Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Norm of matrix operator on Orlicz-binomial spaces and related operator ideal

The purpose of this article is to introduce Orlicz extension of binomial sequence spaces br,s φ and investigate some topological and inclusion properties of the new spaces. We give an upper estimation of ‖A‖`φ,br,s φ , where A is the Hausdorff matrix operator or Nörlund matrix operator. A Hardy type formula is established in the case of Hausdorff matrix operator. Finally we introduce operator ideal using the space br,s φ and the sequence of s-number function and prove its completeness under certain assumptions.
Shortening turnaround time for high-priority patients during the COVID-19 epidemic: evaluation of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test

Background: Although several molecular tests are now available for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal swab samples, the number of requested tests exceeds the capacity of many diagnostic laboratories. Unfortunately, the available high-throughput platforms exhibit longer turnaround times than those required for management of high-priority patients. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and possible benefits of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test, focusing mainly on turnaround time when applied to high-priority patients. We evaluated the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test in comparison to the Roche’s cobas 6800 SARS-CoV-2 test by monitoring turnaround times and by retrospectively testing 20 nasopharyngeal swabs from COVID-19 patients with various viral loads. In addition, 50 patients were tested by both methods prospectively. Results: We observed a lower limit of detection of one SARS-CoV-2 genome equivalent/µL and 100% (95% CI, 92.6−100%) specificity and 95.5% (95% CI, 77.2−99.9%) sensitivity in comparison to the cobas SARS-CoV-2 test. When applying the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test for high-priority patients the turnaround time could be greatly reduced, i.e. from 3 - 5 hours that take our routine diagnostics methods to about 1 hour. Conclusion: The novel Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test is a useful, easy to perform tool, valuable for rapid and reliable diagnosis of COVID-19, especially in high-priority patients when a short turnaround time is of key importance for further patient management.
Influence of exogenous gonadal steroids on pubertal age of hens and internal qualities of eggs

Ability of egg-type chickens to start laying earlier in life is a desirable trait that commercial poultry farmers always look forward to achieving. However, this may be delayed by some factors such as hormonal imbalance. There is a dearth of information on the use exogenous gonadal steroids to enhance the puberty attainment among egg-type chickens and internal qualities of eggs thereof. 144, 11-weeks old Super Black (SBL) hens and 144, 11-weeks Super Brown (SBR) hens were randomly allotted into four hormonal treatment groups with 36 hens per group each with three replicates in a randomized complete block design. The treatment groups are: T1 – with no hormone (NH; control), T2 – with Estradiol (E2) ,T3 – with Progestin (P4) and T4 – with equal combination of estradiol and progestin (EP). The steroids were injected intramuscularly at 5 mg per kg body weight of the hens. The experiment lasted 17 weeks during which data were collected on average daily feed intake (ADFI), hen-day production (HDP) and mortality rate while ages at puberty and peak production were determined with the HDP. Egg weight and some internal qualities were also measured at puberty and peak production. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance statistically. All parameters investigated were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by steroidal treatment and strain. Hens (SBR) on P4 attained puberty and peaked earlier (149.67 and 175.33 days respectively) than hens on other treatments but with the highest mortality rate (8.33%). The weight and internal qualities of eggs were not affected by the treatments and strain. The results of this experiment suggest that exogenous gonadal steroids can be used to enhance puberty attainment among egg-type chickens in the humid tropics with the best result with the use of progestin.
Nutritional and Phytogenic Properties of Soursop (Annona muricata) Leaf Meal on the Productive and Physiological Performances of West African Dwarf Goats

The study aimed to examine the effect of soursop (Annona muricata) leaf meal (AMLM) diets on productive and physiological characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Thirty six bucks were randomly divided into four experimental groups of nine animals each. Each group was assigned to one of the experimental diets formulated to contain AMLM at 0% (control), 15%, 30% and 45% for 82 days in a completely randomized design (CRD). The proximate composition of the experimental diets ranges from 87.32–89.19% dry matter (DM), 14.72–15.59% crude protein (CP), 27.18–29.30% crude fibre (CF), 9.48–13.62% ash, 2.00–2.31% ether extract (EE), 26.81–32.80% nitrogen free extract (NFE) and 3.56–3.73 MJ/kg gross energy (GE). The chemical analysis of the AMLM revealed 90.91% DM, 20.39% CP, 16.20% CF, 10.62% ash, 4.31% EE, 39.39% NFE and 3.93 MJ/kg GE. The results on intake and body weight changes showed significant (P < 0.05) improvement with the inclusion of AMLM in the diets for final body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, forage dry matter intake, supplement dry matter intake, total dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio. AMLM at 45% inclusion produced the best (P < 0.05) packed cell volume and lymphocyte concentration in comparison to other treatments. AMLM at 15, 30 and 45% resulted to improved red blood cells, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, and white blood cells concentration when compared with the control. Sodium and chloride were however best (P < 0.05) at 15, 30 and 45% supplementations. The results indicated that AMLM enhanced body weight gain, dry matter intake, haemopoiesis and health status of the WAD goats and therefore should be incorporated into goat feeding programme to enhance better productivity.
A Novel Needle-Less Multi-Pin-Electrospinning Method to Fabricate Nanofibers from Dilute PAN Solution

A novel needle-less electrospinning system, "Multi-pin-electrospinning" was developed to produce thin nanofibers from dilute Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solutions. PAN solution was placed in an open polymer bath. 16 stainless steel pins in 4 parallel rows were attached to a metal rod to form stable polymer jets. Pins were dipped into a polymer solution by rotating the pins containing rod and under the application of the electric field, multiple Taylor cone were formed followed by the multi-jet ejection from the cone's tip, then nanofibers were deposited on the aluminum collector sheet placed above the pins. The multi-pin-electrospun nanofibers were thinner with narrower diameter distribution compared with electrospun nanofibers prepared through the conventional method. The influence of the affecting parameters such as solution concentration, applied voltage, pins-collector distance and addition of CaCl2 salt on the diameter of multi-pin-electrospun nanofibers were investigated. The applied voltage change did not significantly affect the average diameter of nanofibers. At pins-collector distance of 6 cm, wet nanofibers with the beaded structure were formed, whereas on increasing the distance bundles in the fibers were disappeared and straight nanofibers with fewer beads were collected. The addition of 1 wt% CaCl2 salt to the 3 wt% PAN/DMF solution resulted in the formation of smooth, almost bead-free nanofibers.
Cordia subcordata (Boraginaceae), a distylous species on oceanic coral islands, is self-compatible and pollinated by a passerine bird

Background and aims – Distyly is usually rare on oceanic islands, which is probably due to the difficulty for distylous plants to colonize those islands. However, Cordia subcordata was observed to be distylous with shortand long-styled morphs on the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. To characterize the reproduction system of Cordia subcordata and to understand how this distylous species maintains itself on these islands, we studied its reproductive and pollination biology. Methods – Seed set and pollen tube growth under manipulated intermorph, intramorph, and self-pollination were examined to investigate self-incompatibility in the species. The number of pollen grains deposited on the stigmas after a single pollinator visit were counted to investigate the pollination efficiency of different visitors. Key results – Our study indicated that Cordia subcordata shows reciprocal herkogamy as is typical in distylous species. Pollen tubes could reach the base of the style and move into the ovules under all the manipulated pollination treatments in both morphs. Seed set resulting from four hand-pollination experiments did not show any differences between both morphs, suggesting that Cordia subcordata lacks heterostylous self-incompatibility. The most frequent flower visitors, Zosterops japonicus and Apis cerana, were observed foraging on the large volumes of nectar and pollen grains, respectively, with Zosterops japonicus being the most effective pollinator, depositing large number of pollen grains on the stigmas during their visits. Conclusions – Our findings show that Cordia subcordata established itself and persists in the archipelago by producing fruits through a combination of self-compatibility and pollination by the most common passerine bird on the oceanic islands.
A retrospective study of post-partum intrauterine contraceptive devices in a government maternity home of Delhi

Unmet needs for contraception have been a major hurdle to achieve desirable family planning goals in India. According to national family health survey (NFHS) 4 data, the contraceptive prevalence rate in India is 56.3% and more than 40% of the couples are not using any method of contraception. Family planning if effectively accepted can avert nearly one-third of maternal deaths and 10% of child mortality when couples space their pregnancies more than two years apart. Short intervals between births are linked with higher maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Postpartum period is a highly vulnerable period for unintended pregnancy as there are limited contraceptive options for breastfeeding mothers. Immediate postpartum is the ideal time to begin contraception as women in this period are more receptive to the family planning advice. Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is the prevention of unintended and closely spaced pregnancies through the first twelve months following childbirth. Postpartum women need a range of effective contraceptive methods to be able to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, within a short interval. ABSTRACT
Right Wing Extremism and Political Competition Capturing the impact of right-wing extremist competition on establishment parties

In this thesis I formulate a coalition formation model in a proportional representation democracy setting. Initially, two flank parties and a centrist party exist, after which I extend to model to allow for the entry of a fourth party that pursues extreme-right beliefs, creating an asymmetric distribution of parties. Afterwards, I extend the model by allowing for party-specific bliss points. The model is inspired by the well known framework developed by Austen-Smith and Banks (1988), but my model generates some interesting additional insights. I find that allowing for a fourth party on the extreme right wing of the spectrum has little effect on the policies advocated by the incumbent parties, but yields a more left-wing coalition in equilibrium, along with lower volatility surrounding the outcome. Furthermore, by allowing for bliss points, the equilibrium policy becomes considerably more left-wing, and incumbent parties tend to polarise, i.e. they move away from the political centre.
Determinants of Owner-manager Competencies for Small Business Operations: Evidence from a Small Restaurant Business in Tanzania

This study examines the influence of owner-manager demographic characteristics on attainment of their competencies in Tanzania, because there are scant empirical evidences on the same. The data used in this study were obtained through a survey of 392 small restaurant businesses from Ilala and Dodoma in Tanzania. Information was collected from the owner-managers of these entities by using structured questionnaires. Competencies of the owner-managers were measured subjectively by assessing their ability to perform entrepreneurial, managerial and functional works. Thus, the study uses Structural equation model to analyze the latent variable data collected. Study results have shown that among the demographic characteristics of the owner-manager, formal education and family background in doing business are more important in explaining how competent an owner-manager is in all three competencies. Furthermore, age of the owner-manager is very important in explaining how competent the owner-manager is in terms of managing the business while their industrial working experiences are more important in explaining the owner-manager ability to fulfill functional activities. These results imply that, whoever wants to operate the small restaurant business should try to understand their demographic characteristics. That is, to match themselves with the competencies of fulfilling entrepreneurial, managerial and functional activities or decide on any other way of compensating for their weaknesses for better business performances.
Effect of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid on Antioxidant Systems in a Non-Target Plant (Zea mays L.)

This work aimed to study the impact of various concentrations of the herbicide 2,4-D dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 5, 10 mg L-1) on fresh and dry biomasses, photosynthetic pigments, quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) and oxidative stress parameters on 28-day old Zea mays leaves. Foliar application of a low dose of 2,4-D significantly promoted the growth biomarkers, whereas, the high doses induced severe disturbances and reduced the growth attributes. This situation produced over-accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) and that was accompany with a significant increase in activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Otherwise there was a significant decline in ascorbate peroxidase (APx), guiacol peroxidase (GPX), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and glutathione reductase (GR). Moreover, a significant decline of glutathione (reduced form; GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents, glutathione redox potential (GSH/GSSG), NADPH and NADPH/NADP+ ratios were recorded. These observations might indicate that high doses of 2,4-D caused a menace to non-target plants through the disruption of antioxidant systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROACTIVITY ON ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE: AN EXTENSION OF NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED VIEW THEORY (NRBV)

The growing environmental crisis has led to an increased focus on public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about a quarter of all human diseases today are due to continuous exposure to environmental pollution. Furthermore, based on the statistics released by WHO, the impact of climate change has caused 160,000 deaths annually, and the rate is predicted to double by 2020 (Mekhilef et al., 2011). Due to the impairment of environmental quality, WHO and partners, such as the United Nations (UN) Environment, are developing ways to promote mutual understanding between humanity and nature. The United Nations Environment Programme reported that the number of environmental laws has increased 38-fold globally since the Stockholm declaration on the human environment in 1972. This includes the Durban Platform and Rio+20, the Kyoto Protocol which has been extended to 2020. Additionally, the Paris Agreement sets to keep global temperature increases below 2.0 degrees, while urging further efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degree Celsius (C). In the year 2017, based on the record released by Climate Action Tracker (CAT), among all the world’s largest and most advanced economies, only two governments recorded to achieve a 1.5C Paris Climate Agreement which is Gambia and Morocco. The US and China are critically insufficient whereas India is on track to a 2.0C level. The formation of regulations, followed by its extension or modification is clearly showing that we are still not ready or have not found any toolkit yet to act globally to address the main “story”. Thus, it is clear that stringent environmental enforcement no longer solves this issue as a whole Mehrabi et al. (2019) projected a revisit on low carbon strategies. Considering this call and the urgency to make people aware of using natural resources sustainably, the burden now has fallen to the corporate level. This paper, therefore, emerged as an important basis to further examine the determinants of environmental performance.
Influence of argon and oxygen on charge-state-resolved ion energy distributions of filtered aluminum arcs

The charge-state-resolved ion energy distributions (IEDs) in filtered aluminum vacuum arc plasmas were measured and analyzed at different oxygen and argon pressures in the range 0.5 8.0 mTorr. A significant reduction of the ion energy was detected as the pressure was increased, most pronounced in an argon environment and for the higher charge states. The corresponding average charge state decreased from 1.87 to 1.0 with increasing pressure. The IEDs of all metal ions in oxygen were fitted with shifted Maxwellian distributions. The results show that it is possible to obtain a plasma composition with a narrow charge-state distribution as well as a narrow IED. These data may enable tailoring thin-film properties through selecting growth conditions that are characterized by predefined charge state and energy distributions.
GENETIC BEHAVIOR OF SOME ROOT AND GRAIN QUALITY TRAITS UNDER WATER DEFICIT AND NORMAL CONDITIONS IN RICE ( ORYZA SATIVA L.)

: Four rice genotypes differed in drought tolerance were crossed. Six populations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) of two rice crosses namely; Sakha 102 x IR 83142-B-60-B-(cross I) and Giza 159 x Takanari 1 (cross II) were raised in a randomized complete block design during the three successive summer seasons from 2014 to 2016 at the farm of Rice Research Agricultural station, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt. This study aimed to determine heterosis, gene action, heritability, genetic advance and phenotypic correlation response to select and predict by the new lines for some root traits (Root length, Root volume, Number of roots/plant and Root/Shoot ratio %) and some grain quality traits. Flush water irrigation was added every 12 days intervals. The results indicated that highly significant and positive heterosis as a deviation from mid- and better- parent were obtained for all root and grain quality, except for grain shape in the first cross and for grain length in the second cross which showed highly significant and negative estimates of heterosis as a deviation from mid-parent. In addition, incomplete dominance to over-dominance was operative for most of the studied traits. Additive gene effect (d) and dominance gene effect (h) were more important in the genetic system for all the studied characters, additive x additive gene effects (i), additive x dominance (j) and dominance x dominance (l) gene effects were involved in the genetic control of all characters, except some exceptions. Heritability in broad sense was high in most traits of the two studied crosses, except cross I for root/ shoot ratio under normal condition. The highest value of heritability estimates (95.95 %) was recorded for root volume in the cross I under normal condition. The narrow sense heritability was moderate to low in most traits of the two crosses. High values of predicted genetic advance were estimated for most traits of the studied traits. Significant or highly significant positive phenotypic correlation was found between most of the studied characters for the two studied crosses especially between root and grain quality characters with grain yield/ plant, except amylose content trait. In general the cross Giza 159 x Takanari 1 could be grown under water deficit for further screening and selecting desirable root and grain quality traits at the same time. and standard errors of the six populations of grain quality characters for the two studied crosses under water deficit (D) and normal water deficiency condition, grain shape in the cross II under normal condition, hulling % in the cross I under water deficiency and normal conditions and the cross II under normal condition, milling % in the cross II under both water deficit normal cross condition, head rice % in the cross II under
Fatty acid profile of muscles and adipose tissues of fat-tail Barbarine lambs as affected by rosemary residue intake

Abstract The rosemary distillation industry produces a considerable amount of rosemary distillation residues (RRs), which can be an alternative for feeding animals in harsh conditions and could enhance animal product quality. Given the meat quality is largely influenced by its fat content and fatty acid composition, the fatty acid (FA) profiles of longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), semi-membranous (SM) muscles, and caudal (CFs) and omental fats (OFs) were determined using 21 Barbarine lambs fed with or without RRs. Diets contained 600 g of concentrate plus 600 g of forage. Forage represented oat hay, RR87 and RR60 pellets containing 87 % or 60 % of RR, respectively. At the end of the study, all lambs were slaughtered, and the fatty acid profile was studied. The inclusion of RR increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents and reduced saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and the thrombogenic and saturation indexes in all tissues. The SM muscle was the richest tissue in PUFAs, n-3 and n-6; however, both adipose tissues contained the highest proportions of SFAs. Especially the OF was the richest tissue in oleic acid and SFAs. Feeding RR to lambs enhanced meat quality.
Protective Effect of Thymoquinone on Bisphenol A-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats, Targeting the Role of Associated Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and NF-kB

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most abundant chemicals in the environment and prolonged exposure to BPA can cause oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. Nigella sativa which containing Thymoquinone (TQ), have various therapeutic effects including hepatoprotective effect. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatotoxic effect of BPA on liver of adult male albino rats and the possible role of thymoquinone in alleviating the detrimental effects of BPA on the liver, targeting the role of associated pro-inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). Method: The effect of BPA and TQ on albino rats was studied by estimating body weight changes (%), liver index, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) & gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and NFκB. Results: BPA caused significant increase in liver index, level of serum AST, ALT and GGT and hepatic tissue MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β and NF-κB (P<0.05), while there is a significant decrease in hepatic tissue GSH & SOD (P<0.05). Treatment with TQ+BPA causesignificant increase in hepatic tissue GSH & SOD (P<0.05), while there is a significant decrease in liver index, level of serum AST, ALT and GGT and hepatic tissue MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β and NF-κB (P<0.05). Conclusion: TQ protect against BPA-induced toxicity in male rats due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions so, TQ can be used as a therapeutic and preventive drug for hepatotoxicity resulting from toxicants, including BPA.