Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological Potential and Structure Activity Relationships in Organotin (IV) and Pd(II) Compounds

Organotin(IV) and palladium(II) complexes are mainly synthesized by treating a N,O or S donor ligand with an organotin halide and PdCl2, respectively. The structures of the complexes can be elucidated by various characterization techniques such as microanalysis (CHNS), FTIR spectroscopic analysis, UV-Visible spectroscopy, NMR (1H & 13C) and single crystal XRD. Organotin compounds are applied in numerous biocidal formulations as wood preservatives, surface disinfectants, antitumor agents, insecticides, marine antifouling paints, mollucides, miticides and fungicides. The biochemical activity is mainly affected by coordination number of tin, number and nature of the organic group bonded to tin and the chain length of an alkyl groups. Organotin(IV) dithiocarbamates are famous for their acaricidal, antifungal, tuberculostatic, antibacterial and anticarcinogenic activities. Cisplatin which is a famous Pt(II) drug, is successfully applied either alone or in various combinations to treat cancer. However, There is also a growing interest in the discovery of alternate drugs with palladium(II) because there are considerable similarities between the coordination chemistry of palladium(II) and platinum(II) compounds. However, the palladium complexes dissociate readily and form reactive species which could not reach their pharmacological targets. This drawback can be overcome by synthesizing Pd(II) complexes with chelating ligands such as dithiocarbamates. Pd(II) and Pt(II) compounds with bioactive ligands are of special interest due to their possibility of oral administration, lower toxicity and their ability to coordinate with DNA. Organotin(IV) derivatives possess strong antibacterial and antifungal potential while palladium(II) complexes are chiefly famous for their antitumor and anticancer activities. The nature of a metal coordinated to the ligand, has a decisive role in biological activities of both kinds of compounds.
Female labour force participation rate and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa: “a liability or an asset”

PurposeThis paper aimed examining the contribution of female labour force participation rate on economic growth in the sub-Saharan Africa during the period of 1991–2019.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a sample of 42 sub-Sahara African countries using annual data from the World Bank development indicators. The long-run causal effect of female labour force and economic growth was analysed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model and Granger causality test for causality and direction since the variables did not have the same order of integration.FindingsThe estimated results indicate that a long-run causal relationship exists between female labour force and economic growth in sub-Sahara Africa and the direction of causality is unidirectional running from economic growth to female labour force. The results also showed that female labour force participation rate negatively and significantly contributes to economic growth (GDP) is sub-Saharan Africa in the long run with an insignificantly negative contribution in the short run hence a liability.Research limitations/implicationsThe author recommends the promotion of women's economic empowerment to encourage female labour force participation to increase economic growth in the entire sub-Saharan region.Practical implicationsThis paper adds to existing literature by using more comprehensive and up to econometric analysis and variables. This paper also makes further recommendation on how female labour force participation can boost economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Originality/valueThis paper adds to existing literature by using more comprehensive and up to econometric analysis and variables. This paper also makes further recommendation on how female labour force participation can boost economic growth in SSA.
The positive outcomes and challenges experienced by Modern Foreign Language teachers in Oman

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the positive outcomes and the challenges that teachers experienced after the introduction of the English primary curriculum reform of grades 3 and 4 in Omani state schools. Three focus group interviews were conducted with English teachers (n = 15) in three regions (Muscat, AL Sharqia South and AL Dahira regions). Although the findings indicated that progress had been achieved in introducing shared writing, reading time, vocabulary and grammar rules in grades 3 and 4 reform, a number of challenges were also identified. Teachers’ views about much of the content of the compulsory school textbook in relation to the choice of topics, the development of the productive skills, the lack of resources, and problems with assessment, were overwhelmingly negative. Furthermore, it seems that curriculum reform was not adequately underpinned by theoretical principles.
The Memorability of Supernatural Concepts: Some Puzzles and New Theoretical Directions

We evaluate the literature on the memorability of supernatural concepts (e.g., gods, ghosts, souls), itself part of a growing body of work in the emerging cognitive science of religion (Barrett, 2007). Specifically, we focus on Boyer’s (1994a, 2000, 2001) Minimally Counterintuitive (MCI) hypothesis according to which supernatural concepts tap a cognitively privileged memory-enhancing mechanism linked to violations of default intuitive inferences. Our assessment reveals that the literature on the MCI hypothesis is mired in empirical contradictions and methodological shortcomings which makes it difficult to assess the validity of competing theoretical models, including the MCI hypothesis itself. In light of this fractured picture, we make the case for an account of the MCI effect which dispenses with a memory mechanism specific to supernatural concepts. This account has several desirable properties. First, it preserves Boyer’s pioneering insights regarding the ontological status of supernatural concepts and the cognitive mechanisms that give rise to their cultural prevalence. Second, our account is based on independently-motivated mechanisms that are well-established in the literature. Third, this account offers a principled resolution of the tension in the extant literature between studies that do replicate the MCI effect and those that seemingly fail to do so. Finally, because the proposed mechanisms are not specific to supernatural concepts, the scope of the MCI effect may be extended to account for a broader range of highly transmissible concepts than those it was originally intended to explain. We conclude with a set of theoretical and methodological prescriptions designed to guide future research on the memorability of supernatural concepts.
DNA barcoding of Chironomidae from the Lake Skadar region: Reference library and a comparative analysis of the European fauna

The main aim of this study was to fill a gap in barcoding data of the European Chironomidae of the Balkan region, developing and testing the efficiency of a reference DNA barcode library for ancient Lake Skadar basin species (Montenegro/Albania), a region of Europe never before subjected to barcoding studies on Chironomidae. Another aim was to test the efficiency of DNA barcoding for the identification of European Chironomidae, including the estimation of optimal identification thresholds, using >12,000 barcodes.
Comparative study on infrastructure and export trade of the host country and OFDI efficiency of China

Abstract The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) provides new opportunities and great space for China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) cooperation, as evidenced in 2018 when it financed US$15.64 billion in 56 countries along this burgeoning economic path, targeting Europe, Africa, and Asia as its hot spots. However, most of the countries along the Belt and Road are low-growth, middle-income, and developing economies, and their infrastructure, export trade, and other factors play an important role in the security and efficiency of OFDI. Therefore, this research selects 60 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa as the objects and uses the common boundary SBM model to calculate the investment efficiency of 7 indicators from 2013 to 2017. The results show a significant regional gap in the efficiency of China’s total foreign investment. The efficiency scores of European countries are generally better than those of Asian and African countries, while the technology gaps of countries in Asia and Europe are higher than that in Africa. The efficiencies of three major indicators, FDI, infrastructure development indicator (IDI), and export trade (ET), exhibit four types of distribution. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate and optimise the proper investment layout, enhance China’s investment quality in countries along the Belt and Road, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between think tanks, and promote further construction of BRI.
Ecological and potential socioeconomic impacts of two globally-invasive crayfish

Quantifying the impacts of invasive species, relative to native analogues, is crucial for management and policy development. Two freshwater crayfish species of global concern, Cherax quadricarinatus and Procambarus clarkii, have established populations across Africa. Negative impacts on native biodiversity and socioeconomic impacts have been documented in other continents; however, there is a paucity of information on impacts from Africa and for C. quadricarinatus. To fill this literature gap, this study used laboratory experiments to determine potential ecological and socioeconomic impacts conferred by the crayfish species relative to a functionally similar native analogue, the river crab Potamonautes perlatus, on two static, but different resources. Consumption rates were derived for the three focal species consuming the macrophyte Potamogeton nodosus and dead Oreochromis mossambicus under different temperatures regimes (19 °C and 28 °C), representing summer and winter seasons in Southern Africa, with maximum feeding rate used to infer impact. Potamogeton represents ecologically-important nutrient cycling macrophytes, as well as crucial habitat for juvenile fish, whereas dead O. mossambicus was used as proxy for fish catches in artisanal gillnet fisheries often scavenged by crayfish. Consumption of both resources by all the decapods increased with temperature. However, the two invasive crayfish showed different impact trends where P. clarkii had a significantly higher consumption of macrophytes than the other two decapods regardless of temperature and the same trends seen, but for C. quadricarinatus scavenging on fish. Crayfish introductions clearly have potential for highly destructive ecological and socioeconomic impacts to invaded systems as compared to the native crabs. The disparity between resource use emphasises the necessity to use appropriate geographical and species-specific contexts to avoid erroneous conclusions from generalised risk assessments. Derived feeding rates can be used for rapid impact assessments and comparisons in other invasion cores.
Developing Sustainable Prehospital Pediatric Care in Rwanda

Objective Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children older than 1 year and disproportionately affects pediatric patients in low- and middle-income countries. Improved prehospital care capacity has demonstrated the ability to improve care and save lives. Our collaboration developed and implemented a sustainable prehospital emergency pediatrics care course (EPCC) for Service d'Aide Medicale Urgente, the public emergency medical service in Rwanda. Methods A 1-day context-specific EPCC was developed based on international best practices and local feedback. Two cohorts were created to participate in the course. The first group, EPCC 1, was made of 22 Service d'Aide Medicale Urgente providers with preexisting knowledge on the topic who participated in the course and received training to lead future sessions. After completion of the EPCC1, this group led the second cohort, EPCC 2, which was composed of 26 healthcare providers from around Rwanda. Each group completed a 50 question assessment before and after the course. Results Emergency pediatrics care course 1 mean scores were 58% vs 98% (pre vs post), EPCC 2 mean scores were 49% vs 98% (pre vs post), using matched-pair analysis of 22 and 32 participants, respectively. When comparing unequal variances across the groups with a 2-tailed paired t test, EPCC 1 and EPCC 2 had a statistically significant mean change in pretest and posttest assessment test scores of 40% compared with 46%, P < 0.0001, with 95% confidence interval. A 1-way analysis of variance mean square analysis for the change in scores showed that regardless of the baseline level of training for each participant, all trainees reached similar postassessment scores (F(1) = 1.45, P = 0.2357). Conclusions This study demonstrates effective implementation of a context-appropriate prehospital pediatric training program in Kigali, Rwanda. This program may be effective to support capacity development for prehospital care in Rwanda using a qualified local source of instructors.
SHORT-TERM, WEATHER-RELATED SKID RESISTANCE VARIATIONS

A three-year research program was initiated in 1978 at the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute by the U.S. Department of Transportation to investigate possible causes for seasonal and short-term skid resistance variations. The primary objective is to determine the parameters that can be used to predict the influence of seasonal and short-term effects. Results concerning short-term, weather-related skid resistance variations are presented and discussed. Twenty-one test surfaces in State College, Pennsylvania, were selected for testing. The testing program includes daily skid measurements according to ASTM test method E274 and the collection of daily weather data. After the data are adjusted for long-term variations, the short-term residuals are regressed against rainfall and temperature parameters. The number of days since the last significant rainfall and the test pavement temperature are both found to be significant causes of short-term skid resistance variations. Further unexplained variations are attributable to measurement errors, particularly the lateral placement of the skid test trailer. The Pennsylvania results are supported by data collected in a similar study of 10 sites located in North Carolina and Tennessee (Federal Highway Administration Region 15). (Authors)
Ion Channel Drugs Suppress Cancer Phenotype in NG108-15 and U87 Cells: Toward Novel Electroceuticals for Glioblastoma

Simple Summary Glioblastoma is a rapidly progressing brain cancer that is very difficult to treat. Given that many aspects of cell and tissue behavior are controlled by electric signaling, we sought to test whether drugs that target ion channel proteins might be effective at controlling the spread and functionality of glioblastoma cells in culture. Testing aspects of cell growth and physiology, we show that several novel combinations of ion channel drugs, which are already approved in human patients for other purposes, are highly effective against two types of glioblastoma cells. This facilitates the development of new strategies to address cancer by repurposing the large class of ion channel drugs against cancer. Abstract Glioblastoma is a lethal brain cancer that commonly recurs after tumor resection and chemotherapy treatment. Depolarized resting membrane potentials and an acidic intertumoral extracellular pH have been associated with a proliferative state and drug resistance, suggesting that forced hyperpolarization and disruption of proton pumps in the plasma membrane could be a successful strategy for targeting glioblastoma overgrowth. We screened 47 compounds and compound combinations, most of which were ion-modulating, at different concentrations in the NG108-15 rodent neuroblastoma/glioma cell line. A subset of these were tested in the U87 human glioblastoma cell line. A FUCCI cell cycle reporter was stably integrated into both cell lines to monitor proliferation and cell cycle response. Immunocytochemistry, electrophysiology, and a panel of physiological dyes reporting voltage, calcium, and pH were used to characterize responses. The most effective treatments on proliferation in U87 cells were combinations of NS1643 and pantoprazole; retigabine and pantoprazole; and pantoprazole or NS1643 with temozolomide. Marker analysis and physiological dye signatures suggest that exposure to bioelectric drugs significantly reduces proliferation, makes the cells senescent, and promotes differentiation. These results, along with the observed low toxicity in human neurons, show the high efficacy of electroceuticals utilizing combinations of repurposed FDA approved drugs.
Production Methods for High Yielding Plants of Everbearing Strawberry in the Nordic Climate

Environmental conditions during plant raising determine the yield potential of everbearing strawberries. We studied the effect of three rooting dates in the cultivars ‘Favori’ and ‘Murano’ in a greenhouse with 18 ℃ and 20-h long day and under outdoor conditions in Norway. The highest yield of 1.350 g/plant was obtained in ‘Favori’ plants rooted on 1 August and raised outdoors, being at level with ‘Favori’ plants produced in The Netherlands. High yields were mainly related to fruit size and less to fruit number, and determined by a complex three-factor interaction of rooting date, raising environment, and cultivar. The seasonal pattern of fruit flushes and off periods varied significantly between cultivars and treatments. The large first flush of high yielding ‘Favori’ plants was associated with a long off period, while the small first flush in ‘Murano’ resulted in a more even crop distribution. Earliness of ripening and berry harvest was superior in ‘Favori’, which had a larger share of its crop during the first half-season. We conclude that it is possible by choosing the right rooting date and raising environment to produce plants with the same high quality and yield potential under the cool Nordic conditions as those currently produced in Central Europe.
Downregulation of Ca2+-Activated Cl− Channel TMEM16A Mediated by Angiotensin II in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertensive Mice

Portal hypertension is defined as an increased pressure in the portal venous system and occurs as a major complication in chronic liver diseases. The pathological mechanism underlying the pathogenesis and development of portal hypertension has been extensively investigated. Vascular tone of portal vein smooth muscles (PVSMs) is regulated by the activities of several ion channels, including Ca2+-activated Cl− (ClCa) channels. TMEM16A is mainly responsible for ClCa channel conductance in vascular smooth muscle cells, including portal vein smooth muscle cells (PVSMCs). In the present study, the functional roles of TMEM16A channels were examined using two experimental portal hypertensive models, bile duct ligation (BDL) mice with cirrhotic portal hypertension and partial portal vein ligation (PPVL) mice with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Expression analyses revealed that the expression of TMEM16A was downregulated in BDL-PVSMs, but not in PPVL-PVSMs. Whole-cell ClCa currents were smaller in BDL-PVSMCs than in sham- and PPVL-PVSMCs. The amplitude of spontaneous contractions was smaller and the frequency was higher in BDL-PVSMs than in sham- and PPVL-PVSMs. Spontaneous contractions sensitive to a specific inhibitor of TMEM16A channels, T16Ainh-A01, were reduced in BDL-PVSMs. Furthermore, in normal PVSMs, the downregulation of TMEM16A expression was mimicked by the exposure to angiotensin II, but not to bilirubin. This study suggests that the activity of ClCa channels is attenuated by the downregulation of TMEM16A expression in PVSMCs associated with cirrhotic portal hypertension, which is partly mediated by increased angiotensin II in cirrhosis.
Information Technology Project Management

TheThird Edition of Jack Marchewkas Information Technology Project Management focuses on how to create Measurable Organizational Value (MOV) through IT projects. The author uses the concept of MOV, combined with his own research, to create a solid foundation for making decisions throughout the projects lifecycle. The books integration of project management and IT concepts provides students with the tools and techniques they need to develop in this field.
COVID-19 and relationship quality: Emotional, paid work and organizational spheres

This study contributes to the growing literature on the repercussions of the COVID- 19 pandemic for family functioning, with a special focus on couples’ relationship quality. We advance an analytical model that emphasizes the role of three main stressors of relationship quality during the pandemic: namely, emotional, paid work-related and organizational stressors. To outline such an approach, we analyze whether the onset of the pandemic – and the home confinement that followed – has reduced relationship quality in France, Italy and Spain using survey data collected in April 2020.We show that relationship quality decreased for a non-negligible part of the population, and that this result was driven mostly by the emotional stressor. These negative effects on relationship quality appeared to be relatively stable across genders, different levels of network support and countries; which suggests that the severity of the lockdown measures outweighed the traditional moderating factors usually accounted for in family research.
Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia A Clinico - Epidimiological Study

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in children, representing nearly 1/3 of all pediatric cancers. Annual incidence of ALL is about 30 cases per million people, with a peak incidence in patients aged 2-5 years. Although a small percentage of cases are associated with inherited genetic syndromes, the cause of ALL remains largely unknown. Many environmental factors (e.g., exposure to ionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields, parental use of alcohol and tobacco) investigated as potential risk factors, but none definitively shown to cause lymphoblastic leukemia. Improvements in diagnosis and treatment have produced cure rates that now exceed 70%. Aim of the study: Determine the prevalence of childhood Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), clinical presentation, mode of treatment, response to treatment and outcome.Patient and method: A Retrospective study was performed in the Pediatric ward in Al- Kadhiymia Teaching Hospital, medical records of children aged 4month-15years, who were diagnosed as ALL between 1st /January/2000 till 1st /Jul/2007 were studied, 32 cases was collected, history and physical finding were taken from the medical records as well as investigations including CBP ,bone marrow aspiration, LFT, RFT, uric acid, cerebrospinal fluid exam. , chest X-ray.Chemotherapy was given according to the MRC-97 modified 99 groups B protocol . Results: The majority of the patients were from Baghdad 21 cases (65.63%). Peak incidence was in 2001, 7 cases (21.87%). The majority of the patients were between 1- 5 years 13 cases, (40.63%). Males had affected more than females, male to female ratio equal to 1.13:1 Concerning the clinical presentation, pallor 24 cases (75%) was the main symptom, while hepatosplenomegaly 30 cases (93.75%) and lymphadenopathy 31 cases (96.88%) were the main signs. According to FAB classification, the majority of the cases were histological type L2, 13 cases (40.63%) . The Remission rate was 28 cases (87.5%). Follow - up for 5 years showed that disease free >5 years is encountered in 23 cases (71.87 %).