Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ketogenic diet and phytoextracts. Comparison of the efficacy of Mediterranean, Zone and Tisanoreica diet on some health risk factors

the purpose of this work was to test the efficacy of three kind of different diet on some health risk factors. the primary objective of the present study was to examine the effects of diets, amount of carbohydrate intake and use of phytoextracts on weight loss, body composition and related risk factors and on metabolic values as resting energy expenditure (ree) and respiratory ratio (rr). We tested 44 subjects randomly assigned to one of 3 groups of diet: Mediterranean (Med), zone (zon) and tisanoreica® i.e. ketogenic diet plus phytoextracts (tis). Anthropometry, blood chemistry and urine analysis were performed. After 40 days tis led to a significant average weight and fat loss compared to zon and Med. Moreover tis showed a significant reduction in fasting glucose whilst there weren't significant differences in creatinine, uric acid and urea. A significant reduction in the respiratory ratio in the tis group was observed. in conclusion our data shows that the tis diet, using supplements that mimic the look and taste of carbohydrates and phytoextracts enhance weight reduction, improved lipid profile and mitigate the side effects of ketosis. KeYWords: ketogenic diet, Mediterranean diet, zone diet, phytoextracts, tisanoreica, weight loss. A. Paoli
The GMD Method for Inductance Calculation Applied to Conductors with Skin Effect

The GMD method (geometric mean distance) to calculate inductance offers undoubted advantages over other methods. But so far it seemed to be limited to the case where the current is uniformly distributed over the cross section of the conductor, i.e. to DC (direct current). In this paper, the definition of the GMD is extended to include cases of nonuniform distribution observed at higher frequencies as the result of skin effect. An exact relation between the GMD and the internal inductance per unit length for infinitely long conductors of circularly symmetric cross section is derived. It enables much simpler derivations of Maxwell’s analytical expressions for the GMD of circular and annular disks than were known before. Its salient application, however, is the derivation of exact expressions for the GMD of infinitely long round wires and tubular conductors with skin effect. These expressions are then used to verify the consistency of the extended definition of the GMD. Further, approximate formulae for the GMD of round wires with skin effect based on elementary functions are discussed. Total inductances calculated with the help of the derived formulae for the GMD with and without skin effect are compared to measurement results from the literature. For conductors of square cross section, an analytical approximation for the GMD with skin effect based on elementary functions is presented. It is shown that it allows to calculate the total inductance of such conductors for frequencies from DC up to 25 GHz to a precision of better than 1 %.
The determinants of capital structure: the case of long-term debt constraint for Jordanian firms

This paper contributes to the capital structure literature by investigating the determinants of capital structure of Jordanian companies with the constraint of inadequate long-term debt as their source of financing and regional risk. We firstly document that Jordanian companies mostly depend on shortterm debt, as a result of the banking credit policy that promotes short-term debt. Our results suggest that the level of gearing in Jordanian firms is positively related to size, tangibility, and earning volatility, and negatively correlated to profitability, the level of growth opportunities, liquidity and stock market activities. The level of gearing measured by short-term debt is, however, negatively correlated to tangibility. The Gulf Crisis between 1990 and 1991 is also found to have a significant but positive impact on Jordanian corporate leverage. We conclude that the capital structure decision with inadequate long-term debt access is influenced more strongly by factors such as Stock‟s Market activity (SMA).
BROWN DWARFS IN YOUNG MOVING GROUPS FROM PAN-STARRS1. I. AB DORADUS

Substellar members of young (≲150 Myr) moving groups are valuable benchmarks to empirically define brown dwarf evolution with age and to study the low-mass end of the initial mass function. We have combined Pan-STARRS1 (PS1) proper motions with optical–IR photometry from PS1, Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), and WISE to search for substellar members of the AB Dor Moving Group within ≈50 pc and with spectral types of late M to early L, corresponding to masses down to ≈30 MJup at the age of the group (≈125 Myr). Including both photometry and proper motions allows us to better select candidates by excluding field dwarfs whose colors are similar to young AB Dor Moving Group members. Our near-IR spectroscopy has identified six ultracool dwarfs (M6–L4; ≈30–100 MJup) with intermediate surface gravities (int-g) as candidate members of the AB Dor Moving Group. We find another two candidate members with spectra showing hints of youth but consistent with field gravities. We also find four field brown dwarfs unassociated with the AB Dor Moving Group, three of which have int-g gravity classification. While signatures of youth are present in the spectra of our ≈125 Myr objects, neither their J – K nor W1 – W2 colors are significantly redder than field dwarfs with the same spectral types, unlike younger ultracool dwarfs. We also determined PS1 parallaxes for eight of our candidates and one previously identified AB Dor Moving Group candidate. Although radial velocities (and parallaxes, for some) are still needed to fully assess membership, these new objects provide valuable insight into the spectral characteristics and evolution of young brown dwarfs.
Callus induction and proliferation from cotyledon explants in bambara groundnut.

Bambara groundnut [ Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Fabaceae ] is an indigenous African crop grown across the continent. It is the third most important grain legume after groundnut and cowpea. Application of modern biotechnology methods (genetic transformation) for bambara seeds quality improvement is highly desirable, but this in turn depends on the availability of an efficient regeneration system. Callus induction from cotyledon explants was studied in indigenous grain legume Bambara groundnut on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium, containing different combinations and concentrations of growth regulators. Callus formation and callus growth were recorded after four weeks of culture. Maximum frequency of callus induction (98%) and the most significant callus growth index (3) were observed on the medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l -1 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or Picloram (Pic). The combination of 2,4-D with four cytokinins [Benzylaminopurin (BAP), Kinetin (KIN), Thidiazuron (TDZ) and Zeatin (Zea)] resulted in reduction of both callus formation rate and cell proliferation. The potentiality of the cotyledon explant to induce callus formation and subsequent growth was better with the distal segment either in adaxial (59.24%; 2.51) or abaxial (52.22%; 2.60) orientation. The results also showed that 3% sucrose was a better source of carbon for callus formation (74%). Among the landraces tested, the highest rate of callus formation (70%) and maximum growth index (2.65) of callus was observed with landrace Ci7. Keywords : 2-4D, cytokinins, Vigna subterranea
A regional frequency analysis of United Kingdom extreme rainfall from 1961 to 2000

Multi‐day rainfall events are an important cause of recent severe flooding in the UK, and any change in the magnitude of such events may have severe impacts upon urban structures such as dams, urban drainage systems and flood defences and cause failures to occur. Regional pooling of 1‐, 2‐, 5‐ and 10‐day annual maxima for 1961 to 2000 from 204 sites across the UK is used in a standard regional frequency analysis to produce generalized extreme value growth curves for long return‐period rainfall events for each of nine defined climatological regions. Temporal changes in 1‐, 2‐, 5‐ and 10‐day annual maxima are examined with L‐moments using both a 10 year moving window and the fixed decades of 1961–70, 1971–80, 1981–90 and 1991–2000. A bootstrap technique is then used to assess uncertainty in the fitted decadal growth curves and to identify significant trends in both distribution parameters and quantile estimates.
Centurial Evidence of Breaks in the Persistence of Unemployment

A novel procedure is applied to test for switches between hysteresis and the natural rate theory over more than a century of UK and USA unemployment data. For both the countries we see a period conforming to hysteresis starting in the early 1920s for the UK and 1930 for USA.
Quality of papaya in modified atmosphere packages under simulated storage condition for export by sea (Kualiti betik di dalam bungkusan atmosfera terubah suai dalam penyimpanan yang disimulasikan untuk eksport melalui kapal laut)

Modified atmosphere packaging has been used for maintaining the quality of some fruits during transportation and distribution to market outlets. The technique was used in the present study to develop several modified atmosphere packages for Eksotika papaya. About 6 kg fruits were packed in each package treatments of polyethylene bag, impermeable container with aperture, polyethylene bag with aperture and control package (without modified atmosphere system). The fruits were stored at 12 °C for 5 weeks to simulate the condition and handling period required for export by sea to Europe. The gas compositions were maintained between 2– 6% O 2 and 8–9% CO 2 for polyethylene bag and polyethylene bag with aperture, while for the impermeable container with aperture, the composition was about 15% O 2 and 7% CO 2 . The overall ethylene concentration in all packages was less than 1.0 ppm. The conditions in polyethylene bag and polyethylene bag with aperture were favourable to maintain the quality of Eksotika papaya up to 5 weeks storage at 12 °C. The weight loss of fruit in both packages was low, skin colour was maintained and the chilling injury and diseases were controlled during storage. All fruits ripened normally after being displayed for 3 days at ambient room.
Microbial biomineralization in weathered volcanic ash deposit and formation of biogenic minerals by experimental incubation

Abstract Microbial biomineralization in a weathered volcanic ash deposit from the 1914 to 1915 A.D. eruption of Sakurajima volcano was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The solution chemistry of pore water was also analyzed to elucidate saturation conditions. In addition, experimental incubations of bacteria collected from the volcanic ash were performed to confirm bacterial mineralization. TEM revealed that the weathered volcanic ash contains significant amounts of spherical to rod-shaped bacteria ranging from 1.3 × 108 to 2.6 × 108 cell/g, most of which have cell wall surfaces that are completely covered or decorated by either massive aggregates of allophane-like granular materials or irregular aggregates of smectitelike fibers and/or flakes. EDX confirmed that the granular minerals have chemical compositions similar to proto-imogolite allophane, whereas the smectite-like fibers and/or flakes show a wide range of chemical compositions corresponding to the compositional field between allophane and nontronite. The volcanic ash contains about 22 wt% of pore water, which is slightly acidic, relatively low redox potential, and enriched in Si, Na, Cl-, and SO42- ions. The saturation indices (SI) calculated by the PHREEQC geochemical code indicate that the pore water is almost saturated with respect to amorphous Al(OH)3, ferrihydrite, amorphous silica, and cristobalite, and significantly oversaturated with respect to silicate minerals in the order: halloysite < kaolinite < montmorillonite < allophane < nontronite. The allophane-like granular minerals seems to be preferentially precipitated by bacterial interaction with Al and Si ions in the pore water as a metastable phase. The poorly ordered smectite-like fibers and/or flakes may be transformed from the allophane-like materials as a intermediate phase between allophane and nontronite by the driving force originated from the greatest SI value of nontronite. The experimental incubation confirmed that amorphous silica containing a small amount of Fe is formed on the bacterial cell surfaces in liquid media with both Fe and Si ions. Likewise, beidellite-like smectite associated with the bacterial surfaces is produced in liquid media containing both Al and Si ions. However, no minerals are produced in the same media containing no metal ions or no bacteria. These results imply that bacteria play an important role in the accumulation of metal ions and in the formation of silicate minerals during weathering of volcanic ash.
Parental presence within households and the impact of antiretroviral therapy in Khayelitsha, Cape Town

Background. While household support is an important component of effective care and treatment in HIV/AIDS, there are few insights from Southern Africa into how household support arrangements change over time for patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). Objective. We hypothesised that patients initiating ART are more likely to be living with family, especially their mothers, compared with the general population, but that over time these differences disappear. Methods. A panel survey of ART patients was matched by age, gender and education to a comparison sample drawn from adults in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Results. The results show that there is a substantial potential burden of care on the families of patients starting ART, particularly mothers, and that the use of ART appears to reduce this burden over time. But, even after their health is restored, ART patients are significantly less likely to have a resident sexual partner and more likely to be living in single-person households than their counterparts in the general population.
Caractérisation chimique et valorisation biologique d’extraits de propolis

La propolis est une substance resineuse collectee par les abeilles sur certaines parties des vegetaux. Sa composition en metabolites secondaires est alors variable puisqu’elle depend notamment de la flore locale pres du site de collecte. Dans cette etude, la caracterisation chimique d’un echantillon representatif de la propolis francaise de l’entreprise ‘‘Ballot-Flurin Apiculteurs’’ a conduit, au moyen d’analyses HPLC/DAD/MS et RMN 1D & 2D, a l’identification de 51 composes dont deux sont originaux. Les acides et esters phenoliques ainsi que les flavonoides identifies dans cette propolis indiquent qu’elle appartient au type "peuplier". L’evaluation des activites biologiques de differents extraits et composes isoles a montre que cette propolis, qui possede une bonne activite antioxydante (DPPH et ORAC) associee a un potentiel antiglycant (anti-AGEs) tres interessant, represente un bon candidat pour la prevention des maladies, telles que le diabete, impliquant les AGEs. Elle montre egalement de bonnes activites antifongiques, sur deux levures du genre Candida, et antibacteriennes sur Staphylococcus aureus et ses souches resistantes et sensibles a la meticilline, ces dernieres etant responsables, a l’heure actuelle, de nombreuses infections nosocomiales. Une etude de variabilite inter-lots ainsi qu’un travail d’optimisation du procede d’extraction industriel par plan d’experiences ont egalement ete realises (partie confidentielle). Enfin, l’analyse de trois autres propolis, provenant d’Amerique Latine (Mexique) et d’Afrique (Cote d’Ivoire et Ouganda), a montre de grandes diversites de resultats en termes de compositions chimiques et d’activites biologiques.
Use of Xpert MTB/RIF Assay in Rural Health Facilities in Southern Ethiopia

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. We describe the performance of the Xpert-MTB/RIF assay for presumptive TB in health facilities that refer samples to a regional reference laboratory. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with presumptive TB from 1st April 2015 to 30th August 2016. The study was performed in Gambo Hospital, Ethiopia. The samples sent to the referral laboratory were analyzed according to national protocols on the diagnosis of TB and multidrug resistant-TB in children with presumptive TB. Results: We studied one sample each from 309 unique patients; 197 (63.8%) were less than 14 years old, and 165 (53.4%) were male. The most commonly analyzed sample was gastric aspiration (n=144, 46.6%) followed by sputum (n=92, 29.8%). Gastric aspiration was performed mainly in children (98.6%, 142/144; p<0.001), while peritoneal effusion (94.4%, 17/18; p<0.001), pleural effusion (80.8%, 21/26; p<0.001), lymph node (63.6%, 14/22; p=0.01), and sputum (56/92, 60.9%; p<0.001) were performed mainly in adults. For 10 samples, the results were not available from the referral laboratory. The samples were positive for TB by Xpert MTB/RIF in 22.4% (67/299) of the samples. Only one sample was resistant to rifampicin (0.3%). The results of Xpert MTB/RIF were positive in 76.2% (16/21) of the lymph node samples (p<0.001), 22.3% of the gastric aspiration samples, 20.0% (31/139) of the sputum samples, 1.5% (1/17) of the ascites fluid samples, and 0.0% (0/25) of the pleural effusions (p=0.002). Conclusion: Xpert MTB/RIF facilitates the diagnosis of TB, with microbiological confirmation, in up to 20% of the samples.
Education policy and its contribution to socioeconomic development of Nepal with reference to some selected Asian Countries

Among a few crucial factors education is the most influential factor for the economic growth and socioeconomic development of a country. Basically, the short-run policy of education tries to address the short-term social and economic goals of the country through awareness programs on safety, health, environment etc. but in the long run, it is directly related to the Human resource development(HRD) and socio-economic development of a country. This research paper tries to focus on the instrumental role of education in human capital development and economic growth. In fact, most of the in developing countries like Nepal are facing the problems with the educational system, education attainment, and research and innovation. In a meaningful way, it is also pronounced as the human capital development policy. Economist Theodore Schultz invented the term in the 1960s to indicates the value of human capabilities. He believed human capital is like any other type of capital that can be invested in education and training to enhance the benefits for an improvement in the quality life and Socio-economic development. This research tries to dig out development strategies by using time series data of investment in all level of education, general enrolment ratio in various level of education, labor force participation and combined impact in GDP with the help of OLS method. The result shows that investment in education, training, and vocational education have the positive and significant role in economic growth and socio-economic development of Nepal and other developing countries.
Characterization of volatile compounds in Mentha spicata L. dried leaves

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is one of the most common techniques used to measure and to characterize volatile organic compounds (VOCs). At the same time, the proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) represents a recent innovative tool that allows the on-line monitoring of VOCs providing the whole mass spectra with short response time, high mass resolution and without sample preparation. We reported as major constituents of headspace in spearmint dried leaves the monoterpenes carvone, followed by dihydrocarvone, limonene and 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) although other monoterpenes such as a-pinene, 3-carene, terpineol and neodihydrocarveol, alcohols (3-octanol, 1-octen-3-ol and 3-methyl-1-butanol), esters and ketones (3-octanone) were detected in low concentrations. In this study, the analytical GC-MS and PTR-ToF-MS techniques allowed to characterize the entire volatile profile of the sample bypassing the limitations of each tool.
Comparison of Different Sprint Training Sessions with Assisted and Resisted Running: Effects on Performance and Kinematics in 20-m Sprints

Purpose. The purpose was to examine whether there is a positive acute effect of resisted and assisted sprinting on the kinematics and performance of regular 20-m sprints. Methods. The total of 15 female team handball players were involved in a counterbalanced crossover design three sprint sessions consisting of (1) seven normal 20-m sprints, (2) seven sprints alternating normal and resisted sprints, and (3) seven sprints alternating between normal and either resisted or assisted sprints in a single session. Results. The main finding was that only resisted sprints had an effect on the first normal 20-m sprint. However, this was only the case after one resisted run (from 3.59 to 3.54 s; 2% improvement). Using several resisted sprints did not have any positive effect upon the normal sprints, but probably caused fatigue, as shown in the increased contact times and decreased vertical stiffness, step length, and rate. Assisted running did not cause any changes to the normal sprints. Conclusions. resisted sprints can cause a positive effect in normal 20-m sprint performance (2%) after the use of one resisted effort in team handball players. However, the small positive effect is negated if several resisted efforts are performed, causing more fatigue than a positive response. Therefore, it is recommended that multiple resisted sprint efforts are not performed when seeking to enhance 20-m sprint performance in these athletes.
Statistical Prediction of the South China Sea Surface Height Anomaly

Based on the simple ocean data assimilation (SODA) data, this study analyzes and forecasts the monthly sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) averaged over South China Sea (SCS). The approach to perform the analysis is a time series decomposition method, which decomposes monthly SSHAs in SCS to the following three parts: interannual, seasonal, and residual terms. Analysis results demonstrate that the SODA SSHA time series are significantly correlated to the AVISO SSHA time series in SCS. To investigate the predictability of SCS SSHA, an exponential smoothing approach and an autoregressive integrated moving average approach are first used to fit the interannual and residual terms of SCS SSHA while keeping the seasonal part invariant. Then, an array of forecast experiments with the start time spanning from June 1977 to June 2007 is performed based on the prediction model which integrates the above two models and the time-independent seasonal term. Results indicate that the valid forecast time of SCS SSHA of the statistical model is about 7 months, and the predictability of SCS SSHA in Spring and Autumn is stronger than that in Summer and Winter. In addition, the prediction skill of SCS SSHA has remarkable decadal variability, with better phase forecast in 1997–2007.