Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro biocompatibility of endodontic sealers incorporating antibacterial nanoparticles

The main cause of endodontic disease is bacteria. Disinfection is presently achieved by cleaning the root canal system prior to obturation. Following setting, root canal filling is devoid of any antibacterial effect. Endodontic sealers with antimicrobial properties yet biocompatible may enhance root canal therapy. For this purpose, quaternized polyethylenimine nanoparticles which are antibacterial polymers, biocompatible, nonvolatile, and stable may be used. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of added QPEI on the cytotoxicity of AH Plus, Epiphany, and GuttaFlow endodontic sealers. The effect of these sealers on the proliferation of RAW264.7 macrophage and L-929 fibroblast cell lines and on the production of TNFa from macrophages was examined. Cell vitality was evaluated using a colorimetric XTT assay. The presence of cytokines was determined by two-site ELISA. Results show that QPEI at 1% concentration does not impair the basic properties of the examined sealers in bothmacrophages and fibroblast cell lines. Incorporation of 1% QPEI into the sealers did not impair their biocompatibility. QPEI is a potential clinical candidate to improve antibacterial activity of sealers without increasing cytotoxicity
Genotypic variation of spikes related traits and path analysis of grain yield in durum wheat lines

Genotypic variation of spikes’ related traits was assessed using a sample of durum wheat lines. A simple lattice experiment was carried out using 58 exotic promising lines and 6 landraces of two years cropping seasons (2006/2007 and 2007/2008) at the Agriculture Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Iran. Plant height, peduncle length, number of node per stem, number of spikes per plant, spike length, number of grain per spike, 1000­ grain weight, and grain yield were measured. Combined analysis of data for two years showed that interaction of lines × year was not significant for any of the traits. This indicates that responses of traits were identical in both years. There were also significant differences for all traits among the lines, and there was genotypic variation for these traits among durum wheat lines. Mean comparisons of grain yield showed that exotic promising lines: ARAMIDES (no.33), LC/RD (no.55) and landraces lines: YAZLIG (no.62) and YAZLIG (no.64) had the highest yield than the other lines. Estimate of correlation between traits indicates that there was significant and positive correlation between grain yield and traits such as number of spikes per plant, spike length and grain per spike. Regression and path analysis showed that the traits such as number of grain per spike, spikes per plant and spike length had positive and direct effect on yield. Key words: Combined analysis, correlation, regression, Triticum durum.
Cirrhosis: Reviewing the Literature and Future Perspectives

Cirrhosis is the final stage of chronic liver disease and has many causes, including viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol intake, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. When decompensated cirrhosis develops, complications occur that affect quality of life and patient survival. Cirrhosis has a large burden of disease and is responsible for almost 2% of deaths in Europe. Cirrhotic patients are in need of early diagnosis and a careful follow-up for the prevention and detection of complications. The ultimate treatment for end-stage cirrhosis is liver transplantation. This review will cover clinical aspects of cirrhosis and uncover future trends in the care of these patients.
Photodegradation of chlorbromuron, atrazine, and alachlor in aqueous systems under solar irradiation

Homogeneous and heterogeneous aqueous systems of the herbicides of chlorbromuron, atrazine, and alachlor were irradiated with a nonexpensive solar irradiation using a photoreactor with recirculation. Photodegradation of these herbicides occurred in both aqueous systems; however the presence of TiO2 clearly accelerated the degradation of the three herbicides in comparison with direct photolysis. Degradation was followed by measuring the chemical oxygen demand (COD) as a function of reaction time for each aqueous system. Over 90% of COD abatement in the heterogeneous aqueous system was obtained in a short time period showing that mineralization of chlorbromuron, atrazine, and alachlor was achieved.
Unsteady Growth of BaB2O4 Single Crystal from High-Temperature Solution

Two-dimensional growth of BaB2O4 single crystal from high-temperature solution was performed, and the motion of solid-liquid interface was observed in real time by differential interference microscopy. Results show that the solid-liquid interface exhibits the morphology of a vicinal face where steps with height of several microns are observed. The measurements of growth rate V and step propagating velocity υ show that both V and υ fluctuate by up to 40∼50% of their average values, respectively, under constant external conditions. Such intrinsic fluctuations with time interval of the order of one second is mainly the result of step bunching, which has been confirmed by the gradual decrease of step spacing when approaching the edge of the growing interface. Besides above fluctuations, a longer-period oscillation of V (period interval of 4∼5 seconds) is obtained for relatively rapid growth, which is triggered by the periodical alteration of step propagating directions.
Dendritic subglacial drainage systems in cold glaciers formed by cut‐and‐closure processes

Abstract The routing and storage of meltwater and the configuration of drainage systems in glaciers exert a profound influence on glacier behaviour. However, little is known about the hydrological systems of cold glaciers, which form a significant proportion of the total glacier population in the climate sensitive region of the igh rctic. Using glacio‐speleological techniques, we obtained direct access to explore and survey three conduit systems and one moulin within the tongue area of Tellbreen, a small cold‐based valley glacier in central pitsbergen. More than 600 m of conduits were surveyed and mapped in plan, profile and cross‐section view to analyse the configuration of the drainage system. The investigations revealed that cold‐based glaciers can exhibit a dendritic drainage network with supra‐, en‐ and subglacial components formed most likely by cut‐and‐closure processes as well as surface‐to‐bed drainage via moulins. Furthermore, we observed that water is stored within the glacier and released gradually via subglacial conduits during the winter months, forming a large and active icing in the proglacial area. The presence of supra‐, en‐ and subglacial components, the surface‐to‐bed moulin and the dendritic subglacial drainage network suggest that existing models and understanding of the hydrology of cold glaciers needs to be re‐evaluated, mostly concerning the different possible pathways and processes that form the hydrological system.
A dual feasible forest algorithm for the linear assignment problem

On presente un algorithme dual pour le probleme d'affectation. L'algorithme est guide par la signature d'un arbre fortement realisable et se termine avec un tel arbre. Il a une complexite temporelle O(n 3 ) pour les problemes denses et O(n 2 logn+nm) pour les graphes creux
A GALACTIC ORIGIN FOR HE 0437−5439, THE HYPERVELOCITY STAR NEAR THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD

We use Hubble Space Telescope imaging to measure the absolute proper motion of the hypervelocity star (HVS) HE 0437−5439, a short-lived B star located in the direction of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We observe (μα, μδ) = (+0.53 ± 0.25(stat) ± 0.33(sys), + 0.09 ± 0.21(stat) ± 0.48(sys)) mas yr−1. The velocity vector points directly away from the center of the Milky Way; an origin from the center of the LMC is ruled out at the 3σ level. The flight time of the HVS from the Milky Way exceeds its main-sequence lifetime, thus its stellar nature requires it to be a blue straggler. The large space velocity rules out a Galactic-disk ejection. Combining the HVS's observed trajectory, stellar nature, and required initial velocity, we conclude that HE 0437−5439 was most likely a compact binary ejected by the Milky Way's central black hole.
Prodrugs as Emerging Tool for Increasing Safety Profile of Existing Drugs

The process of drug discovery is never ending, time consuming and expensive one. With the openings of high throughput screening and computer aided techniques; even though various drugs are identifying but the final outcome is very less. When a new chemical entity has some barrier/limitation to utility, it may not be developed as a therapeutic agent. This fact is attributed to the undesirable physico-chemical properties of the existing drug molecule. The steady improvement in the physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and/or pharmacokinetic properties of pharmacologically active compounds is due implementation of a prodrug strategy. Thus prodrug designing leads to raising the therapeutic effectiveness of medicinal compound through derivatization. Even though numerous prodrugs have been designed and developed but safety of promoiety is always the great concern. The acceptance of prodrug is dependent on proper selection of promoiety. A wide variety of promoieties have been used to overcome liabilities associated with drugs. The selection of promoiety depends on the purpose of the prodrug, type of functional groups available on the parent drug, chemical and enzymatic conversion mechanisms of prodrug to parent drug, safety of the promoiety, and ease of manufacturing.
Nitrates and nitrites as source of n-nitroso compounds

Studies referring to the presence of nitrates and nitrites in food and drinking water suggested that these compounds are precursors in the formation of N-nitroso compounds, wich are genotoxic compounds consisting of nitrosamines and nitrosamide. N-nitroso compounds are known to cause birth defects in animals and humans. Nitrate and nitrite are present in vegetables because the use of chemical and organic fertilizers, rich in nitrogen. Another source of nitrates and nitrites is watering with high concentrations of nitrogen leaching. The presence of nitrates and nitrites in foodstuffs is restricted by a directive of the World Health Organization, all over the world. In Romania this is regulated for vegetables by no.1/2002 Order of the Ministry of Health. The aim of the research was to establish the level of load setting these nitrates and nitrites in several species of commonly consumed vegetables. Analyses carried out for many kind of vegetables sold in Bucharest market highlights that the contents of nitrate and nitrite were in legal limits. The variation of nitrate and nitrite contents of vegetables requires a periodic review.
Creating a new innovation practice and a different innovation orientation through implementation of an idea competition tool

Abstract: We investigate how an idea competition tool act as catalyst to create a new We investigate how an idea competition tool act as catalyst to create a new innovation practice and innovation orientation in an engineering consultancy company. The idea competition is used internally in the organization to collect employee ideas for internal process improvements. The case study reveals that the idea competition tool act both as a catalyst to think differently about innovation and as tool to guide the implementation of the new innovation approach through well defined roles combining fun and serious business. The idea competition tool helps to overcome existing organizational barriers by creating a strategic business architecture encouraging employees to contribute with innovative ideas that the company may develop and implement for the good of the company. The findings indicate that more and different innovation orientations may co-exist in the same organization, complementing each other, such as balancing an external customer orientation with an innovation orientation focusing on internal innovations.
Learners' Self - Efficacy In Reading And Its Relation To Foreign Language Reading Anxiety And Reading Achievement

It is well documented that language learning success or failure is influenced by the affective side of the learner. Self-efficacy and anxiety are among the affective factors influencing language learning. This study first explores the relationship between EFL learners' self-efficacy in reading comprehension and their reading anxiety. Secondly, it explores the relationship between EFL learners' self-efficacy and their reading achievement. It also investigates whether high self-efficacious EFL learners experience higher anxiety than low self-efficacious EFL learners and whether high self-efficacious EFL learners perform better in reading or not. 150 sophomores majoring in English literature at three universities participated in the present study. Two instruments were used in this study: a) an author-designed scale on EFL learners' self-efficacy in reading comprehension, b) the Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale (FLRAS) developed by Saito et al.,. The Pearson formula and an independent T-Test were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that there was a significant negative correlation between the participants' reading self- efficacy and their reading anxiety. The results also showed that high self-efficacious participants achieved higher scores in reading comprehension course than low self-efficacious participants. The findings of the study draw the attention of EFL teachers to encourage their learners seek ways to reduce their anxiety in reading L2 texts by improving their self-efficacy
Main challenges faced by multinational companies when planning human resources in Venezuela

4 Acknowledgment 5 Chapter 1: Introduction 6 Chapter 2: Literature Review 8 2.1 The Importance of HRP as a part of the Business Strategy 8 2.2 HRP Process 9 2.3 HRP in MNCs 12 2.4 Main Challenges faced by MNCs when planning HR in Venezuela 16 2.4. 1: Legal restrictions 19 2.4. 1.1 The Venezuelan Organic Labor and Worker‟s Law 19 2.4. 1.2: Special Bar Against Dismissal 19 2.4. 1.3: Exchange Control 24 2.4. 2: Socio-economic factors 25 2.4. 2.1: Influence of social factors in recruitment 25 2.4. 2.2: Inflation 27 Chapter 3: Methodology 29 3.1 Research Question 29 3.2 Proposed Methodology 29 3.2.1: Research philosophy 30 3.2.2: Research approach 31 3.2.3: Research strategy 31 3.2.4: Research Choice 31 3.2. 5: Time Horizon 32 3.2. 6: Qualitative 33 3.2. 7: Non-probability sample 33 3.2. 8: Operationalization 34 3.3 Ethics 34
Ecotoxicologisch onderzoek naar effecten van verontreinigingen in uiterwaarden op steenuilen (Athene noctua): een integratie

In dit rapport wordt een integratie gepresenteerd van resultaten van ecotoxicologisch onderzoek naar effecten van verontreinigingen op steenuilen (Athene noctua) in de Achterhoek en de Gelderse Poort. Van verschillende compartimenten van de voedselketen van de steenuil zijn monsters verzameld en geanalyseerd voor zware metalen en organochloorverbindingen. Tevens zijn op niet-destructieve wijze bij volwassen steenuilen monsters verzameld en geanalyseerd. Uitgaande van de voedselketen worden de risico's geschat van verschillende verontreinigingstypen voor steenuilen in uiterwaarden.
Asymmetry between trends in spring and autumn temperature and circulation regimes over western North America

Observational evidence shows that spring temperatures over western North America have undergone significant warming over the past half century, while autumn temperatures have shown relatively little change. Low‐frequency modes of atmospheric variability for spring and autumn are demonstrated to account for a great deal of the seasonal asymmetry, with trends in spring circulation patterns exacerbating regional warming, and trends in autumn circulation patterns counteracting warming. After excluding warming associated with the primary modes of atmospheric variability, temperature trends in spring and autumn over western North America are similar to one another and in broad agreement with seasonal trends from a multimodel ensemble.
Effect of Population Density on Timing of Oviposition and Brood Size Reduction in the Burying Beetle Nicrophorus pustulatus Herschel (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

Burying beetles (Nicrophorus spp.) bury small carcasses to feed their larvae. Carcasses are a limited, high-quality resource and contests over carcasses become more frequent with increasing population density. Successful beetles kill eggs and larvae present on carcass. In response, females should accelerate oviposition, while offspring development should increase to minimize mortality. Both value of a carcass and frequency of contests decrease as larvae develop. If overproduction of offspring is an insurance against high mortality, females should reduce brood size as carcass value declines. Testing our predictions, we reared female burying beetles, Nicrophorus pustulatus, at high and low densities and compared oviposition and brood reduction. High-density females delayed oviposition, suggesting that high population density imposes nutritional and/or physiological stress. Females responded to the physiological constraints and the potentially high mortality rates of eggs and newly hatched larvae by lengthening oviposition period and changing brood reduction rate.
DOUBLE POROSITY MODELS IN KARSTIFIED LIMESTONE AQUIFERS: FIELD VALIDATION AND DATA PROVISION

Modelling results and long-term field investigations from a karst aquifer (Upper Jurassic) in southwest Germany are presented, providing further evidence and support for the Double Continuum Ground Water Modelling approach in karstified limestone areas. With water flowing at different rates through a karst aquifer, slowly through small fissures and very rapidly through large fractures and solution enlarged channels, the simulation of the flow and transport requires information on both systems and their interaction. This information is provided by investigation s on a catchment scale, an intermediate and on a borehole scale. Time series analysis of rainfall events utilizing well hydrographs, spring discharge, 18 0/ 16 0 ratios, temperature, electrical conductivity and turbidity of the water allow the discrimination of not only event and pre-event water, but also the quantitative distinction between the fast and the slow component of the storm derived water. The latter is an essential calibration tool for the interchange between the two systems in a double porosity model and the 18 0/ 16 0 ratio serves as a regional tracer, the breakthrough of which could be modelled. Further transport parameters were provided by two different kinds of tracer tests, with the input in sinkholes (information on fast system), as well as in boreholes ("statistical" information on slower system). Hydraulic parameters were derived from slug tests. The attempt to model the aquifer with a standard porous medium model failed, primarily as a result of a different response from the two systems. Whereas peak discharge generally occurs two to three days after the storm event, the maximum in the well hydrographs lags behind by more than one month. A satisfactory representation of both the flow and the transport processes could only be achieved with a regional double porosity model, allowing flow in both the "fracture porosity" and the "matrix-porosity".
The role of specific estrogen receptors in mediating rapid estrogenic improvements of social learning in female mice

The role of specific estrogen receptors in mediating rapid estrogenic improvements of social learning in female mice Kelsy Ervin Advisor: University of Guelph, 2013 Professor Elena Choleris Social learning is a process by which an animal gains information from another; however much of the research on estrogens effects on learning focuses on individual learning tasks. We therefore examined the effects of 17 -estradiol (17 -E2) and agonists for the estrogen receptors (ERs) ER , ER , and the G protein-coupled ER 1 (GPER1) on the social transmission of food preferences (STFP) task, within a time scale allowing us to determine the rapid effects of estrogens. General ER activation with 17 -E2 rapidly improved social learning on this task. Specific activation of the GPER1 also rapidly improved social learning, suggesting that 17 -E2 acts through the GPER1 to rapidly improve learning on the STFP. Activation of ER and ER activation, however, induced some impairing effects on learning. Rapid estrogenic modulation of social learning in the STFP therefore likely depends on the receptors activated, as each ER differently affected learning on this task.
The path to excellence of the Portuguese organisations recognised by the EFQM model

This paper presents research carried out in seven Portuguese organisations recognised by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Model between January 2009 and August 2011. Using a qualitative methodology, based on case studies, we conducted semi-structured interviews to find out the motivations behind the adoption of the EFQM Excellence Model of self-assessment, as well the company's current state of maturity, their route to improvement for a greater maturity level, their desirable future state of maturity, and finally, the definition of a methodology for using self-assessment based on the EFQM Model with all the inputs achieved in earlier stages. The main findings of this study are in accordance with other studies carried out across Europe, namely the fact that the internal motivations are the key factor for the implementation of the EFQM Excellence Model, the prevalence of Public organisations due the investment of National Authorities, the key role of CEOs and Top Managers and the ISO 9001 standard role in the successful implementation of several criteria of the model. A new methodology has been designed where the self-assessment team, Benchlearning and Benchmarking have a remarkable mission in the implementation process of the EFQM Excellence Model.
ON THE PRESUMED ULF MAGNETIC PRECURSORS OF EARTHQUAKES

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