Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Saline lakes as barriers against pollution: a multidisciplinary overview

Saline lakes as barriers against pollution: a multidisciplinary overview Saline lakes are subject to numerous environmental impacts closely related to human activities, including mining, desiccation and pollution. These lakes are mostly located in arid and semi-arid regions located in endorheic basins, which combined with the low precipitation and high evaporation rates typical for these regions, may lead to the accumulation of pollutants. Saline lakes are polluted mainly through inputs of agricultural wastewater along with organic and inorganic wastes from domestic and industrial sources. The excessive anthropogenic loading of nutrients, especially nitrogen (N), can result in eutrophication of these ecosystems. Here, the importance of pollution in saline lakes was assessed, placing special emphasis on N pollution and its attenuation in aquatic interfaces. Two main interfaces are present in saline lakes: (1) the sediment-water interface; (2) the freshwater-saltwater interface. While the former is the most important one for microbial turnover, the latter plays also a key role in pollution attenuation based on solute transport by density-driven flows. The study of how saline lakes can attenuate N pollutants (e.g. nitrate) is a step forward in preserving the good ecological status of these ecosystems. This work highlights the need of integrating a wide range of techniques from different disciplines such as limnology, hydrogeology, geochemistry or microbial ecology for such studies. The effective application of conservation policies by managers will depend on the degree of knowledge of these systems.
Confidence ratings are better predictors of future performance than delayed judgments of learning

ABSTRACT What is the best way to predict future memory performance? The intuitive answer is through judgments of learning (JOLs), in which people estimate how likely they are to remember something in the future. Recent theory, however, suggests that a retrospective confidence rating made just after a retrieval attempt might be a better predictor in some situations. In three preregistered experiments, we compared delayed JOLs to confidence ratings. People studied paired associates (E1) or psychology vocabulary terms (E2 & E3), then took a practice cued-recall test in which they made either a JOL or confidence rating after each response. They then took a final test. In Experiment 1, confidence ratings offered higher resolution (metacognitive accuracy) of memory for paired associates than did JOLs, but in Experiments 2 and 3, the advantage of confidence ratings was much smaller. A mini meta-analysis indicated that confidence ratings have a small advantage in predicting future performance over delayed JOLs. We argue that the two judgments rely on similar cues, and that even though JOLs explicitly ask people to predict future performance, doing so does not enhance prediction accuracy. Rather, the presence of a retention interval in the JOL cue adds variability to the judgment process.
Calidad de semen bovino diluido y congelado en un diluyente con caseinato de sodio

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el caseinato de sodio (CS) en la dilución y la congelación de semen bovino. Quince eyaculados provenientes de cinco toros fueron diluidos y congelados individualmente con un diluyente compuesto por tris-glicerol-ácido cítrico con 8% v/v de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL) y suplementado con CS en cuatro tratamientos: CS 3% p/v (CS3), CS 4% p/v (CS4), CS 5% p/v (CS5) y sin CS (Control). Se evaluaron la movilidad y cinética (Sistema SCA®) y la integridad funcional de membrana (prueba HOS) del semen fresco, diluido y descongelado. Además, se evaluó la morfología y vitalidad (eosina-nigrosina) del semen fresco y diluido, y la integridad estructural de membrana (SYBR14/IP), la integridad acrosómica (FITC-PNA) y la capacidad fertilizante in vitro (FIV) del semen descongelado. El análisis estadístico de los parámetros de calidad espermática se realizó mediante modelos lineales y la comparación de las medias por la prueba de Tukey. El análisis estadístico de la FIV se realizó con la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis. CS3 produjo un incremento de la movilidad progresiva y la frecuencia de batido del semen descongelado (p<0.05). CS4 tuvo un efecto deletéreo sobre la movilidad progresiva del semen diluido, mientras CS4 y CS5 afectaron la movilidad, cinética e integridad de membrana del semen descongelado (p<0.05). No se encontraron diferencias para la FIV (p>0.05). La suplementación del diluyente de congelación con caseinato de sodio puede mejorar la calidad posdescongelación del semen bovino.
SARS‐CoV‐2 triggered oxidative stress and abnormal energy metabolism in gut microbiota

Abstract Specific roles of gut microbes in COVID‐19 progression are critical. However, the circumstantial mechanism remains elusive. In this study, shotgun metagenomic or metatranscriptomic sequencing was performed on fecal samples collected from 13 COVID‐19 patients and controls. We analyzed the structure of gut microbiota, identified the characteristic bacteria, and selected biomarkers. Further, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotations were employed to correlate the taxon alterations and corresponding functions. The gut microbiota of COVID‐19 patients was characterized by the enrichment of opportunistic pathogens and depletion of commensals. The abundance of Bacteroides spp. displayed an inverse relationship with COVID‐19 severity, whereas Actinomyces oris, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus parasanguini were positively correlated with disease severity. The genes encoding oxidoreductase were significantly enriched in gut microbiome of COVID‐19 group. KEGG annotation indicated that the expression of ABC transporter was upregulated, while the synthesis pathway of butyrate was aberrantly reduced. Furthermore, increased metabolism of lipopolysaccharide, polyketide sugar, sphingolipids, and neutral amino acids were found. These results suggested the gut microbiome of COVID‐19 patients was in a state of oxidative stress. Healthy gut microbiota may enhance antiviral defenses via butyrate metabolism, whereas the accumulation of opportunistic and inflammatory bacteria may exacerbate COVID‐19 progression.
BASIC CONCEPTS AND VARIOUS TECHNIQUES OF HVDC CONVERTER FOR ADVANCE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

: The information on the web is growing dramatically, without a help system; the users may spend lots of time on the web finding the information they are interested in. Web mining is used to discover and extract useful information from the World Wide Web. The main goal of web mining technique is to find user’s access object automatically from the large amount of web log data. Web mining has been explored to different techniques Web structure mining, Web content mining and Web usage mining that have been used for the variety of the application. Web usage mining techniques used to discover usage pattern from web data, in order to understand and better serve the needs of web based applications. In preprocessing, pages on a web sites are processed to create proper structure of a web site. In usage mining, we count the support of all the data in the web log file to find frequent itemsets based on URL related analysis and classify the web pages in to two category i.e either its index page or content page. In Site recommendation phase, the web site is examined to find better ways to give proper navigate system to the user. Web Personalization is the capability to customize customer communication based on knowledge preferences and behaviours at the time of interaction. Here we proposed a new approach, which generate personalization process more accurate and less time consuming.
Glial Modulation of Energy Balance: The Dorsal Vagal Complex Is No Exception

The avoidance of being overweight or obese is a daily challenge for a growing number of people. The growing proportion of people suffering from a nutritional imbalance in many parts of the world exemplifies this challenge and emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate nutritional balance. Until recently, research on the central regulation of food intake primarily focused on neuronal signaling, with little attention paid to the role of glial cells. Over the last few decades, our understanding of glial cells has changed dramatically. These cells are increasingly regarded as important neuronal partners, contributing not just to cerebral homeostasis, but also to cerebral signaling. Our understanding of the central regulation of energy balance is part of this (r)evolution. Evidence is accumulating that glial cells play a dynamic role in the modulation of energy balance. In the present review, we summarize recent data indicating that the multifaceted glial compartment of the brainstem dorsal vagal complex (DVC) should be considered in research aimed at identifying feeding-related processes operating at this level.
Economic Crises And Entrepreneurship: A Comparison Of Developed And Less Developed Countries

This paper examines the change in entrepreneurial activity in developed and less developed countries during the period surrounding the 2008-2009 Global Crisis. The paper also examines how several entrepreneurship-related factors including costs, taxes, number of procedures, legal rights and credit coverage had changed for the two groups of countries after the Global Crisis. For the developed nations, we find that most factors had not significantly changed from the pre-crisis period to the post-crisis period. Out of the eighteen factors that are examined, only three had significantly changed. The cost to export had worsened (i.e. increased), while the number of tax payments and the time required to start a business had improved (i.e. declined). When we look at new business formation, we find that for the developed nations, there was no significant change in new business density and new business registrations. For the less developed nations, we find that most factors had significantly changed from the pre-crisis period to the post-crisis period. Out of the eighteen factors that are examined, fifteen had significantly changed (i.e. two of them worsened and thirteen of them improved). The “cost to export” and the “cost to import” both worsened (i.e. increased). On the other hand, the cost of business start-up procedures, the number of tax payments, the total tax rate, the legal rights, the number of procedures to register property, to start a business, the time required to build a warehouse, to register property, to start a business, to prepare and pay taxes, the credit depth, the private credit bureau coverage, and the public credit registry coverage all improved. For the less developed nations, similar to the developed nations, we find that there was no significant change in new business density and new business registrations. We conclude that, in terms of the entrepreneurial environment, the Global Crisis had a more negative impact on less developed nations when compared to developed nations. While entrepreneurial activity had not significantly changed in both groups, the less developed countries achieved this by improving several different aspects of the entrepreneurial environment. In order to protect their entrepreneurs, they had to be more proactive when compared to the developed nations.
Targeting Histone Deacetylases: Opportunities for Cancer Treatment and Chemoprevention

The dysregulation of gene expression is a critical event involved in all steps of tumorigenesis. Aberrant histone and non-histone acetylation modifications of gene expression due to the abnormal activation of histone deacetylases (HDAC) have been reported in hematologic and solid types of cancer. In this sense, the cancer-associated epigenetic alterations are promising targets for anticancer therapy and chemoprevention. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) induce histone hyperacetylation within target proteins, altering cell cycle and proliferation, cell differentiation, and the regulation of cell death programs. Over the last three decades, an increasing number of synthetic and naturally derived compounds, such as dietary-derived products, have been demonstrated to act as HDACi and have provided biological and molecular insights with regard to the role of HDAC in cancer. The first part of this review is focused on the biological roles of the Zinc-dependent HDAC family in malignant diseases. Accordingly, the small-molecules and natural products such as HDACi are described in terms of cancer therapy and chemoprevention. Furthermore, structural considerations are included to improve the HDACi selectivity and combinatory potential with other specific targeting agents in bifunctional inhibitors and proteolysis targeting chimeras. Additionally, clinical trials that combine HDACi with current therapies are discussed, which may open new avenues in terms of the feasibility of HDACi’s future clinical applications in precision cancer therapies.
RNA thermometers and other regulatory elements: Diversity and importance in bacterial pathogenesis

Survival of microorganisms depends to a large extent on environmental conditions and the occupied host. By adopting specific strategies, microorganisms can thrive in the surrounding environment and, at the same time, preserve their viability. Evading the host defenses requires several mechanisms compatible with the host survival which include the production of RNA thermometers to regulate the expression of genes responsible for heat or cold shock as well as of those involved in virulence. Microorganisms have developed a variety of molecules in response to the environmental changes in temperature and even more specifically to the host they invade. Among all, RNA‐based regulatory mechanisms are the most common ones, highlighting the importance of such molecules in gene expression control and novel drug development by suitable structure‐based alterations.
Employee Entrepreneurship: When Do Inventors Found a Spin Off? Why Have Most Spin-Off Founders Worked Previously for Small Companies?

English) This thesis analyzes the decision of employees to found a spin-off (leaving an employed position in order to create an own new venture within the same industry). On the one hand, newly created ventures have a positive influence on the job market, the economy in general and are crucial to economic development and, on the other hand, spin-offs represent a highly successful and significant share of newly created ventures. The thesis consists of three independent papers and supplementary discussions. While the first paper details, based on the existing literature, when spin-off specifics need to be taken into account, the second and third papers empirically analyze the stylized fact that founders of new ventures have disproportionally often previously worked in companies with fewer employees. The first paper is based on the observation that studies currently often classify new ventures (de-novo) as one group without consideration of subgroup specifics. This is identified as problematic, as spin-offs make up a significant share (approx. 30% in Germany) of de-novo companies and show consistently different behavior along important dimensions. To back this finding, the first paper summarizes and categorizes the factors affecting founding and identifies variations between spin-off and other de-novo firm creation based on theory and empirical results. Thus, the key finding is that there is a risk of misleading results if studies have not controlled for spin-offs in the past, and that future studies on venture creation should differentiate for spin-offs to avoid this hazard. The rest of the thesis empirically details the above mentioned stylized fact, as the literature so far only speculates on the reason while acknowledging that understanding is important in order to further develop the current theories on spin-off founding. Based on a mail survey administered to patent applicants in Germany, eight factors derived from promising spin-off theories, the Employee Learning Theory (ELT) and the Voluntary Turnover Theory (VTT), are tested for their capability of explaining the stylized fact. Despite significant explanatory power for the probability of founding a spin-off by ELT measures such as experience working in a young company, network size, and quality of experience and VTT measures such as job security and job satisfaction, neither was able to explain the stylized fact. Thus, the key finding is that explanations for the stylized fact most often speculated in the literature are incorrect so far, signifying that ELT and VTT require further development. Based on theoretic reasoning and empirical results, knowledge of entrepreneurial business opportunity is recognized as one explanation for the stylized fact, presenting a direction for further expansion of the common spin-off theories.
Sustainable Applications for the Valorization of Cereal Processing By-Products

This review article revises the sustainable practices and applications to valorize valuable components recovered from cereal processing by-products. After introducing cereal processing by-products, their healthy compounds, and corresponding functional properties, the article explores reutilization opportunities of by-products emphasizing specific sources (e.g., oat and wheat bran, distillers’ dried grains, etc.) and the biorefinery approach. Proteins and soluble dietary fibers such as arabinoxylans are of particular interest due to their content in the cereal processing by-products and their easy extraction based on conventional technologies such as enzyme-assisted extraction and membrane filtration. Non-thermal technologies have also been suggested to improve sustainability recovery approaches. Finally, the article discusses the different applications for the recovered high-added value compounds that span across biotechnology, foods, and bakery products.
FEMCAM Analysis of SULTAN Test Results for ITER Nb3SN Cable-conduit Conductors

Performance degradation due to filament fracture of Nb3 Sn cable-in-conduit conductors (CICCs) is a critical issue in large-scale magnet designs such as ITER which is currently being constructed in the South of France. The critical current observed in most SULTAN TF CICC samples is significantly lower than expected and the voltage-current characteristic is seen to have a much broader transition from a single strand to the CICC. Moreover, most conductors exhibit the irreversible degradation due to filament fracture and strain relaxation under electromagnetic cyclic loading. With recent success in monitoring thermal strain distribution and its evolution under the electromagnetic cyclic loading from in situ measurement of critical temperature, we apply FEMCAM which includes strand filament breakage and local current sharing effects to SULTAN tested CICCs to study Nb3 Sn strain sensitivity and irreversible performance degradation. FEMCAM combines the thermal bending effect during cool down and the EM bending effect due to locally accumulating Lorentz force during magnet operation. It also includes strand filament fracture and related local current sharing for the calculation of cable n value. In this paper, we model continuous performance degradation under EM cyclic loading based on strain relaxation and the transition broadening upon cyclic loading to more » the extreme cases seen in SULTAN test data to better quantify conductor performance degradation. « less
Práticas de Gestão Estratégica e Isomorfismo: Uma Investigação Empírica entre Empresas do Porto Digital a partir da Teoria Institucional

O objetivo deste artigo foi investigar a presenca de isomorfismo dentre praticas de gestao estrategica no âmbito de empresas do setor de informatica localizadas no Porto Digital. Para a realizacao dessa pesquisa foram analisadas 30 (trinta) empresas e investigadas 12 (doze) variaveis (dependentes e explicativas). Para a coleta de dados desta pesquisa foram utilizadas entrevistas estruturadas atraves da aplicacao de um questionario. A Prova Exata de Fisher foi a tecnica de analise utilizada na busca de resultados estatisticamente significativos (p=0,01 ou menor) para descartar a presenca de isomorfismo. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, nenhuma das praticas de gestao estrategica se mostrou relacionada de maneira estatisticamente significativa com as variaveis explicativas consideradas (tempo de atuacao no mercado e tamanho da empresa. Desta forma, os resultados sugerem a presenca de isomorfismo dentre as praticas gerenciais consideradas.
Downscaling Solar Power Output to 4-Seconds for Use in Integration Studies (Presentation)

High penetration renewable integration studies require solar power data with high spatial and temporal accuracy to quantify the impact of high frequency solar power ramps on the operation of the system. Our previous work concentrated on downscaling solar power from one hour to one minute by simulation. This method used clearness classifications to categorize temporal and spatial variability, and iterative methods to simulate intra-hour clearness variability. We determined that solar power ramp correlations between sites decrease with distance and the duration of the ramp, starting at around 0.6 for 30-minute ramps between sites that are less than 20 km apart. The sub-hour irradiance algorithm we developed has a noise floor that causes the correlations to approach ~0.005. Below one minute, the majority of the correlations of solar power ramps between sites less than 20 km apart are zero, and thus a new method to simulate intra-minute variability is needed. These intra-minute solar power ramps can be simulated using several methods, three of which we evaluate: a cubic spline fit to the one-minute solar power data; projection of the power spectral density toward the higher frequency domain; and average high frequency power spectral density from measured data. Each of these methods either under- or over-estimates the variability of intra-minute solar power ramps. We show that an optimized weighted linear sum of methods, dependent on the classification of temporal variability of the segment of one-minute solar power data, yields time series and ramp distributions similar to measured high-resolution solar irradiance data.
Introduction

Darrell Cleveland, Ph.D. Holy Family College Presently, the teaching profession is experiencing a massive shortage in the U. S. Shortages are especially high in large urban school districts and small rural school districts. Several reasons contribute to this crisis, which in turn produce other problems in classrooms. Ingersoll (1999A) found 42 percent of departures result from job dissatisfaction, the desire to pursue another career, or improve career opportunities in or out of education. Ingersoll (1999A) also noted that teachers in high-poverty and urban public schools depart because of job dissatisfaction, student discipline problems, lack of student motivation, lack of support from the administration, low salaries, and lack of influence over decision-making. Teacher shortages will continue as a result of increased school enrollment, high retirement rates, shifting urban demographics, and higher standards for teacher certification (Hidalgo, 1985). In his annual State of American Education Address, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley (2000) asserted, "We need over two million teachers in the next ten years. We have a growing shortage of teachers in several critical fields including math and science . "