Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection and quantification of aflatoxin in cassava and maize flour sold in Kigali open markets, Rwanda

Maize and cassava flour are raw materials and/or ingredients for a variety of food products, which are eaten in Rwanda by all age groups including weaning-age children. Unsafe cassava and maize flour derived products may thus affect the health of a high number of Rwandan populations. The aim of the current study was to detect and quantify aflatoxins in cassava and maize flour. The samples were collected from 5 open markets in Kigali city and analyzed for aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 by using High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography. In all the cassava flour samples, aflatoxins analyzed were below the limit of detection (0.15 ppb, 0.2 ppb, 0.2 ppb and 0.5 ppb for aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2, respectively). Unlike cassava flour, maize flour was contaminated with aflatoxins at detectable levels. The highest contamination was with aflatoxin B1 contaminating 40% of the samples analyzed, with the maximum content of 15.62 ppb. Aflatoxin B1 was higher in 13% of the maize flour samples than the maximum tolerable Codex Alimentarius Commission limit (5 ppb) adopted by national food regulation body (Rwanda Standards Board). The least contamination of maize flour was with aflatoxin G2 that contaminated 7% of the samples analyzed, with the content varying from not detected to 2.42 ppb. It was concluded from the findings of the current study that maize flour might be more unsafe to consumers than cassava flour. These differences in aflatoxins contamination between cassava and maize flour may be due to either variation in their chemical composition, in resistance to fungal invasion or differences in handling practices and processing operations during the production chain of these two food commodities. Further research work would be necessary to elucidate factors determining differences in aflatoxins contamination between cassava flour and maize flour. Meanwhile it would be suggested to Rwanda Standards Boards and other stakeholders to continue their efforts in assuring safety of maize flour in abide to protect the health of a large number of consumers who rely on maize flour derived products for their daily life.
The SISAL database: a global resource to document oxygen and carbon isotope records from speleothems

Abstract. Stable isotope records from speleothems provide information on past climate changes, most particularly information that can be used to reconstruct past changes in precipitation and atmospheric circulation. These records are increasingly being used to provide “out-of-sample” evaluations of isotope-enabled climate models. SISAL (Speleothem Isotope Synthesis and Analysis) is an international working group of the Past Global Changes (PAGES) project. The working group aims to provide a comprehensive compilation of speleothem isotope records for climate reconstruction and model evaluation. The SISAL database contains data for individual speleothems, grouped by cave system. Stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon (δ18O, δ13C) measurements are referenced by distance from the top or bottom of the speleothem. Additional tables provide information on dating, including information on the dates used to construct the original age model and sufficient information to assess the quality of each data set and to erect a standardized chronology across different speleothems. The metadata table provides location information, information on the full range of measurements carried out on each speleothem and information on the cave system that is relevant to the interpretation of the records, as well as citations for both publications and archived data. The compiled data are available at https://doi.org/10.17864/1947.147.
CHAPTER TWO STRUCTURES LEFT BY MODERN MICROBIAL MATS IN THEIR HOST SEDIMENTS

Microbial mats can generally be seen as “larger biofilms” (Costerton and Stoodley, 2003). Biofilms, i.e. closely related clusters of micro-organisms attached to a surface and often embedded in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), embrace all metabolic pathways that ever emerged on Earth (Krumbein et al., 2003). Modern biofilm substrates are rock surfaces and deep cracks and fissures, soils, sedimentary granular systems of lacustrine, riverine and marine environments, and they occur from inside Antarctic ice to the walls of deep sea hydrothermal vents (Costerton and Stoodley, 2003). Biofilms are thus ubiquitous, microbial mats with the proviso that ecological conditions allow for the succession from biofilm to mat. Most successful in the enlargement of biofilms are cyanobacteria because of their great morphologic variability and biostabilisation capacity on sun-lit sedimentary surfaces. In combination with anoxygenic phototrophs, anaerobic and aerobic chemotrophs, organic and inorganic respiration and fermentation, cyanobacteria-dominated microbial mats successfully leave records in sediments, and thus, concomitantly and to a lesser degree, in the sedimentary rock record. Increasing interest in modern microbial mat features formed in siliciclastic sediments is complemented by a growing body of sedimentary features that are being found in Precambrian clastic sedimentary rocks, pointing to the important impact of such mats during Earth’s earlier sedimentation record.
Selective imaging in second-harmonic-generation microscopy by polarization manipulation

Second-harmonic-generation (SHG) has proved itself as an important contrast mechanism in microscopic applications. Its noninvasiveness, optical sectioning capability, and high-penetrability provide attractive features in observation of thick biological tissues. Fibrous proteins, such as myosin and collagen, are dominant SHG harmonophores in vertebrates. Due to their biophotonic crystal nature, SHGs from these proteins are known to exhibit specific polarization dependencies, reflecting local molecule arrangements. Here the authors demonstrate a scheme to distinguish SHG from myosin-based muscle fibers and intertwined collagenous perimysium through polarization selection, without complicated staining or sample/image processing required.
Linear cosmological perturbation theory

Cosmological perturbation theory is believed to provide the theoretical framework for understanding and explaining the large-scale structure of our universe. The physical principle behind the mechanism that started the whole process is known as Jeans instability. The detailed physics, however, which led to the formation of the galaxies, the galaxy clusters and the voids we observe today are still the subject of debate. Nevertheless, it is widely accepted that all begun when small irregularities in an otherwise uniform cosmic fluid started to grow under their own gravity. These irregularities come in three different types, namely scalar, vector and tensor, but as long as they are small they grow linearly and independent of each other. The aim of these lecture notes is to discuss key aspects of the aforementioned linear regime of structure formation and present the main theoretical issues and results.
The evolution of solar wind strahl with heliospheric distance

Field‐aligned beams of suprathermal electrons, known as “strahl,” are a frequently observed constituent of solar wind plasma. However, the formation and interplanetary evolution of the strahl electron populations has yet to be fully understood. As strahl electrons travel away from the Sun, they move into regions of decreasing magnetic field strength and thus are subject to adiabatic focusing. However, the widths of strahl pitch angle distributions observed at 1 AU are significantly broader than expected. Previous investigations have found that the average observed strahl pitch angle width actually increases with heliocentric radial distance. This implies that strahl electrons must be subjected to some form of pitch angle scattering process or processes, details of which as of yet remain elusive. In this paper, we use Cassini electron measurements to examine strahl beams across a distance range of approximately 8 AU, from its Earth Flyby in 1999 until its insertion into orbit around Saturn in 2004. We find that, in general, there is a relatively constant rate of broadening of strahl pitch angle distributions with distance between ∼1 and 5.5 AU. Our results from beyond this distance indicate that the strahl population is likely to be completely scattered, presumably to form part of the halo. We find multiple energy dependences at different radial distances implying that there are multiple strahl scattering mechanisms in operation.
Improving on mass flow rate estimates of volcanic eruptions

We introduce a novel analytical expression that allows for fast assessment of mass flow rate of both vertically‐rising and bent‐over volcanic plumes as a function of their height, while first order physical insight is maintained. This relationship is compared with a one‐dimensional plume model to demonstrate its flexibility and then validated with observations of the 1980 Mount St. Helens and of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruptions. The influence of wind on the dynamics of volcanic plumes is quantified by a new dimensionless parameter (Π) and it is shown how even vertically‐rising plumes, such as the one associated with the Mount St. Helens 1980 eruption, can be significantly affected by strong wind. Comparison between a one‐dimensional model and the analytical equation gives anR2‐value of 0.88, while existing expressions give negativeR2‐values due to their inability to adapt to different source and atmospheric conditions. Therefore, this new expression has important implications both for current strategies of real‐time forecasting of ash transport in the atmosphere and for the characterization of explosive eruptions based on the study of tephra deposits. In addition, this work provides a framework for the application of more complete three‐dimensional numerical models as it greatly reduces the parameter space that needs to be explored.
Design and testing of a low subsonic wind tunnel gust generator

This paper summarises the design of a gust generator and the comparison between high fidelity numerical results and experimental results. The gust generator has been designed for a low subsonic wind tunnel in order to perform gust response experiments on wings and assess load alleviation. Special attention has been given to the different design parameters that influence the shape of the gust velocity profile by means of CFD simulations. Design parameters include frequency of actuation, flow speed, maximum deflection, chord length and gust vane spacing. The numerical results are compared to experimental results obtained using a hot-wire anemometer and using flow visualisation by means of smoke. Discrepancies have been noticed between CFD and flow measurements but trends compare well and the system is fully functional.
Kinetics of Bacterial As(III) Oxidation and Subsequent As(V) Removal by Sorption onto Biogenic Manganese Oxides during Groundwater Treatment

In groundwaters, indigenous iron- and manganese-oxidizing bacteria are able to catalyze the oxidation of dissolved manganese [Mn(II)], which can subsequently be removed by filtration of the insoluble products (hydrous manganese oxides). This process results in the creation of a natural coating on the surface of the filter medium, and if arsenic is simultaneously present in the groundwater, it can subsequently be removed by sorption. The results indicate that this method can serve as an alternative treatment option for the removal of low-level arsenic concentrations [35 and 42 Ig/L for As(III) and As(V), respectively]. Rapid oxidation of As(III) was observed prior to removal by sorption onto the biogenic manganese oxide surfaces. The rates of As(III) oxidation were estimated, yielding an apparent first-order constant of 0.23 min -1 (half-life of 3 min). A comparison of these values with the respective data obtained from the literature indicated that the rate of oxidation of As(III) was significantly higher than the rates reported for abiotic As(III) oxidation by manganese oxides, supporting the indication that bacteria play an important role in both the oxidation of As(III) and the generation of reactive manganese oxide surfaces for the removal of As(III) and As(V) from solution. The following sequence of reactions have been found to occur in the treatment system: (a) oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn(IV) and Fe(II) to Fe(III), (b) oxidation of As(III) to As(V), (c) precipitation of manganese(IV) oxides, (d) abiotic oxidation of As(III) by manganese(IV) oxides, and (e) As(V) sorption by manganese(IV) oxides, where steps a and b are biotic and steps c-e are abiotic. The presence of phosphates at concentrations of around 600 Ig/L had an adverse effect on As(III) removal (competitive adsorption), reducing the overall removal efficiency by 50% (from 80 to 30%), although it did not affect the oxidation of As(III).
A new adaptive and evolutionary conceptualization of the Personal Meaning Organization (P.M.O.) framework

Reciprocity with the primary caregivers drives individual adaptive abilities towards the development of the most useful Personal Meaning Organization (P.M.O.) with respect to one’s developmental environment. Predictable and invariable caregiver behavior allows an inward focus and a physical view of reciprocity: when reciprocity is high, an inward “controller” P.M. O. develops; when it is low, an inward “detached” P.M. O. is generated. The “controller” P.M. O. is focused on the need of protection/exploration; the “detached” P.M. O. is focused on the need of expression during isolation. Non-predictable and variable caregiver behavior allows an outward focus and a semantic view of reciprocity: when reciprocity is high, an outward “contextualized” P.M. O. develops; when it is low, an outward “principle-oriented” P.M. O. is generated. The “contextualized” P.M. O. reads the changes of the relational environment one by one; the “principle-oriented” P.M. O. is centered on the classification of antithetical aspects of reality. In psychotherapy, by focusing on the P.M. O. , it is possible to recognize and promote individual adaptive resources, thus improving skills regarding the control of perturbing emotions and the development of new and more flexible behavior strategies. Thanks to modern biotechnology (i.e. in the field of functional neuroimaging and genetic single nucleotide polymorphism) a scientific live study of P.M. O. is possible, providing biological correlates to the P.M. O. post-rationalist paradigm.
EFFICACY OF COMBINATION SOLID DISPERSION TECHNOLOGY ON DISSOLUTION PERFORMANCE OF NALIDIXIC ACID AND CEFDINIR

Objective: The aim of this study was to formulate a new developed solid dispersion containing fixed dose combination of nalidixic acid and cefdinir (500:300 mg) to improve dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs via a new mechanism as well as the conventional mechanism of solid dispersion represented by the presence of hydrophilic carrier.Methods:Through this objective eight newly developed solid dispersion formulas of fixed dose combination of nalidixic acid and cefdinir (500:300 mg) and (polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and poloxamer 188) in different ratio were prepared, in addition to solid dispersion of each drug alone and simple mixture of individual solid dispersion prepared by means of fusion technique. Moreover, solid dispersions beside pure drugs, simple mixture and physical mixture were characterized by dissolution tests, solubility studies, powder x-ray diffractometry (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-IR spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: From in vitro dissolution tests, PXRD, DSC, FT-IR, and SEM; it is indicated the presence of a physical complex between cefdinir and nalidixic acid in their solid dispersion containing combination of fixed dose of both drugs. This will affect the crystallinity of the second drug and their dissolution behavior in addition to the conventional mechanism owing to the presence of hydrophilic carrier (poloxamer 188). Conclusion: I was concluded that the newly prepared formula of solid dispersion containing fixed dose combination of nalidixic acid and cefdinir will be promising for higher dissolution profile than that from solid dispersion of each drug alone or simple mixture of individual solid dispersion of each drug.Keywords: Nalidixic acid, Cefdinir, Poloxamer 188, Polyethylene glycol 6000, Combinational solid dispersion, Fusion method.
Dynamical Systems And Population Persistence

The mathematical theory of persistence answers questions such as which species, in a mathematical model of interacting species, will survive over the long term. It applies to infinite-dimensional as well as to finite-dimensional dynamical systems, and to discrete-time as well as to continuous-time semiflows. This monograph provides a self-contained treatment of persistence theory that is accessible to graduate students. The key results for deterministic autonomous systems are proved in full detail such as the acyclicity theorem and the tripartition of a global compact attractor. Suitable conditions are given for persistence to imply strong persistence even for nonautonomous semiflows, and time-heterogeneous persistence results are developed using so-called ""average Lyapunov functions"". Applications play a large role in the monograph from the beginning. These include ODE models such as an SEIRS infectious disease in a meta-population and discrete-time nonlinear matrix models of demographic dynamics. Entire chapters are devoted to infinite-dimensional examples including an SI epidemic model with variable infectivity, microbial growth in a tubular bioreactor, and an age-structured model of cells growing in a chemostat.
The State of Origin of Australian Equity: Does Active Fund Manager Location Matter?

We examine the relation of active equity fund managers' location proximity to a stock's headquarter and fund managers' stock selection skill and investment behaviour using a representative sample of Australian institutional equity funds. Contrary to the findings of much international research, our study reveals evidence which is inconsistent with a location advantage for Melbourne and Sydney active equity funds. Both Melbourne and Sydney fund managers overweight Melbourne stocks, exhibit skill in picking Sydney stocks and avoid poor performing Melbourne and Sydney stocks. In addition, we find no evidence of word-of-mouth trading effects in Melbourne or Sydney funds. Taken together, this suggests information asymmetries arising from location are weak for Melbourne and Sydney funds.
PREDICTING SOLAR RADIATION FOR TROPICAL ISLANDS FROM RAINFALL DATA

There are many correlations developed to predict incident solar radiation at a given location developed based on geographical and meteorological parameters. However, all correlations depend on accurate measurement and availability of weather data such as sunshine duration, cloud cover, relative humidity, maximum and minimum temperatures etc, which essentially is a costly exercise in terms of equipment and labour. Sri Lanka being a tropical island of latitudinal change of only 30 along the length of the country, the meteorological factors govern the amount of incident radiation. Considering the cloud formation and wind patterns over Sri Lanka as well as the seasonal rainfall patterns, it can be observed that the mean number of rainy days can be used to predict the monthly average daily global radiation which can be used for calculations in solar related activities conveniently.
Response of Root‐Knot Nematodes and Palmer Amaranth to Tillage and Rye Green Manure

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is a frequently used winter cover crop in many agronomic production systems in the United States. Our objective was to determine whether incorporating rye into soil while still green results in greater suppression of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.) compared to conventional cover crop management. Two similar experiments were conducted: one with peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and the other with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Both experiments were a split-plot design with tillage as the main plot (conventional, green manure, and strip) and cover crop as the subplot. The cover crop treatments were a weedy fallow and the rye cultivars Wrens Abruzzi, Wheeler, Oklon, and Elbon. Wrens Abruzzi produced the greatest amount of biomass, Oklon and Elbon intermediate, and Wheeler the least. Where there was substantial soil disturbance (e.g., conventional tillage and green manure), Palmer amaranth densities were low and not influenced by cover crop. In the strip tillage plots, however, all of the rye cultivars, except Wheeler, reduced establishment of the weed compared to winter fallow. Root galling from nematodes on cotton and peanut was influenced by tillage, but not by rye cover crop. Gall indices on cotton were greater in conventional tillage than in either strip tillage or green manure plots; whereas on peanut, they were greater in the strip tillage than in the conventional tillage or green manure plots. Neither tillage nor cover crop influenced yield except in 2008 in peanut, where yield was lower in strip tillage than in conventional or green manure plots.
Users’ Views on the Online Appointment System and Services Rendered at the Health Centre of the University of Technology, Jamaica

The online appointment system at the university health centre was intro-duced by the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica management in 2014. The purpose of this study was to determine the users’ views of the online appointment system, as well as their views about the services offered at the university health centre. To achieve this purpose, a descriptive research design was used to answer three research questions. The con-venience sampling method was used to select 50 participants (30 students & 20 university staff members), who visited and used the health centre services. A questionnaire with an internal consistency of 0.87 was used to collect data from the participants who gave their consent. The findings showed that a majority of those who used the online appointment system were satisfied. The general view of the users about the health services provided at the health centre was positive. The results of the Fisher Exact test showed that there were differences in the views of the students and the staff in their responses to two items that measured the services provided by the doctors, and the access to the different services. Recommendations were made on how to improve the online appointment system as it relates to timing, and quality of services provided.
Evaluation of the applicability of the dual‐domain mass transfer model in porous media containing connected high‐conductivity channels

This paper evaluates the dual‐domain mass transfer (DDMT) model to represent transport processes when small‐scale high‐conductivity (K) preferential flow paths (PFPs) are present in a homogenous porous media matrix. The effects of PFPs upon solute transport were examined through detailed numerical experiments involving different realizations of PFP networks, PFP/matrix conductivity contrasts varying from 10:1 to 200:1, different magnitudes of effective conductivities, and a range of molecular diffusion coefficients. Results suggest that the DDMT model can reproduce both the near‐source peak and the downstream low‐concentration spreading observed in the embedded dendritic network when there are large conductivity contrasts between high‐K PFPs and the low‐K matrix. The accuracy of the DDMT model is also affected by the geometry of PFP networks and by the relative significance of the diffusion process in the network‐matrix system.