David J. Caldwell In these studies we evaluated specific environmental stimuli relevant to Salmonella virulence and physiology in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens. Results from Salmonella growth in steady state, glucose-limiting continuous culture (CC) indicated that the optimal growth condition was observed between 0.05 h and 0.27 h dilution rates (D). Cell protein concentrations increased proportionally with an increase in D at each steady state, but after D 0.27 h there was a reduction in the cell protein concentrations as the D increased. Genetic responses generally indicated that the lowest D exhibited highest hilA relative expression. Relatively higher expression of hilA was largely observed at low D (low glucose) (0.0125 h, 0.025 h, 0.05 h). Salmonella incubated in CC at different pH shifts demonstrated that cell protein concentration, glucose utilization, Yield ATP and Acetate:Propionate ratios were influenced by an increase in pH (6.14 to 7.41). These parameters increased and decreased consistently with a corresponding increase and decrease in pH. Polymerase chain reaction-based denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis showed that the overall amplicon band patterns of microbial similarity have demonstrated that
Shrinking tube mesh: combined mesh generation and smoothing for pathologic vessels

Abstract We present a mesh generation algorithm which is able to produce smooth meshes from point clouds derived from histological slices. In this work, the shrinking tube mesh generation is used on histologic images depicting pathologic vessels. Our mesh generation is modeled after the behaviour of a shrinking tube. A start shape is fitted iteratively to the point cloud. The presented algorithm was successfully used to generate meshes of the inner and outer contour from vessels in histologic images. While histologic slices have a high in-plane resolution, the large slice distance and deformations during tissue deformations are challenging for 3D model generation.
LIFE Monza: comparison between ante and post-operam noise and air quality monitoring activities in a Noise Low Emission Zone

Abstract LIFE MONZA project (Methodologies fOr Noise low emission Zones introduction And management) aims at defining an easy-replicable method for the identification and management of the Noise Low Emission Zones (Noise LEZ), urban areas subject to traffic restrictions, usually introduced in order to ensure compliance with the air pollutants limit values, prescribed by the European Directive on ambient air quality 2008/50/EC, whose impacts and potential benefits regarding noise issues have been taken into account, tested and analysed in a pilot area of the city of Monza, located in North Italy. Noise LEZ has been established in Libertà district, introducing infrastructural interventions carried out by the municipality (top-down actions) and encouraging an active involvement of the citizens, in the definition of a more sustainable lifestyle (bottom-up actions). The analysis of potential effects on noise reduction due to the Noise LEZ can contribute to the implementation of the EU Directive 2002/49/EC, related to the assessment and management of environmental noise (Environmental Noise Directive – END), which introduces noise action plans, designed to manage noise issues and their effects, suggesting the adoption of urban and mobility planning. Noise and air quality monitoring activities have been carried out in pilot area in ante and post-operam conditions. The monitoring methods, the measurement techniques, the analysis procedures, able to describe the effects due to Noise LEZ establishment, for both the main environmental issues are reported in this paper, as proposals to be applied in other different contexts. Results of monitoring activities highlight a reduction of noise, in term of sound pressure levels, between ante and post-operam, during the day and particularly during the night period, and it is essentially due to the interventions realised. The effect of the Noise LEZ on air pollution seems to be negligible for combustion related pollutant and carbon fractions of PM, due both to the moderate spatial effects of the measures undertaken and confounding factors due to concomitant emission sources and meteorology.
Pulmonary Complications in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract Patients with advanced chronic liver diseases, particularly with decompensated liver cirrhosis, can develop specific pulmonary complications independently of any pre-existing lung disease. Especially when dyspnea occurs in combination with liver cirrhosis, patients should be evaluated for hepato-pulmonary syndrome (HPS), porto-pulmonary hypertension (PPHT), hepatic hydrothorax and spontaneous bacterial empyema, which represent the clinically most relevant pulmonary complications of liver cirrhosis. Importantly, the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and the corresponding therapeutic options differ between these entities, highlighting the role of specific diagnostics in patients with liver cirrhosis who present with dyspnea. Liver transplantation may offer a curative therapy, including selected cases of HPS and PPHT. In this review article, we summarize the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic algorithms and treatment options of the 4 specific pulmonary complications in patients with liver cirrhosis.
International Online Graduate Students’ Perceptions of CoI

Abstract With the current issue of student retention and attrition as a major aspect of online education, this interpretivist qualitative case study sought to determine whether online facilitators and online student-to-student relationships affect online graduate students’ ability to complete their modules and achieve student learning objectives and outcomes (LOO). This study encompassed CoI (Community of Inquiry) and surveyed 54 participants who indicated that the three interdependent presences that form part of CoI (cognitive, social, and teaching) were instrumental in helping them to complete their modules and to achieve student learning objectives and outcomes (LOO). Students’ feedback on online facilitators exemplified their cognitive presence in the form of statements linked to triggering events and exploring of ideas. However, there were few statements connected to integration and none linked to resolution. Overall, most of the data collected connected to subsets of teaching and social presences rather than cognitive presence. Additionally, students’ feedback on their peers suggests that social presence that fosters group cohesion is the most critical factor to assist in completion of the modules and achieving student LOO. Open communication was also indicated and, to a lesser degree, personal/affective subsets of social presence were evident. The findings of this study suggest that more research is needed on the components of the three presences and their relationship to students’ ability to complete the module and achieve student LOO.
Investigation of the flow patterns and power requirements in agitated systems: effects of the design of baffles and vessel base

Abstract The flow patterns and power consumption of a six-blade Rushton turbine (RT) in a cylindrical vessel are characterized in this paper. We focus on the effects of the shape of the vessel base by studying two cases: a conical and a dished shape. In addition, the effects of the height of the vessel base (h2) are explored and four cases are considered, namely: h2/D = 1/10, 1/6, 1/5 and 1/3 (D: vessel diameter). In the second part of our investigation, a new design of baffles (a triangular-shaped baffle) is suggested and a comparison is made between the performance of the standard and the triangular baffles. The main findings revealed that the conical shape of the vessel base provides a slight enhancement in the axial circulation at almost the same power input for the dished bottomed vessel. For Re < 2 × 104, the power required by both types of baffles is the same; however, above this value of Re, a reduction by about 4% in power consumption is given by the standard baffles. Also, and for all shapes of baffles and vessel bases, a reduction in power consumption may be obtained by increasing the height of the vessel base.
Bioeconomy Investments: Market Considerations

Abstract The introduction into the forestry sector of a bioeconomy has led to the search for new high value-added bio-products that can be produced using the woody biomass residue from timber harvesting. Any introduction of new bio-products must be justifiable from economic, socio-economic, and technological points of view. For successful commercialization, one important consideration is the market potential for such products. In this paper, a methodology for decision-making to evaluate three existing forest by-products for market potential in Latvia has been developed using the GE-McKinsey Nine-Box Matrix, considering market attractiveness and product competitive advantage. The methodological algorithm has been modified to include different factors such as process and product sustainability as well as competitive advantage. The analysis calculates the market attractiveness and competitive advantage of a specific product. As well, the application of this methodology makes a clear and presentable way of determining the viability of investing in new bio-products possible.
Relationships of fire, biomass and nutrient dynamics along a vegetation gradient in the Brazilian Cerrado

1 The variable structure and mass of vegetation, nutrient pools, and responses to fire were quantified along a common vegetation gradient from grassland (campo limpo) to open evergreen woodland (cerrado sensu stricto) in the Brazilian Cerrado. 2 The biomass of the fuel loads (i.e. that proportion of the above-ground biomass susceptible to combustion) ranged from 7128 kg ha-1 in campo limpo to 10031 kg ha-' in cerrado sensu stricto. Grasses comprised 91-94% of the total above-ground biomass in the campo limpo and campo sujo grasslands. In the campo cerrado and cerrado sensu stricto communities, graminoids comprised only 27% of the fuel load biomass; the remainder was composed of deadwood (18%), dicot leaf litter (36%), dicots and shrub leaves (18%). 3 Fires consumed ? 97% of the above-ground biomass in the grasslands, but only 72 and 84% of the fuel load in campo cerrado and cerrado sensu stricto, respectively. The total residual mass (uncombusted fuels and ash combined) was < 8% of the prefire mass in campo limpo and campo sujo but was 2 36% in the campo cerrado and cerrado sensu stricto. A circular relationship existed between vegetation composition, fuel composition, and fire behaviour. For example, fire-line intensity was significantly greater in grasslands, which would facilitate grass dominance by increasing above-ground tissue damage of trees and shrubs. (4) Within the fuel load, a consistently increasing pool size of N, P, C, and S was measured along the gradient from campo limpo to cerrado sensu stricto. Total mass of N increased from 24 to 55 kg ha-', total mass of P increased from 1.7 to 3.5 kg ha-' , and total mass of C increased from 3389 to 4657 kg ha-'. This trend was reversed for K (i.e. 18.5 kg ha-' in Campo limpo to 13.8 kg ha-' in cerrado sensu stricto). 5 Carbon, N, and S were the nutrients that were consistently lost in the highest quantities during fire. Losses of P were intermediate, and K and Ca were negligible. 6 The percentage of the above-ground N, C, and S pools that were lost by fire decreased along the vegetation gradient from campo limpo to cerrado sensu stricto. For example, 2 90% of the N pool was lost by fire in the grasslands while < 56% of the N pool was lost in the tree-dominated communities. Total site loss (kg ha-') of all nutrients was not significantly different among the vegetation types. However, significantly greater quantities of nutrients were lost as particulates in Cerrado sensu stricto while significantly greater quantities of nutrients were volatilized during fire in Campo limpo. 7 Nitrogen pools located in soils to a 10 cm depth ranged from 656 to 1670 kg ha-'. Of the total N pool consisting of fuel loads and soils, the proportion in fuels ranged from 1.4% in campo limpo to 4.0% in cerrado sensu stricto. Fires resulted in ecosystem losses of < 3.8% of this pool. Ecosystem losses of this magnitude are likely to be compensated for by natural nutrient inputs in one to three years.
Clinical and molecular genetics of Meniere disease

Abstract Meniere disease (MD) represents a heterogeneous group of relatively rare disorders of the inner ear that causes vertigo attacks, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) involving low and medium frequencies, tinnitus, and aural fullness. MD has been attributed to an accumulation of endolymph in the cochlear duct. The diagnosis of MD is based on the phenomenological association of clinical symptoms including SNHL during the vertigo attacks. At least two mechanisms are involved in MD: (a) a pro-inflammatory immune response mediated by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and IL-6, and (b) nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-mediated inflammation in the carriers of the single nucleotide variant rs4947296. The majority of MD cases are considered sporadic, although familial aggregation has been recognized in European and East Asian populations in multiplex families, supporting a genetic contribution to the disease. In sporadic MD cases, the main genetic findings involve multiplex rare variants in several SNHL genes, such as GJB2, USH1G, SLC26A4, ESRRB, and CLDN14, and axonal guidance signaling genes, such as NTN4 and NOX3. Familial aggregation has been reported in 6–8 % of MD cases, and most families show an autosomal dominant inheritance. Few rare missense heterozygous variants have been described in simplex families in six genes (COCH, FAM136A, DTNA, PRKCB, SEMA3D, and DPT). Of note, 33 % of familial MD individuals show singleton and multiplex rare missense variants in the OTOG gene, suggesting a multiallelic inheritance. Moreover, potentially pathogenic rare variants in the familial genes FAM136A, DTNA, and DPT have been reported in Korean singletons with sporadic MD. Rare variants may have a significant contribution to sporadic and familial MD. The interaction of common cis-regulatory variants located in non-coding regions and rare variants in coding regions in one or more genes will determine the variation on the phenotype in MD. Further studies on genotype–phenotype correlations are required to improve the yield of genetic diagnosis, and different types of variants seem to contribute to the genetic structure of MD.
Urinary carboxylic acids (UCAs) in subjects with autism spectrum disorder and their association with bacterial overgrowth

Abstract In this study, the levels of concentration of carboxylic acids (benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and hippuric acid) in the urine of autistic children were investigated and compared. The increased excretion of carboxylic acids is related to excessive bacterial activity in the gut, called bacterial overgrowth, which has been related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as an impairment in the gut-brain axis. The investigation was based on the analysis of urine samples obtained from 120 ASD children. To identify and quantify urinary carboxylic acids (UCAs), we applied gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, we checked the influence of probiotic supplementation, gender, body mass index (BMI) value and age of children on the level of different selected compounds. Most of the obtained results were found within reference ranges. In some cases, the levels of benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid were particularly elevated. Statistically significant differences were observed in supplementation with probiotics and the level of p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p=0.036). The obtained results may indicate disturbances in the intestinal flora in some autistic patients and suggest that supplements may have an influence on the levels of carboxylic acids in urine. Due to the small population of children taking the supplement, further study are needed.
Clinical biomarkers directing the management of patients with colon and lung cancer (beyond oncogene-addicted NSCLC)

Abstract Treatment personalisation plays a key role in the current management of patients with cancer. Several biomarkers have shown clinical utility and may guide therapeutic decisions. Amongst patients with lung cancer, the level of expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has both prognostic and predictive values in terms of response to the inhibition of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Depending on the clinical setting, the expression of PD-L1 ≥1% or ≥50% has been associated with improved outcomes amongst patients receiving pembrolizumab. Regarding patients with colorectal carcinoma, mutations in the KRAS oncogene predict the responsiveness to the inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Only patients with wild-type KRAS tumours derive benefit from cetuximab and panitumumab in terms of response and survival. In conclusion, future research should aim in the optimisation of the use of biomarker in the clinical practice in order to provide the optimal drug combination to each individual patient.
De-noising of partial discharge signal using wavelet transform for GIS under HVDC

Abstract Detection and analysis of partial discharge (PD) have been regard as the most effective method for condition monitoring and asset management of gas-insulated structures (GIS) in the power system. However, PD detection sensitivity and accuracy are greatly influenced by on-site noise and interference, resulting in failures in PD severity assessment, defect identification or localization. Although de-noising of PD signal under AC was well studied, related investigations under DC have not been carried out. With the rapid development of HVDC technology, it is a new challenge to eliminate noise from PD signal under DC for diagnosis of related power facilities. Therefore, this paper dealt with the discrimination of PD signal based on wavelet transform (WT) techniques for HVDC GIS, aiming to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of insulation diagnosis. Experimental setup was configured to generate PD signal under DC and four types of artificial defects were fabricated to simulate typical insulation defects in GIS. The WT techniques were used to discriminate PD pulse sequences from background noise, amplitude modulation radio interference, non-sinusoidal noise, and switching impulse and the effectiveness was compared with a high-pass filter.
The Effect of Gelatin on the Antiperotic Properties of Choline, Betaine and Yeast

Abstract In previous work at this laboratory (McGinnis, Norris and Heuser, 1944), it was found that either betaine or methionine was almost as effective as choline in preventing perosis when added to a simplified diet composed principally of natural ingredients. On the other hand, when added to a purified diet, choline was the only effective agent of the three substances. One of the differences between the two diets was that the purified diet contained gelatin whereas the simplified diet did not. Accordingly, the possible effect of gelatin on the antiperotic activity of several substances was studied. Two basal mixtures, one with and one without gelatin, were formulated as shown in Table 1. The mixture without gelatin was a slight modification of the simplified diet used by McGinnis and co-workers (1944). The experimental diets consisted of 95 parts of a basal mixture combined with 5 parts of one of the following supplements.
The influence of the soil constitutive models on the seismic analysis of pile-supported wharf structures with batter piles in cut-slope rock dike

Abstract In coastal regions, earthquakes caused severe damage to marine structures. Many researchers have conducted numerical investigations in order to understand the dynamic behavior of these structures. The most frequently used model in numerical calculations of soil is the linear-elastic perfectly plastic model with a Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion (MC model). It is recommended to use this model to represent a first-order approximation of soil behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to accommodate soil constitutive models for the specific geotechnical problems. In this paper, three soil constitutive models with different accuracy were applied by using the two-dimensional finite element software PLAXIS to study the behavior of pile-supported wharf embedded in rock dike, under the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. These models are: a linear-elastic perfectly plastic model (MC model), an elastoplastic model with isotropic hardening (HS model), and the Hardening Soil model with an extension to the small-strain stiffness (HSS model). A typical pile-supported wharf structure with batter piles from the western United States ports was selected to perform the study. The wharf included cut-slope (sliver) rock dike configuration, which is constituted by a thin layer of rockfill overlaid by a slope of loose sand. The foundation soil and the backfill soil behind the wharf were all dense sand. The soil parameters used in the study were calibrated in numerical soil element tests (Oedometer and Triaxial tests). The wharf displacement and pore pressure results obtained using models with different accuracy were compared to the numerical results of Heidary-Torkamani et al.[28] It was found that the Hardening Soil model with small-strain stiffness (HSS model) gives clearly better results than the MC and HS models. Afterwards, the pile displacements in sloping rockfill were analyzed. The displacement time histories of the rock dike at the top and at the toe were also exposed. It can be noted that during the earthquake there was a significant lateral ground displacement at the upper part of the embankment due to the liquefaction of loose sand. This movement caused displacement at the dike top greater than its displacement at the toe. Consequently, the behavior of the wharf was affected and the pile displacements were important, specially the piles closest to the dike top.