Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Propriedades Psicométricas Da Versão Torga Do Teste Stroop (Psychometric Properties of the Torga Version of the Stroop Test)

Portuguese Abstract: Objetivos: Uma nova versao portuguesa do teste Stroop e fundamental para a avaliacao neuropsicologica. A versao portuguesa previa incluia cores que muitas pessoas nao conseguiam distinguir. Assim, e objetivo descrever as propriedades psicometricas de uma nova versao, designada versao Torga do Teste Stroop, numa amostra da populacao portuguesa. Metodos: Inserida no projeto Estudos Normativos de Instrumentos Neuropsicologicos, esta investigacao conta com uma amostra global constituida por 544 participantes (241 homens e 303 mulheres) com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 97 anos. A avaliacao foi realizada com recurso a versao Torga do Teste Stroop, a Figura Complexa de Rey-Osterrieth e a Bateria de Avaliacao Frontal enquanto instrumentos de avaliacao das funcoes executivas. Resultados: A versao Torga do Teste Stroop revelou uma consistencia interna muito boa (α de Cronbach = 0,99). Revelou tambem adequada estabilidade temporal e validade convergente. Conclusao: A versao Torga do Teste Stroop aparenta ser um instrumento apropriado a avaliacao neuropsicologica de adultos portugueses. Considerando a importância deste teste no contexto da avaliacao neuropsicologica, incentivam-se estudos com novas amostras, incluindo amostras clinicas. | English Abstract: Goals: A new Portuguese version of the Stroop Test is essential for the neuropsychological assessment. The previous Portuguese version included colors that many people could not distinguish. Thus, it is aimed to describe the psychometric properties of a new version, called the Torga version of the Stroop Test in a sample of the Portuguese population. Methods: Being part of the Estudos Normativos de Instrumentos Neuropsicologicos/ Normative Studies of Neuropsychological Instruments, this research has a global sample of 544 subjects (241 men and 303 women) aged from 18 to 97 years. The assessment included the Torga version of the Stroop Test, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and the Frontal Battey Assessment, used as measures of executive functions. Results: The Torga version of the Stroop Test showed a very good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.99). It also revealed an adequate temporal stability and convergent validity. Conclusion: The Torga version of the Stroop Test appears to be an adequate instrument for the neuropsychological assessment of Portuguese adults. Considering the importance of this test in the context of neuropsychological assessment, more studies with new samples, including clinical samples are encouraged
Investigation of aerosol effects on the Arctic surface temperature during the diurnal cycle: part 2 – Separating aerosol effects

Temperature changes in the Arctic due to anthropogenic climate change are larger in magnitude than those at lower latitudes, with sea ice extent and thickness diminishing since the dawn of the satellite era. Aerosols play a role in determining the changes to the Arctic surface temperature. While Part 1 of this two‐part study investigated the changes in Arctic surface temperature due to the total aerosol effect, in Part 2, the total aerosol effect is separated into the changes caused by the aerosol direct effect, the aerosol semi‐direct effect, and the aerosol indirect effects through the use of additional Weather Research and Forecasting Chemistry (WRF‐Chem) runs. While Part 1 of the study showed that aerosols may have both a cooling and warming effect, largely depending upon the time of day and aerosol concentration, Part 2 of this study shows that the indirect effects are the dominant component of the total aerosol effect on the cooling and warming of the Arctic surface temperature throughout the diurnal cycle. It is also shown that the size distribution of aerosols is important, as smaller aerosols dominate the aerosol indirect effects. The aerosol direct effect contributes to cooling in the region, while the semi‐direct effect is negligible.
Application of electrodialysis in integrated microbial fermentation and enzymatic biotransformation processes

Electrodialysis (ED) is an established technology used to transport small ions from one solution to another through an ion exchange (IE) membrane under the influence of an applied electric potential difference. This project aimed to develop a novel integrated bioreactor-ED system and to explore its application to a variety of bioprocesses including microbial fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. A custom ED module was first designed and constructed that enabled the flexible configuration of different IE membranes. In order to establish the performance of the ED module for extraction of charged organic molecules the mass transfer rate of acetate, lactate and malate were first quantified as a function of key operating parameters such as membrane area and current applied. For extraction of acetate mass transfer rates of up to 2.5 g.L-1.h-1 could be achieved. The primary application considered for ED was to overcome inhibition by metabolic acetate by-product formation in fed-batch Escherichia coli (E.coli) fermentation. Conventionally, a controlled substrate feeding strategy would be employed to repress acetate formation but at the expense of bioreactor productivity. With the application of the integrated bioreactor-ED system it was shown that acetate was removed instantly as it was formed during fermentation. For the heterologous expression of the model protein GFP this resulted in enhancement of protein production by up-to four fold. The level of enhancement depended upon the rate of acetate removal, residence time of feed in the ED module and reducing ammonium toxicity. Additionally a novel ED configuration incorporating a bipolar membrane was used to facilitate bipolar electrodialysis (BPED). In addition to normal ED function the BPED module generate hydroxide ions in situ to facilitate pH control without the requirement for extraneous acid/base addition. BPED was shown to achieve the same enhanced levels of GFP production but with a 50% reduction in base addition. The wider application of both ED and BPED technology to enzymatic bioconversions was also investigated for the lipase catalysed hydrolysis of ethyl acetate and fumaric acid. ED and BPED were used in both phases of the bioprocess, which included the initial pH adjustment and in situ removal of inhibitory molecule. In this case result showed a two-folded increase in product yield and base addition was reduced by 60% when ED was applied. Overall this work has shown the wide range of potential applications and benefits of a novel integrated bioreactor-ED technology. It illustrates some of the critical design aspects for larger scale application and also considers the regulatory and commercial potential of the technology.
Diffusion of Chloride in Concrete: Theory and Application

Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction and Reader's Report 2. Constant Chloride Diffusivity 3. Error Function and Related Functions 4. Fick's Second Law for Constant Diffusion Coefficient 5. Time-Dependent Chloride Diffusivity 6. Location-Dependent Chloride Diffusivity 7. Special Topics 8. Tables Bibliography Index
Situación del oleoturismo y lineamientos para su desarrollo en la región del sudoeste bonaerense, Argentina

La innovacion tecnologica y un cambio en la mentalidad de los productores argentinos para adoptar nuevos productos que favorezcan el crecimiento de la empresa agropecuaria estan llevando a una reconversion del espacio rural. Este trabajo avanza en el estudio de los procesos innovativos, capacidades e interacciones relacionados con la actividad olivicola en general y con el oleoturismo en particular, en la region del Sudoeste bonaerense, Argentina. El objetivo principal es analizar la situacion del oleoturismo e identificar posibles lineamientos para su desarrollo. Este trabajo corresponde a un estudio de caso ya que se realiza una investigacion de las acciones desarrolladas por una unidad de analisis. Se realiza una investigacion de tipo descriptivo-explicativo con el proposito de caracterizar el oleoturismo y lograr la comprension del fenomeno en la zona. Se caracteriza socio-economicamente el area de estudio y sus posibilidades para el desarrollo olivicola. Se plantean las ventajas del turismo como dinamizador del desarrollo rural analizando especialmente la nueva modalidad de oleoturismo. Por ultimo se analizan los casos incipientes de oleoturismo en el area de estudio y se presentan las reflexiones preliminares del trabajo. Palabras clave: Innovacion tecnologica, espacio rural, actividad olivicola, oleoturismo. Abstract Technological innovation and a change in the mentality of Argentinean producers to adopt new products that favor the growth of agricultural companies are leading to a conversion of the rural space. This work makes advances in the study of the innovative processes, capacities and interactions related to olive growing in general and olive oil tourism in particular in the region of southwest Buenos Aires, Argentina. The main aim is to analyze the situation of olive oil tourism and identify possible guidelines for its development. This work is a case study, since an investigation is made of the actions undertaken by an analysis unit. A descriptive-explanatory study is conducted to characterize olive oil tourism and to gain an understanding of the phenomenon in the area. The study area and its possibilities for olive production are characterized socioeconomically. The advantages of tourism, such as revitalizing rural development are set out, in particular analyzing the new modality of olive oil tourism. Finally, the early cases of olive oil tourism in the study area are analyzed and the preliminary reflections of the work are presented. Keywords: Technological innovation, rural space, olive production, olive oil tourism. (Presentado: 07 de junio de 2016. Aceptado: 2 de agosto de 2016)
Earnings management in Libyan commercial banks: perceptions of stakeholders.

The issue of earnings management has continued to be problematic in the financial reporting context. It has proved to be an important topic that concerns a wide range of stakeholders, including regulators, investors and preparers. The objective of this paper is to examine the perceptions of different stakeholders with regard to the financial reporting quality of Libyan commercial banks (LCBs) by addressing the issue of earnings management. The paper adopts a qualitative approach in order to investigate the topic of earnings management. It considers motives for, and techniques of, earnings management as well as the role and potential role for accounting standards and improved corporate governance in addressing the issue. The paper reports on 28 semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders of LCBs. It is found that financial reporting quality is perceived to be impaired as a result of earnings management. It also provides prima facie evidence of some fraudulent activity in the management of earnings. IFRS/IAS as well as a sound corporate governance system is perceived to have an important potential role in improving financial reporting quality. Some confusion and ambiguity in the understanding of the term earnings management was also identified.
Impacts métaboliques et inflammatoires des matières grasses émulsionnées

Les effets des lipides sur la sante doivent aujourd'hui etre etudies par des approches allant au-dela de leur densite energetique et de leur profil en acides gras. En effet, ces acides gras sont les briques elementaires de differentes molecules lipidiques telles que les triacylglycerols et les phospholipides, elles-memes organisees sous forme de structures supramoleculaires variees comme les gouttelettes d'emulsion, et pouvant etre integrees dans differentes matrices alimentaires. Ce court article resume nos recents travaux sur l'impact de l'etat emulsionne de la matiere grasse sur le metabolisme post-prandial des lipides et la β-oxydation des acides gras ingeres chez l'homme mince ou obese, ouvrant la voie au concept de « lipides rapides versus lipides lents ». Nous presentons comment la cinetique post-prandiale d'absorption des lipides peut aussi contribuer a moduler l'endotoxemie metabolique, provenant en partie d'interactions entre les lipides alimentaires et le microbiote intestinal et pouvant contribuer a l'inflammation metabolique chez l'obese. Enfin, nous mettons en exergue l'impact pro- ou anti-inflammatoire chez la souris d'agents tensioactifs utilises en formulation alimentaire pour stabiliser les emulsions, notamment les phospholipides d'origine vegetale ou laitiere, ainsi que de differents vecteurs moleculaires d'acides gras poly-insatures n-3 a longue chaine. Le lecteur pourra se referer a nos autres publications et revues recentes pour un approfondissement des concepts presentes.
EXPANDING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE GAUSS-NEWTON METHOD FOR CONVEX OPTIMIZATION UNDER RESTRICTED CONVERGENCE DOMAINS AND MAJORANT CONDITIONS

Using our new idea of restricted convergent domains, new semi-local convergence analysis of the Gauss-Newton method for solving convex composite optimization problems is presented. Our convergence analysis is based on a combination of a center-majorant and majorant function. The results extend the applicability of the Gauss-Newton method under the same computational cost as in earlier studies using a majorant function or Wang’s condition or Lipchitz condition. The special cases and applications include regular starting points, Robinson’s conditions, Smale’s or Wang’s theory.
Développement d'un modèle déterministe pour la formation des aérosols organiques secondaires : application à la sensibilité du système AOS/COV/NOx

Les composes organiques volatils (COV) emis dans l'atmosphere sont oxydes selon un mecanisme complexe. Cette oxydation est progressive et met en jeu une myriade de composes organiques intermediaires. Ces COV secondaires sont generalement considerablement moins volatils que leurs precurseurs primaires et peuvent ainsi participer a la formation d'aerosols organiques secondaires (AOS). Cette matiere organique represente l'une des composantes majeures du mode fin (rayon < 1 μm) des aerosols atmospheriques. Cette formation d'AOS est ainsi supposee modifier significativement les proprietes physiques et chimiques des aerosols notamment la distribution en masse, le comportement hygroscopique (et donc la capacite des particules a agir comme noyau de condensation nuageuse), l'acidite, la reactivite chimique, les propietes radiatives. Malgre l'impact potentiel considerable des AOS sur le climat, l'etat des connaissances relatives a leur formation, leur composition et leur evolution reste parcellaire. Dans le cadre de ce travail, nous avons developpe un modele totalement explicite pour representer la formation de l'AOS dans l'objectif (i), d'evaluer notre degre de comprehension des mecanismes lies a la formation de l'AOS, (ii) d'identifier les sensibilites du systeme aux differents parametres controlant la production d'AOS et (iii) de disposer de schemas de reference pour valider le developpement de schemas optimises en taille pour la modelisation tridimensionnelle. Nous avons ensuite utilise ce modele de formation de l'AOS pour explorer la sensibilite du systeme AOS/COV/NOx.
Climate change is likely to affect the distribution but not parapatry of the Brazilian marmoset monkeys (Callithrix spp.)

Parapatric distributional patterns can arise from abiotic or biotic factors, or from dispersal barriers. Climate change can potentially affect parapatry by changing species’ potential geographic distribution, and thereby widening or shrinking contact zones. Here, we study the effects of climate change on all six species in the genus Callithrix, a group of small‐sized Neotropical primates that is distributed parapatrically in eastern Brazil, allegedly due to biotic interactions.
Different Associations Between the IREB2 Variants and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Susceptibility

Background: Iron responsive element binding protein 2 (IREB2) variants may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, many studies have been performed on IREB2 susceptibility variants, including rs2568494, rs2656069, rs10851906, rs12593229, and rs13180, associated with COPD. However, inconsistent findings have been reported. The aim of our research was to determine the association of IREB2 SNPs with COPD. Methods: A comprehensive meta-analysis was performed to accurately estimate the association between IREB2 variants and COPD among four different genetic models. Results: This meta-analysis included a total of 4,096 patients and 5,870 controls. Here, we investigated the 5 IREB2 variants to identify COPD risk. Our results indicate that rs2568494 was associated with an increased risk of COPD for the dominant model (AA+GA vs. GG: OR = 1.150, 95% CI: 1.5–1.304, P = 0.029); rs2656069 was associated with a decreased risk of COPD for the recessive model (GG vs. AA+AG: OR = 0.589, 95% CI: 0.440–0.789; P = 0.000), additive model (GG vs. AA: OR =0.641, 95% CI: 0.441–0.931; P = 0.020), and allele model (G vs. A: OR = 0.812, 95% CI: 0.668–0.988; P = 0.037); and rs10851906 was associated with a decreased risk of COPD for the recessive model (GG vs. AA+AG: OR = 0.732, 95% CI: 0.560–0.958; P = 0.023) and additive model (GG vs. AA: OR = 0.777, 95% CI: 0.637–0.947; P = 0.012). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the IREB2 rs2568494 minor alleles A may be a genetic factor in susceptibility to COPD. In addition, the minor alleles G of rs2656069 and rs10851906 appear to have a protective effect.
Triggering Postural Movements With Virtual Reality Technology in Healthy Young and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Validation Study for Early Dementia Screening

With the ultimate aim of early diagnosis of dementia, a new body balance assessment system with integrated head-mounted display-based virtual reality (VR) has been developed. We hypothesized that people would sway more in anterior-posterior (AP) direction when they were exposed to a VR environment where we intentionally provoked movements in forward and backward directions. A total of 14 healthy older adults (OA) (73.14±4.26 years) and 15 healthy young adults (YA) (24.93±1.49 years) were assessed for group differences in sway behavior. Body sway speed in 22 different conditions with and without VR environments was analyzed. Significant differences and large effect sizes were observed in AP sway under the VR environments (OA with P < 0.02; effect size> 0.61, YA with P < 0.003; effect size> 0.72) compared to the baseline condition without the VR environments. In addition, significant differences were found between the two groups in AP sway in all test conditions (P < 0.01). Our study shows that a VR environment can trigger body sway in an expected direction, which may indicate that it is possible to enhance the sensitivity of balance assessment by integrating immersive VR environments. The result of this study warrants a cross-sectional study in which OA diagnosed with and without dementia are compared on their sway behavior.
Comorbid Learning Difficulties in Reading and Mathematics: The Role of Intelligence and In-Class Attentive Behavior

The goal was to identify the domain-general cognitive abilities and academic attitudes that are common and unique to reading and mathematics learning difficulties that in turn will have implications for intervention development. Across seventh and eighth grade, 315 (155 boys) adolescents (M age = 12.75 years) were administered intelligence, verbal short-term and working memory, and visuospatial memory, attention, and ability measures, along with measures of English and mathematics attitudes and mathematics anxiety. Teachers reported on students’ in-class attentive behavior. A combination of Bayesian and multi-level models revealed that intelligence and in-class attentive behavior were common predictors of reading accuracy, reading fluency, and mathematics achievement. Verbal short-term memory was more critical for reading accuracy and fluency, whereas spatial ability and mathematics self-efficacy were more critical for mathematics achievement. The combination of intelligence and in-class attentive behavior discriminated typically achieving students from students with comorbid (D = 2.44) or mathematics (D = 1.59) learning difficulties, whereas intelligence, visuospatial attention, and verbal short-term memory discriminated typically achieving students from students with reading disability (D = 1.08). The combination of in-class attentive behavior, verbal short-term memory, and mathematics self-efficacy discriminated students with mathematics difficulties from their peers with reading difficulties (D = 1.16). Given the consistent importance of in-class attentive behavior, we conducted post hoc follow-up analyses. The results suggested that students with poor in-class attentive behavior were disengaging from academic learning which in turn contributed to their risk of learning difficulties.
Editorial: The Response of Mucosal Epithelial Cells to Infections

Mucosal epithelial cells of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genital tracts are the initial site of interaction with pathogens. Although initially viewed primarily as functioning as physical barriers to infection, the past several decades have shown a far more complex set of interactions. Pathogens can interact directly with mucosal epithelia, either via specific receptors, or with any of several families of pattern recognition receptors (PRR). These interactions can trigger a wide range of cellular functions, including altering cellular metabolism, regulation of barrier function and the generation of innate immune responses designed to limit infections. The cellular consequences of infection can, however, also exacerbate disease states. The current special issue of the journal covers a number of specific aspects of the interactions of infectious agents with epithelial cells at mucosal surfaces. The papers include insightful review articles as well as a number of original investigations. Six out of the eight manuscripts included in this Research Topic examine the role of airway epithelial cells in the response to inhaled pathogens. Human rhinoviruses (HRV) infections are a major trigger of acute exacerbations of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis (Leigh and Proud, 2015). The review by Ganjian et al. provides an overview of rhinoviruses and how they are recognized by human airway epithelial cells (HAE). This includes recognition of HRV replication intermediates by PRR and the proinflammatory and antiviral responses triggered by such interactions. The review also considers various signaling pathways that regulate epithelial responses to HRV infections and discusses differences in responses between cells from normal subjects and those with lower airway diseases, including potential differences in antiviral responses between patient populations. Jamieson et al. focus on the role of epithelial IL-17C, a novel member of the IL-17 family of cytokines, in response to HRV infection. Using highly differentiated HAE they demonstrate that HRV infection triggers production of IL-17C exclusively in the basolateral direction. They further show that basolateral, but not apical, stimulation of HAE with IL-17C led to basolateral release of the neutrophil chemoattractant CXCL1. This suggests that basolateral release of IL-17C during HRV infections can feedback to induce basolateral release of CXCL1 leading to neutrophil recruitment. Since neutrophils correlate with disease severity, IL-17C may be a contributor to increased inflammation and symptoms during infections. An important component of acute exacerbations of lower airway diseases is mucus hypersecretion. Wang et al. showed that infection of differentiated HAE with either of two different strains of HRV increased gene expression of the mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B and caused increased secretion of mucin proteins. They further show that HRV-induced mucin