Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Short-Term clinical study of clay facial mask

Clay mineral facial masks are used to treat some dermatological diseases, just for cleansing or reduce the amount of oil secreted by sebaceous glands. There are several types of clays, which vary in mineralogical and chemical composition, color and origin. However, the literature lacks studies involving clay facial masks, in particular regarding their inﬂuence on skin´s biomechanical properties. Thus, this work aimed to characterize colored clays and evaluate its inﬂuence on skin frmness and elasticity by a short-term clinical study. Diﬀerent clays (named in this study magnesium aluminum silicate - MAS, white, pink and green) were chemically characterized, and facial mask formulations were prepared. The short-term clinical study was performed through the application of formulations on the skin. The skin frmness and elasticity were assessed before treatment and after mask removal. The statistical analysis showed no signifcant inﬂuence of time or formulations in those parameters, although volunteers reported the sensation of mechanical tension after the removal of the clay facial masks. Thus, the composition of the diﬀerent clays did not aﬀect the skin viscoelasticity behavior in the short-term clinical study, and a long-term use of this type of formulation must be indicated to observe all the expected benefts. RESUMO Caracterizacao e estudo clinico de curta duracao de mascara facial argilosa Mascaras faciais argilosas sao utilizadas para tratar algumas doencas dermatologicas, apenas para a limpeza ou reduzir a quantidade de oleo secretado pelas glândulas sebaceas. Existem varios tipos de argilas, que variam em composicao mineral, quimica, cor e origem. No entanto, a literatura carece de estudos envolvendo mascaras faciais argilosas, em particular em relacao a sua inﬂuencia nas propriedades biomecânicas da pele. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar argilas coloridas e avaliar sua inﬂuencia sobre a frmeza e elasticidade da pele por meio de um estudo clinico de curto prazo. Diferentes argilas (chamadas neste estudo de silicato de aluminio e magnesio - MAS, branca, rosa e verde) foram caracterizadas quimicamente, e formulacoes de mascaras faciais foram preparadas. O estudo clinico de curto prazo foi realizado por meio da aplicacao das formulacoes na pele. A frmeza e elasticidade da pele foram avaliadas antes do tratamento e apos a remocao da mascara. A analise estatistica mostrou nenhuma inﬂuencia signifcativa do tempo ou das formulacoes nesses parâmetros, embora os voluntarios tenham reportado sensacao de tensao mecânica, apos a remocao das mascaras faciais argilosas. Assim, a composicao das diferentes argilas nao afetou o comportamento visco-elastico da pele no estudo clinico de curto prazo, e uma utilizacao de longa duracao poderia ser indicada com a fnalidade de se observar todos os beneficios esperados.
A review on pharmacology and phytochemistry of syzygium cumini

To encourage a disease free healthy life Mother Nature has gifted mankind medicinal plants. The world craves new ideas and looks to the Far East and Asia for inspiration and innovation. There is a wealth of technical data to support the safe use of this plant and this review will produce the data to justify the use of this plant in a wide range in the field of ayurveda. Syzygium cumini belongs to the family Myrtaceae. Commonly it is known as a amblang, Jambul, Jambolan and Kala Jamun in India. The seed is used as an alternative natural healing system in the Ayurvedic, Unani and Chinese medicines. It is effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, inflammation, ulcers and diarrhea and preclinical studies have also shown it to possess chemoprotective, radioprotective and antineoplastic properties. The present review has been primed to describe the existing data on the information on traditional and medicinal use of the Syzygium cumini plant.
Robust inter and intra-cell layouts design model dealing with stochastic dynamic problems

In this paper, a novel quadratic assignment-based mathematical model is developed for concurrent design of robust inter and intra-cell layouts in dynamic stochastic environments of manufacturing systems. In the proposed model, in addition to considering time value of money, the product demands are presumed to be dependent normally distributed random variables with known expectation, variance, and covariance that change from period to period at random. This model is verified and validated by solving a number of different-sized test problems and a real world problemas well as doing sensitivity analysisby using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique.The validation process will be ended by investigating the effect of considering dependent product demands and time value of money (interest rate) on the total cost. Dynamic programming andsimulated annealing algorithms programmed in Matlab are used to solve the problems.Some conclusions can be summarised as follows: (i) the simulated annealing algorithm has a performance as good as the dynamic programming algorithm from solution quality point of view; (ii) the simulated annealingis a robust algorithm; (iii) different values of the input parameters lead to design of different facility layouts; (iv) total cost of inter and intra-cell layouts is affected by the interest rate and the percentile level; and (v) the proposed model can be used in both of the stochastic and deterministic environments.
Movements of a nomadic waterfowl, Grey Teal Anas gracilis, across inland Australia: results from satellite telemetry spanning fifteen months

We used lightweight satellite transmitters to follow the movements of 17 Grey Teal Anas gracilis between September 2003 and November 2004 in two contrasting landscapes, the agricultural districts of southern Australia and the desert landscapes of the interior. Tagged birds moved large distances (up to 343 km) between occupied sites in a short period (hours), remained in the vicinity of those sites for extended periods (months), ventured up to 453 km from their point of release and travelled more than 2000 km in one year. We describe patterns of movement in a nomadic waterfowl for 15 months from September 2003, a period of severe drought. Based on the current analysis there appears to be no remarkable difference in the observed patterns of movement of those released in the agricultural landscapes and those released in the desert. As in waterfowl elsewhere, movements appear to occur in response to changes in local food abundance that threaten survival or the imperative to move in order to breed successfully. In Grey Teal, the proximate cues for movement transcend the local landscape and some birds are responding to temporary cues hundreds of kilometres distant. This is in contrast to the universal seasonal cues associated with migration systems elsewhere.
Effect of replacement of dietary fish meal by meat and bone meal and poultry by-product meal on growth and feed utilization of gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio

Triplicate groups of gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (initial body weight: 5.25 +/- 0.02 g) were fed for 8 weeks at 20-25 degreesC on five isonitrogenous (crude protein: 400 g kg(-1)) and isoenergetic diets (gross energy: 17 kJ g(-1)). Meat and bone meal (MBM) or poultry by-product meal (PBM) were used to replace fish meal at different levels of protein. The control diet contained fish meal as the sole protein source. In the other four diets, 150 or 500 g kg(-1) of fish meal protein was substituted by MBM (MBM15, MBM50) or PBM (PBM15, PBM50). The results showed that feeding rate for the MBM50 group was significantly higher than for other groups except the PBM50 group (P 0.05). Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio in MBM50 was significantly lower while that in MBM15 was significantly higher (P < 0.05). Replacement of fish meal by MBM at 500 g kg(-1) protein significantly decreased apparent dry matter digestibility (ADC(D)) and gross energy (ADC(E)) while apparent protein digestibility (ADC(P)) was significantly decreased by the replacement of MBM or PBM (P < 0.05). The results suggest that MBM and PBM could replace up to 500 g kg(-1) of fish meal protein in diets for gibel carp without negative effects on growth while 150 g kg(-1) replacement by MBM protein improved feed utilization.
Nutrient composition of climbing and prostrate vegetable cowpea accessions

The study evaluated the nutrient content of different accessions of two vegetable cowpea genotypes. The mineral content of the vegetable cowpea accessions were high. Potassium content of the accessions of the climbing genotype “Akidi enu” ranged from 1.25 to 1.52% with a mean value of 1.43 ± 0.13% while in the accessions of the prostrate genotype “Akidi ani” the range was from 1.26 to 1.45% with a mean value of 1.36 ± 0.10%. “Akidi enu” had a mean P content of 0.74 ± 0.13% which was lower than a mean value of 0.87 ± 0.14% obtained for “Akidi ani”. “Akidi enu” had higher Ca content than “Akidi ani”. Protein contents of the vegetable cowpea genotypes were quite high ranging from 19.89 to 26.56% with a mean value of 23.52 ± 2.75% in “Akidi enu” and from 24.68 to 25.25% with a mean value of 24.97 ± 0.29% in “Akidi ani”. Among the trace metals (Fe, Zn, Mn and Co), iron had the highest values, in the climbing genotype (Akidi enu), Fe ranged from 82.75 to 125.00 mg/kg with a mean value of 102.69 ± 17.33 mg/kg. The prostate genotype of the vegetable cowpea (Akidi ani) had slightly lower amount of this nutrient with a mean value of 95.31 ± 27.19 mg/kg and a range of 68.12 to 122.50 mg/kg. Zinc content of the vegetable cowpea ranged from 27.62 to 37.62 mg/kg with a mean value of 32.58 ± 4.08 mg/kg in “Akidi enu”. The content of this element was slightly higher in “Akidi ani” which had a mean value of 36.50 ± 9.00 mg/kg and a range of 27.50 to 45.50 mg/kg. It was concluded that both cowpea genotypes were high in nutrient content.
Medication Treatment and Neuropsychological Functioning in Perinatal HIV

of a dissertation at the University of Miami. Dissertation supervised by Professor F. Daniel Armstrong. No. of pages in text. (60) This study confirmed whether children on the current treatment of choice for HIV infection, Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART), exhibit better immune functioning than children on earlier forms of treatment, including sole exposure to Monotherapy/Combination Therapy (Mono-Combo) and “upgrading” from MonoCombo to HAART (Conversion). It explored whether HAART protects areas of neuropsychological functioning previously found to be compromised in children perinatally infected with HIV more effectively than these earlier treatments. This study includes a unique population (i.e., predominantly minority, low SES status, and largely bilingual), and controls for a number of treatment variables that have not been previously considered. Using the Neurodevelopmental Model and the literature, it was hypothesized that more global functions (i.e., IQ indices besides processing speed) and functions developing earlier in life (i.e., language) would be less affected than more specific functions developing later in life (i.e., visual-motor integration and processing speed). Treatment groups included Mono-Combo, Converters, and HAART. Participants (N=161, 3 to 20 years) were assessed in language, visual-motor integration, processing speed, and IQ using standardized measures and procedures. Three MANCOVAS and an ANCOVA compared groups on immune and neuropsychological measures using age antiretroviral medications were started and years on antiretroviral medications as covariates. Results showed children on HAART have significantly better immune functioning than the Mono-Combo and Converter groups. Consistent with other studies that have controlled for demographic factors, language functioning was not affected by treatment type. Contrary to expectations, visual-motor integration was also not affected by treatment type. Interestingly, Converters were found to perform worse on processing speed than children only exposed to Mono-Combo or HAART. Consistent with expectations, the other IQ indices (i.e., VCI, POI, and FDI) were not affected by treatment type. Findings support the use of HAART globally to improve immune functioning. However, they also provide evidence that HAART does not more effectively protect areas of neuropsychological functioning previously found to be compromised than these former treatments, even when controlling for agents that cross the blood brain barrier, age medications were started, and years on medications. They also bring into question the possible effect of frequency and timing of regimen changes. For all of my loved ones, who have supported me through every road I have chosen to take throughout my life. And for my mother and father in particular, who have shown me the value of unconditional love, hard work, and the fulfillment that comes with the pursuit of dreams.
Firms’ Heterogeneity And Number Of Export Destinations: A Hurdle Negative Binomial Regression Approach

Most of the literature on the link between firm’s participation in international markets and firms’ heterogeneity focuses on the choice of firms to export. This paper addresses on an aspect of firms internationalization so far little explored, the choice of the number of export destinations that can be considered as an indicator of the complexity of the export activity. As the outcome variables are a count with an excess of zeros, we operate in a hurdle regression model for count data framework. Besides the variables usually adopted in literature describing firms’ heterogeneity, in order to explore the link among the firms efficiency in generating profits and the firms internationalization choices, we consider a set of profitability indexes. Results we obtain enlighten that the set of the variables related to the decision of exporting and that connected with the number international markets served is different. At first, it seems that not only the larger the number of markets served, the more productive, large and willing to invest is the firm (confirming the features found studying the propensity to export), but also that firms engaged in multiple markets seem to be older, financially stable, and willing to support organizational and managerial innovations. By comparing the estimates regarding the propensity to export model and those of the model describing the number of export destinations, some main differences arise. At first the Return on Sales index become significant in the number of destinations model whereas this covariate was not relevant in explaining the propensity to export: it seems that the firms, the more opened to the international markets, are characterized by a better use of investment funds to generate earnings growth. Secondly, in the count model significance has been found for only one type of innovation, the managerial one, indicating that, although the innovation activity seems to be pivotal for exporting, once the firm exports, the change in the managerial and organizational structure become important to align to the more competitive market.
Production of a novel microbial transglutaminase using Streptomyces sp. polar strains

Several biotechnological aspects regarding the increase in transglutaminase biosynthesis yield were studied. The Streptomyces sp. strains used in this study, coded MIUG 6P, MIUG 7P and MIUG 13P, were isolated from soils from the East Antarctic coast. These had the best results in terms of transglutaminase synthesis, thus confirming the results of a previous study concerning the isolation and strains selection of good transglutaminase producers. Amongst these, strain coded MIUG 13P had the ability to produce 0.20 UA of transglutaminase per mL of crude extract, and was thus chosen to identify the optimal composition for the fermentative medium using Response surface methodology (RSM). Response surface methodology was further used to determine the optimum values of the process variables for enzyme production. The fit of the quadratic model was found to be significant. After submerged cultivation on the optimized fermentative medium, the enzymatic activity of the Streptomyces strain MIUG 13P showed a significant increase.
A Novel Laser Direct Writing System Integrated with A&F XXY Alignment Platform for Rapid Fabrication of Flexible Electronics

In this study, a novel laser direct synthesis and pattering technology is applied in conjunction with an A&F XXY alignment platform to rapidly fabricate flexible conductors on a polymer substrate (polyimide film) with designated patterns. In the process, a focused continuous wave green laser was focused onto the polymer substrate that is mounted and directed using the XXY alignment platform. The focused laser energy absorbed by the polymer substrate is used to heat the transparent and particle-free reactive silver ink on the polymer substrate surface. With appropriate programing of the XXY alignment platform motion to control the laser scanning parameters, silver patterns with good electrical conductivity were successfully obtained. This technology can be operated directly at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. It does not require the use of vacuum chamber, oven and photo-mask, etc. Therefore, this novel technology and system offers a new approach to the cost-effective and green fabrication for flexible electronics. The compact size and excellent stability of the XXY alignment platform make the fabrication system even more competitive. In particular, the programmable small radius plane rotation function of the XXY alignment platform provides flexibility in the pattern design with turnings while keeps the uniformity of the resulted micro metal lines.
The Challenge of Future Generations for Business Ethics

This article reviews the problematic surrounding the concept of future generations, which is intertwined with questions concerning intergenerational justice, weak sustainability, non-existence, non-identity, and motivation. It also claims that business ethics should deal with intergenerational issues but cannot ignore the philosophical challenges involved. Based on the distinction between future generations and overlapping generations, we suggest focusing on the latter to avoid the difficulties of the former, and to facilitate the connection with organizational concerns. The distinction between overlapping and future generations relies on the notions of thick and thin morality, and is illustrated through a parallelism with the ethics of memory and the idea of indirect reciprocity. Finally, we inquire how obligations toward overlapping generations can be included in the framework of stakeholder theory.
Designing Valid and Reliable Vignette Experiments for Survey Research: A Case Study on the Fair Gender Income Gap

In survey research, vignette experiments typically employ short, systematically varied descriptions of situations or persons (called vignettes) to elicit the beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors of respondents with respect to the presented scenarios. Using a case study on the fair gender income gap in Austria, we discuss how different design elements can be used to increase a vignette experiment’s validity and reliability. With respect to the experimental design, the design elements considered include a confounded factorial design, a between-subjects factor, anchoring vignettes, and blocking by respondent strata and interviewers. The design elements for the sampling and survey design consist of stratification, covariate measurements, and the systematic assignment of vignette sets to respondents and interviewers. Moreover, the vignettes’ construct validity is empirically validated with respect to the real gender income gap in Austria. We demonstrate how a broad range of design elements can successfully increase a vignette study’s validity and reliability.
Compliance dynamics in transboundary governance of natural resources

The extent to which resource users abide by rules is a fundamental question in the governance of conservation efforts, such as national parks, often challenged by poaching. While a large literature studies the factors fostering regulatory compliance in national settings, we know less about these processes in transboundary conservation areas, an increasingly common type of park that straddles the borders of several countries. This study aims to explore how the previously identified dynamics associated with achieving compliance play out in transboundary settings. Focusing on the world’s largest transboundary conservation area – the Kavango Zambezi Tranfrontier Conservation Area – the study uses interviews with elite actors involved in the management of the area to provide insights in the process of fostering compliance in transboundary conservation areas. As in nationally governed parks, it appears crucial that efforts in sharing the benefits from conservation and involving stakeholders in management are successful. Yet, the empirical analysis reveals that transnational settings provide even further challenges: the governance of such parks depends critically on trustbuilding efforts among a larger number of actors positioned at different levels. It also involves the need for harmonizing policy between the involved states, both in terms of the design of regulations and as regards the sanctions imposed on rule violators. Amanda Linell Centre for Collective Action Research Department of Political Science University of Gothenburg Amanda.linell@gu.se Aksel Sundström The Quality of Government Institute Department of Political Science University of Gothenburg Aksel.sundstrom@pol.gu.se Martin Sjöstedt The Quality of Government Institute Department of Political Science University of Gothenburg Martin.sjostedt@pol.gu.se
Total Quality Management in Supply Chain

Since 1980’s, the competition between enterprises has become the one between supply chains. Therefore, the implementation of total quality management (TQM) in supply chain system but not only in enterprise has become an exquisite premise for the survival of enterprise. This paper discussed the application of the eight modern TQM principles of ISO9000 in supply chain quality management, namely customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, process management, system management, continual improvement, factual approach to decision-making, and mutually beneficial supplier relationships.
Social correlates of depression and suicide among youth: A meta-analytic review.

Prevalent increases of depression and suicide among North American youth over the past generation may be categorized as an epidemic. The purpose of this meta-analytic study is to gain a comprehensive, integrative understanding of the social phenomena associated with such mental illness and its consequences among at-risk youth. Opposing explanations on this topic include the bio-evolutionary vs. social theoretical perspectives (nature vs. nurture dispute). This study reviewed the relative strength of the associations of various personal (race/ethnic) and social (socioeconomic factors) predictors of depression and suicide. This study focused on people who are at risk of being discriminated against in both the United States (U.S) and Canada: black or African American people (U.S.), and Aboriginal or Native Indian people (Canada). Findings support the social theoretical perspectives. Moreover, they demonstrate that ‘race’ is primarily a social construction in North American life, and are tenacious reflections of such social phenomena as differential access to key life chances. Findings support consideration for preventative, socio-structural intervention. Social policies, and future research should continue to look at independent variables (e.g. life chance, contextual, neighbourhood). Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.