Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TREATMENT OF PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY WASTEWATERS IN NOVEL MOVING BED BIOFILM REACTORS

A new moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) has been developed, where the biomass is attached to small plastic elements that move freely along with the water in the reactors. Pilot-tests with these new biofilm reactors, have been performed at four different pulp and paper mills. The wastewaters tested were paper mill effluent, bleachery effluent, NSSC effluent and a mixture of CTMP and ground wood effluents. Good results were obtained with all the different wastewaters. These results are presented and discussed, together with full-scale design data for the MBBR treatment plants constructed at two of the mills.
Ad Hoc Vehicular Fog Enabling Cooperative Low-Latency Intrusion Detection

Internet of Vehicles and vehicular networks have been compelling targets for malicious security attacks where several intrusion detection solutions have been proposed for protecting them. Nonetheless, their main problem lies in their heavy computation, which makes them unsuitable for next-generation artificial intelligence-powered self-driving vehicles whose computational power needs to be primarily reserved for real-time driving decisions. To address this challenge, several approaches have been lately presented to take advantage of the cloud computing for offloading intrusion detection tasks to central cloud servers, thus reducing storage and processing costs on vehicles. However, centralized cloud computing entails high latency on intrusion detection related data transmission and plays against its adoption in delay-critical intelligent applications. In this context, this article proposes a vehicular-edge computing (VEC) fog-enabled scheme allowing offloading intrusion detection tasks to federated vehicle nodes located within nearby formed ad hoc vehicular fog to be cooperatively executed with minimal latency. The problem has been formulated as a multiobjective optimization model and solved using a genetic algorithm maximizing offloading survivability in the presence of high mobility and minimizing computation execution time and energy consumption. Experiments performed on resource-constrained devices within actual ad hoc fog environment illustrate that our solution significantly reduces the execution time of the detection process while maximizing the offloading survivability under different real-life scenarios.
An EDS1-SAG101 complex functions in TNL-mediated immunity in Solanaceae

EDS1 (Enhanced disease susceptibility 1) forms mutually exclusive heterodimers with its interaction partners PAD4 (Phytoalexin-deficient 4) and SAG101 (Sensecence-associated gene 101). Collectively, these complexes are required for resistance responses mediated by nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat-type immune receptors (NLRs) possessing an N-terminal Toll-interleukin-1 receptor-like domain (TNLs). Here, immune functions of EDS1 complexes were comparatively analyzed in a mixed species approach relying on Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb), Solanum lycopersicum (Sl) and Arabidopsis thaliana (At). Genomes of most Solanaceae plants including Nb and Sl encode for two SAG101 isoforms, which engage into distinct complexes with EDS1. By a combination of genome editing and transient complementation, we show that one of these EDS1-SAG101 complexes, and not an EDS1-PAD4 complex as previously described in At, is necessary and sufficient for all tested TNL-mediated immune responses in Nb. Intriguingly, not this EDS1-SAG101 module, but mainly Solanaceae EDS1-PAD4 execute immune functions when transferred to At, and TNL functions are not restored in Nb mutant lines by expression of At EDS1 complexes. We conclude that EDS1 complexes do not represent a complete functional module, but co-evolve with additional factors, most likely protein interaction partners, for their function in TNL signaling networks of individual species. In agreement, we identify a large surface on SlEDS1 complexes required for immune activities, which may function in partner recruitment. We highlight important differences in TNL signaling networks between At and Nb, and genetic resources in the Nb system will be instrumental for future elucidation of EDS1 molecular functions.
Effects of Bureaucratic Behavior, Organizational Culture and Leadership on Public Services in the Local Government of Gorontalo

Public services operated by the government agencies in Gorontalo were not in accordance with procedures. People almost were not informed about public services they could obtained. They were also reluctant to complain about the poor services. In fact, public services by government agencies had been regulated in Law of 2007 on The Second Amendment to Regulations Number 3 of 2005 on Duties and Authorities of Regents and Deputy Regents as well as Regional Government Officials in Performing Technical Tasks. The objective of this research was to find effects of bureaucratic behavior, organizational culture, and leadership on public services in the local government of Gorontalo. This research used survey method. Data were collected using several instruments i.e. observation, interview, documentation, questionnaire, and literature review. Validity test was conducted using the value of Standardize Loading Factor (SLF); while reliability test was using the value of Cronbach Alpha (CA). The research findings showed that bureaucratic behavior, organizational culture and leadership simultaneously provided positive effects for public services in the government agencies of Gorontalo. Keywords— bureaucratic behavior, organizational culture, leadership, public services.
The effects of vibration on efficiency in off-road cyclists

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate whether vibration significantly affected the efficiency of off-road cyclists. Patients and methods Eight male mountain cyclists (mean age 21.1±1 years; range, 19 to 22 years) between August 2017 and November 2017 were included. The experimental protocol included four testing sessions with a one-day interval between testing sessions: a familiarization session; performance of submaximal tests; performance of maximal graded exercise test; and a 30-min mountain bike trial performed with vibration or without vibration. Physiological measures including volume of oxygen uptake (VO2), volume of 2), VO2, VCO2, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, rating of perceived exertion, and gross efficiency (GE) were compared between the trials performed with vibration or without vibration. Results There was a significant increase in the GE with the addition of intermittent vibration, particularly over the last 15 min of the cycling trial (p<0.05). There were no significant effects of vibration on other parameters. Conclusion This study demonstrates that addition of intermittent vibration may provide positive benefits in improving GE during a 30-min submaximal cycling trial.
Fiscal-Monetary Policy Interactions and Macroeconomic Performance in a Small Open Economy: A GMM Approach

The study investigates the nature and the effect of fiscal and monetary policy interactions on major macroeconomic variables in a small open economy of Nigeria between 1981 and 2018. The paper employs the generalized method of moment as technique of analysis due to its potential to address the endogeneity issues among the explanatory variables. Findings from the study reveals that interest rate and government expenditure have significant effect on output and inflation. Also, the study finds that fiscal and monetary policy interact as strategic substitutes in Nigeria. This implies that when one policy authority pursues a contractionary measure, the other policymaker counteracts the action using an expansionary policy. It is also revealed that the effect of fiscal and monetary policy interactions on output and inflation is negative and significant. This implies that the two policies perform better when combined in achieving price stability and sustained output growth in the country. Based on the findings, there is a need for macroeconomic policy coordination in Nigeria to optimise the macroeconomic objectives of the country. The study investigated the nature and the effect of fiscal and monetary policy interactions on output and inflation in a small open economy of Nigeria on quarterly data between 1981 and 2018.
Effect of Some Antibiotics and Trigonella foenum L. Plant Extract on Bacteria Isolated From Pregnant Women

A total (126) sample included (76) samples administered from pregnant women and 50 samples from nonpregnant women whose ages range from (15-45) years ,results showed the samples that gave bacterial growth were (68) samples, at a rate of 54%, while they did not give (58) samples and by 46%, Positive isolates were diagnosed from pregnant women and are stap. epidermidis, stap. aureus, stap. Saprophytic As for non-pregnant women, only isolation Stap. epidermdis . The difference in the age groups response to bacterial vaginosis, where the highest percentage was within the age limits 25-35 years, with a rate of 47%, also results showed that E. coli isolates showed resistance to all antibiotics except for CIP ,and a clear difference between bacterial isolates in their resistance and sensitivity to the aqueous and alcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum and Origanum marjorana plants, as sensitivity differed with the different concentrations used from the extracts, as the highest values of the diameter of the accretions at the concentration were 100% for both plants.
Rethinking internal quality control and external quality assessment for laboratory diagnostics of von Willebrand disease

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is recognised as the most common congenital bleeding disorder, and an acquired form named von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) may arise in a variety of disease states. Thus, laboratory testing for VWD and AVWS represents a key diagnostic activity of hematology facilities performing advanced hemostasis diagnostics. VWD and AVWS arise due to deficiency and/or defect(s) in the adhesive plasma protein called von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWF represents a key element of primary hemostasis, and also contributes to secondary hemostasis. Thus, deficiency and/or defects in VWF, either congenital or acquired, leads to a bleeding diathesis in affected individuals. A wide variety of laboratory tests may be performed to investigate, diagnose or exclude VWD/AVWS, including screening assays, more complex functional assays, and also molecular analysis. Thus, VWD testing now incorporates a variety of processes, and potential methodologies. Internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assessment (EQA) is critical to ensure the quality of laboratory testing, but is made difficult in VWD diagnostics by the nature and variety of the tests available, and the heterogeneity of VWD/AVWS. The current review looks at laboratory testing for VWD/AVWS from the perspective of IQC and EQA, and considers some novel approaches to ensure the accuracy and quality of this activity in the future diagnostics landscape.
On Relation between No-Arbitrage Pricing Principle and Modigliani-Miller Propositions

Article history: Received 05 April 2020 Revised 03 June 2020 and 03 August 2020 Accepted 11 August 2020 Published 20 August 2020 An extension of Merton’s (1974) model (EMM) taking account of the firm’s payments and generating a new statistical distribution for the firm value is suggested. In an open log-value space, this distribution evolves from the initially normal to negatively skewed one. When payments are zero or proportional to the firm value, EMM turns into the Geometric Brownian model (GBM). We show that Modigliani-Miller Propositions (MMPs) and the no-arbitraging principle (NAP) result from the use of GBM with no payments. For a firm with payments, MMPs hold for short times and are false for time intervals exceeding a year. In contradiction with MMPs, the asset structure affects the firm value at the perfect market, and at the market with taxes, debt decreases the firm value even when there are no bankruptcy costs. NAP always holds for the entire market for short time deals. For long-term investments, the firm’s mean year returns decline in time intervals whose length depends on the firm’s initial conditions and its business environment. In these conditions, NAP does not hold for the whole market, but it temporarily holds for individual stocks as far as the mean year returns of the firms issuing them remain constant and fails when the mean year returns begin to decline.
Comparison Between Torsional Spring Constants of Rectangular and V-Shaped AFM Cantilevers

The properties of force-sensing micro-cantilevers are of fundamental importance for measurements employing atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. Due to the well-known arguments of Sader, it is generally accepted that V-shaped cantilevers are more sensitive to lateral forces than rectangular ones. We present results of numerical (finite element modelling) and experimental comparison between torsional spring constants of rectangular and V-shaped commercial AFM cantilevers. As representative example of such beams, we considered AFM probes available commercially. In particular, we tested scaled-up models of V-shaped cantilevers which had the same geometrical shapes as commercial AFM cantilevers. Both the rectangular and the V-shaped larger scale models were made of the same material; they had the same length, thickness, normal spring constant, as well as the same location and shape of the tip base. In the experiments and the simulations, an external lateral load was applied to the free end of the tip. A good agreement between the experimental work and finite element method (FEM) simulations was observed. The results show that the torsional spring constant of the V-shape cantilevers considered here was greater than that of the equivalent rectangular beams by up to 45%. The discrepancy with the results from Sader should be caused by differences in both the load transfer scheme and the geometrical shapes of the V-shaped beams.
Comparative Pathway Integrator: A Framework of Meta-Analytic Integration of Multiple Transcriptomic Studies for Consensual and Differential Pathway Analysis

Motivation Pathway analysis provides a knowledge-driven approach to interpret differentially expressed genes associated with disease status. Many tools have been developed to analyze a single study. When multiple studies of different conditions are jointly analyzed, novel integrative tools are needed. In addition, pathway redundancy issue introduced by combining public pathway databases hinders knowledge discovery. Methods and Results We present a meta-analytic integration tool, Comparative Pathway Integrator (CPI), to address these issues using adaptively weighted Fisher’s method to discover consensual and differential enrichment patterns, consensus clustering to reduce pathway redundancy, and a novel text mining algorithm to assist interpretation of the pathway clusters. We applied CPI to jointly analyze six psychiatric disorder transcriptomic studies to demonstrate its effectiveness, and found functions confirmed by previous biological studies as well novel enrichment patterns. Availability CPI is accessible online: http://tsenglab.biostat. pitt.edu/software.htm. Contact xiangruz@andrew.cmu. edu
The Impact of Supplier Selection on the Relationship Marketing Performance of Independent Retailers in South Africa

The importance of supplier selection has been widely publicised and cannot be overemphasised. Businesses of all sizes are involved in supplier selection and evaluation from time to time since they have to purchase goods and services. Since independent retailers are in the business of buying and selling, selecting the right suppliers and selling the right goods and services are of great importance. Supplier selection is known to influence the performance of a business. Therefore, independent retailers must determine the supplier selection they use to evaluate suppliers so as to influence the performance of their businesses. A survey was conducted among 105 independent retailers in South Africa, using convenience sampling. The purpose of the study was to determine the supplier selection criteria that they use. The study further purported to determine the impact of supplier selection on the performance of independent retailers. The results indicate that total cost and quality as well as supplier innovation are the most important criteria for independent retailers during the selection of suppliers. Education and years of business operations were found to have influence on the supplier evaluation criteria used by independent retailers.
In vitro Multiplication and Genetic Fidelity Studies in Cleopatra Mandarin (Citrus reshni Tanaka)

The present investigation was undertaken for in vitro multiplication of Cleopatra mandarin using nodal segment explants. Nodal segments taken from 9 years old plant in the month of March - April were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with BAP 0.5 mg/l + Kin 0.5 mg/l for establishment. Various concentrations of auxins viz. IAA and NAA were used singly or in combination with cytokinins (Kinetin and BAP) for shoot multiplication. Maximum number of shootlets per sprouted bud (8.2 ± 0.22) and maximum length of shootlets (3.0 ± 0.12cm) were recorded when auxins were used in combination with cytokinins at a concentration of NAA 0.3 mg/l + BAP 1.0 mg/l. Full strength MS media fortified with 1mg/l IBA was used for rooting of multiplied shoots and was kept in potting media containing sand, soil and vermi compost in 1:1:1 ratio for hardening.In vitro raised plants were examined for genetic stability by using RAPD primers. Out of fifty primers screened, eleven primers produced amplification while thirty-nine primers did not show any amplification. All RAPD profile for in vitro raised plants were monomorphic and similar to their mother plant, which showed that all the plants raised through micropropagation were true to type.
Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Use of Dietary Supplement and Hormones among Male Gym Attendees in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Background: Nutritional supplements and hormones are used at a high rate throughout the world. Objectives: to evaluate the prevalence of use of dietary supplement and hormones among gym attendees, and to assess participants’ knowledge and attitude towards them. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 338 gym attendees in Taif city. A self-administered questionnaire was used. It included items on their sociodemographic characters, their exercise history, and their use of any nutritional supplements or hormones. Results: About 30% of the participants (29.6%) used nutritional supplements or hormones, and the most commonly used were protein powder (22.5%) and vitamins (13.6%). Among them, 11.2% agreed on hypertension, 28.7% agreed on liver disease, 35.5% agreed on weight gain, and 40.2% agreed on kidney disease as a side effect of supplements. For hormones, 21.3% agreed on hypertension, 22.2% agreed on diabetes mellitus, 39.1% agreed on weight gain, and 21.1% agreed on vision problems as a side effect of their use. Of the participants, 35.8% agreed that psychiatric problems are side effects, 25.4% agreed on testicular hypotrophy, and 37.9% agreed on breast enlargement. A non-significant relationship was found between the participants’ level of education and both their use of any nutritional supplements or hormones, and source of information, and the majority of those who were not using nutritional supplements or hormones (79.5%) were not using a special diet. Conclusion: All gyms attendees should consult a healthcare professional before the use of hormones or nutritional supplements, and gym coaches should be educated regarding hormones and nutritional supplements.
Spin splitting and collective effects in InAs/AlSb quantum well heterostructures

Les travaux de cette these, essentiellement theorique, concernent l'etude des phenomenes dependants du spin, a un electron et a n-corps, dans les puits quantiques (PQ) de semiconducteurs (SC) a faible gap InAs/AlSb. Les resultats obtenus permettent de prevoir de nouveaux effets physiques, ils sont compares aux resultats experimentaux existants. L'asymetrie du champ electrique aux interfaces InAs/AlSb est etudiee experimentalement et theoriquement, son effet sur le spectre d'energie des sous bandes electriques est mis en evidence. La possibilite de controler optiquement ce champ electrique, et par la le clivage de spin par effet Rashba sous champ magnetique nul, est demontree. La prise en compte des interactions e-e sur les niveaux de Landau des quasi-particules ainsi que sur la densite d'etats au niveau de Fermi est realisee dans ce systeme pour la premiere fois. Le calcul theorique de l'exaltation du facteur g par echange dans les puits quantiques a faible gap est developpe. Le calcul permet de predire l'evolution du facteur g "magneto-optique" dans les heterostructures InAs/AlSb determine par resonance de spin, il met en evidence la violation du theoreme de Larmor dans les heterostructures a base de SC a faible gap. L'etude theorique de la resonance cyclotron, en regime quantique, d'un gaz bidimensionnel d'electrons de haute mobilite demontre aussi la violation du theoreme de Kohn dans les heterostructures InAs/AlSb. Les resultats obtenus dans ce travail de these apportent des informations utiles pour le "design" et la mise au point de nouveaux dispositifs electroniques ou optoelectroniques bases sur des heterostructures InAs/AlSb.
Diazotrophic bacteria isolated from Brachiaria spp.: genetic and physiological diversity

Grass from the genus Brachiaria spp. predominates in pastures with low fertile soils. This scenario highlights the importance of the association with microorganisms to foster plant growth, which becomes essential to the successful establishment of this forage in such environments. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic variability and identify the mechanisms of plant growth promotion, in vitro, of bacteria associated with Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. and Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle.) Schweickerdt in Pernambuco, Brazil. We evaluated 20 isolates of diazotrophic bacteria obtained from the endophyte or rhizosphere communities. The genetic characteristics were determined via sequencing the 16S rRNA region, which allowed us to identify ten different bacterial genera: Bacillus sp. , Burkholderia sp. , Enterobacter sp. , Klebsiella sp. , Microbacterium sp. , Pantoea sp. , Ralstonia sp. , Rhizobium sp. , Sinomonas sp. , and Sphingomonas sp. , with a specificity of the genus Rhizobium sp. to Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. The phenotypic and functional characteristics revealed that 100% of the bacterial strains produced indol-3-acetic acid (IAA) with the addition of L-tryptophan, and 60% presented IAA production independent of the L-tryptophan pathway. We also detected that 70% of the isolated bacteria possessed the capacity to solubilize phosphorus. The analysis of the enzymatic output revealed that 30% of the bacterial isolates produced cellulase, 60% produced pectate lyase, 15% produced polygalacturonase, and 30% produced amylase. We also detected the production of N-acyl homoserine lactones in 65% of bacterial strains. In summary, our results showed that plants of B. decumbens Stapf. and B. humidicola (Rendle.) Schweickerdt interacted with different bacterial genera capable of promoting plant growth.