Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Overview of the Characterization of Natural Cellulosic Fibers

Currently, researchers are more focusing on eco-friendly materials, sustainability, and low consumption of energy during the stage of handling, low initial cost, have appropriate mechanical properties and biodegradable and less susceptible to health hazards are the main challenge facing in the present day across the world especially to developing new materials that would improve the industrial supplies for making lightweight materials. Therefore; natural cellulosic fiber one, of effective strategies to substitute artificial fibers for its own benefits when compared and mainly concentrating to reinforce polymer matrices by natural cellulosic fiber due to their decomposable characteristic in nature. This an overview mainly discussed on commonly available natural fiber property such as physical property, chemical composition analysis, surface morphology analysis such as thermal stability analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to be adopted in order to characterized natural fiber and impact of treating natural fibers by appropriate chemical on certain properties was discussed by supporting literature. In addition to this the significance of characterization of natural fiber briefly discussed and this an overview will helps other researcher’s source for natural fiber composite studies in future studies.
BLOOD LACTATE CONCENTRATIONS IN EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) FOLLOWING CAPTURE BY A CANINE SEARCH TEAM

Abstract: Studies to assess wildlife health commonly evaluate clinical pathology changes, immune responses, pathogen presence, and contaminant exposure, but novel modalities are needed to characterize the unique physiologic responses of reptiles. Lactate is an indicator of hypoperfusion and/or anaerobic respiration and can be quickly and easily measured using a point-of-care analyzer. This study evaluated baseline blood lactate concentrations in free-living eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina, n = 116) using a point of care analyzer and then determined the effect of handling time, physical examination (PE) abnormalities, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction pathogen detection (Terrapene herpesvirus 1, Mycoplasma sp., Terrapene adenovirus) on lactate concentrations. Blood lactate concentrations were higher in turtles with Terrapene herpesvirus 1 (n = 11), quiet mentation, and increased packed cell volume (P < 0.05). Lactate concentrations increased between initial capture and PE, with peak values reaching 129 min after capture. Lactate at PE was positively associated with baseline lactate concentrations. Turtles with Terrapene herpesvirus 1 may have alterations in blood flow, oxygen delivery, or activity patterns, driving increases in baseline lactate. Increased handling time likely leads to more escape behaviors and/or breath holding, causing turtles to undergo anaerobic metabolism and raising lactate concentrations. Overall, lactate measured by a point of care analyzer shows variability caused by capture and health factors in eastern box turtles and may be a useful adjunctive diagnostic test in this species after full methodologic validation.
COMPARISON OF PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS AND BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF PLASMA ALBUMIN IN HEALTHY BEARDED DRAGONS (POGONA VITTICEPS)

Abstract: While electrophoresis is considered the standard method for evaluation of protein concentrations as a result of its direct measurement, albumin is often quantified with biochemical assays. Many laboratory-based chemistry analyzers and clinic-based point-of-care analyzers use the dye bromocresol green (BCG) for the quantitation of albumin. Several studies have shown that albumin concentrations obtained by the standard (BCG) dye-binding method are significantly different from those obtained by protein electrophoresis in avian species and chelonia. The goal of this study was to compare plasma albumin concentrations obtained by the BCG method with those derived from electrophoresis in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Thirty-six heparinized plasma samples were obtained from 13 clinically healthy male bearded dragons. Albumin was quantified by protein electrophoresis and by the BCG dye-binding method. The two methods were significantly different (P < 0.0001, paired t-test; P < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), with the BCG measurement always equal to or higher than the electrophoretic result. The measurements from both methods were significantly correlated (r = 0.8634, P < 0.0001), but concordance between the two techniques was poor. The Bland-Altman plot appeared to show a greater difference between the two measurements with lower albumin values and lesser difference with higher values. These results indicate that bearded dragon plasma albumin concentration measurements obtained by the BCG dye-binding method are unreliable when compared to those obtained with electrophoresis, suggesting that albumin should be measured by protein electrophoresis for health assessment in bearded dragons.
ANTIBODY RESPONSE TO EPSILON TOXIN OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS IN CAPTIVE ADULT SPRINGBOK (ANTIDORCAS MARSUPIALIS), IMPALA (AEPYCEROS MELAMPUS), ALPACA (VICUGNA PACOS), AND RED-NECKED WALLABY (MACROPUS RUFOGRISEUS) OVER A YEAR

Abstract: Enterotoxemia is an important issue in various zoological taxa. In this study, serologic responses over a 1-yr period after vaccination with a multivalent clostridial vaccine were evaluated in 10 adult springboks (Antidorcas marsupialis), 12 impalas (Aepyceros melampus), seven alpacas (Vicugna pacos), and five red-necked wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus). Antibody production to the Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin component of the vaccine was measured using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and determined as the percentage of inhibition (% inhib). Initial % inhib was (0.01–18.9)%. All animals received initial vaccination with a booster vaccine 4 weeks apart. Serum samples were collected at T0 (nonvaccinated), 15, 30, 60, 180, and 360 days postvaccination (dpv) for analysis. The vaccine induced a high antibody response that peaked at 15, 30, and 60 dpv in springboks, 30 and 60 dpv in impalas (P < 0.01), and 60 dpv in alpacas and wallabies (P < 0.01). The booster vaccine was followed by a high antibody response, which slowly decreased with time. The antibody response was significantly higher at 360 dpv than at T0 in wallabies and alpacas (P < 0.01). In impalas and springboks, it appeared that a booster every 6 mo might be required to maintain an antibody response above baseline (P < 0.01). Because no challenge studies were performed, it is unknown whether the measured humoral immune responses would have been protective. Further research is warranted to investigate protective effects of antibodies to inoculation challenge in nondomestic species.
Story incentive: the effect of national stories on voter turnout

Abstract This article contends that an important driver of turnout is the national stories embraced by citizens. We suggest the notion of ‘story incentive,’ whereby adopting a group’s story components – those that connect the past, the future, and prominent national characters – motivates individuals to participate in that group’s political activities. Leaning on narrative theories and studies on voter turnout, we develop and test hypotheses regarding the effect of story components on the likelihood of voting. Our measurements of story incentives are based on election surveys and encompass Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US. The results support the main story-incentive hypothesis. We discuss the theoretical ramifications of the connection between adherence to national stories and voter turnout.
Overlapping and distinct neural networks supporting novel word learning in bilinguals and monolinguals

Abstract This study investigated how bilingual experience alters neural mechanisms supporting novel word learning. We hypothesised that novel words elicit increased semantic activation in the larger bilingual lexicon, potentially stimulating stronger memory integration than in monolinguals. English monolinguals and Spanish–English bilinguals were trained on two sets of written Swahili–English word pairs, one set on each of two consecutive days, and performed a recognition task in the MRI-scanner. Lexical integration was measured through visual primed lexical decision. Surprisingly, no group difference emerged in explicit word memory, and priming occurred only in the monolingual group. This difference in lexical integration may indicate an increased need for slow neocortical interleaving of old and new information in the denser bilingual lexicon. The fMRI data were consistent with increased use of cognitive control networks in monolinguals and of articulatory motor processes in bilinguals, providing further evidence for experience-induced neural changes: monolinguals and bilinguals reached largely comparable behavioural performance levels in novel word learning, but did so by recruiting partially overlapping but non-identical neural systems to acquire novel words.
Presidential power effects on government and ministerial durability: evidence from Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract In this article, we examine the variation in the institutional powers granted to president to terminate cabinets (by dismissing prime ministers), and appointing ministers to show how variations affect both cabinet durability (and the mode of cabinet termination) and ministerial durability (i.e., the overall time a minister remains in cabinet). Using the most extensive survival data set on ministers in 14 Central and Eastern European countries available to date alongside data on government survival, our Cox regression models demonstrate that the institutional rules granting extensive powers to the presidents are powerful determinants of ministerial durability. We show that the effect of presidential powers reduces cabinet durability but increases ministerial durability. These results demonstrate that the specific powers given to chief executives are essential for issues surrounding implications for ministerial and cabinet durability, institutional choice, policy stability, and governmental accountability.
Young learners’ L2 English after the onset of instruction: longitudinal development of L2 proficiency and the role of individual differences

Abstract In this study we investigated 107 young learners’ L2 English receptive vocabulary knowledge and speaking skills at two points in time, before and after the onset of instruction. We also investigated the role of several individual difference variables: out-of-school exposure to English, length of instruction, analytic reasoning ability, working memory, L1 vocabulary knowledge and prior L2 knowledge. Results show that L2 English proficiency in receptive vocabulary knowledge and speaking skills greatly improved over time and that the effects of schooling and contextual learning are largely additive. The main predictor of the children's proficiency at time 2 was their L2 prior knowledge, which they had acquired through contextual language learning before getting formal education. When considering the other variables that predicted L2 proficiency, the contribution of internal variables (L1 vocabulary size and working memory) was considerably smaller than that of external variables (out-of-school exposure and length of instruction).
Prevalence of pain and its association with symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and distress in 846 cancer patients: A cross sectional study

Pain depicts a severe physical symptom but its relationship to mental health problems is not well studied in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pain and its correlation with symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and psychological distress in a large sample of cancer patients.
Volatile chemicals identified in fresh and cooked breadfruit

Volatile constituents of fresh and cooked breadfruit were extracted with dichloromethane and identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Alcohols were the major components of fresh breadfruit, and acetates were the major components of cooked breadfruit. Among 40 compounds identified in fresh breadfruit volatiles, the main constituent was cis-3-hexenol, which comprised 35.8% of the total GC peak area. Among 43 chemical identified in cooked breadfruit, the major component was ethyl acetate, which comprised 37.9% of the total GC peak area. An extract from fresh breadfruit had a strong green note, and one from cooked breadfruit possessed cooked yam-like flavor
Discovery of novel potential KIT inhibitors for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Abstract Numerous inhibitors of tyrosine-protein kinase KIT, a receptor tyrosine kinase, have been explored as a viable therapy for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). However, drug resistance due to acquired mutations in KIT makes these drugs almost useless. The present study was designed to screen the novel inhibitors against the activity of the KIT mutants through pharmacophore modeling and molecular docking. The best two pharmacophore models were established using the KIT mutants’ crystal complexes and were used to screen the new compounds with possible KIT inhibitory activity against both activation loop and ATP-binding mutants. As a result, two compounds were identified as potential candidates from the virtual screening, which satisfied the potential binding capabilities, molecular modeling characteristics, and predicted absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity (ADMET) properties. Further molecular docking simulations showed that two compounds made strong hydrogen bond interaction with different KIT mutant proteins. Our results indicated that pharmacophore models based on the receptor–ligand complex had excellent ability to screen KIT inhibitors, and two compounds may have the potential to develop further as the future KIT inhibitors for GIST treatment. Graphical abstract
The impacts of mediating the work environment on the mode choice in work trips

Abstract The impacts of work characteristics on travel mode choice behavior has been studied for a long time, focusing on the work type, income, duration, and working time. However, there are no comprehensive studies on the influence of travel behavior. Therefore, this study examines the influence of work environment as a mediator of socio-economic variables, trip characteristics, transportation infrastructure and services, the environment and choice of transportation mode on work trips. The mode of transportation consists of three variables, including public transportation (bus rapid transit and mass rapid transit), private vehicles (cars and motorbikes), and online transportation (online taxis and motorbike taxis online). Multivariate analysis using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling method was used to explain the relationship between variables in the model. According to the results, the mediating impact of work environment is significant on transportation choices only for environmental variables. The mediating mode choice effect is negative for public transportation and complimentary for private vehicles and online transportation. Other variables directly affect mode choice, including the influence of work environment.
Fluid flow and gas absorption in an ejector venturi scrubber

Empirical models were developed to describe the fluid flow characteristics and gas absorption efficiency of an ejector venturi scrubber. The empirical constants were determined experimentally using stop action photographs of the spray, static pressure measurements, and sulfur dioxide absorption efficiencies. Experiments were conducted on a commercial scrubber, 24 inches (61 cm) high, with a 4 inch (10 cm) diameter gas inlet and outlet. Liquid flow rates varied from 3 to 8 gallons/min (.0114 to .0303 m3/min) in the atomizing range of the scrubber, and gas flows from 24 to 64 cubic feet/min (.680 to 1.81 m3/min). The liquid-to-gas ratio was constant at . 0167. Droplet sizes ranged from 34 to 563 microns, with a volume mean diameter of 155 microns, at a liquid rate of 6 gpm (.0227 m3/min). The sulfur dioxide mass transfer coefficient varied from 25 to 800 lb-mole/hr-ft3 (400 to 12,800 kg-mole/hr-m3).
Special electrodes for demanding cochlear conditions

Abstract Optimal matching of an electrode array to the cochlear anatomy plays a key role in bringing the best benefit of CI technology to the users. Even within the category of normal anatomy cochlea, the size variation is huge justifying MED-EL’s FLEX electrode array to be available in five different lengths. Within the malformed inner-ear category the anatomical variation is huge, convincing MED-EL to custom-design the electrode array as per the request from the operating surgeons. Thanks to G. Bredberg, M. Beltrame, L. Sennaroglu, J. Gavilan, S. Plontke, T. Lenarz, J. Müller, and few others for their valuable suggestions on unique electrode designs satisfying various needs. Translational research efforts at MED-EL in cooperation with CI surgeons from across the world led to the implantation of a variety of electrode array designs in patients with special cochlear needs. Graphical Abstract
What does the PJD learn from the outside? International factors and Islamist politics in Morocco

ABSTRACT This article explores the interaction between international and domestic arenas by studying the mechanisms through which domestic actors incorporate international factors into their strategic decisions. More specifically, it investigates whether and how the international context, regional examples, and third-party actors’ foreign policies impact the process of inclusion of the Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD) into Moroccan political institutions. The main contention is that the PJD selectively incorporates international experiences and insights. This article examines this dynamic by investigating the interplay of two main mechanisms, learning and adaptation, that connect internationally generated experiences and circumstances and the PJD’s strategic decisions. It focuses on three main phases of the PJD’s inclusion process: (a) the party’s first steps in the parliament (1996–1999), (b) the first years of the reign of Mohamed VI (1999–2010), and (c) the PJD’s electoral victories after the 2011 regional anti-authoritarian protests (since 2011–2012).
Rethinking Islamist politics in North Africa: a multi-level analysis of domestic, regional and international dynamics

ABSTRACT Since 2011, considerable upheavals in domestic politics, shifting regional power balances and international shocks have been greatly affecting Islamist movements and parties coming to the forefront of the political arena in Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. This Special Issue combines a more theoretical reflection upon the underappreciated interaction of domestic, regional and international factors with an empirical focus on the development of Islamists. It also enriches the case history of comparative politics analyses through the investigation of new relevant rational actors in countries whose political trajectories differ considerably. By opting for an inside-out perspective and actor-centered approach, we aim to overcome the ‘compartmentalization' of the three levels of analysis and the ‘obsession’ with moderation for Islamists. Borrowing a set of mechanisms first identified by social movement and policy diffusion literature, this introduction lays out the analytical framework informing all the contributions which is based on adaptation, learning, competition, and collaboration dynamics.
Developing the next generation of social work activists: Support for eliminating the micro–macro divide

ABSTRACT Social action is an ethical mandate, but the literature suggests that social work’s engagement in activities that remedy systemic social injustices have been inadequate. This study examined the social action of Master of Social Work graduates. Social workers who concentrated on macro practice felt more confident in nine competencies found to be common to this method. Enhanced social action was reported by macro social workers. Seven macro practice competencies were related to increased social action frequency. Educators must strive for a more inclusive curricular approach, regardless of concentration, to ensure that all graduates have the requisite skills for social change.
Índices para avaliar o estado de nitrogênio da batata multiplicada por distintos materiais propagativos

Melhoria na eficiencia de aplicacao do N pode ser conseguida pela sincronizacao da demanda da planta com o suprimento de N durante o ciclo da batateira. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar os valores otimos de indices relacionados com o estado de nitrogenio ao longo do ciclo da batata cultivada em ambiente protegido, utilizando distintos materiais propagativos, tuberculo-semente, minituberculo e broto, comuns na producao de tuberculo-semente basica. Os indices, determinados na quarta folha e na mais velha, foram intensidade da cor verde, avaliada pelo indice SPAD e pela tabela de cor, e caracteristicas agronomicas: comprimento, largura, area e numero de foliolos. Foram realizados tres experimentos em vaso, em casa de vegetacao na Universidade Federal de Vicosa. Em cada experimento, instalado no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repeticoes, foram utilizadas seis doses de nitrogenio (0; 25; 50; 100; 200 e 400 mg dm-3). Os indices foram determinados a cada 10 dias iniciando-se aos 20 dias apos a emergencia. Com cada material de propagacao, o indice SPAD medido tanto na QF quanto na FV respondeu de forma diferenciada ao incremento na dose de N e atingiu os valores otimos de 41,3; 40,5; 37,0; 35,8; 36,0; 31,9 e 29,8 dos 20 aos 80 DAE, respectivamente, ao ser utilizado o tuberculo-semente basica. Com todos os materiais de propagacao, a idade da planta influencia significativamente todas as variaveis, exceto o numero de hastes ou o numero de folhas, quando e utilizado broto ou minituberculo, respectivamente. O valor otimo dos indices relacionados com a intensidade da cor das folhas e das caracteristicas agronomicas da planta foram estabelecidos e variam com o material de propagacao e idade da planta de batata.
S1366728920000504jra 507..523

The masked translation priming effect was examined in Chinese–English bilinguals using lexical decision and semantic categorization tasks in an effort to understand why the two tasks seem to produce different patterns of results. A machine-learning approach was used to assess the participant-based factors that contribute to the sizes of translation priming effects in these tasks. As expected, the participant-based factors that predicted translation priming effects did vary across tasks. Priming effects in lexical decision were associated with higher self-rated listening, reading, and writing abilities in English. Priming effects in semantic categorization were associated with more frequent use of English in daily life, spoken English proficiency, and self-rated listening proficiency in English. These results are discussed within the framework of Multilink, the logic of which is then expanded in an attempt to account for these task differences.