Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Fragile Field. The Development and Transformation of Science and Technology Studies in Switzerland

Abstract : This contribution reconstructs the history of Science and Technology Studies in Switzerland. With a focus on the institutional aspects of the field’s emergence, it traces early initiatives to foster social research on science and technology, then considers, in more detail, the network building that led to the foundation of the Swiss Association for the Studies of Science, Technology, and Society (STS-CH). It also identifies important sites of STS research in the Swiss academic landscape. This reconstruction reveals characteristics of the field as it emerges such as the late uptake of STS research in Switzerland compared to other European countries, the importance of young researchers and bottom-up initiatives for the building of a relevant academic network, and processes of fragile institutionalization and of de-institutionalization. To conclude, the contribution reflects on the field’s (inter)national and (inter)disciplinary configuration. Keywords : STS; Institutionalization; History; Academic association; Interdisciplinarity; Switzerland.
Lipid nanoparticles in thermoresponsive gel for topical application / Lim Qian Ying

Medicated topical gel having thermoresponsive feature is advantageous with respect to spreadability and drug delivery. However, gels are restricted by insolubility due to the hydrophobic drug compounds used and chemical degradation of active compounds in an aqueous system. Therefore, lipid nanoparticles are incorporated as a carrier for the active ingredients. In present work, alpha-tocopherol and hydroquinone were loaded in lecithin-fatty acid nanoparticles which was then incorporated into a thermoresponsive gel, consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and iota-carrageenan (ι-C). Temperature and Ca2+ ions effect on the rheological behavior of the prepared gel mixture was investigated. The nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was evaluated for its mean particle size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release. Physicochemical characterization showed that both alpha-tocopherol and hydroquinone loaded NLCs being stored at 4 ˚C were stable for 30 days, while the encapsulation efficiency was different more than 30% due to the distinct hydrophobicity. In vitro release studies showed that NLC had the capability to slow release both the hydrophobic and hydrophilic active ingredients. Meanwhile, a gel system was formulated to transform from gel-like to liquid-like consistency in the vicinity of body temperature. NLC gave advantages to the pure gel system as the NLC-gel showed slightly higher elasticity, indicating contribution of NLC to rigidity of the gel system. Nevertheless, the effect of NLC on gelling point was negligible. These results suggest that gel mixture of CMC and ι-C is likely to be developed as a thermoresponsive gel while NLC is a potential active ingredient carrier system in topical application.
No More Broken Promises

Abstract The global fight against HIV/AIDS continues to pose challenges: infection rates are on the rise in many settings, stigma and discrimination remain rampant, and the global response is under increasing financial pressure. There is a high risk of losing what has been achieved so far in the fight against HIV and AIDS, but also the momentum to meet the so-called Fast Track targets for 2030. In light of these trends, it is fundamental to focus on the human rights of key populations (KPs)—especially to health, non-discrimination, access to information, and to equal and meaningful participation in political and public affairs—by placing them at the center of the global HIV response. Such rights, and the demand for more transparency, accountability, and participation (TAP), have been recognized as both a necessary social justice imperative, and as a way to build more responsive, inclusive, and sustainable health systems. This article will argue that embracing TAP as key guiding principles of the global HIV response (especially in low- and middle-income countries) could have the potential to create the conditions for KPs to have their human rights fulfilled, and to expand their participation in the decision-making processes that guide the efforts against the epidemic. It will then propose a number of avenues for further engagement between different communities of practice in terms of research, agendas, and policy and practices that could be beneficial in maximizing the impact of the global efforts to end HIV/AIDS.
Immediate versus Delayed Implant placement in Diabetic Patients rehabilitated with Mandibular Overdentures – A Split mouth study

Purpose: This comparative controlled trial (CCT) evaluates the survival rate of implants placedinto fresh extraction sockets and compare it with implants placed in healed sites in type 2 diabetic,completely edentulous subjects rehabilitated with mandibular implant overdentures (MIODs) followinga delayed loading protocol and opposed with conventional complete dentures.Materials and Methods: Fourteen implants were placed in seven well-controlled diabeticsubjects as determined by Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values before implant placement(baseline) and throughout the follow-up period. Each patient received two implants; one implant inhealed canine site and the other was immediately inserted following the extraction of an existingperiodontally hopeless canine. The implants were uncovered approximately 3 months after placementand restored with bar-retained overdenture. The patients were scheduled for regular follow-upappointments and for data collection. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate implant survivalfrom time of prosthesis placement through 24-month follow-up period.Results: No implant failed in the delayed placement group within the 2 years study period,whereas in the immediate group two implants failed in two patients following the prosthetic loadingat one-year follow-up period resulting in 71.2% implant survival rate. HbA1c levels ranging from7.4 to 8.0 percent were identified in two patients with implant failures. There was no statisticallysignificant difference in survival rate between immediate and delayed implants in type 2 Diabeticsubjects rehabilitated with MIOD s (P=0.141). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, insufficient evidence exists to recommendimmediate implant placement in type 2 diabetic subjects rehabilitated with MIODs.
What for the Future of the Jardine River Painted Turtle

The Painted Turtle Emydura subglobosa is widely distributed in southern Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, where it inhabits the permanent freshwater swamps of adjacent coastal river systems (Lovich et aZ. 1983; Georges et al. 2006). Ernydura subglobosa has also been recorded on mainland Australia, but only from the Jardine River in far northern Cape York Peninsula where it is colloquially named the Jardine River Painted Turtle (Cann 1998). The separation of these two disjunct populations is presumed to be due to Pleistocene sea level changes about 12,000-18,000 years BP (Georges and Thomson 2006). The taxonomic affinities of this species complex remain unresolved (Georges and Adams 1996).
Age-related changes and seasonal variations in boar
sperm metabolism during liquid storage at 5° and 16°C

In the present study the effect of boar age and seasonal changes on oxygen uptake (ZO2) and ATP content in spermatozoa during storage at 5° and 16°C were analysed. Semen was collected from 3 Polish Landrace boars for a 3-year period. The semen was extended in a standard semen extender, Kortowo 3 (K3), which was supplemented with lipoprotein fractions extracted from hen (K3-LPFh) or ostrich egg yolk (K3-LPFo). Irrespective of the storage temperatures, lower metabolic activity was manifested in reduced ZO2 values and ATP content in spermatozoa stored in K3 extender. The metabolic performance of spermatozoa from boars aged 25-36 months was higher, particularly during the autumn-winter period. The addition of lipoprotein fractions to the semen extender had a beneficial effect on the analysed biochemical parameters of the metabolic activity of spermatozoa preserved at 5°C. This seems to indicate that boar age and the season may be important factors that can influence the use of semen for liquid preservation.
Improved Fault Tolerance for Parallel FFT

Digital filters are mainly used in signal processing and communication systems. Soft errors are major threats of the modern communication system. Now a day’s complexity of communication and signal processing increases day by day. So reliability of the system is critical and fault tolerance technique is needed. In parallel FFT protection using ECC and parseval check can be used for error detection and correction. In this project is to reduce the entire area of the fault tolerant system by using pipelined method. In pipelined FFT consist of two butterfly structure. Each stage is replaced by a single butterfly structure. Experimental results show that proposed technique reduces the area and delay of the system. This project is mainly focused on the area of the system. Proposed technique is more efficient and reduces the complexity of the entire system.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITES WITH SENSING AND HEALING CAPABILITIES

For smart concretes to be developed, it must be gathering high mechanical and durability properties, in addition to satisfying special characteristics such as selfmonitoring of damage. This study outlines attempts to develop advanced Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) with combined self-sensing and self-healing capabilities. The aim is to maintain or improve the high mechanical and ductility properties of ECC, while enhancing the self-monitoring and self-healing capabilities. To assure the self-sensing functionality, carbon-based materials with different volumes were incorporated in ECC formulations. The self-healing rates of control and piezoresistive ECC’s were assessed by pre-cracking specimens up to 60% of their original flexure deformations and left those samples to heal under moist curing. The mechanical performances and ductility were evaluated based on compressive and flexural strengths, and mid-span beam deflection capacity measurements. The selfhealing/self-sensing efficiency was tested by assessing the electrical resistivity (ER) variations of cylindrical specimens. Mechanical results of carbon-based ECC mixtures showed better or comparable performances than the corresponding control ECC. This study also reveals that the type of carbon-based materials and moisture state of specimens considerably influence the self-sensing/self-healing ability of ECC mixtures.
Recycling Krylov Subspaces and Truncating Deflation Subspaces for Solving Sequence of Linear Systems

This article presents deflation strategies related to recycling Krylov subspace methods for solving one or a sequence of linear systems of equations. Besides well-known strategies of deflation, Ritz-, and harmonic Ritz-based deflation, we introduce an Singular Value Decomposition based deflation technique. We consider the recycling in two contexts: recycling the Krylov subspace between the restart cycles and recycling a deflation subspace when the matrix changes in a sequence of linear systems. Numerical experiments on real-life reservoir simulation demonstrate the impact of our proposed strategy.
Pension Systems Sustainability in the European Union

This thesis explores the future of pension systems of the European Union and Norway in the period between years 2016 and 2080. Due to demographic trends in fertility and life expectancy the number of people in working age declines and the number of people applicable for public pensions grows. This leads to increase in pressure put on public pensions and increase in pension expenditure in terms of GDP. By using EUROPOP2015 population predictions together with several economic predictions from the 2018 Ageing Report this thesis tries to capture future scenarios of pension expenditure. The results suggest significant challenges for most countries in the EU. We further analyse the results under different series of demographic assumptions identifying fertility as the most important factor and noticing different behaviour among states of Western and Eastern Europe. Finally, we try to test possible parametric solutions to compensate for increases in pension expenditure. We arrive at the conclusion that 8-10 year increase in pensionable age would stabilize the expenditure up to the year 2080 and a similar result would be achieved by nominal pension growth being equal to only 60% to 70% of nominal wage growth.
Non-marine molluscs

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Based on almost 80,000 records for Ireland, 150 native species of non-marine mollusc are evaluated for their conservation status using International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria (IUCN, 2001, 2003). Two are considered to be regionally extinct, five critically endangered, fourteen endangered, twenty-six vulnerable, six near threatened, and the rest of least concern, or data deficient. Ireland’s non-marine molluscan fauna is of international importance. Ten species have populations of significant international worth, having large proportions of their global population in Ireland. Ashfordia granulata and Leisotyla anglica are two examples of such species; both are near endemics to Britain and Ireland, with Ireland having at least a fifth of their global populations. Seven species have been listed on the global IUCN red list, for example Myxas glutinosa and Quickella arenaria, both of which are endangered species in Ireland. Six species are legally protected under European legislation. Of these legally protected species, only the Kerry slug, Geomalacus maculosus, is not considered threatened in Ireland. However, the Irish population of this species is of particular international importance as the species is restricted to south-west Ireland and northern Iberia, and the Iberian populations are severely threatened. Some species are rare in Ireland as they are at the edge of their range or climatic tolerances (e.g. Pomatias elegans). For species that are declining in Ireland there are multiple drivers of population loss. Species declines are primarily driven by habitat loss (e.g. loss of marginal agricultural wetlands through drainage impacting species such as Vertigo antivertigo), habitat change (e.g. reduced water quality impacting species such as Pisidium pseudosphaerium and Margaritifera margaritifera) and habitat management (e.g. woodland management practices impacting species such as Spermodea lamellata). To a lesser extent species may be declining due to climate change (e.g. Pisidium conventus, a cold, deep water, montane species) and the impact of invasive species (Anodonta cygnea and A. anatina, the swan and duck mussels, are being severely impacted by the invasive species Dreissena polymorpha, the zebra mussel). The importance of water quality and the reduction of habitat loss and change across a spectrum of habitats are identified as important components in conserving the non-marine molluscan fauna on the island of Ireland.
csd alleles in the red dwarf honey bee (Apis florea, Hymenoptera: Apidae) show exceptionally high nucleotide diversity

Abstract The single locus complementary sex determination (sl‐csd) gene is the primary gene determining the gender of honey bees (Apis spp.). While the csd gene has been well studied in the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), and comparable data exist in both the Eastern honey bee (Apis cerana) and the giant honey bee (Apis dorsata), no studies have been conducted in the red dwarf honey bee, Apis florea. In this study we cloned the genomic region 3 of the A. florea csd gene from 60 workers, and identified 12 csd alleles. Analysis showed that similar to A. mellifera, region 3 of the csd gene contains a RS domain at the N terminal, a proline‐rich domain at the C terminal, and a hypervariable region in the middle. However, the A. florea csd gene possessed a much higher level of nucleotide diversity, compared to A. mellifera, A. cerana and Apis dorsata. We also show that similar to the other three Apis species, in A. florea, nonsynonymous mutations in the csd gene are selectively favored in young alleles.
Insoluble Benzoquinone Derivative Cathode with Rigid Ring for Organic Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery

Organic electrode materials of rechargeable batteries have attracted a great interest because of their containing of renewable C, H and O elements, but meanwhile face the challenge of high solubility in organic electrolyte. We here report an organic electrode of tetra-(phthalimido)-benzoquinone (TPB) through introducing the rigid groups into benzoquinone molecular skeleton which showed insoluble character in aprotic electrolyte, revealing a high capacity retention of 91.4% (204 mA h g-1) over 100 cycles at 0.2 C. The extended conjugated structure also contributes to enhancing high-rate perfomance (155 mA h g-1 at 10 C ). Moreover, density functional theory calculations illustrate that favorable synergistic reaction between multiple carbonyls and lithium-ions can also enhance initial Li-ion intercalation potential. Our results demonstrate that grafting rigid groups on molecular skeleton provide new approaches for next-generation organic electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries.
Modeling Overwintering Survival of Declining Landbirds: The 2004-05 Annual Report of the Monitoring Avian Winter Survival (MAWS) Program on four DoD Installations in Southeastern United States

Abstract : Long-term data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) indicate that many temperate-wintering landbird species, including many sparrows and other species that prefer early successional stage habitats, are experiencing highly significant continent-wide population declines. Recent results from the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Program suggest that low survival, rather than low breeding productivity, may be the proximate demographic cause of population decline for many migratory landbird species. Additional evidence from the scientific literature suggests that habitat loss and degradation on these species? wintering grounds may decrease their overwintering survival rate and/or their physical condition at the end of the winter season, which, in turn, may cause increased mortality on spring migration and lowered productivity on the breeding grounds. Spatially extensive data on habitat- and age-specific overwintering survival rates and late-winter physical condition are urgently needed to formulate, implement, and evaluate effective management plans to enhance and preserve winter habitat so as to reverse the population trends of declining species and maintain stable or increasing populations. The Department of Defense may be able to play an important role in such efforts, because the creation and maintenance of the early successional stage habitat required by many of these declining species may be very compatible with management efforts to enhance military Readiness and Range Sustainment.
Taurine as Drug and Functional Food Component

The concept of food changes all the time but for the majority of the people it is still a source to feed the hungry, while for some others, it is also a medium for socialization. Recently, food has acquired an additional value: to be able to reduce the risk of diseases. The new term “functional food” has been coined to indicate food that shows health-promoting and/or disease-preventing properties beyond its basic function of supplying nutrients [1, 2]. To be defined as “functional,” food has to demonstrate its beneficial effects on one or more target functions in the body, thus improving health, strengthening well-being, or contributing to a reduction of the risk of diseases [3]. Functional food can still be regarded as natural food, even when the nature and/or the bioavailability of one or more of its active components have been modified in order to acquire new properties. This may be beneficial for an entire population or for groups of people selected on the basis of their health status and need. Functional food ingredients include many phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and several plant and animal extracts [3]. Sulfur amino acids (SAA) play an important metabolic and functional role in human health and disease prevention. Also, SAA provide elemental sulfur required for growth and development [4, 5]. Pathological conditions are often determined by increased oxidative activities, a reduction in the host defense system, and a presence of other risk-promoting substances. Taurine is a well-known SAA and has been recognized as a protective agent against such events. Perhaps it is one biomolecule involved in many of the prevention and protection activities of various organ dysfunctions [6] and because of this it is known as a polyfunctional molecule [7].
The effect of different irrigation materials and application techniques on push-out bond strength of fiber post to root dentin

Statement of the problem: Achieving a reliable bond to root canal dentin is a subject of ongoing research. Improving the bond strength between root dentin and fiber posts through different irrigation materials and techniques used during post space preparation has been suggested; yet, there is a few data regarding the irrigation materials and application techniques that could be used to achieve an optimum bond. Purpose: The aim of this invitro study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation materials (NaOCl + EDTA and Qmix) and application techniques (syringe, passive ultrasonic irrigation, XP finisher) on the push-out bond strength of fiber posts to root dentin. Materials and methods: Forty eight human premolars, with straight root canals and average root length of 17±1 mm were selected. The clinical crowns were cut 2mm above the cementoenamel junction. Root canal treatment was done with ProTaper universal rotary instruments to size F4 and then obturated with lateral condensation technique and AdSeal sealer. Teeth were then stored in distilled water for 7 days at 37 ̊C after sealing of the access cavity with temporary filling free from eugenol. For each tooth, post space preparation was done using gates glidden drills leaving 4-5 mm of gutta percha as apical seal. FibreKleer post tapered drill corresponding to the glass fiber post size was used to remove any residual root filling. The prepared roots were equally and randomly divided into two main groups (n = 18) before post cementation as follows; Group I: Irrigation with 10 ml of 2.6% NaOCL over 60 seconds followed by 5 ml EDTA for another 60 seconds, Group II: Irrigation with 3 ml Q-mix for 60 seconds. Each of the two main groups was further divided into 3 subgroups, Subgroup A (n = 6): Conventional syringe irrigation (IA, IIA), Subgroup B (n = 6): Passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) was performed for 60 seconds (IB, IIB), Subgroup C (n = 6): XP finisher was used with a torque-controlled motor according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The canal was filled with irrigant and the finisher was operated for 60 seconds using slow and gentle in-and-out movements (IC, IIC). All posts were tried-in, cleaned with alcohol, and then silanized with ceramic primer for 60 seconds then air dried. Cementation was done using Rely X Unicem 2 self adhesive resin cement. (3896) Sherif Elkhodary and Reham Elbasty E.D. J. Vol. 64, No. 4