Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regeneration of Sciatic Nerve Injury by Polyglycolic Acid/ Collagen/Bioglass Conduit

Introduction The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is located outside the Central Nervous System (CNS) and contains the cranial, spinal, and peripheral nerves that conduct impulses from and to the CNS. The Peripheral Nerve Injury (PNI), a global clinical impairment that damages the quality of life of patients, can be caused by mechanical, thermal, chemical, or ischemic injuries, mainly resulting from traumatic accidents or some degenerative disorders. It has been shown that the severity of injuries determines the functional outcome. PNI can also lead to the destruction of neuronal communication in sensory and motor nerves bridging the CNS to peripheral organs. The annual incidence of PNI in the world is estimated to be 13 to 23 cases per 100.000, and currently, more than 200.000 individuals are under-treatment of PNI in the United States. Among these patients with PNI, less than half of injured individuals could be fully recovered following the therapeutic procedures. In contrast to the CNS, peripheral nerves have the ability to regenerate after cell injury; however, in mammalian neural cells, the intrinsic and spontaneous restoration of the peripheral nerve cells is partial. Therefore, seeking therapeutic approaches to boost the process of nerve repair would be requisite. Microsurgical nerve autograph is the most frequently used interventional strategies used for the restoration of structural and functional nerve regeneration following PNS injury. Nevertheless, despite much efforts made in this field, several restrictions, including the limited accessibility of the donor site, sensation loss of donor areas, and discrepancies in the dimension of nerves between donor and recipient, are considered major obstacles in the field of regenerative medicine. Biological sciences, tissue engineering, and biomaterial engineering have cooperatively established a new approach to restore and reconstruct the damaged tissues and organs. One of the most favored attitudes in the file of neuroscience is nerve tissue engineering. Natural and synthetic neural guidance channels (conduits), as well as Abstract
Role of Private Investment in Economic Growth in Pakistan: A Time Series Analysis (1980-2017)

The paper examines the impact of private investment on Pakistan's economic growth through a time series analysis for the period 1980-2017. Economic growth is represented with real per-capita GDP, private sector credit as an envoy of private investment (DCPS), and other variables are foreign direct investment, the discount rate, and the inflation rate. The stationarity properties of the data are investigated through Augmented Dicky Fuller test (ADF), and ARDL co-integration technique is used to estimate the equation. The findings show a significant and negative association between LDPS and real GDP: that 1% increase (or decrease) in domestic credit to private sector, on average, causes a 0.7% decrease (or increase) in real per-capita GDP in the long-run. It is also found that discount rate and GDP deflator have a negative impact on economic growth. The study concluded that private investment has negative impact on economic growth in Pakistan. It recommends to build a favourable economic environment, and incentivize FDI in Pakistan due to its positive and significant impact on GDP. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol. 1 1 , No. 4, 2021, E-ISSN: 2222-6990 © 2021 HRMARS 380
Internship proposal: “AMP for MCP: Can early false detection be avoided with Minimax Concave Penalty?”

High dimensional statistics has seen a tremendous amount of work since the 90’s, mostly govern by the genomics applications. Following the Lasso [12, 4] introduction, sparsity enforcing penalties have played a major role, especially the convex one (the `1 case). Yet, the Lasso suffers from early detections on the path: even for large regularization parameters, wrong detections might already pop-up [11]. Technically, the results by these authors were proved using Approximate Message Passing (AMP) theory [5].
BACTRERIAL CONTAMINATION OF OPERATING THEATRES AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN BAUCHI, NORTHATSERN NIGERIA

Bacterial contamination of operating theater is a major risk factor for increased incidence of surgical site and nosocomial infections in hospitals. Surveillance study allows for minimizing incidence and implements effective control and preventive measures. This study assessed the bacterial contamination level, bacterial pathogens and their resistance pattern in the two operating theaters in our hospitals.150 specimens were collected from two operating theaters, Main (MOT)(n=80) and Obsteristic and Gyneacology (O&G OT)(n=70) based on preidentified inanimate items/surfaces and designated points and analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Overall bacterial contamination rate was 56.7%, 40% in MOT and 75.7% in O&G OT. High contamination rate of Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococci and Bacillius spp were recorded in both units. Clinically relevant pathogens, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Enterococcus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa were recovered from routinely used equipments, with more pathogens from the O&G OT. High resistant to cotrimoxazole, amoxicillin, ampicillin-clauvanic acid, streptomycin, gentamycin, and erythromycin, observed with bacterial isolates from O/G OT. While the findings portray the level of bacterial contamination within the units, the high rate within the O&G OT posses greater risk for postoperative infections, necessitating need for effective cleaning and disinfection practices and adherence to basic standard infection procedures.
PREVALENCE OF BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS IN ALGETAINA LOCALITY, WHITE NILE STATE, SUDAN

Brucellosis is responsible for massive economic losses around the word due to losses of meat and milk (according to abortion, stillbirth, weak of spring and prolonging calving period). The study was conducted at Algetaina Locality of White Nile State of Sudan, during the period of six months of the year 2018. The study was aiming at detection of bovine brucellosis in different dairy farms within the Locality. A total of 100 blood samples and 100 milk samples were collected from the same lactating cows. Sera were separated from blood samples and subjected using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and modified Rose Bengal Plate Test (mRBPT 1:2) for detection of Brucella antibodies. Milk samples were examined using Milk Ring Test (MRT)for detection of Brucella antibodies. According to questionnaire survey of dairy farms in Algetaina locality there were no records about brucellosis in the locality, but there were records about stillbirth 5 (45.5 %) and cases of retained placenta 8 (72.2 %). Six (6%) serum samples gave positive results with RBPT and 12 (12%) were positive for mRBPT 1:2. Only 2 (2%) milk samples gave positive reaction with MRT. From this study we conclude that mRBPT is more specific and sensitive than RBPT and MRT in detecting Brucella antibodies.
Recent advances in sampling and laboratory characterization of intermediate soils

Intermediate soils encompass an array of natural deposits, such as silts, silty clays, clayey silts, sandy silts, among others, and they usually exhibit transitional behavior with some properties being clay-like and others being sandlike. Despite intermediate soils being frequently encountered on infrastructure projects worldwide they remain challenging to sample and characterize. This paper presents results from recent research on sampling and laboratory characterization of intermediate soils. An overview of the state of knowledge is presented and the challenges in sampling and laboratory characterization of intermediate soils relative to the more well-established norms for clays and sands are highlighted. Results from sampling and advanced laboratory characterization tests using a suite of reconstituted synthetic soils and intact samples of the low plasticity index Halden silt are presented. Key findings from a synthesis of the research includes: 1) it is possible to collect intact downhole block samples of a low plasticity, low clay fraction silt, 2) poor tube geometry samplers create sample disturbance that results in markedly different undrained shear behavior compared to undisturbed sample behavior, 3) whereas good tube geometry fixed piston sampling can collect samples of similar quality to that of a block sample, 4) significantly disturbed samples show relatively little change in volume and largely recover any loss in shear wave velocity during laboratory reconsolidation to in-situ effective stresses, 5) a recently developed work-based sample quality criteria appears to track well the effects of sample disturbance independent of plasticity and stress history, 6) 1-D consolidation behavior of even good quality samples do not show any visual evidence of stress history, and 7) selection of undrained shear strength for design for intermediate soils that exhibit dilative behavior is complicated and requires careful assessment of the field loading regime and drainage conditions.
An analytical energy model for metal foil deposition in ultrasonic consolidation

Purpose – Recently, a number of research projects have been focused on an emerging additive manufacturing process, termed ultrasonic consolidation (UC). The purpose of this paper is to present an analytical energy model aimed at investigating the effects of process parameters on bond formation in UC.Design/methodology/approach – In the model, two factors are defined, energy input to the workpiece within a single cycle of ultrasonic vibration (E0) and total energy input to the workpiece (Et), to evaluate to the magnitude of transmitted energy into the workpiece during UC.Findings – It is found that linear weld density, E0 and Et are affected by process parameters in similar manners.Research limitations/implications – The current model is developed based on several simplifying assumptions, and energy dissipation and bond degradation during UC are not considered in the model.Originality/value – The current model gives a useful understanding of the effects of process parameter on the bond formation in UC from.
Use of deep learning genomics to discriminate Alzheimer's disease and healthy controls

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia in the elderly. Because gene is an important clinical risk factor resulting in AD, genomic studies, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), have widely been applied into AD studies. However, main shortcomings of GWAS method were that hereditary deletions were evident in the GWAS studies, which resulted in low classification or prediction abilities by using GWAS analysis. Therefore, this paper proposed a novel deep learning genomics approach and applied it to discriminate AD patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. In this study, we selected genotype data of 988 subjects enrolled in the ADNI, including 622 AD patients and 366 HC subjects. The proposed deep learning genomics (DLG) approach was composed of three steps: quality control, SNP genotype coding, and classification. The Resnet framework was used as the DLG model in this study. In the comparative GWAS analysis, APOE ε4 status and the normalized theta-value of the significant SNP loci were seen as predictors to classify genetically using Support Vector Machine (SVM). All data were divided into one training & validation group and one test group. 5-fold cross-validation was used in 500 times. Finally, we compared the classification results between DLG model and traditional GWAS analysis. As a result, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of classification for traditional GWAS analysis was 71.38%±0.63%, 63.13%±2.87% and 85.59%±6.66% in the test group; while the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of classification for DLG model was 92.65%±4.80%, 85.00%±16.25% and 97.10%±4.38% in the test group. Hence, the DLG model can achieve higher accuracy and sensitivity when applied to AD. More importantly, we discovered several novel genetic biomarkers of AD, including rs6311 and rs6313 in HTR2A, and rs690705 in RFC3. The roles of these novel loci in AD should be explored future.
Performance of Mortgage Valuation in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

This study assessed mortgage valuation performance in Kaduna metropolis with a view to improving the quality of mortgage valuation practice. The study adopted a quantitative approach, where data was collected using questionnaires from 75 estate surveyors and valuers and 41 commercial Banks randomly selected from the studyarea. The data collected was subjected to descriptive statistics to examine the degree of agreement and significance of the various variables. The study revealed that mortgage valuation creates credit risk, expose lenders to financial loss, discourage the availability of loan advancement, overprotect lenders fund at the detriment of borrowers need and reduce access of borrowers to adequate loan. The study recommended that emphasis should be placed on members’ specialization in the valuation practice, latest edition of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers’ valuations standards (2019) be widely distributed and enforced, Estate Surveyors and Valuers should put in place quality control measures in their practice so as to improve the reliability of their valuation report and Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers should make it mandatory for all Estate Surveyors and valuers to submit relevant data (sales figures, rental values, outgoings, yield rates, etc) on all transactions with respect to property sales and lettings compulsorily for the purpose of building and regularly updating a data bank.
A benchmark catalog for numerical field calculations with respect to EMC problems

In this paper one of the activities of the German IEEE EMC-Chapter is presented. The members of a working group have developed 15 benchmarks for the evaluation of numerical methods for the field calculation with respect to EMC problems. For the choice of benchmarks, the members tried to select simple but critical benchmarks for which well known analytical or numerical methods can be applied whenever possible. The majority of the benchmarks leans on examples related to EMC. Each benchmark is described in detail.
What shapes CSR performance? Evidence from the changing enforceability of non-compete agreements in the United States

This paper investigates whether companies strategically engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices to retain employees. Under a unique setting of exogenous variations in noncompete law enforceability in the U.S., we examine the relation between the changing enforceability of non-compete agreements and firms’ CSR performance. Using a difference-indifferences design, we find that an increase in the enforcement of non-compete agreements (which enhances a firm’s ability to retain employees) deteriorates CSR performance. In cross-sectional tests, we find that peer pressure affects CSR performance interactively with the enforceability of non-compete agreements; specifically, the strategic role of CSR performance in employee retention is more pronounced for firms facing higher peer pressure (i.e., firms that are R&D intensive and in highly competitive industries). We further find a negative relation between the absolute enforceability of non-compete agreements and CSR performance. The above findings are consistent with the notion that firms strategically engage in CSR practices to retain employees, thereby reducing the knowledge spillover associated with employee mobility. JEL Codes: G30, J6, K2, L25, L50, M5
Malaysian consumers’ purchase intention towards online seafood shopping amid pandemic: The moderating role of the Covid-19 risk perception

Online shopping for groceries has been accelerated to an unprecedented rate and benefitted from various government movement restrictions during the pandemic. However, the challenge remains for online seafood purchasing due to its perishable product nature and the untransferable organoleptic experience through an online platform to the consumer. The purpose of the current study is to determine the factors influencing consumers’ purchase intention toward online seafood shopping with Covid-19 risk perception as the moderating factor. Both The Planned Behavior and Technology Acceptance Model theories have been used to develop the research framework for this study. The five critical factors selected are: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, visibility and social influence. Covid-19 risk perception moderating effect is measured from two dimensions: cognitive and affective risk perception. An internet self-administrated questionnaire is used to collect the data from consumers. A total of 182 data were collected from the questionnaire and analysed by using the PLS-SEM method. The findings show that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and social influence correlated significantly with purchase intention toward online seafood shopping. The perceived usefulness has the most significant effect on purchase intention. Covid-19 risk perception shows a positive moderation effect on the relationship between perceived usefulness and purchase intention. These findings suggest that online seafood vendors could focus management efforts to improve perceived usefulness. The finding has important implications for developing robust marketing strategies to improve the perceived usefulness and social influence of online seafood shopping.
Physiochemical characteristics of strawberry and raspberry: comparison of local and commercial cultivars with their wild relatives in Estonia

The chemical composition of old local breeds, wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca), and raspberry (Rubus idaeus) has not been studied enough as they may not be profitable. We compared local and commercial strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus) cultivars to natural relatives. In the experiment fruit weight, pH, and chemical characteristics were investigated. In contrast with foreign cultivars, local strawberry and raspberry cultivars had smaller berries and a lower anthocyanin content, but a higher total phenolic and ascorbic acid content. The strawberry cultivar ‘Edu’ had the highest ascorbic acid and ‘Regatt­ 80’ the highest total phenolic content. The raspberry cultivar ‘Tomo’ had the highest quantity of ascorbic acid and ‘Alvi’ the highest total phenolic content. Due to the higher levels of these bioactive compounds, old local cultivars could be used for the production of nutrient­rich functional food. Wild relatives showed a higher value of dry matter, soluble solids, and anthocyanins than the cultivars. The content of total phenolics in raspberry cultivars and wild raspberries was statistically the same but for strawberries, a higher value was estimated for wild counterparts.
Farm and Non-farm Sector Linkages and Future of Agriculture*

Agriculture development is crucial for raising incomes of population dependent on agriculture and for growth of non-agriculture. There are significant linkages between farm and non-farm sectors. The concept of ‘sectoral linkages’ was first introduced by Hirschman’s (1958) theory of ‘unbalanced growth’. He argued that the expansion of sectors with larger linkage measures can increase growth faster through their interdependence with other sectors than by alternative means. It is also pointed out that agriculture could not become a leading sector due to its weak backward linkages. In contrast to Hirschman’s views, Kalecki (1960) and Kuznets (1968) emphasise that agricultural development is essential for improving industrialisation. Lewis (1954) discusses the role of terms of trade in the context of agricultureindustrial linkages. According to him, increase in terms of trade in agriculture would reduce profits for industry. In contrast, Kaldor (1967) emphasises that rise in terms of trade for agriculture would improve demand for industrialisation. Johsnston and Mellor (1961) and Mellor (1976) discuss the importance of agriculture on nonagricultural sector. Later, studies by Mellor (1976), Liedholm and Kilby (1989), Ranis and Stewart (1993) stressed the importance of rural non-farm sector. Recent book by McMillan et al. (2017) examined structural change and focused on change in terms of shifting from low productive to high productive sectors and change in terms of raising human capital. In the above context, this paper examines farm and non-farm linkages and future of agriculture. The paper is organised as follows. Section II analyses the linkages between farm and non-farm sectors while Section III examines factors determining the linkages and focuses on diversification. Future of agriculture is discussed in Section IV. The Last section lists the issues for further research on farm and non-farm linkages.
The Systemic Governance Influence of Expectation Documents : Evidence from a Universal Owner

We examine expectation documents’ effectiveness as an activism tool. We use the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund’s unforeseen release of a corporate governance expectation document as a natural experiment. We introduce a novel, three-way analytical decomposition of the firms, the fund, and their joint response to this document, as well as examining investee firms’ governance practices adapted to the fund’s new portfolio-wide governance with heterogeneous responses across ownership and firm characteristics. The fund’s investment polices also changed, even at the expense of financial returns. Overall, our research demonstrates expectation documents’ potential effectiveness as an emerging low-cost activism tool for universal investors.
Kinematic Assessment of Turning and Walking Tasks Among Stroke Survivors by Employing Wearable Sensors and Pressure Platform

Stroke survivors often experience reduced movement capabilities due to alterations in their neuromusculoskeletal systems. Modern sensor technologies and motion analyses can facilitate the determination of these changes. Our work aims to assess the potential of using wearable motion sensors to analyze the movement of stroke survivors and identifying the affected functions. We recruited 10 participants (5 stroke survivors, 5 healthy individuals) and conducted a controlled laboratory evaluation for two of the most common daily activities: turning and walking. Among the extracted kinematic parameters, range of trunk and sacrum lateral bending in turning were significantly larger in stroke survivors (p-value<0.02). However, no statistical difference in mean angular velocity and range of motion for trunk/sacrum/shank flexion-extension were obtained in the turning task. Our results also indicated that during walking, while there was no difference in swing time, double support portion of gait among the stroke group was significantly larger (p-value = 0.001). Outcomes of this investigation may help in designing new rehabilitation programs for stroke and other neurological disorders and/or in improving the efficacy of such programs.Clinical Relevance— This study may provide a better insight on the detailed functional differences between stroke survivors and healthy individuals which in turn could be used to develop a more efficient rehabilitation program for stroke community.