Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum sRAGE levels in children with atopic dermatitis: a prospective study

Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is chronic inflammatory skin disorder. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) plays a role in inflammatory reactions. The soluble form of RAGE (sRAGE) acts as a decoy to inhibit interactions of RAGE. Aim To determine serum sRAGE levels in children with AD. Material and methods AD diagnosis was made according to Hanifin and Rajka criteria. Disease severity was scored by the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Skin prick testing (SPT), total immunoglobulin E (Ig E) and eosinophil counts were analysed. The sRAGE levels were determined using ELISA technique. Results The children, aged 0.4 to 2.0 years with AD (n = 65) were investigated in two groups according to the presence (AD+/Atopy+ [n = 40]) or absence (AD+/Atopy− [n = 25]) of SPT positivity. The comparisons were made with a healthy control group matched for age and sex. The medians (interquartile range) of sRAGE levels in patient and control groups were 8.43 (1.04–18.37) and 14.09 (6.35–28.64), respectively (p < 0.001). The medians (interquartile range) of sRAGE levels in AD+/Atopy+, AD+/Atopy− and control groups were 8.5 (3.1–17.27), 7.75 (1.04–18.37) and 14.09 (6.35–28.64), respectively (p = 0.004). Correlation analysis failed to reach significance with the disease severity sRAGE levels, total IgE levels and eosinophil counts. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the association of sRAGE levels with AD and disease severity in childhood. Serum sRAGE levels are decreased in AD but not correlated with disease severity. sRAGE levels may be important in the AD disease process.
Promoting Sustainable Consumption: Determinants of Green Purchases by Swiss

Given that overconsumption in industrial countries is a main cause of environmental degradation, a shift toward more sustainable consumption patterns is required. This study attempts to uncover personal and contextual barriers to consumers’ purchases of green food and to strengthen knowledge about fostering green purchases. Survey data are used to examine the influence of distinct categories of personal factors (such as attitudes, personal norms, perceived behavior barriers, knowledge) and contextual factors (such as socioeconomic characteristics, living conditions, and store characteristics) on green purchases of Swiss consumers. Results from regression analysis suggest that green food purchases are facilitated by positive attitudes of consumers toward (a) environmental protection, (b) fair trade, (c) local products, and (d) availability of action-related knowledge. In turn, green behavior is negatively associated with (e) perceived time barriers and (f) frequency of shopping in supermarkets. Surprisingly, green purchases are not significantly related to moral thinking, monetary barriers, or the socioeconomic characteristics of the consumers. Implications for policy makers and for companies and marketers engaged in the promotion and commercialization of green products are discussed. 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Promoting Sustainable Consumption: The Roles of Consumers’ Domain-Specific Environmental Knowledge and Personality Traits

Environmental sustainability, a pivotal facet of sustainable development, is explicitly emphasized and advocated. The textile and apparel (T&A) industry, which is resource-intensive, faces challenges in transitioning toward an ecologically friendly market. The shift toward sustainability is causing significant changes in consumer lifestyles and cultural practices, resulting in increased uncertainty in pro-environmental behaviors. This study adapts the environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) model to investigate how consumers’ subjective and objective domain-specific environmental knowledge (SUEK and OBEK) and personality traits—including personal environmental responsibility (PER), eco-centric and anthropocentric environmental beliefs (EEBs and AEBs), and internal and external environmental loci of control (IN-ELOC and EX-ELOC)—influence sustainable consumption intention (SCI) for T&A products. The data from 212 completed online survey questionnaires were analyzed using a two-stage partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The findings reveal that participants’ SUEK related to the T&A industry, and their PER and EEBs positively influence their SCI for T&A products. This research contributes to the literature on consumer SCI in the T&A industry and adds value to the existing ERB model, providing insights for brands, retailers, educators, policymakers, and stakeholders striving for a more sustainable industry.
MARTIAN CO 2 CYCLE FROM TIME VARIABLE GRAVITY AND LENGTH-OF-DAY (LOD) OBSERVATIONS

Introduction: The CO2 seasonal mass exchange between the southern and northern caps results in changes in both time variable gravity field and rotation of Mars. These variations have been measured from the spacecraft tracking, using the data principally from Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and Mars Odyssey missions (Yoder et al. 2003, Smith et al. 2001,2009, Balmino et al. 2005, Konopliv et al. 2006, 2010, Marty et al., 2009). The time variations of the zonal gravity coefficients and rotation provide an important constraint for the total mass involved in the exchange of mass from one pole to the opposite. In addition, it allows monitoring the global CO2 cycle; whether the process is highly regular or contains evidence of irregular climate changes. Additional constraints on the Martian icecap seasonal histories are provided by the High Energy Neutron Detection (HEND, Litvak et al., 2004, 2006), and the Neutron Spectrometer (NS, Prettyman et al., 2004, 2009) instruments aboard the Odyssey spacecraft. Time Variable Gravity: We investigated seasonal and inter-annual changes in seasonal gravity and LOD. The solutions are compared with the GCM AMES (Haberle et al., 008) and Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD,) Forget et al., 1999) models and Odyssey HEND and NS data sets (see Konopliv et al. 2010). The observed MGS and Odyssey J3 seasonal gravity solutions represent the sum of odd zonal coefficients and have the largest seasonal signature observed in Mars gravity field. The MGS J3 history versus as a function of time (mean anomaly, M or solar longitude Ls) is presented in Figure 1. Since the observed J3 seasonal gravity, the sum of odd zonal history through degree 25 of two GCM models (AMES and LMD) and HEND model are graphed (Karatekin et al., 2005). Although we can detect seasonal J2 changes from spacecraft, their accuracy is limited. The measures gravity periodic signature of J3 is studied for different periods or cycles that represent aphelion-to-aphelion Martian years (! -180° < M < 180°). For example the cycle 3 covers the time between September 21, 2002 and August 3, 2004. In Figure 2 we compare the periodic fit of cycles 3 and 4 and examine if the changes seen in NS data agree with MGS tracking results. Differencing should cancel any common modeling errors. Both NS and MGS have similar signature for the first part of the comparison. Although the presence of interannual variations is not conclusive, we cannot discount that the NS yearly change could be real. The difference can be due to a phase shift in the timing of the accretion and melting of the CO2 ice caps that could reflect a change in overall temperature or dust content. Dust storms might contribute to such a process.
The macroeconomics of establishing a basic income grant in South Africa

This paper quantifies the effect of fiscal transfers on the trade‐off between social relief and debt accumulation and discusses the economic growth and fiscal implications of different combinations of expanded social support and funding choices. Given South Africa's already high level of public debt, the opportunity to fund a basic income grant through higher debt is limited. Using a general equilibrium model, the paper shows that extending the social relief of distress grant could be fiscally feasible provided taxes rise to fund such a programme. Implementing such a policy would, however, have a contractionary impact on the economy. A larger basic income grant (even at the level of the food poverty line) would threaten fiscal sustainability as it would require large tax increases that would crowd‐out consumption and investment. The model results show that sustainably expanding social transfers requires structurally higher growth, which necessitates growth‐enhancing reforms that crowd‐in the private sector through, for example, relieving the energy constraint, increasing government infrastructure investment and expanding employment programmes.
Schistosomiasis Occurrence and Risk Factors Influencing Transmission in Different Surface Irrigation Schemes in Morogoro and Kilimanjaro Regions, Tanzania

Aims: To assess schistosomiasis occurence and identify risk factors influencing its transmission in different surface irrigation schemes in Morogoro and Kilimanjaro Regions of Tanzania. Study Design: Cross-sectional research design was used and Schistosomiasis recorded cases for ten years (January 2002 to December 2011) were collected from health facilities located nearby the irrigation schemes. Place and Duration of Study: Mkindo, Chabi and Mwega (Morogoro Region) and Kikafu Chini, Lower Moshi and Njoro (Kilimanjaro Region) between October and December, 2011. Methodology: Out of 378 respondents selected; 240 in the questionnaire survey, 96 in the Focus Group Discussions and 42 in the Key informant interviews. In each scheme 40 farmers practicing irrigation rice farming were interviewed. Binary logistic regression was used to test association Original Research Article Salehe; IJTDH, 22(1): 1-15, 2017; Article no.IJTDH. 30784 2 between schistosomiasis infection and a number of predictors such as: age, sex, education, wearing gumboots during irrigation activities, washing clothes and household utensils and cleaning farming tools in canals. Data on activities involving water contacts, water management practices and people’s behaviour were collected through questionnaires and observations. Moreover, tables and figure were used to describe the data. Results: There was no significant statistical association between predictors and disease occurrence in both Regions (P>0.05). The findings further show that lack of toilets in the schemes and excessive vegetation growth in irrigation and drainage canals have lead to prominence of schistosomiasis infection. Education in both Morogoro and Kilimanjaro schemes highly contribute to occurrence of the disease (Walds 2.057 and 1.164 respectively). Conclusion: Although the level of schistosomiasis occurance is slightly reducing in the study areas the government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare should have a plan of schistosomiasis control to communities engaged in irrigation farming and those who live close to irrigation schemes. This should be done through providing praziquantel tablets to communities at least once in a year.
Isolation and Molecular Screening of Fungus as Agents in Cellulolytic Transformation Materials from Symbiotic Lichen

The abundance of lignocellulosic waste makes it a potential source for advanced biomaterials through various transformation processes. Lignocellulosic biomass transformation to advanced biomaterials involves enzymes from extracellular metabolites of microorganisms capable of hydrolyzing lignocellulose. This research was to molecularly screen fungi found in symbiotes of lichen endemic to trees growing in North Minahasa (North Sulawesi) with lignocellulolytic transformation enzymes. Molecular screening was conducted from identified fungi isolates based on partial genetical analysis on the locus of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of the fungi’s ribosomal DNA. Fungi isolates screening identified Trichoderma koningiopsis (isolate HZA8 and isolate HZA6), Penicillium sumatraense (strain CBS 127365 and strain CBS 130380), Trichoderma hamatum (isolate PAN12-45 and isolate PAN12-05), Aspergillus aculeatus (strain A1.9 18S), Aspergillus aculeatus (isolate XSD-74), Trichoderma reesei (strain S2606 and isolate 5A14). Molecular identification and BLAST homology of potentially lignocellulolytic fungi isolates rDNA indicated that isolate KB2 had close relationship with Trichoderma reesei at 100% degree of closeness and an index of cellulolytic activity of 1.19. While isolate KB3 appeared closely related to Aspergillus aculeatus at 99.83% degree of closeness and an index of cellulolytic activity of 1.57. Therefore, the potential of developing bioprocess industries in general and in particular is most probable.
Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern Of Commonly Used Antibiotics Among Adult Enteric Fever Patients

Background: Enteric fever which is a very common bacterial infection in the Bangladeshi population is most commonly acquired by ingestion of water and food contaminated with feces or urine of carriers. Drug resistance in typhoid fever is considered one of the important factors in the morbidity and mortality of the disease. The emergence of strains of Salmonella Typhi resistant to multiple antibiotics poses a serious problem. The increasing frequency of antibiotic resistance has been reported from all parts of the world, but more so from developing countries. Thus this study aim to assess the antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of commonly used antibiotics among adult enteric fever patients. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in the Department of Medicine of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2015 to December 2015. In total 150 individuals were included in this study as the study subjects who were divided into two groups. In Group A, a total of 50 confirmed enteric fever cases and in Group B, a total of 100 non-enteric febrile adult patients were included. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used in sample collection. All data were processed, analyzed and disseminated by using the MS Office program. For this analysis to fulfill the objective of this study, mainly data from 50 confirmed enteric fever cases were considered. Results: In this study, among the total of our 50 enteric fever cases with isolated salmonellae organisms including S. typhi and S. Paratyphi, during the treatment procedure, as the antibiotics cefepime, cefixime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, meropenem and ofloxacin showed 100% sensitivities. Besides ceftriaxone, cotrimoxazole, chloramphenicol and azithromycin showed 98%, 68%, 66% and 54% sensitivities respectively (>50%). On the other hand, more than 50% of resistant cases were found in treatment by nalidixic acid (76%), ampicillin (98%) and amoxicillin (98%). Conclusion: Till today, considering the lower treatment cost and better patient compliance ciprofloxacin may be considered as the drug of choice in treating adult enteric fever patients. Besides cefepime, cefixime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, meropenem or ofloxacin can be used in such cases confidently. JOPSOM 2021; 41(2):43-49
Internal structure of Cambrian Conodonts

Based on material of the Upper Cambrian of Sweden the internal structure of proto-, para- and euconodonts has been investigated. The protoconodontids Gapparodus and Gumella show some special development of the median unit of the skeletal tissue. In Gapparodus, long, parallel-running lamellae suggest a continuous growth, even of previously secreted lamellae, until their eventual outcropping. In Gumella the fibrous median layer decreases considerably during growth until its complete reduction, which coincides with the disappearance of the posterior wall. Paraconodonts also produced several specialities in their mode of growth. Elements with lateral processes such as Proacodus and Serratocambria developed by allometric growth. The lamellae are much more widely spaced in the process than in the main cusp to attain the required length of the former. In Serratocambria additional lamellae are inserted in the process. Thin sections of tricuspidate westergaardodinids reveal paraconodontid growth with lamellar remains in the tip of the median denticle, which are isolated from the growth lines in the lateral denticles. Based on this observation a hypothetical growth model explains the lamellar development as a result of stress and strain. The Ordovician euconodontid Chosonodina clearly shows white matter and is thus unrelated, but homeomorphic to Westergaardodina. Cambropustula from the lower Upper Cambrian is the oldest euconodont yet but it lacks white matter. The latter was an evolutionary novelty, which progressively developed in the euconodont line. The systematic position of conodonts is briefly discussed; the studied material cannot contribute to the hypothesis of neural crest derived skeletal tissue.
Spirulina Flour-based Feed Additive Improves the Physical and Chemical Eggs Quality of Tegal-Laying Duck

Spirulina is a species of blue green algae that contains many phenolic compounds, phytonutrients and pigments which have potential as a feed additives to improve the physical and chemical quality of eggs. The present study evaluated the effect of spirulina flour-based feed additive supplementation during the late growth to the early egg-laying period on Tegal-laying ducks' physical and chemical egg quality. A total of 25 ducks were randomly divided into 5 treatments; the control group treated with standard feed (P0), P1, P2, P3, and P4 were treated with standard feed supplemented by spirulina flour-based feed additive at concentrations of 0.3%, 0.6%,1.2%, and 2.4%, respectively for four weeks. Physical quality indicators included the Haugh unit, yolk index, weight measurements, eggshell thickness, and shape index. Chemical quality indicators assessed albumen protein content, egg yolk cholesterol, and b-carotene levels. This research revealed that spirulina flour, added at concentrations between 0.30% and 2.40%, significantly enhanced the egg quality of Tegal-laying ducks compared to the control group. This study concludes that spirulina flour can be used as a feed additive to improve the physical and chemical quality of Tegal-laying ducks’ egg. The novelty of this research is spirulina flour has the potential to be used as a feed additive to increases the albumen protein levels, increases b-carotene, and reduces egg yolk cholesterol in eggs of Tegal-laying ducks. Spirulina flour can be a potential source of feed additive for various other local ducks in Indonesia.
Evaluation of the relative weed competitiveness of upland rice varieties in Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, weed management in upland rice production is a major constrain and yields are seriously reduced. Studies were conducted during the wet cropping season of 2007 and 2008 at Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre (RARC) in the upland ecology to assess the competitiveness of different rice varieties and to identify plant parameters responsible for their competitiveness. The results indicated that rice varieties differed in their competitiveness against weeds. Average yield losses ranged from 23 to 63% in 2007 and from 22 to 66% in 2008. Leaf area index (LAI) and tiller number with the exception of plant height correlated positively with competitiveness. The varieties NERICA 1, NERICA 6 and WAB 515-B-16A2.6 were found to be competitive and productive, whilst Buttercup (the local variety) though competitive but not productive. ROK 3 was the worse competitor but yielded similarly as NERICA 6 under weed-free conditions. The varieties NERICA 1, NERICA 6 and WAB 515-B-16A2.6 have potential in breeding programmes to increase their competitiveness without significantly compromising yields since they are both high yielding and competitive. Key words: Varieties, competitiveness, LAI, tillers, yield, plant height, weed-free.
Isolated but not combined ergogenic effects of caffeine and L-arginine during an isokinetic knee extension

Introduction The use of single supplements as ergogenic aids to enhance performance in strength-oriented sports is widespread among athletes (74%). The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about the combined effects of caffeine and L-arginine dietary supplements on performance. Methods In this double-blind, randomized and counterbalanced crossover study, 29 participants (age: 23.2 ± 3.6 yr.; height: 181.0 ± 7.6 cm; weight: 77.0 ± 8.8 kg) each underwent six trials. In each trial performance tests were conducted to examine the effects of the supplement combinations on maximum (NmMax) and averaged torque (NmM), maximum (JMax) and averaged work (JM), the blockwise mean values of torque and work, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during an isokinetic leg extension task (90°·s−1) with the right leg for two sets of 40 repetitions and a set rest of 3 min on a dynamometer. The first and second trials were used to familiarize the participants with the movements in the dynamometer and no supplements were taken. After this 2-week pre-test trial, the supplement combinations of placebo/placebo, caffeine/placebo (5 mg·kg−1), L-arginine/placebo (0.15 g·kg−1), and caffeine/L-arginine (5 mg·kg−1 + 0.15 g·kg−1) were ingested. Results The main finding of this study is the absence of an ergogenic effect of the combined supplements caffeine and L-arginine during voluntary maximal isokinetic leg extensions, although an increase of 3.5% was noted for Nmmax compared to the placebo trial. However, the administration of caffeine was able to increase the NmMax of the quadriceps femoris muscle about 5.1% (p = 0.043). In addition, caffeine (4.2%, p = 0.026) and also L-arginine (4.2%, p = 0.040) significantly increased NmM over a complete set. No single or combined supplement had an effect on muscle fatigue looking at the blockwise mean values of torque and work or RPE (all p > 0.05). Conclusion The combination of caffeine and L-arginine was not superior to the isolated intake of both supplements in a strength-based exercise and a synergistic effect was absent.
Chronic blue light-emitting diode exposure harvests gut dysbiosis related to cholesterol dysregulation

Night shift workers have been associated with circadian dysregulation and metabolic disorders, which are tightly coevolved with gut microbiota. The chronic impacts of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting at night on gut microbiota and serum lipids were investigated. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to blue or white LED lighting at Zeitgeber time 13.5-14 (ZT; ZT0 is the onset of “lights on” and ZT12 is the “lights off” onset under 12-hour light, 12-hour dark schedule). After 33 weeks, only the high irradiance (7.2 J/cm2) of blue LED light reduced the alpha diversity of gut microbiota. The high irradiance of white LED light and the low irradiance (3.6 J/cm2) of both lights did not change microbial alpha diversity. However, the low irradiance, but not the high one, of both blue and white LED illuminations significantly increased serum total cholesterol (TCHO), but not triglyceride (TG). There was no significant difference of microbial abundance between two lights. The ratio of beneficial to harmful bacteria decreased at a low irradiance but increased at a high irradiance of blue light. Notably, this ratio was negatively correlated with serum TCHO but positively correlated with bile acid biosynthesis pathway. Therefore, chronic blue LED lighting at a high irradiance may harvest gut dysbiosis in association with decreased alpha diversity and the ratio of beneficial to harmful bacteria to specifically dysregulates TCHO metabolism in mice. Night shift workers are recommended to be avoid of blue LED lighting for a long and lasting time.