Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of ginger benefits awareness and willingness to pay.

Due to a lack of adequate information on ginger’s nutritional and medical value to an individual’s health, most rural households do not often purchase ginger. Therefore, this study aims to determine the household’s awareness and willingness to pay for ginger. A simple random sampling procedure was used to select 53 respondents, and primary data were collected through an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were used for data analyses. Descriptive statistics revealed that the average age of the respondents was 39 years. Also, most respondents (77.4%) indicated they were aware of the health benefits of ginger, and approximately 45.3% indicated that they purchase ginger on a monthly basis. Lastly, most respondents (73.6%) were willing to pay for ginger. Regression estimates showed that gender, cost of ginger and frequency of ginger purchasing influenced rural households’ willingness to pay for ginger. Since gender was found to be a significant variable, the study, therefore, recommends that women should be encouraged to purchase functional foods when buying groceries for their households. This may enhance healthy habits and ultimately reduce households’ medical expenditure because functional foods can have preventive and corrective impacts for some illnesses.
Extensive prokaryotic maintenance respiration in the sea influenced by osmoregulation

Microbial respiration is the major process consuming oxygen in the biosphere. The relative energy demand from growth of biomass or maintenance activities determines the regulation of respiration with impact on how the development of hypoxia and CO2 emissions is controlled. This coupling is crucial for understanding the life history and associated ecological interactions of microorganisms. However, the knowledge of rate and regulating factors of maintenance respiration in the biosphere is limited. In this study, we demonstrated significant relationships in marine field samples where the prokaryotic specific growth rate predicts cell-specific respiration, in accordance with theory from culture models, over a 10-fold salinity range. This enables the first reported direct estimates of maintenance respiration in nature to show a 6-fold variation between 0.12-0.62 fmol O2 cell-1 d-1, comprising 29-72% of prokaryotic specific respiration. The lowest maintenance respiration occurred at salinity close to physiological osmolarity, suggesting osmoregulation as one of the more energy-consuming maintenance activities. A conservative global estimate of maintenance respiration accounted for 66% of the total prokaryotic respiration in the ocean´s mixed layer. This means that maintenance activities dominate the use of the energy generated by prokaryotic respiration in the sea, where osmoregulation is one significant energy consumer. Consequently, maintenance respiration and its regulation must be included in ecological and biogeochemical models to accurately project and manage the development of hypoxia and CO2 emissions from the ocean.
The Physio-Pathological Role of Group I Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Expressed by Microglia in Health and Disease with a Focus on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Microglia cells are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. They act as the first-line immune guardians of nervous tissue and central drivers of neuroinflammation. Any homeostatic alteration that can compromise neuron and tissue integrity could activate microglia. Once activated, microglia exhibit highly diverse phenotypes and functions related to either beneficial or harmful consequences. Microglia activation is associated with the release of protective or deleterious cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors that can in turn determine defensive or pathological outcomes. This scenario is complicated by the pathology-related specific phenotypes that microglia can assume, thus leading to the so-called disease-associated microglia phenotypes. Microglia express several receptors that regulate the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory features, sometimes exerting opposite actions on microglial functions according to specific conditions. In this context, group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are molecular structures that may contribute to the modulation of the reactive phenotype of microglia cells, and this is worthy of exploration. Here, we summarize the role of group I mGluRs in shaping microglia cells’ phenotype in specific physio-pathological conditions, including some neurodegenerative disorders. A significant section of the review is specifically focused on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since it represents an entirely unexplored topic of research in the field.
Limited-dependent and qualitative variables in econometrics: Introduction

This book presents the econometric analysis of single-equation and simultaneous-equation models in which the jointly dependent variables can be continuous, categorical, or truncated. Despite the traditional emphasis on continuous variables in econometrics, many of the economic variables encountered in practice are categorical (those for which a suitable category can be found but where no actual measurement exists) or truncated (those that can be observed only in certain ranges). Such variables are involved, for example, in models of occupational choice, choice of tenure in housing, and choice of type of schooling. Models with regulated prices and rationing, and models for program evaluation, also represent areas of application for the techniques presented by the author.
Adaptation of an Isopycnic Coordinate Ocean Model for the Study of Circulation beneath Ice Shelves

Abstract Much of the Antarctic coastline comprises large, floating ice shelves, beneath which waters from the open ocean circulate. The interaction of the seawater with the base of these ice shelves has a bearing both on the rate at which Antarctic Bottom Water is formed and on the mass balance of the ice sheet. An isopycnic coordinate ocean general circulation model has been modified so as to allow the incorporation of a floating ice shelf as an upper boundary to the model domain. The modified code admits the introduction of an arbitrary surface pressure field and includes new algorithms for the diagnosis of entrainment into, and detrainment from, the surface mixed layer. Special care is needed in handling the cases where the mixed layer, and isopycnic interior layers, interact with surface and basal topography. The modified model is described in detail and then applied to an idealized ice shelf–ocean geometry. Simple tests with zero surface buoyancy forcing indicate that the introduction of the static s.
Unusual critical crossover behaviour at a structural phase transformation

The temperature dependence of the order parameter associated with the structural transition in NbO2 has been measured by neutron diffraction. For reduced temperatures in the range 5*10-3<or approximately= epsilon <or approximately=10-1 a power-law behaviour is found with an exponent of beta =0.19+or-0.02; in the region 1.5*10-3< epsilon <5*10-3 a value of beta =0.4 (+0.04, -0.07) is observed. It is suggested that this behaviour may be ascribed to a simultaneous crossover in lattice and order-parameter dimensionalities.
On the synergistic use of SAR and optical imagery to monitor cyanobacteria blooms: the Curonian Lagoon case study

Abstract Multi-sensor satellite data are used to assess cyanobacteria blooms in the Curonian Lagoon. The exploitation of SAR, in combination with optical data, is investigated to take full advantage from the all-weather, night/day SAR imaging capability. A dataset of images has been analyzed to: 1) study the effect of cyanobacteria on microwave signals; 2) assess the daily evolution of cyanobacteria bloom from multi-sensors data; and 3) evaluate the dependence of dynamics of blooms on winds. The results show a significant correlation (R2 > 0.8, p<0.001) between the X-and C-band Normalized Radar Cross Section (NRCS) attenuation and the NIR-Red band ratio Index, with the latter considered as a proxy for the presence of cyanobacteria blooms. A combined use of microwave and optical observations can improve the detection of cyanobacteria blooms and their dependency on wind action.
In silico analysis of the contribution of cardiomyocyte-fibroblast electromechanical interaction to the arrhythmia

Although fibroblasts are about 5–10 times smaller than cardiomyocytes, their number in the ventricle is about twice that of cardiomyocytes. The high density of fibroblasts in myocardial tissue leads to a noticeable effect of their electromechanical interaction with cardiomyocytes on the electrical and mechanical functions of the latter. Our work focuses on the analysis of the mechanisms of spontaneous electrical and mechanical activity of the fibroblast-coupled cardiomyocyte during its calcium overload, which occurs in a variety of pathologies, including acute ischemia. For this study, we developed a mathematical model of the electromechanical interaction between cardiomyocyte and fibroblasts and used it to simulate the impact of overloading cardiomyocytes. In contrast to modeling only the electrical interaction between cardiomyocyte and fibroblasts, the following new features emerge in simulations with the model that accounts for both electrical and mechanical coupling and mechano-electrical feedback loops in the interacting cells. First, the activity of mechanosensitive ion channels in the coupled fibroblasts depolarizes their resting potential. Second, this additional depolarization increases the resting potential of the coupled myocyte, thus augmenting its susceptibility to triggered activity. The triggered activity associated with the cardiomyocyte calcium overload manifests itself in the model either as early afterdepolarizations or as extrasystoles, i.e., extra action potentials and extra contractions. Analysis of the model simulations showed that mechanics contribute significantly to the proarrhythmic effects in the cardiomyocyte overloaded with calcium and coupled with fibroblasts, and that mechano-electrical feedback loops in both the cardiomyocyte and fibroblasts play a key role in this phenomenon.
Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training vs. Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Fat Loss and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the Young and Middle-Aged a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: This systematic review is conducted to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in the young and middle-aged. Methods: Seven databases were searched from their inception to 22 October 2022 for studies (randomized controlled trials only) with HIIT and MICT intervention. Meta-analysis was carried out for within-group (pre-intervention vs. post-intervention) and between-group (HIIT vs. MICT) comparisons for change in body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percent fat mass (PFM), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and CRF. Results: A total of 1738 studies were retrieved from the database, and 29 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Within-group analyses indicated that both HIIT and MICT can bring significant improvement in body composition and CRF, except for FFM. Between-group analyses found that compared to MICT, HIIT brings significant benefits to WC, PFM, and VO2peak. Conclusions: The effect of HIIT on fat loss and CRF in the young and middle-aged is similar to or better than MICT, which might be influenced by age (18–45 years), complications (obesity), duration (>6 weeks), frequency, and HIIT interval. Despite the clinical significance of the improvement being limited, HIIT appears to be more time-saving and enjoyable than MICT.
Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of Piper betle Extract Niosome Serum Gel and Its Irritation Effects

Masks are personal protective equipment essential for COVID-19 prevention, but for the use of masks has led to an increase in the severity of both acne (maskne) and rosacea (mask rosacea). Long-time mask-wearing can increase acne’s flare by modifying the cutaneous facial microenvironment and triggering facial dermatoses. To minimize this, the skin needs to be protected by using an antibacterial product. This study aimed to develop and determine the antibacterial effect of Piper betle extract in niosome serum gel and its irritation effect. 5% Piper betle extract was formulated into a niosome system and incorporated into the serum gel with varying concentrations of 30%, 40%, and 50%. The niosome system was characterized by particle size, Polydispersity Index (PI), zeta potential, and pH value, and then evaluated physicochemical properties for niosome serum gel preparation. Further, the antibacterial effect against Propionibacterium acne, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis was tested using a well-diffusion test. The preparation stability was evaluated using freeze-thaw methods, and the irritation test was assessed using the HET-CAM (Hen’s Egg Chorioallantoic Membrane) method. The results showed that the preparation has a good physicochemical, while the best inhibition zone diameter was 7,29±0,21; 7,77±0,12; and 8,24±0,40, against P.acne, respectively. However, the results of the stability test of the preparation showed a significant change in the pH but had no irritation effect on CAM. It can concluded that the niosome serum gel of Piper betle extract has a potential antibacterial impact for acne, especially against P. acne. Keywords: Piper betle, Niosome serum gel, antibacterial effect, stability, irritation effect
Hartree–Fock analogue theory of thermo-optic interaction

Thermo-optic interaction significantly differs from the usual particle-particle interactions in physics, as it is retarded in time. A prominent platform for realising this kind of interaction are photon Bose–Einstein condensates, which are created in dye-filled microcavities. The dye solution continually absorbs and re-emits these photons, causing the photon gas to thermalize and to form a Bose–Einstein condensate. Because of a non-ideal quantum efficiency, these cycles heat the dye solution, creating a medium that provides an effective thermo-optic photon–photon interaction. So far, only a mean-field description of this process exists. This paper goes beyond by working out a quantum mechanical description of the effective thermo-optic photon–photon interaction. To this end, the self-consistent modelling of the temperature diffusion builds the backbone of the modelling. Furthermore, the manyfold experimental timescales allow for deriving an approximate Hamiltonian. The resulting quantum theory is applied in the perturbative regime to both a harmonic and a box potential for investigating its prospect for precise measurements of the effective photon–photon interaction strength.
Determination of the average size of preliminary grinded wet feed particles in hammer grinders

In the conditions of farms, it becomes necessary to grind feed that has a different degree of moisture. Therefore, the choice of universal working bodies is the object of research, and the theoretical determination of the average size of pre-crushed feed particles is of great scientific and practical importance and is a problem that needs to be solved. Proceeding from this, a constructive-technological scheme of a grinder with a universal grinding working body is proposed. The grinding apparatus is equipped with a hammer working body which has cutting edges. In this case, hammers with cutting edges crush the wet mass, and also create an air flow and work as flow accelerators at high speed. As a result of theoretical studies, the steps for arranging these working bodies were determined. Analytical expressions are obtained for determining the average length of pre-crushed feed particles depending on the distance between the faces of replaceable knife working bodies, i.e. from the step of arranging them in rows. At the same time, the calculation results showed that with a distance between the faces of replaceable hammers of 20 mm, the value of the average length of the grinded particles was 38.38 mm. The average size of pre-crushed particles from feed raw materials intended for farm animals was 37.64 mm, i. e. the difference between theoretical and actual value is only 2.0 %. This proves the reliability of the obtained analytical expression, which provides the determination of the main parameter of the grinding working body, i. e. spacing of radial knives in rows. The proposed method of determining the average length of crushed particles allows theoretically finding and planning the required particle size
Are IL-1 family cytokines important in management of sickle cell disease in Sub-Saharan Africa patients?

Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disease found in Africa and throughout the world. It is responsible for a high rate of hemolysis, systemic inflammation, and modulation of the immune system with the involvement of immunological molecules, such as cytokines. IL-1β is a major inflammatory cytokine. IL-18 and IL-33, members of IL-1 family, also exhibit characteristics of inflammation-related cytokines. Thus, in order to contribute to the evaluation of the severity and prognosis of SCD in Africa, this study aimed to estimate the cytokine response, in particular the levels of cytokines of the IL-1 family, in sickle cell patients living in a Sub-Saharan country. Methods Ninety patients with a diagnosis of SCD were recruited with different hemoglobin types. Samples were assessed for cytokine levels using the Human Inflammation Panel assay from BioLegend. The assay allows the simultaneous quantification of 13 human inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, i.e., IL-1β, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, TNFα, MCP-1 (CCL2), IL-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-18, IL-23, and IL-33. Results and discussion the assessment of plasma cytokines in SCD patients revealed significantly increased levels of IL-1 family cytokines in crisis compared to steady state, suggesting a substantial involvement of these cytokines in clinical exacerbation. This suggests the possibility of a causal effect in the SCD pathology and can open the way to define better care, pointing toward new therapeutic avenues for sickle disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.
ChatGPT for Education and Research: A Review of Benefits and Risks

Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can quickly generate detailed responses to prompts and follow-up questions. This emerging AI tool was launched in November 2022 by an American AI research laboratory, called OpenAI, using large language models. In this article, the benefits and risks related to the use of ChatGPT in education and research are discussed. The article argues that ChatGPT has at least five main benefits, such as creating learning assessment, enhancing pedagogical practice, offering virtual personal tutoring, creating an essay or research article outline, and brainstorming ideas. However, there are risks related to academic integrity issues, unfair learning assessment, inaccurate information, and over-reliance on AI. The article offers a set of recommendations for effective use of ChatGPT for educational and research purposes.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Photo- and Neuro-Protective Properties of BIO203, a New Amide Conjugate of Norbixin, in Development for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

9′-cis-norbixin (norbixin/BIO201) protects RPE cells against phototoxicity induced by blue light and N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E) in vitro and preserves visual functions in animal models of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in vivo. The purpose of this study was to examine the mode of action and the in vitro and in vivo effects of BIO203, a novel norbixin amide conjugate. Compared to norbixin, BIO203 displays improved stability at all temperatures tested for up to 18 months. In vitro, BIO203 and norbixin share a similar mode of action involving the inhibition of PPARs, NF-κB, and AP-1 transactivations. The two compounds also reduce IL-6, IL-8, and VEGF expression induced by A2E. In vivo, ocular maximal concentration and BIO203 plasma exposure are increased compared to those of norbixin. Moreover, BIO203 administered systemically protects visual functions and retinal structure in albino rats subjected to blue-light illumination and in the retinal degeneration model of Abca4−/− Rdh8−/− double knock-out mice following 6 months of oral complementation. In conclusion, we report here that BIO203 and norbixin share similar modes of action and protective effects in vitro and in vivo. BIO203, with its improved pharmacokinetic and stability properties, could be developed for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases such as AMD.
An Exploration of FCM's Impact on Students' Perceptions of Support, Self-regulated Learning, and Critical Thinking

The flipped classroom model (FCM) has become a popular and most effective approach to implementing educational technology reforms. This study aims to 1) determine students’ perceptions of support, self-regulated learning, and critical thinking skills in interventions using FCM; 2) determine the relationship between students’ perceptions of support, self-regulated learning, and critical thinking skills; and 3) determine students’ general perceptions of FCM learning. This type of research is quantitative with a pre-experimental design, One-Shot Case Study. The data analysis technique used is descriptive data analysis and correlation analysis. Results showed that first the quantitative descriptive results showed that students’ critical thinking skills, SRL, and perceptions of support were quite good after being given the FCM intervention. Second, there is a relationship between students’ perceptions of support, self-regulated learning, and critical thinking skills. The general perspective of students about FCM shows that most agree with FCM. This study shows that during FCM learning, educators can provide students with several types of support and easy access to them and ensure smooth communication. Furthermore, teachers are encouraged to take on the role of learning facilitators to strengthen students’ self-regulation and thinking skills.
Climatologically tuned reflectivity-rain rate relations and links to area-time integrals

Abstract Relations between either the point- or beam-averaged effective reflectivity, Ze, and surface rain rate, R, are determined by a probability matching method similar to that of Calheiros and Zawadzki, and Rosenfeld. The cumulative density functions (CDF) of reflectivity and rain rate are matched at pairs of Ri, Zi, which give the same percentile contribution. One obtains range dependent Ze − R relations by stratifying the Ze data by range. Truncation of the Ze distribution by too large a threshold causes the threshold rain rate retrieved from the radar data to exceed that in the matching gage distribution. Forcing a match between the mean rate measured by the gages and those retrieved by use of a set of trial Ze − R equations provides for the adjustment of the final Ze − R relation and compensates for the truncation. The radar retrieved CDFs of rain rate then replicate the CDF of gage measured rates nicely. In the case of GATE the probability matching scheme produces a Ze − R relation that agrees wi.