Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genistein mitigates oxidative stress and inflammation by regulating Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal mice

Background Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play crucial roles in the progression of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). Genistein, a natural phytoestrogen, has been found to protect against ischemic brain injury. However, its effects and potential mechanisms in HIBD have not yet been explored. Methods A neonatal mouse model of hypoxia-ischemia (HI) and a cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) were employed. In the in vivo study, genistein (10 mg/kg; ip) was administered in mice once daily for 3 consecutive days before the operation and once immediately after HI. The effects of genistein treatment on acute brain damage and long-term responses were evaluated. Neuronal injury and apoptosis were estimated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins were also measured by Western blot analysis. Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining and glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production were determined to assess the extent of oxidative stress. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of proinflammatory cytokines were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the extent of neuroinflammation. In the in vitro study, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, as well as propidium iodide (PI) staining, were performed to analyse the neuroprotective effects of genistein on primary cortical neurons. Western blot assays were used to detect the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), phosphorylated inhibitor kappa B-α (p-IκB-α) and phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (p-NF-κB) both in vivo and in vitro. Results Our results showed that genistein treatment effectively reduced cerebral infarction, attenuated neuronal injury and apoptosis, and contributed to the long-term recovery of neurological outcomes and brain atrophy in neonatal HIBD mice. Moreover, genistein ameliorated HIBD-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Meanwhile, genistein significantly increased cell viability, reversed neuronal injury and decreased cell apoptosis after OGD/R injury. Finally, the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibition of the NF-κB pathway by genistein were verified in the brain tissues of neonatal mice subjected to HIBD and in primary cortical neurons exposed to OGD/R. Conclusions Genistein exerted neuroprotective effects on HIBD by attenuating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation through the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signalling pathways.
Web Based Substation Remote Monitoring and Maintenance

The deregulation of energy markets is bringing about major changes in distribution utilities, with new players involved in the network and increased quality and profitability requirements. To meet these new needs this paper proposes web based solutions which provide efficient and reliable access to network information which can be shared between all players (generators, distributors, energy service providers, maintenance service providers, subcontractors, etc.) with an increase in the quality of their services. The proposed system provides electrical network data targeted at network operators, maintenance technicians, network designers and financial managers.
Impact of Employee Value Proposition on Employee Retention in Apparel Sector Employees in Sri Lanka

Apparel exports bring the largest export income to Sri Lanka. High labor turnover is one of the greatest challenges to continue the above performance. Sewing machine operators have become the number one occupation which the highest number of employees quitted among the top 20 occupations in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to find the employee value proposition (EVP) of sewing machine operators in the apparel manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka which will help to increase the employees’ intention to retain (IR) with the existing organization. The ontological stance is Representationalism while the epistemological stance is positivism choosing the deductive approach, quantitative research strategy. The self-administered questionnaires were obtained from 386 sewing machine operators covering all 13 large-scale companies in Sri Lanka. According to the findings, employee brand equity (EBE) has the strongest impact on employees’ intention to retain followed by reward and recognition and employee welfare respectively.
Exploiting Spatiotemporal Correlations of Arrive-Stay-Leave Behaviors for Private Car Flow Prediction

Accurate prediction of private car flows in urban regions is strategically vital for constructing smart cities. Private car flows are essentially reflected in the <italic>arrive-stay-leave</italic> (ASL) behaviors of car users. Specifically, to fulfill daily travel needs, private car users usually <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$arrive$</tex-math></inline-formula> at specified locations, <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$stay$</tex-math></inline-formula> for a certain period participating in their activities, then <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$leave$</tex-math></inline-formula> to the next destination. In this paper, we strive to explore global spatiotemporal correlations of ASL behaviors to predict private car flow. Therefore, we formulate the dynamic distribution of ASL behaviors in urban regions through multiple graphs and propose the novel <underline><bold>m</bold></underline>ulti<underline><bold>g</bold></underline>raph <underline><bold>d</bold></underline>ense <underline><bold>c</bold></underline>onvolutional <underline><bold>n</bold></underline>etwork (<bold>MGDCN</bold>) to represent spatiotemporal correlations of ASL behaviors for private car flow prediction. The proposed MGDCN is an end-to-end framework consisting of three modules: <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$i$</tex-math></inline-formula>) multigraph dense convolutions, in which we introduce densely connected blocks to aggregate global spatial correlations effectively, <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ii$</tex-math></inline-formula>) convolutional gated recurrent units to capture sequential temporal correlations of ASL behaviors in all regions, and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$iii$</tex-math></inline-formula>) attention networks for learning the stay duration correlations in each region. Experiments based on large-scale private car trajectory data and region-of-interest (ROI) datasets verify that the proposed method achieves superior performance than the baselines in all five metrics.
Structure design of lower limb exoskeletons for gait training

Due to the close physical interaction between human and machine in process of gait training, lower limb exoskeletons should be safe, comfortable and able to smoothly transfer desired driving force/moments to the patients. Correlatively, in kinematics the exoskeletons are required to be compatible with human lower limbs and thereby to avoid the uncontrollable interactional loads at the human-machine interfaces. Such requirement makes the structure design of exoskeletons very difficult because the human-machine closed chains are complicated. In addition, both the axis misalignments and the kinematic character difference between the exoskeleton and human joints should be taken into account. By analyzing the DOF(degree of freedom) of the whole human-machine closed chain, the human-machine kinematic incompatibility of lower limb exoskeletons is studied. An effective method for the structure design of lower limb exoskeletons, which are kinematically compatible with human lower limb, is proposed. Applying this method, the structure synthesis of the lower limb exoskeletons containing only one-DOF revolute and prismatic joints is investigated; the feasible basic structures of exoskeletons are developed and classified into three different categories. With the consideration of quasi-anthropopathic feature, structural simplicity and wearable comfort of lower limb exoskeletons, a joint replacement and structure comparison based approach to select the ideal structures of lower limb exoskeletons is proposed, by which three optimal exoskeleton structures are obtained. This paper indicates that the human-machine closed chain formed by the exoskeleton and human lower limb should be an even-constrained kinematic system in order to avoid the uncontrollable human-machine interactional loads. The presented method for the structure design of lower limb exoskeletons is universal and simple, and hence can be applied to other kinds of wearable exoskeletons.
Monitoring Cropland Phenology on Google Earth Engine Using Gaussian Process Regression

Monitoring cropland phenology from optical satellite data remains a challenging task due to the influence of clouds and atmospheric artifacts. Therefore, measures need to be taken to overcome these challenges and gain better knowledge of crop dynamics. The arrival of cloud computing platforms such as Google Earth Engine (GEE) has enabled us to propose a Sentinel-2 (S2) phenology end-to-end processing chain. To achieve this, the following pipeline was implemented: (1) the building of hybrid Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) retrieval models of crop traits optimized with active learning, (2) implementation of these models on GEE (3) generation of spatiotemporally continuous maps and time series of these crop traits with the use of gap-filling through GPR fitting, and finally, (4) calculation of land surface phenology (LSP) metrics such as the start of season (SOS) or end of season (EOS). Overall, from good to high performance was achieved, in particular for the estimation of canopy-level traits such as leaf area index (LAI) and canopy chlorophyll content, with normalized root mean square errors (NRMSE) of 9% and 10%, respectively. By means of the GPR gap-filling time series of S2, entire tiles were reconstructed, and resulting maps were demonstrated over an agricultural area in Castile and Leon, Spain, where crop calendar data were available to assess the validity of LSP metrics derived from crop traits. In addition, phenology derived from the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used as reference. NDVI not only proved to be a robust indicator for the calculation of LSP metrics, but also served to demonstrate the good phenology quality of the quantitative trait products. Thanks to the GEE framework, the proposed workflow can be realized anywhere in the world and for any time window, thus representing a shift in the satellite data processing paradigm. We anticipate that the produced LSP metrics can provide meaningful insights into crop seasonal patterns in a changing environment that demands adaptive agricultural production.
Analysis of user needs to create specific learning environments

By having different e-learning systems within education systems and knowing that they are geographically dislocated, it is important to examine different aspects while creating those kinds of systems. The purpose of our research study was to observe how different users of e-learning systems perceive different aspects of their LMS systems, in order to facilitate design driven LMS system design. It is important to note, that our research is not focused on LMS course design, but how to design better LMS systems. In order to execute a research, a questionnaire was designed and filled by respondents from Croatia and United States of America from different universities. We have showed differences between respondents attitudes towards system features and system interface. Results that are shown in this paper can be used in the development of a new e-learning system as well as for further research on the subject matter.
Web Control System for Transcorneal Electric Stimulation Devices

The electrical stimulation systems dedicated to generating unconventional waveforms have been shown to have a positive effect in the treatment of channelopathies, for example, in open-angle glaucoma. However, these signals can be distorted due to different external circumstances, which could lead to counterproductive effects in treatments such as increased intraocular pressure IOP or other effects that are unknown due to poor electrical signaling. In the present work, a web control system capable of communicating with transcorneal electrical stimulation equipment is proposed for the remote control of treatments applied to patients suffering from various ocular channelopathies. As the first phase of this system, it will only focus on treating patients with open-angle glaucoma since this disease is characterized by an increase in IOP and can be immediately measured by an ophthalmologist.
Sports participation during a lockdown. How COVID-19 changed the sports frequency and motivation of participants in club, event, and online sports

ABSTRACT The impact of the COVID-19 crisis and its related measures on how people practice and experience leisure continues to be significant. In the current study, a survey measuring sport participation during the third week of the first lockdown, that started on the 18th of March 2020 and has been gradually loosened as of the 18th of April 2020, was carried out among 13,515 Flemish citizens. Through a canonical correlation analysis, four clusters of COVID-19-sports-participants are distinguished, i.e. people who experience restrictions when it comes to (i) time and sports infrastructure, (ii) closed sports clubs and cancelled event activities, (iii) time and fear/sickness, and (iv) those who experience no impact. Logistic regression results indicate that participants with online sports experience have a (more) positive effect on their sports participation behaviour, while less missing and having to adapt their previous sports behaviour. The opposite is found for sports club members, while former sports event participation has a positive effect on sports frequency, but a negative effect on their motivation. The results of both analyses give insight into the role that different policy instruments (i.e. sports clubs, events, type of sports) play in keeping different clusters of sports participants motivated to stay sports-active.
Identifying beef muscles and processing treatments suitable for use in fajita application

Identifying Beef Muscles and Processing Treatments Suitable for Use in Fajita Application. (August 2006) Diana Lorena Huerta Sanchez, B.S., La Universidad del Zulia Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jeffrey W. Savell Beef fajitas have become a popular food item, but the supply of traditional muscles is insufficient to meet the growing demand. There is a need for alternative muscles that have similar eating characteristics to those currently marketed as beef fajitas. Four different treatments papain (P), blade tenderization (B), papain + blade tenderization (P+B), and control (C) were applied to sixty USDA Choice M. diaphragma pars costalis, M. transversus abdominis, M. obliquus abdominis internus, M. rhomboideus, M. trapezius, M. latissimus, and M. serratus ventralis. Muscles were cut into sections and frozen at -10oC for evaluation by a trained sensory panel, consumer panel, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) measurements. Trained panelists found that regardless of muscle, the addition of papain improved palatability scores. In general, treatment tended not to affect the palatability scores of the M. diaphragma pars costalis and M. serratus ventralis, which tended to receive higher scores in comparison to the other muscles. In general, the control and blade tenderized M. trapezius received the lowest trained and consumer panel palatability scores and had the highest WBSF values (P < 0.05). Regardless of muscle
Effects of Temperature and Nitrogen Concentration on Growth and Lipid Accumulation of the Green Algae Chlorella vulgaris for Biodiesel

This study investigated the effect of different temperatures and different nitrogen concentrations on the lipid content and biomass of Chlorella microalgae. In this study, algae were cultured in five media with different amounts NaNO3 as 3, 1.5, 0.80, 0.40 g/L, and three temperatures (10, 20, 30 °C). The results of the experiments showed that the optimal temperature and nitrogen concentration for the biomass increase in Chlorella vulgaris are 30°C and 3 g/L, respectively. It was observed that biomass decreased and lipid amount increased due to the decrease in nitrogen concentration. The high lipid amount of 20.80% dry weight (DW) was obtained from the algae produced at 30°C in the free-nitrate medium. The contribution of temperature change to lipid production was not as effective as nitrogen deficiency in the study. According to the fatty acid analysis results made by GC-FID, C. vulgaris seems suitable for biodiesel production because it contains medium-length (C16-C18) fatty acid chains.
Time Defendability of Ground Resistance Properties and Its Application of Vitric Tuff on the Development of Ground Enhancement Material

Ground repair material is an essential part of the grounding system as a lightning rod to reduce the risk of lightning activity. Grounding repair materials consist of conductive and superconductive materials, commonly known as Ground Enhancement Materials (GEM). GEM has a low resistivity, very effectively supporting lightning shock energy to earth. Vitric tuff, a pyroclastic rock, is composed of an aluminosilicate (phyllosilicate) mineral group developed as a grounding improvement material. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the decrease in resistivity of vitric tuff in its development as a GEM. The research method consisted of field observations and laboratory experiments (treatment with chemical-physical activation and formulation with additives). The results showed that moisture content, SiO2/Al2O3 ratio (quartz and feldspar mineral/albite), clay mineral, crystal quality (impurities), carbon, and salt were influenced by vitric tuff resistivity. With the vitric tuff formulation and additives, the resistivity reduction is above 99%. Based on experiments, the best formulation of GEM made from tuff is 65% activated vitric tuff, 27% activated charcoal, 6% NaCl, and 2% Cement Material Cellulose. The formula produces a resistivity value of 0.0124 Ω-m, which is stable with time and meets GEM requirements (ρ ≤ 0.20 Ω-m). Riset Geologi dan Pertambangan Indonesian Journal of Geology and Mining Vol.31, No 2, pages 63–76 doi: 10.14203/risetgeotam2021.v31. 1149
The intercultural encounter as a communicative event subject to mediation

The aim of this article is to discuss the place and role of the intercultural encounter (IE) in communication and education, including in foreign language teaching. Firstly, I present the IE as a communicative event and define it using terms developed by ethnographers of speech (communication). Secondly, I discuss the concepts contained in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Companion Volume with New Descriptors (CEFR 2018) relating to the mediation of text, concepts, and communication, and present the original definition of mediation in intercultural contacts. That section emphasises that mediation does not only act as an intermediary facilitating the course of a communication event but also as an “understanding interview with oneself. ” Next, I discuss theoretical concepts related to the IE, I describe it as a tool used in teaching and intercultural education, and I present a description of the IE by a student of the Teaching Polish as a Foreign/Second Language course at the University of Lodz. Finally, I analyse an example description of an IE and present preliminary conclusions on how to use IE descriptions in various educational contexts.
Sensitivity Analysis on Ladder Network Equivalent Circuit Parameters of Power Transformer

Abstract In this article, novel methods and ideas are introduced, which altogether lead to an accurate model of power transformer windings. First, by the determination of non-dominant (hidden) resonances from frequency-response tests, a ladder model is proposed. Next, it is improved by assigning different values for similar elements of each section of the model. The parameters are obtained by minimizing the error function via a genetic algorithm. Sensitivity analysis is then applied to the obtained model to achieve further examinations and tests. Measurements have been driven from the windings of a 20/0.4-kV, 1600-kVA transformer. Modeling, methodologies, and sensitivity analysis in this article can be very useful for future research aiming to find internal faults of the transformer with the frequency response analysis.
Can Arnold Berleant’s Aesthetics of Engagement Be Applied to Conceptual Dance?

The central aim of the article is to reflect on whether—and if so, how—Arnold Berleant’s theory of aesthetic engagement can be applied to works described with the controversial term ‘conceptual dance’, in other words, to works that undermine the determinants of a dance performance. Berleant stresses the open nature of his project of aesthetic experience; however, he does not describe works that seek to destabilize perception in dance performances. With this in mind, the concepts of aesthetics and critical aesthetics are considered as indicating a possible direction for the further development of the ideas outlined in Berleant’s Sense and Sensibility . This extension of Berleant’s thought enables the problem of destabilization of perception to be grasped, and encompasses the issues of criticality and the political, which animate the performances of Xavier Le Roy, Jan Ritsema and Jonathan Burrows.
A Comprehensive Review on Wireless Capacitive Power Transfer Technology: Fundamentals and Applications

Capacitive power transfer (CPT) technology is becoming increasingly popular in various application areas. Due to its limitations, such as low frequency, low coupling capacitance, and the high voltage stress on metal plates, the studies on high power CPT applications fell behind previously. Therefore, the wideband gap (WBG) semiconductor devices and the compensation topologies are further adopted to tackle these limitations. The main purpose of the paper is to review CPT applications in terms of performance parameters, advantages, disadvantages, and also challenges. Initially, the basic principles of CPT technology are examined, which cover compensation topologies, coupler structures, transfer distance, power electronic components, and system control methods. Then, CPT applications are evaluated for performance parameters (i.e., power level, operation frequency, system efficiency, transfer distance) along with compensation types, inverter types, and coupler types. The applications are categorized into six main groups according to industrial topics as safety, consumer electronics, transport, electric machines, biomedical, and miscellaneous. Herein, power level changes from $\mu \text{W}$ to kW ranges, the operation frequency varies from 100s of kHz to 10s of MHz ranges as well. The maximum system efficiency is recorded as 97.1 %. The transfer distance varies from $\mu \text{m}$ range to 100s of mm ranges. The full-bridge inverter topology and four-plate coupler structure are noticeable in CPT applications. Finally, advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of CPT applications are evaluated in detail. This review is expected to serve as a reference for researchers who study on CPT systems and their applications.