Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zoonotic Diseases in the eastern region of the Iraqi capital, between 2010-2016

There are several cases in geographical areas with zoonotic diseases before they were evident due to evolving human and climate patterns. This study was carried out to identify diagnosis, emerging diseases, as well as epidemics and pandemics affected by the zoonotic disease in Al-Ressafa, Baghdad. Data was collected between the years 2010-2016 by the Food Research Institute, Public Health Directorate, Iraq. This study targeted emerging infective diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis, cutaneous leishmaniosis, hydatidosis, rabies, and toxoplasmosis. Out of 20797 involved cases were presented, 29% emerging from zoonotic diseases. The zoonotic diseases were included parasite, viral and bacterial 75.4, 0.70, and 23.9%, respectively. Brucellosis showed high-frequency infections during March, April, and May, while cutaneous leishmaniasis occurred between February and June. The number of cases showed the male cases were 52.4 %, while the female 47.6 %. Cutaneous leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, and hydatidosis cases were increased at the age between 10-19 years old. In conclusion, zoonotic diseases still common on the Eastern side of Baghdad
Implementation of hierarchically porous zeolite-polymer membrane for Chromium ions removal

This work deals with the preparation of a zeolite/polymer flat sheet membrane with hierarchical porosity and ion-exchange properties. The performance of the prepared membrane was examined by the removal of chromium ions from simulated wastewater. A NaY zeolite (crystal size of 745.8 nm) was prepared by conventional hydrothermal treatment and fabricated with polyethersulfone (15% PES) in dimethylformamide (DMF) to obtain an ion-exchange ultrafiltration membrane. The permeate flux was enhanced by increasing the zeolite content within the membrane texture indicating increasing the hydrophilicity of the prepared membranes and constructing a hierarchically porous system. A membrane containing 0.8% zeolite gave the higher %Rejection of chromium ions (about 83.2%) for an initial chromium ion concentration of 150 ppm and trans-membrane pressure of 1 bar.
Near-surface modification of defective KTaO3 by ionizing ion irradiation

The synergistic effect of nuclear (S n) and electronic (S e) energy loss observed in some ABO3 perovskites has attracted considerable attention due to the real possibility to modify various near-surface properties, such as the electronic and optical properties, by patterning ion tracks in the defective near-surface regions. In this study, we show that low-energy ion-induced disordering in conjunction with ionizing ion irradiation (18 MeV Si, 21 MeV Ni and 91.6 MeV Xe) is a promising approach for tailoring ion tracks in the near-surface of defective KTaO3. Experimental characterization and computer simulations reveal that the size of these latent ion tracks increases with S e and level of pre-existing damage. These results further reveal that the threshold S e value (S e th) for track creation increases with decreasing pre-damage level. The values of S e th increase from 5.02 keV nm−1, for a pre-existing fractional disorder of 0.53 in KTaO3, to 10.81 keV nm−1 for pristine KTaO3. Above these thresholds, amorphous latent tracks are produced due local melting and rapid quenching. Below a disorder fraction of 0.08 and S e ⩽ 6.68 keV nm−1, the synergistic effect is not active, and damage accumulation is suppressed due to a competing ionization-induced damage annealing process. These results indicate that, depending on S e and the amount of pre-existing damage, highly ionizing ions can either enhance or suppress damage accumulation in KTaO3, thus providing a pathway to tailoring defects states. Comprehending the conflicting roles of highly ionizing ions in defective ABO3 oxides is vital for understanding and predictive modeling of ion-solid interactions in complex oxides, as well as for achieving control over ion track size in the near-surface of defective KTaO3.
Effect of heavy metals on physiological and histological status in liver of common carp Cyprinus carpio, reared in cages and wild in the Euphrates River, Babil / Iraq.

The current study was conducted to examine the concentrations of some heavy metals (Fe, Zn, and Cu) in sediments, chemical and physical properties of water(Temperature, pH, Salinity, Total dissolved solid, Dissolved oxygen, Biological oxygen demand5, Alanin transporter enzyme, aspartase transporter enzyme, Alkaline phosphatase, and histological effects of the studied metal on liver of 96 cage fish and wild fish 4 fish per site Cyprinus carpio (Common carp) in the Euphrates River from October of 2018 until November of 2019. Three sites were selected on the Euphrates River in the middle of Iraq. The first site was Abu Luka, the second site was Al Saddah and the third site was the village of Al-Hussein. The results showed that in the first and second sites, the concentration of heavy metal in sediments and fish liver was greater than in the third site. In general, the cage fish at the first and second sites were higher than the wild fish. It was also noticed that the heavy metal concentration of both fish and sediment took the following order according to the seasons of the year, from the highest concentration of heavy metals to the lowest (summer > spring > autumn > winter). It was found that liver enzymes were directly affected by the presence of high concentrations of heavy Metals. So, both the ALT and AST increased in the first and second sites as compared to the third site. But the ALP value decreased with the increase in the concentration of the studied metal. The results of the histological slicing of the liver in the first and second places revealed a breakdown of the hepatocytes with the creation of gaps between the cells. Several spaces filled with remains of the destructed cells from the visceral tissue of the liver with infiltration of inflammatory cells in the infected area of the fish liver. It is the region’s first study that was concerned with the impact of heavy metal levels in the environment on cage fish and their relationship to blood components and liver enzymes.
The Transfer of ALS Gene Responsible for the Tolerance to ALS Inhibiting Herbicides between Different Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Forms

Weedy sunflower is an invasive plant on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, which causes high yield losses in many crops. During the harvesting of the sunflower crops the dispersal of the seeds occurs, and as a resultthe volunteer plants appear next year. Weedy sunflowers originate from volunteer plants that live through a longer period in one place. Spontaneous hybridization of weedy sunflower with other sunflower forms makes them more aggressive. If the volunteer plants originate from the hybrids tolerant to ALS inhibiting herbicides, they can be the carriers of herbicide tolerance genes and thus will not be sensitive to these herbicides. The exchange of the genetic material also enables the transfer of the ALS (AHAS) gene (responsible for the tolerance to the ALS inhibiting herbicides) to the progeny. In this study we have examined the spontaneous hybridization between different sunflower forms (volunteer sunflowers, weedy sunflowers, susceptible and tolerant sunflower hybrids to ALS inhibiting herbicides) in field conditions during three years. The progeny (F1 generation), which was assumed to possess the ALS gene, was tested with the application of the recommended doses of the Express (a.i. tribenuron-methyl) and Pulsar 40 herbicides (a.i. imazamox). The significant percent of the progeny of different forms of sunflowers, survived the herbicide treatment (6-31%). Molecular analysis of the ALS gene sequence in weedy sunflower progeny confirmed gene transfer in two cases at a distance of 30 and 120 m from the gene donor, i.e. tolerant hybrid Sumo
Effect of in vitro Produced Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculum on Anaerobic Direct Seeded and Transplanted Paddy

It is widely accepted that the symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a key role in sustainable production systems in rice cultivation and they readily form a symbiotic relationship with these fungi. Four species consortium of AMF, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Clariodeoglomus etunicatum and Glomus aggregatum, produced through in vitro production system and formulated with organic biostimulants viz. humic acids and sea weed extract were tested in this experiment, both for direct seeded and transplanted paddy, under anaerobic cultivation system. AMF inoculated fields produced significantly higher yield than non-inoculated field. AMF inoculants formulated with a blend of humic acids and seaweed extract produced significantly higher grain yield than the inoculants formulated with humic acids alone, in both the cultivation systems. Effect of AMF inoculation was highly pronounced in transplanted paddy than direct seeded paddy, resulted in highest grain yield, highest grain weight, better grain filling rate and highest tiller production. It can be concluded that AMF inoculants can be potentially used for rice cultivation under anaerobic water management system, both for direct seeded and transplanted paddy and the nature of biostimulants used in the formulation also play a key role in the efficacy of AMF inoculants. Our findings contribute to the growing global consensus that mycorrhizal inoculants could play a role in sustainable rice production systems of the future, when used appropriately.
Development of a biosensor for investigating membrane curvature sorting

The physical structure of cellular membranes plays a critical role in lipid and protein sorting. A novel biosensor was developed to probe the influence of curvature on sorting. This biosensor mimics large, two-dimensional membranes in dynamic equilibrium, achieves high spatial resolution between curvature and molecules of interest, and has high sensitivity, enough for single particle detection. The biosensor consists of continuous supported lipid bilayer formed over nanoparticles (40 to 200 nm diameter) deposited on a glass substrate. The nanoparticles determine the extent of curvature. This biosensor is the first to observe large-scale 2-dimensional diffusion of biomolecules on a supported lipid bilayer with small radii of curvature in equilibrium with flat areas of fluid bilayer. This will allow correlation between protein function and the physical shape of a membrane. Fluorescence microscopy was used to quantify spatial sorting of lipids and a protein relevant to cardiovascular disease, C-reactive protein (CRP). Two lipids, fluorescein labeled hexadecanoic acid and 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3phosphoethanolamine, sense curvature by accumulating in areas over nanoparticles, and both are able to laterally exchange with surrounding lipids. Dynamic fluidity of the bilayer was assessed using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Lipids directly at sites of curvature recover more slowly than lipids over flat sections. The spatial distribution of CRP was also assessed. Curvature sensing of CRP is isoform dependent where native CRP does not sense curvature and modified CRP does sense curvature.
SEASONAL WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT : EXPLORING EMPLOYEES ’ INTENTION TO RETURN

The persistent shortage of seasonal workers in the hospitality industry has elevated the importance of seasonal employee retention. Consequently, this study, one of the few to do so, considers whether perceived supervisor support, affective organizational commitment, and work engagement are positively related to influencing seasonal workers’ intention to return to their same place of employment the following season. Specifically, this research posits that affective organizational commitment and work engagement mediate the relationship between perceived supervisor support and intention to return. In order to study this issue, data was gathered from seasonal employees who worked in Croatian hotels located in tourist-oriented cities during the 2019 tourist season. Significant relationships were observed among all four of the study’s four variables, yet only one of the model’s paths was found to be significant. This preliminary research begins the process of gaining a better understanding behind the dynamics of seasonal employment, an area of increasingly high importance for hotels and the hospitality industry in general.
Efficacy, safety, and lot to lot immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BBV152): a double-blind, randomised, controlled phase 3 trial

Background: We report the clinical efficacy against COVID 19 infection of BBV152, a whole virion inactivated SARS CoV 2 vaccine formulated with a Toll like receptor 7/8 agonist molecule adsorbed to alum (Algel IMDG). Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, phase 3 clinical trial in 25 Indian hospitals to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunological lot consistency of BBV152. Healthy adults (age 18 to 98 years) randomised 1:1 using a sponsor-supplied randomisation scheme received two intramuscular doses of vaccine or placebo administered four weeks apart. The primary outcome was laboratory confirmed symptomatic COVID 19, occurring at least 14 days after the second dose. Secondary outcomes were efficacy in subgroups for age (18 to < 60 years and >=60 years) and in participants with pre-existing stable medical conditions. We also evaluated safety, reactogenicity, and consistency of immune responses for three consecutive manufacturing lots. Findings: Between November 16, 2020 and January 7, 2021 we recruited 25,798 participants who were randomised to BBV152 or placebo groups; 24,419 received two doses of BBV152 (n = 12,221) or placebo (n = 12,198). In a case-driven analysis, 130 cases of symptomatic COVID-19 were reported in 16,973 (0.77%) participants with follow-up at least two weeks after the second vaccination; 24 occurred in the vaccine group and 106 in placebo recipients giving an overall vaccine efficacy of 77.8% (95% CI: 65.2,86.4). Sixteen cases, one vaccinee and 15 placebo recipients, met the severe symptomatic COVID-19 case definition giving a vaccine efficacy of 93.4% (57.1,99.8). Efficacy against asymptomatic COVID 19 was 63.6% (29.0, 82.4). BBV152 conferred 65.2% (95% CI: 33.1, 83.0) protection against the SARS CoV 2 Variant of Concern, B.1. 617.2 (Delta). BBV152 was well tolerated with no clinically or statistically significant differences in the distributions of solicited, unsolicited, or serious adverse events between vaccine and placebo groups. No cases of anaphylaxis or vaccine-related deaths were reported. Interpretation: BBV152 was immunogenic and highly efficacious against symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID 19 variant associated disease, particularly against severe disease in adults. Vaccination was well tolerated with an overall incidence of adverse events observed over a median of 146 days that was lower than that observed with other COVID-19 vaccines.
Does IRS Monitoring Matter for the Cost of Bank Loans?

We show that IRS monitoring exerts a significantly negative effect on the cost of syndicated loans. A one standard deviation increase in the probability of an IRS audit decreases loan spreads by around nine basis points. We also find that this effect is stronger for borrowers with better lending relationships and credible access to public markets. These results indicate that IRS monitoring could increase the bargaining power of borrowers and restrain banks from extracting informational rents from their lending relationships. Thus, they provide a novel insight into how IRS monitoring could lower the cost of financing from the banking system.
U.S. Monetary Policy Spillovers to Emerging Markets: Both Shocks and Vulnerabilities Matter

Using a macroeconomic model, we explore how sources of shocks and vulnerabilities matter for the transmission of U.S. monetary changes to emerging market economies (EMEs). We utilize a calibrated two-country New Keynesian model with financial frictions, partly-dollarized balance sheets, and imperfectly anchored inflation expectations. Contrary to other recent studies that also emphasize the sources of shocks, our approach allows the quantification of effects on real macroeconomic variables as well, in addition to financial spillovers. Moreover, we model the most relevant vulnerabilities structurally. We show that higher U.S. interest rates arising from stronger U.S. aggregate demand generate modestly positive spillovers to economic activity in EMEs with stronger fundamentals, but can be adverse for vulnerable EMEs. In contrast, U.S. monetary tightenings driven by a more-hawkish policy stance cause a substantial slowdown in activity in all EMEs. Our model also captures the challenging policy tradeos that EME central banks face. We show that these tradeoffs are more favorable when inflation expectations are well anchored.
Exploiting Symmetry in High-Dimensional Dynamic Programming

We propose a new method for solving high-dimensional dynamic programming problems and recursive competitive equilibria with a large (but finite) number of heterogeneous agents using deep learning. The „curse of dimensionality“ is avoided due to four complementary techniques: (1) exploiting symmetry in the approximate law of motion and the value function; (2) constructing a concentration of measure to calculate high-dimensional expectations using a single Monte Carlo draw from the distribution of idiosyncratic shocks; (3) sampling methods to ensure the model fits along manifolds of interest; and (4) selecting the most generalizable over-parameterized deep learning approximation without calculating the stationary distribution or applying a transversality condition. As an application, we solve a global solution of a multi-firm version of the classic Lucas and Prescott (1971) model of „investment under uncertainty. “ First, we compare the solution against a linear-quadratic Gaussian version for validation and benchmarking. Next, we solve nonlinear versions with aggregate shocks. Finally, we describe how our approach applies to a large class of models in economics.
What Does Codetermination Do?

The authors provide a comprehensive overview of codetermination, that is, worker representation in firms’ governance and management. The available micro evidence points to zero or small positive effects of codetermination on worker and firm outcomes and leaves room for moderate positive effects on productivity, wages, and job stability. The authors also present new country-level, general-equilibrium event studies of codetermination reforms between the 1960s and 2010s, finding no effects on aggregate economic outcomes or the quality of industrial relations. They offer three explanations for the institution’s limited impact. First, existing codetermination laws convey little authority to workers. Second, countries with codetermination laws have high baseline levels of informal worker voice. Third, codetermination laws may interact with other labor market institutions, such as union representation and collective bargaining. The article closes with a discussion of the implications for recent codetermination proposals in the United States.
Heterogeneous Responses to Corporate Marginal Tax Rates: Evidence from Small and Large Firms

How do small versus large firms respond to tax cuts? Using new narrative measures of exogenous variation in corporate marginal tax rates and a unique dataset from U.S. firms, we show that the investment response of large firms to a tax cut is almost twice the response of small firms. Furthermore, small firms finance their new investment almost entirely by debt, whereas large firms use cash and debt. Following the tax cut, the tax advantage of debt-financing falls relative to cash-financing. This substitution effect is more pronounced for unconstrained firms and contributes to the greater cash financing of large firms.
Effect of Grape Maturity on the Composition and Quality of Ohio Vidal Blanc Wines

A two-year study was made to determine the effect of grape maturity on wine quality of Vidal blanc. Fruit was harvested at three maturity levels during the 1979 and 1980 seasons. Brix values at early, mid, and late stages of maturity for both seasons ranged between 15.8° and 21.8°. For the wines, total acidity, tartrates, and malates decreased with an increase in grape maturity. Generally, pH, tannin, and color of the Vidal blanc wines increased with maturity. The results of sensory ranking of aroma and taste indicated that wine quality was highest at an intermediate maturity.
Civic and Political Engagement during the Multifaceted COVID‐19 Crisis

Abstract Measures to cope with the COVID‐19 pandemic have put a sudden halt to street protests and other forms of citizen involvement in Europe. At the same time, the pandemic has increased the need for solidarity, motivating citizens to become involved on behalf of people at risk and the vulnerable more generally. This research note empirically examines the tension between the demobilisation and activation potential of the COVID‐19 crisis. Drawing on original survey data from seven Western European countries, we examine the extent, forms, and drivers of citizens’ engagement. Our findings show the remarkable persistence of pre‐existing political and civic engagement patterns. Concurrently, we show that threat perceptions triggered by the multifaceted COVID‐19 crisis have mobilized Europeans in the early phase of the pandemic. Similarly, the role of extreme ideological orientations in explaining (regular) political engagement indicates that the current situation may create its specific mobilisation potentials.
Immunogenicity of antigens from outer membrane vesicles of Neisseria meningitidis associated with bilayer fragment of dioctadecyldimethylammonium in Swiss adult mice

Purpose In the present study, meningococcal serogroup B outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were associated with bilayer fragments of a cationic lipid, dioctadecyldimethylammonium (DDA-BF), used as adjuvant, in an antigenic preparation tested in adult female outbred mice. This adjuvant was compared to the traditional adjuvant aluminum hydroxide. Materials and Methods The potential in generating humoral response was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Individual serum was collected and immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b were quantified. Analyses were carried out 15 and 60 days after immunization. Antibodies avidity index were also analyzed by ELISA. Immunoblot and dot-ELISA were carried out to evaluate specific reaction for homologous strains and cross-reactive antigens present in other meningococcal strains isolated in 2011–2012 year, in Brazil. Delayed type hypersensitivity was used as indicative of cellular immunity and compared between two experimental groups, 24 hours after homologous strain challenge. Results The OMVs of Neisseria meningitidis, and N. lactamica (related species) were characterized by electrophoretic separation of proteins in 13% polyacrylamide gel. The strains presented antigens in the range of 8 to 130 kDa, showing a heterogeneous protein migration pattern. In the group immunized with OMVs/DDA-BF, we found no significant production of total IgG 15 days after the first immunization. On the other hand, 60 days after first immunization both adjuvants act benefiting total IgG production similarly. The antibodies of the IgG isotype produced by animals immunized after one or two doses after first immunization, showed intermediate and high avidity, independent on the adjuvant used. In both experimental groups the swelling of the footpads was significantly higher than those of the controls, suggesting that only one dose was enough to stimulate the generation of cellular immunity. Conclusion The use of this cationic adjuvant for N. meningitidis OMVs preparation revealed good potential for future new antigen preparation for N. meningitidis vaccine.