Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF WATER MANAGEMENT AND SOIL TYPE ON GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSION FROM RICE PRODUCTION IN AN GIANG PROVINCE

Mekong delta has been well known for rice production of Viet Nam and had great contribution of rice export of Viet Nam and for acid sulfate and alluvial soils. Greenhouse gases emission from rice has been raised for its contribution to global warming. The technique of An Giang alternate wetting and drying (AAWD) has been recommended used for reduction of greenhouse gases. An experiment was set up with 3 factors of water management (AAWD and CF-continuous flooding), soil type (acid sulfate and alluvial soil) and seasonal effect (Spring Summer, Summer Autumn and Winter Spring) for collecting emission of CH4, N2O and rice yield. The CH4 emission was less in the AAWD 2.76 mgCH4.m -2 . h -1 than in the CF 4.66 mgCH4.m -2 . h -1 (p < 0.05). Also, the rice yield was 5.87 ton.ha -1 . season -1 for AAWD and higher than 4.80 ton.ha -1 . season -1 for CF (p < 0.05). The soil type did not affect the greenhouse gases emission and the rice yield. The N2O emission was very low and variation. The AAWD should be applied broadly to all the area of rice production in the Mekong delta due to its less greenhouse gases emission.
INTERPRETATION OF PRESSURE TESTS IN UNIFORM-FLUX FRACTURED VERTICAL WELLS WITH THRESHOLD PRESSURE GRADIENT IN LOW PERMEABILITY RESERVOIRS

The level of pressure gradient needed to enable fluid to overcome the viscous forces and start flowing is referred to as the threshold pressure gradient, TPG, or minimum pressure gradient required for fluid flow. While it has been observed that TPG has an important effect on the pseudorradial flow regime of a fractured vertical well, the early linear flow regime caused by the fracture is not impacted by TPG. In this work, TDS methodology is implemented for interpretation of pressure tests in uniform-flux fractured vertical wells of low permeability reservoirs affected by TPG. Two governing equations of the TPG effect on pressure response were developed, in addition to two correlations, which were all tested and validated in a synthetic case.
The Relationship between Physical Activity and the Objectively-Measured Built Environment in Low- and High-Income South African Communities

There is limited data concerning the built environment and physical activity (PA) in a country with a history of sociopolitically motivated, spatial and economic disparities. We explored the extent to which objectively measured attributes of the built environment were associated with self-report or device-measured PA in low- and high-socioeconomic status (SES) communities. Methods: In a convenient sample of residents (n = 52, aged 18–65 years) from four urban suburbs in low- and high-income settings near Cape Town, South Africa, self-reported transport- and leisure-time PA, and device-measured moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) data were collected. Built environment constructs derived from individual-level street network measures (1000 m buffer, ArcGIS, 10.51) were obtained. We assessed PA between four groups, based on income and GIS walkability (derived by a median split, low or high SES and low or high walkable). Results: No relationships between self-reported MVPA and GIS-measured walkability were found. Only intersection density was significantly, inversely associated with moderate and total MVPA (rho = −0.29 and rho = −0.31, respectively, p < 0.05). In the high SES group, vigorous PA was inversely associated with intersection density (rho = −0.39, p < 0.05). Self-report transport PA differed between groups (p < 0.013). Conclusions: Results suggest that the construct of walkability may relate to volitional (leisure) and utilitarian (transport) PA differently, in highly inequitable settings.
Kinetics of the photochromic reaction in a polymer containing azobenzene groups

Thermal trans-cis isomerization of photochromic 4-[4-(6-hydroxy-hexyloxy)phenylazo] benzonitrile chromophore copolymerised with methylmethacrylate was investigated by isothermal kinetic measurements. A non-exponential relaxation in the solid phase was found, related to a distribution of the constants of the process, while the relaxation in solution followed an exponential decay. The activation energy E a = 89 kJ/mol and frequency factor v 0 = 1 x 10 1 1 Hz were determined from the experimental data.
Weber Revisited: A Literature Review on the Possible Link between Protestantism, Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth

The present paper looks at the Weber-Tawney thesis on the positive link between Protestant ethic and economic growth. Both scholars observed that Protestant areas in the Western world seemed to gain faster and more wealth than areas with less Protestants, and largely explained this by a special mentality fostering entrepreneurship in Protestant thinking. By conducting a literature study of research in the area, the paper concludes that despite wide debate, there is a significant acceptance that there is a statistical link between religious affiliation and growth. However, scholars tend to disagree on the causal relationships. Still, the bulk of the literature seems to agree that the Reformation paved way for entrepreneurship and economic growth in one way or another. The paper seeks to map the most important explanations and the arguments behind them.
Comparative study of foliage leaf and bract leaf anatomy of six species of Cyperus L. (Cyperaceae) from West Bengal.

Six species of Cyperus L. are anatomically characterized in an attempt to identify diagnostic characters and to find out the possible relationship among the studied species. From the present study, we observed that some anatomical features are alike to all the studied species (such as foliage leaf bulliform cell layer, form of foliage leaf sclerenchyma, bract leaf bulliform cell layer, form of bract leaf sclerenchyma and position of sclerenchyma in relation to vascular bundle in bract leaf), while others characters (like minor vascular bundle position in foliage leaf and bract leaf, foliage leaf epidermis layer, transverse septum between aerenchyma etc.) are variable. The studied taxa were separated on the basis of 14 inter-specifically variable characters (these are, presence of air cavities in foliage leaf, major vascular bundles position in relation to air cavities in foliar leaf, presence of minor vascular bundle, morphology of foliage leaf blade margins, total number of bulliform cells in foliage leaf, foliage leaf mestome sheaths form, angle of foliage leaf margin, bract leaf air cavities, major vascular bundles position in relation to air cavities in bract leaf, presence of minor vascular bundle in bract leaf, bract leaf blade margin morphology, bract leaf mestome sheaths form, depth of keel in bract leaf, maximum thickness at one half middle of bract leaf). The key to the identification of the studied taxa is also prepared from anatomical data.
Severe Hypoalbuminemia Following Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass in a Patient with Type 1 Diabetes

Albuminuria in the context of diabetic nephropathy is a known complication of poorly controlled diabetes. Data of the Swedish Obese Study showed a reduction of albuminuria after bariatric surgery. On the other hand, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass carries the risk of protein malabsorption due to changes in the gut anatomy and physiology. In this case report we describe the results of a patient with both, diabetes mellitus type 1 and bariatric surgery. A 49-year old woman (height 157cm, weight 95kg, BMI 38.5kg/ m 2 ) with type 1 diabetes since 1983 underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 2005. She was admitted to our hospital due to generalized edema in December 2017. Routine check-up for bariatric patients was performed including blood tests after an overnight fasting and a urine sample. Amongst others HbA1c, creatinine, albumin and albumin-creatinine-ratio were evaluated. Yearly check-ups of these parameters were evaluated retrospectively since 1999. As expected, there was a significant weight loss after bariatric surgery (2005: 122kg, BMI 49.4kg/m 2 ; 2007: 80kg, BMI 32.4kg/m 2 ). Diabetes control has always been poor (HbA1c 8.9% (1999), 8.7% (2005), 10.3% (2007), 10.8% (2017)). Diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy have been known since 1999. Albuminuria was present before bariatric surgery and got worse over the years (ACR 32.6mg/g (1999), 158mg/g (2005), 2246.4mg/g (2014), 1336.1mg/g (2017). Furthermore, hypalbuminemia has been present before surgery and deteriorated subsequently (albumin 29.0% (1999), 60.6% (2005), 32.2% (2012), 21.6% (2017)). In this patient, albuminuria unexpectedly worsened after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass despite weight loss, most likely due to insufficient metabolic control. Following surgery, decreased protein absorption contributed to the severe hypoalbuminemia resulting in generalized edema. Thus, patients at high risk for hypoalbuminemia, especially those with progressive diabetic nephropathy, need to be carefully evaluated preoperatively and be offered non-malabsorptive bariatric procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy, if indicated.
Prospecting of pathogen-derived elicitors for the control of tomato bacterial spot

Plants can recognize molecules derived from pathogens and trigger systemic acquired resistance (SAR). In phytopathogenic bacteria, elicitors are constituent components of cellular structures, such as flagellin. We sought to select structural components of Xanthomonas spp. incompatible with tomato, aiming to control bacterial spot ( Xanthomonas perforans ). Initially, cell suspensions from 11 Xanthomonas spp. isolates were infiltrated into the leaves to assess their ability to cause a hypersensitivity response (HR) and the incompatible ones had their flagellin purified. The flagellin of the isolates were first applied at different concentrations, via infiltration and spraying. The pathogen, X. perforans , was inoculated after 24 h, to assess whether there would be any harmful reaction. No harmful reaction was observed in any treatment. Then, a second experiment was conducted to assess the severity of all isolates, at a concentration of 8.35 μg · ml –1 , via spraying, infiltration, and soil. The greatest reduction in Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) was observed in the treat-ment with XapRR, applied via spraying. Thus, prospecting for elicitors is the first step in developing a product for agricultural use. The flagellin elicitor of XapRR is promising and capable of producing these molecules on a large scale.
Evaluation of the inhibitory potential of HPMC, PVP and HPC polymers on nucleation and crystal growth

Supersaturated drug delivery systems are generally developed for improving solubility and dissolution of poorly soluble drugs. Supersaturation is a high energy state with a tendency to precipitate. Polymers are often used as precipitation inhibitors that may act by inhibiting either nucleation or crystal growth, which are important steps of the crystallization process. Hence, proper understanding of the inhibitory potential of polymers on these critical processes is crucial for selection of appropriate polymers for development of supersaturated drug delivery systems. The current study aims to evaluate the inhibitory potential of polymers like HPMC, PVP and HPC on nucleation and crystal growth using a model drug nifedipine. Inhibition of nucleation and crystal growth was studied by measuring the induction time and precipitation initiation time, respectively. In addition, the extent of maintaining supersaturation was determined by defining a new term, the supersaturation holding capacity (SHC) of the polymers. Precipitates obtained were characterized by FTIR and DSC. The contribution of polymer properties on precipitation inhibition was analyzed by partial least square analysis. In the absence of polymer, nifedipine precipitates in 5 min. High viscosity grades of HPMC effectively inhibited nucleation which was reflected by 2–10 fold enhancements in induction time. In addition, they also inhibited the crystal growth which was reflected through 3–4 fold enhancements in SHC. PVP and HPC polymer grades were found to be less effective in nucleation inhibition. Experimental evaluation in addition to partial least square regression analysis highlights the importance of polymer properties (hydrogen bond acceptors, hydroxypropoxy content, methoxy content and viscosity) in precipitation inhibition which could aid in screening and selection of suitable polymers for systematic development of supersaturated drug delivery systems.
The Pricing of Volatility Risk in the US Equity Market

We analyse whether the pricing of volatility risk depends on the asset pricing framework applied in the tests, the specified volatility proxies, and the portfolio sorts used for spanning the asset universe. For this purpose, we compare the results using a macroeconomic and fundamental based asset pricing model using three proxies of volatility and uncertainty, using size/value sorted and industry sector portfolios. Our results reveal that the marginal pricing effect of the VIX volatility factor is strong and statistically significant throughout the models and specifications, while the effect of an EGARCH-based volatility factor is mixed, mostly smaller but with the correct sign. In most cases, the EGARCH factor does not impair the pricing effect of the VIX. The portfolio sorts have a substantial impact on the volatility premiums in both model frameworks. The size of the volatility risk premium is more uniform across the models if the industry sector portfolio sort is used. Finally, the size/value portfolio sort generates larger volatility risk premiums for both models.
More Frequent Internet Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic Associates with Enhanced Quality of Life and Lower Depression Scores in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Concerns have been raised regarding middle-aged and older adults’ mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. The aim of the current study was to characterise associations between internet use (frequency and purpose), depression symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) during the pandemic, in individuals aged 55–75. Data (N = 3491) were drawn from the English longitudinal study of ageing (ELSA) cohort study collected in June/July 2020 (while social distancing measures were in place). Associations with frequency of use were tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVAS), controlling for covariates such as wealth and education. Type of internet use (for communication, information search) was also analysed amongst frequent users. Significant effects of frequency of use were observed (p = 0.01 for depression, p < 0.001 for QoL), with lower depression symptoms and higher QoL scores amongst more frequent users. Regarding purpose of use, those who reported using the internet for communication purposes had higher QoL. However, use for health-related or Government services information searching was associated with more depression symptoms. Results provide important information regarding the potential benefits of internet use for middle-aged and older people, suggesting that strategies to increase internet usage (particularly for communication) might benefit middle-aged and older adults’ mental health and counter isolation as the coronavirus crisis continues to evolve.
Mapping Evidence of Impacts of COVID-19 Outbreak on Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Scoping Review

Introduction: The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly transformed the pre-existing worldwide sexual and reproductive health environment. The provision and supply of contraceptives, and a wide variety of sexual health, new-born, and maternal health services have been seriously affected. Thus, this scoping review mapped the available evidence on the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on sexual and reproductive health. Methods: Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework guided this scoping review. A search was conducted from the following databases: Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, WOS, and AJOL. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) chart and PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist were used to document the review process. The McMaster critical review checklist was used to determine the quality of the included studies. Thematic analyses were conducted using NVivo version 12. Results: Three studies showed evidence on the impact of COVID-19 and family planning services, six studies reported on maternal and child services and eleven studies reported on sexual health (sexual behavior). Limited access to family planning use, reduction in multiple sexual partnership, decreased transactional sex, and maternal and child services disruption were some impacts reported in the included studies. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the impacts of COVID-19 on family planning access, multiple sexual partnership, transactional sex, and disruption of maternal and child health services. Interventions that will consider the immediate availability of and access to all sexual and reproductive health services should be prioritized.
Effect of temperature gradient on zinc oxide nano particles synthesized at low reaction temperatures

Zinc oxide samples were synthesized at different reaction temperatures (70 °C–110 °C) by surfactant-free co-precipitation method using temperature gradient. Formation of hexagonal wurtzite structure of the ZnO samples is confirmed from x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. This study further suggests reduction in crystallite size from 33 nm to 24 nm with increase in reaction temperature which is reconfirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Optical spectroscopy studies of these samples show significant peak shift towards higher energy with maximum photoluminescence (PL) emissions between 390 nm to 575 nm region of the visible spectrum. This evident inverse relationship between optical properties of ZnO nano particles and reaction temperature may be attributed to the temperature gradient causing rapid nucleation during the synthesis process. With these notable properties this study suggests that, ZnO nano particles may be useful for making Nano electronic devices, Sensors, Nano medicines, GATE Dielectrics, Photovoltaic devices etc.
Production and partial characterization of neutral protease by an indigenously isolated strain of Aspergillus tubingensis NIICC-08155

An indigenously isolated strain of Aspergillus tubingensis NIICC-08155 from soil of teak dominated vegetation of kusmi forest at Gorakhpur was subjected to neutral protease production and its partial characterization. The maximum production of neutral protease i.e. 68.50 U/ml was attained after 96h of incubation. The crude preparation of protease showed reasonable activity at temperature range of 40 to 60 °C with maximum activity at 40 oC and had a maximum enzyme activity at pH 6.4. The Km value of the enzyme was found to be 45.0 mg/ml and the molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE was approximately 45 kDa. The enzyme was completely inhibited by DTT and EDTA.
Preoperative AICS (lung) abnormalities predict postoperative recurrence in patients undergoing curative resection for non-small cell lung cancer

[Background] AminoIndexTM Cancer Screening (AICS (lung)) was developed as a screening test for lung cancer using a multivariate analysis of plasma-free amino acid (PFAA) profiles. According to the developed index composed of PFAA, the probability of lung cancer was categorized into AICS (lung) ranks A, B, and C in order of increasing risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the preoperative AICS (lung) rank and surgical outcomes in patients who underwent curative resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). [Methods] Preoperative blood samples were collected from 297 patients who underwent curative resection for NSCLC between 2006 and 2015. PFAA concentrations were measured. The relationship between the preoperative AICS (lung) rank and clinicopathological factors was examined. The effects of the preoperative AICS (lung) rank on postoperative outcomes were also analyzed. [Results] The AICS (lung) rank was A in 93 patients (31.3%), B in 82 (27.6%), and C in 122 (41.1%). The AICS (lung) rank did not correlate with any clinicopathological factors, except for age. Based on follow-up data (median follow-up period of 6 years), postoperative recurrence was observed in 22 rank A patients (23.7%), 15 rank B (18.3%) and 49 rank C (40.2%). In the univariate analysis, preoperative AICS (lung) rank C was a worse factor of recurrence-free survival (p=0.0002). The multivariate analysis identified preoperative AICS (lung) rank C (HR: 2.17, p=0.0005) as a significant predictor of postoperative recurrence, particularly in patients with early-stage disease or adenocarcinoma. [Conclusion] Preoperative AICS (lung) abnormalities are a high-risk predictor of postoperative recurrence in NSCLC patients undergoing curative resection.
Information or Distortion? The Effect of Customer Generated Images on Product Rating Dynamics

Customer Generated Images (CGIs) on e-commerce platforms have been widely adopted as a promotional tool to persuade customers into purchase. Despite its prevalent applications, the effect of CGIs on customers’ post-purchase satisfaction has not been extensively examined. This study postulates that CGIs could have information effect and distortion effect that counteract each other to influence subsequent product ratings. We employ a difference-in-differences model to empirically test our hypotheses, and find that CGIs lead to a decline in subsequent ratings compared with product ratings not exposed to CGIs. Furthermore, the second CGI brings about the most negative effect with a decrease of ratings by 0.14 stars. To evaluate the aesthetics of a CGI, we apply a deep learning based aesthetic assessment model, namely CGI-MobileNet, and validate its superior performance to state-of-the-art models. Additional analyses demonstrate that the negative effect is attenuated if the CGI has a higher aesthetic score where the image contains more relevant information and less distortion. Moreover, the disclosure of reviewer faces offsets most of the negative effect. Considering that reviews on the first pages of a platform have a larger probability to be observed, we further leverage the linguistic features of the review texts and design a pairwise learning algorithm to estimate the review ranking algorithm of the platform. By only considering CGIs appearing on the first pages, similar estimation results are obtained, further proving the robustness of our results. These findings suggest that e-commerce platforms and retailers should be aware of the potential negative effect of CGIs on the rating dynamics and take appropriate measures to circumvent them.
Reading Comprehension, School Performance, and Intellectual Styles in Public High School

The present study aimed to analyze reading comprehension and its relationship with academic performance and intellectual styles, as well as possible differences due to the school year. Participants were 288 students enrolled in a public high school (Mage = 16.1 years, SD = 0.99). For the data collection, the Cloze Test, the Inventory of Intellectual Styles, and the overall means of Portuguese, Mathematics, Sociology, and Philosophy were used. The results showed that there were gaps in the formation of the young high school students regarding reading comprehension and that they preferred styles with characteristics such as creativity and greater cognitive complexity. A significant correlation was found between reading comprehension and intellectual styles and the grades of the disciplines assessed. The grade in Portuguese was a predictor of the performance in Mathematics. The findings reaffirm the relevance of reading comprehension for high school education and show that knowledge about students’ intellectual styles can help teachers in their educational practices.