Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sonication and Microwave Processing of Phalsa Drink: A Synergistic Approach

ABSTRACT Non-thermal processing techniques not only prevent the nutritional losses but also improve the food quality and security. In recent years, consumers demand healthy, safe, and nutritious food. Ultrasound is one of the emerging techniques, which is being studied extensively on various food products. On the other hand, in microwave treatment heat transfer is rapid, so sensory characteristics, nutrients, vitamin content, flavor and color of food are well preserved. A study was conducted on combined effect of sonication and microwave processing on phalsa drink and stored for 120 days. The juice was filled in plastic bottles, sealed and after microwave treatment immediately chilled in ice cold water at 4 ± 1°C. It was observed that synergistic approach of sonication and microwave had shown positive impact on nutritional quality of phalsa drink as it increased (p ≤ 0.05) the total phenolic, flavonoids, reducing power and antioxidant properties of phalsa drink and reduced the microbial load with increase in sonication time from 2 to 8 min. It was concluded that combination of sonication and microwave can be employed without chemical preservatives for treatment of phalsa drink with better retention of nutritional attributes.
Comparison of the efficiency of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration using a 22G needle versus 25G needle for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in patients with lung cancer: a prospective randomized, crossover study

Background Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is generally performed for the diagnosis of hilar/mediastinal lymph node metastasis in patients with lung cancer. Recently, a 25-gauge (G) needle became available, but robust evidence of its usefulness in routine clinical practice is still lacking. Methods A prospective randomized crossover trial was performed, in which patients with suspected hilar/mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer underwent EBUS-TBNA. The primary endpoint was the rate of yield histology specimens containing malignant cells. Results From December 2018 to February 2020, 102 patients were randomly assigned to EBUS-TBNA using a 22G needle first, followed by a 25G needle (n=50) or EBUS-TBNA using a 25G needle first, followed by a 22G needle (n=52). There was no difference in the diagnostic yield of malignancy between the histology specimens obtained by using the 22G and 25G needles (75% vs. 75%, respectively, P=0.37). The sizes of the tissue samples (16.4 vs. 4.9 mm2, respectively) and number of malignant cells in the tissue samples (626 vs. 400, respectively) were both significantly higher when using the 22G needle than when using the 25G needle. Conclusions No significant difference in the diagnostic yield between the 22G and 25G needles was observed for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of lung cancer, suggesting that needles of either gauge could be used for the biopsy. However, we would recommend use of the 22G needle, because it provided larger specimens and specimens containing larger numbers of malignant cells. Trial Registration University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (ID: UMIN000036680).
Pre-service Science Teachers’ Informal Reasoning Patterns and Risk Perceptions in SSI: Case of Gene Therapy

One crucial characteristic of scientifically literate individuals is making informed decisions in socioscientific issues (SSI). Participants’ reasoning patterns and their risk perceptions shape their decisions. Thus, determining participants’ informal reasoning patterns along with their risk perceptions while making decisions in SSI becomes important. This study fulfills this important point by exploring pre-service science teachers’ informal reasoning patterns and their risk perceptions in an SSI topic, specifically gene therapy. Eleven pre-service science teachers enrolling in two different public universities participated in the study voluntarily. The study was designed as a basic qualitative approach. The data were collected by semi-structured interviews focusing on the use of gene therapy in Huntington’s disease and human intelligence cases. The results revealed that pre-service science teachers made decisions by using one (rationalistic, emotive, or intuitive) or more informal reasoning patterns together. Moreover, their risk perceptions were found to be based on the potential and severity of effects on humanity and society, participants’ morals and values, side effects, and a general concern born out of fear. In addition to their risk perceptions regarding gene therapy, they referred to positive aspects of technology, negative aspects of technology, and a two-edged sword implying positive and negative aspects of technology as a whole while making decisions. These results altogether pin the importance of including multiple forms of informal reasoning and risk perceptions in the pre-service science teacher education programs.
Moldable and Humidity-Responsive Self-Healable Complex from Lignosulfonate and Cationic Polyelectrolyte

We have developed a moldable and self-healable material from lignosulfonate by taking advantage of the ionic interactions between lignosulfonate and various cationic polyelectrolytes. Three lignosulfonate complexes with different cationic polyelectrolytes were prepared. The complex of sodium lignosulfonate (L-SO3Na) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMACl) was deemed a promising moldable material based on its mechanical toughness in tensile tests (>3 MJ/m3). The mechanical properties of the L-SO3Na/PDADMACl complex were further characterized with regard to the effects of composition, the molecular weight of PDADMACl, and relative humidity. Our findings were as follows: (i) the addition of adequate amounts of lignosulfonate to PDADMACl improved the toughness of the complex (from 1.8 to 3.6 MJ/m3 at maximum), (ii) using higher-molecular-weight (>200,000) PDADMACl enhanced the mechanical properties of the complex, and (iii) increasing the relative humidity softened the complex through water abso.
Micro flow injection ICP-MS analysis of high matrix samples: an investigation of its capability to measure trace elements in iron meteorites

The coupling of a micro-flow injection sample introduction system to a highly versatile quadrupole ICP-MS (FI-ICP-MS) has been demonstrated to achieve accurate and precise trace element measurements for several iron meteorites. Measurements were made for the trace siderophile elements, Ru, Au, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, Ga, Cr, Cu and Re, where results present good agreements for most metals to duplicate samples also measured by a sector-field ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS). A major advantage for trace element measurements by flow-injection ICP-MS is the added flexibility to increase the total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations of the working solutions above the 2000 μg g−1 ICP-MS limit. The FI-ICP-MS technique used in this study allowed the sample digests to be measured directly, where the TDS concentrations were 2.5 times the above limit. The data generated clearly demonstrate that the micro-flow inputs of the high matrix material never overloaded the plasma or compromised on instrument performance. Without the need for extra dilutions a better detection capability for most elements was found in comparison to those made by the ICP-SFMS, where all method detection limits were below 0.1 μg g−1, apart from Ru and Ga. Furthermore, it was evident from the reduced sample preparation time, together with measurement times of less than 7 minutes per sample, that the FI-ICP-MS analysis was a much more rapid technique. The accuracy of the FI-ICP-MS technique was tested from the measurement of two synthetic iron meteorites. A selection of elements, including Cr, Ga, Ru, Ir and Re, gained absolute error values better than ±5%, where Re, the analyte with the lowest concentration, reported the lowest absolute error, with a value of less than ±1%. Precision, determined from two times the relative standard deviation of repeat measurements of the synthetic solutions (n = 7), gained values less than 10% for all elements.
LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF GROUND SKIDDING ON STANDING TREES: ASSESSMENT OF DECAY USING STRESS WAVES

Timber harvesting and log extraction with conventional ground-based skidding systems in steep, mountainous terrain often results in severe damage to residual stands and forest sites. In this study, the impact of rubber-tired skidders on standing trees along sides of the trails was investigated 5 to 20 years post-harvest in terms of frequency and development of decay at the point of wounding. The study was located in the Hyrcanian mountainous forests of Iran. All standing beech trees (healthy or wounded) were evaluated on both sides of skid trails; four age classes (determined in relation to time since logging) were selected in chronosequence over 20 years (four 5-year classes) in forests under management. Stress wave velocity was tested in three directions (on wound, perpendicular to wound and longitudinal directions on trunk) of each standing tree located along sides of trails to characterize the trunk decay. To compare the results with reference to the wave velocity of healthy beech, 20 trees were selected in a non-harvested area. Totally 205 standing beech trees were investigated using stress wave in this study. Results showed that more than 75% of the standing trees located up to 1.5 m from both sides of the skid trails had been injured by skidding operations. Among these, about 24.8% had been decayed as a result of wounding. Most of the decayed trees were observed down slope along the trails and also on both sides of curves in the trail. The percentage of decayed trees and decay intensity in each skid trail increased with the increasing age of skid trails from 10 to 20 years. However, traffic intensity had no effect on tree decay. This study indicated durable injuries were produced on standing beech trees in areas affected by skidder movements; however, most of injuries are easily preventable.
Socioeconomic Determinants of Health and Their Unequal Distribution in Poland

The purpose of this study is to identify inequities in the distribution of socioeconomic determinants of health within Poland and their impact on the health status of Poles, as measured by mortality rate. We hypothesised that (1) there are inequities in the socioeconomic characteristics within geographically defined population groups and (2) some socioeconomic determinants of health have a particularly strong impact on the health status of Poles. Poland is administratively divided into three levels: voivodeships, powiats and gminas. We used a dataset covering all 380 powiats in Poland for the year 2018. We employed a two-stage nested Theil index and Herfindahl–Hirschman Index. In order to identify which of these determinants has the strongest impact on health, we conducted a regression analysis. The study revealed some inequities in the distribution of socioeconomic determinants of health. The mortality rate can be partly understood from variations within voivodeships in the distribution of health determinants. Important national inequalities were found in the case of two determinants, which simultaneously proved their significant impact on Poles’ health in the regression analysis. Thus, type of employment and access to modern infrastructure should be of particular concern for public authorities.
Phenotypic (Fruit and Seed Characters) Selection of Dacryodes edulis (Don. G. Lam H. J.) Tree for Vegetative Propagation

The study was conducted to identify superior D. edulis trees using phenotypic characters (fruit and seed size) as the criteria to select candidate trees for subsequent multiplication through vegetative propagation. Five D. edulis compound trees were randomly selected within Onne community in Eleme LGA Rivers state in a preliminary effort to assist households in the selection and multiplication of desirable tree phenotypes. Seeds were extracted by softening fruit with warm water at 57oC. Fruit and seed length (mm), breadth (mm), and thickness (mm) were taken using veneer caliper. Size of fruit and seed was calculated as: length × breadth × thickness. The experiment was a completely randomized design in its layout and data analysis was carried out using analysis of variance and regression after a normality test was conducted using Shapiro-Wilk. The results showed that highest mean fruit size (79.38 ± 3.99 mm) was recorded in tree 3 and the lowest was tree 5 (29.60 ± 1.48 mm): while, highest seed size (34.78 ± 2.47 mm) was recorded in tree 3 and the lowest in tree 4 (15.58 ± 0.99 mm). Highest within tree fruit size variability was recorded in tree 1 (24%) and the lowest in tree 4 (12%): while the highest within tree seed size variability was recorded in tree 2 (28%) and the lowest in tree 5 (15%). There was however a significant difference in fruit and seed size between the trees. Pairwise comparison showed that tree 1 was not significantly different from tree 2 in fruit and seed size. There was a significant positive correlation between fruit and seed size among the trees. This implies that selection for large fruit size automatically selects for large seeds size. Large fruited trees can therefore be multiplied from these trees using vegetative propagation.
Asset Administration Shell Design Methodology Using Embedded OPC Unified Architecture Server

This article captures the current trends in the development of communication interoperability and common data modelling for the integration of devices into Industry 4.0 networks. The use of open standards such as the Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) or the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) concept is the only way to achieve global communication and semantic interoperability. This article presents an original methodology of AAS implementation into an embedded system, dramatically reducing system requirements. The proposed workflow of the I4.0 component creation includes a procedure for the implementation of the AAS in the OPC UA information model. This methodology was verified by creating an intelligent sensor as a specific I4.0 cyber-physical system based on the 32 bit Arm Cortex Microcontroller. The outcome is the AAS as an “Embedded Industry 4.0 Component” hosted by a minimalist hardware; this is the very first design and implementation of a device with such parameters. Compared to recent studies (which implement certain types of AAS devices), the system requirements of the proposed embedded AAS are in the order of hundreds lower. The presented novel methodology enables developers and industrial manufacturers to implement relatively simple devices (e.g., smart sensors or actuators) as I4.0 Components.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation and Its Control

Microbes are hardly seen as planktonic species and are most commonly found as biofilm communities in cases of chronic infections. Biofilms are regarded as a biological condition, where a large group of microorganisms gets adhered to a biotic or abiotic surface. In this context, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative nosocomial pathogen is the main causative organism responsible for life-threatening and persistent infections in individuals affected with cystic fibrosis and other lung ailments. The bacteria can form a strong biofilm structure when it adheres to a surface suitable for the development of a biofilm matrix. These bacterial biofilms pose higher natural resistance to conventional antibiotic therapy due to their multiple tolerance mechanisms. This prevailing condition has led to an increasing rate of treatment failures associated with P. aeruginosa biofilm infections. A better understanding of the effect of a diverse group of antibiotics on established biofilms would be necessary to avoid inappropriate treatment strategies. Hence, the search for other alternative strategies as effective biofilm treatment options has become a growing area of research. The current review aims to give an overview of the mechanisms governing biofilm formation and the different strategies employed so far in the control of biofilm infections caused by P. aeruginosa. Moreover, this review can also help researchers to search for new antibiofilm agents to tackle the effect of biofilm infections that are currently imprudent to conventional antibiotics.
Engaged Women’s Relationships, Weddings, and Mental Health During Covid-19

We examined the association between mental health and relationship and wedding factors among engaged women planning their weddings before and during Covid-19. Survey data from 715 non-Covid-19 and 427 Covid-19 participants revealed that Covid-19 participants experienced depression in greater proportion than non-Covid-19 participants. Wedding satisfaction and financial strain were stronger predictors of depression for Covid-19 than non-Covid-19 participants. Other significant predictors of Covid-19 participants’ depression included social isolation, relational satisfaction and turbulence, and wedding disillusionment. Additionally, 22.0% of Covid-19 participants reported severe levels of anxiety, which was significantly predicted by social isolation, relational turbulence, wedding financial strain, wedding disillusionment, and wedding satisfaction. According to Covid-19 participants’ open-ended responses, less depressed participants liked something better about their revised wedding plans, more anxious participants could not identify positive aspects of their revised plans, and less anxious participants appreciated the perspective that came with revising wedding plans due to Covid-19.
Exploring the Multicomponent Structure of Acceptance Attitudes in Portuguese Children Using the Modified Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes toward Children with Handicaps scale

Social participation represent one of the major outcomes of inclusive education. Students with additional support needs often encountered negative attitudes of social acceptance exhibited by their typically developing peers hindering their social participation in the educational context. This study explored the multicomponent structure of Portuguese children’s attitudes toward their peers with disabilities using a modified short form of the Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes toward Children with Handicaps scale (CATCH). In particular, this study aimed to (a) determine the factor structure of the CATCH and (b) evaluate the measurement invariance across age and gender. To identify the CATCH factor structure, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on data collected from 1,038 children aged 8–18 years. Analyses revealed that a modified short form of the CATCH consisting of a 20-item measure with a three-factor structure displayed acceptable fit and internal consistency indices. This model proved to be invariant across groups. The Portuguese-modified short form of the CATCH, in which cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions are represented, has acceptable psychometric properties and the potential to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs designed to improve children’s attitudes.
Biological Response of Different Locator Heights in Mandibular Overdenture Wearers .

Introduction: The locator attachment has been widely and successfully used to support dentures has dual retention and is available in different heights with different retention values; in addition, their repair and replacement are quick and straight forward. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare clinically and radio graphically the biological effect of two different locator heights on peri-implant bone width and probing depth in mandibular implant overdenture wearers. Materials and methods: Conventional complete dentures were constructed for twelve completely edentulous male patients, chosen from Out-clinic of faculty of dentistry Suez Canal University. Two implant were inserted in the lower cusped region then the patients divided randomly into two groups Group A(GA): Six patients received implant retained over denture with 1mm locator height. Group B (GB): Six patients received implant retained over denture with 3mm locator height, the follow up both clinically and radiography were taken at 0, 6, 12 and 18 months starting from the first day of over denture attachment pick up. Peri-implant bone width and probing depth were estimated through the evaluation periods. Results: It was found that the reduction in the peri-implant alveolar buccolingual width and probing depth around the implants were higher in GA than GB at all follow up periods, except for the last follow up period. Conclusion: The locator height has a biological effect on bone width and probing depth as the higher locator height the more preservation of peri-implant bone.
Heavy Metals Concentration in Rhizosphere and Tissues of Smooth Pigweed (A. hybridus) and Bush Okra (C. olitorius) cultivated on an Abandoned Dumpsite

The study assessed the concentrations of Pb, Cr, and Cd in rhizosphere and tissues of A. hybridus and C. olitorius grown on a dumpsite converted to farmland by plant and 0-15 cm depth soil samples which were air-dried, digested and analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Some physiochemical parameters that affect transport of soil nutrients into plant tissues were analysed using standard methods. The pH of the rhizosphere soil of C. olitorius was 6.71 and the soil of A. hybridus was slightly alkaline in nature with pH 7.75. The rhizosphere of A. hybridus had the highest concentration of Pb (123.20±90.04 mg/kg) and Cd (0.63±0.63 mg/kg) while Cr was highest in the rhizosphere of C. olitorius (36.57±8.61 mg/kg). The result showed total and bioavailable metal concentrations in the soils were in the order of Pb > Cr > Cd. The order of metal uptake varied with vegetable crop. Metal concentration in tissues of A. hybridus followed the order of Pb > Cr > Cd while C. olitorius was Cr > Pb > Cd. Concentrations of Cd, Pb and Cr exceeded the maximum permissible limit in soil and within allowable limit in the tissue. C. olitorius had transfer factor (TF) 1. The study concluded that the dumpsite converted to farmland is highly contaminated with Pb, Cr, and Cd and highly accumulated by the vegetables. Keywords : Heavy metals, dumpsite, Transfer factor, vegetables.
Examining the Effects of Peer Pressure on Student Teachers‟ Academic Performance

The impetus for human beings to be influenced by neighbours and milieus are undeniable. As peers socialize within their school environments, individuals are forced to conform to the practices, norms, mores and opinions of the group. Upon this background, the study sought to examine the effects of peer pressure on academic performance of student-teachers of S.D. A. College of Education, Asokore Koforidua. The motivation for the study was to examine the effects of peer pressure on studentteachers of S.D. A. College of Education and it repel effects on academic performance. The study used the mixed methodological approach. Purposive sample was employed to select the level 200 students of the S.D. A. College of Education for the study because they were the only students on campus at the time of the survey. The study concluded that self-doubt and emotional development were effects of peer pressure, the fear of uncertainty in some of the student-teachers compel them to join friends who they perceive might be academically better than them. The study therefore recommended that group works should be more frequent to motivate the average students to boost their confidence. Guidance sessions should be mandatorily organized at least once in every month to work on students’ emotional control and self-esteem to improve academic