Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Separation and Estimation of Intermediates Formed During Synthesis of Gefitinib via 4-Methylthio-Quinazoline Route Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

γ A simple, fast, and precise high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the estimation of seven intermediates formed during the synthesis of gefitinib, an anticancer drug by a patent noninfringing route. Also, one degradation product (gefitinib N-oxide) formed during oxidative stress were analyzed and identified. All these compounds were separated on Inertsil ODS-3 V (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column using isocratic mobile phase consisting of ammonium acetate (0.05 M)–acetonitrile–methanol (70:25:5, v/v/v) (pH 4.1) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and detected at 260 nm by a photo diode array (PDA) detector. The developed method was validated for accuracy, precision, linearity, sensitivity, and ruggedness. Linear regression analysis revealed an excellent correlation between peak responses and concentrations (R2 values > 0.995) for the drug and impurities. The proposed HPLC method was applied for estimation of process-related intermediates/impurities in gefitinib bulk drug; the recoveries were in the range 91.09–103.07%. The method was found to be specific, precise, and reliable for estimation of process-related intermediates/impurities and degradation impurities in gefitinib bulk drug. The highlight of this technique is that all the intermediates/impurities of gefitinib could be analyzed with baseline separation and reduced run time.
Slaughter body weights of Jersey young bulls finished on feedlot

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of slaughter body weight (SW) on the performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Jersey bulls in feedlots from weaning to slaughter. Eighteen Jersey bulls (125.7±15.9 kg; 5±0.6 months old) were used in the study. The treatments corresponded to three slaughter-weights: L360 – light weight, SW of 360 kg, M390 – medium weight, SW of 390 kg, and H420 – heavy weight, SW of 420 kg (n = 6/treatment); [. ]
The thermal effect of the tandem kang model for rural houses in Northern China: a case study in Tangshan

ABSTRACT The kang-stove system (KSS) is a combination cooking and heating system and is the core element of the living space of many rural houses in northern China. The traditional KSS is usually single kang model (SKM) that one stove combines with one kang, which causes inconveniences including an insufficient room heating supply, a small heating range, and subsequent privacy issues for family numbers. Therefore, this paper proposes a tandem kang model (TKM). By combining two kang together and re-organizing the house layout, this model both improves the heat supply effect of the KSS and transforms the kang from a multifunctional space to a relatively mono-functional space to provide more personal space for family members, especially in the winter. To verify the thermal effect of the TKM, CFD simulations were conducted to compare the indoor thermal indexes of a chosen prototype and its modified version with a tandem kang. The results reveal that, compared with the SKM, the TKM exhibits a better thermal performance. It can improve the temperature of the main rooms by 12.7–55.6%. Whereas the form of the TKM should be properly controlled or combined with other assistant facilities to optimize the condition of the uneven surface temperature distribution. Graphical Abstract
Dissecting Tether’s Nonlinear Dynamics during Covid-19

The present study is on the five cryptocurrency daily mean return time series linearity dynamics during the Covid-19 period. These cryptocurrencies were chosen based on their influence on the market, primarily driven by its market capitalisation. Tether is included as the most important stable coin on the market, nominally pegged to the U.S. dollar (USD). The reason to investigate it is that there are some inconsistencies in its behaviour as opposed to the other four cryptocurrencies. This study found that the behaviour of Tether cryptocurrency daily average return time series pattern is highly nonlinear and chaotic in nature, whereas the other four cryptocurrencies (namely Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Bitcoin Cash) daily average return time series were found to be linear in nature. To further study Tether’s nonlinear time series rich dynamics, this study deployed one category of the regime switching models popularly known as the threshold regressions. The study estimates fairly suggest that both the threshold autoregression (TAR) and smooth transition autoregressive (STAR) models with lag 1 are adequate to capture the rich nonlinear and chaotic dynamics of Tether’s daily average return time series.
Methane and Dissolved Organic Matter in the Ground Ice Samples from Central Yamal: Implications to Biogeochemical Cycling and Greenhouse Gas Emission

Permafrost thawing leads to mobilization of the vast carbon pool into modern biogeochemical cycling through the enhanced release of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and production of greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4). In this work, we focus on the study of methane and DOM distribution and genesis in the ground ice samples of thermodenudational exposure in the Central Yamal (Russian Arctic). We propose that the liberation of the ice-trapped CH4 and generation of CO2 by DOM mineralization are the earliest factors of atmospheric greenhouse gases emission as a result of permafrost thawing. The observed enormously “light ” isotope signatures of methane (δ13C < −80‰, δD < −390‰) found in the tabular ground ice units significantly divergent in morphology and localization within the exposuremay be related to subzero (cryogenic) carbonate reduction a as significant factor of the local methane enrichment. DOM is mainly formed (>88%) by biochemically refractory humic acids. Distribution of the labile protein-like DOM reflects the specific features of carbon and nitrogen cycles in the tabular ground ice and ice wedge samples. Tabular ground ice units are shown to be a significant source of methane and high quality organic matter as well as dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). Ice wedges express a high variation in DOM composition and lability.
Case Studies of ONIOM(DFT:DFTB) and ONIOM(DFT:DFTB:MM) for Enzymes and Enzyme Mimics

The replacement of standard molecular mechanics force fields by inexpensive molecular orbital (QM′) methods in multiscale models has many advantages, e.g., a more straightforward description of mutual polarization and charge transfer between layers. The ONIOM(QM:QM′) scheme with mechanical embedding can combine any two methods without prior parametrization or significant coding effort. In this scheme, the environmental effect is evaluated fully at the QM′ level, and the accuracy therefore depends on how well the low-level QM′ method describes the changes in electron density of the reacting region. To examine the applicability of the QM:QM′ approach, we perform case studies with density-functional tight-binding (DFTB) as the low-level QM′ method in two-layer ONIOM(B3LYP/6-31G(d):DFTB) models. The investigated systems include simple amino acid models, one nonheme iron enzyme mimic, and the enzymatic reactions of Zn-β-lactamase and trypsin. For the last example, we also illustrate the use of a three-layer ON.
Knowledge, Attitude & Practices of Primary Healthcare Workers on COVID-19 from a Rural Setting of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Introduction: Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of COVID-19 pandemic play a significant role in reducing the transmission of the virus. There is limited information available about HCWs KAP regarding COVID-19. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the KAP of KCWs from a primary healthcare setting in South Africa. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among all medical and nursing healthcare professionals of KwaDabeka Community Healthcare Center (KCHC) and seven PHC clinics. Selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect data. Student’s t-test and ANOVA test were carried out to compare the overall mean knowledge, attitude and practice scores between two or more groups. Pearson’s correlation test was undertaken to establish correlation between KAP scores. Results: Majority HCWs were female (82.8%), single or unmarried (56.6%) and nurses comprised the most (69.2%). Nearly half (44%) reported to have recognized vulnerable co-morbid illnesses for COVID-19. Only 24% of HCWs had good knowledge (scored > 60%), however, 81% had positive attitude (scored >60%) and 63% had good practice (>60% scores). Nursing practitioners had significantly lower mean knowledge and practice scores than medical officers and allied healthcare workers (p<0.05). Healthcare workers with bachelor’s degree had significantly higher level of positive attitude (p<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of healthcare workers at this primary healthcare facility had poor knowledge and practice but good attitude towards COVID-19 at the middle of the pandemic in SA. Frontline and lowest level healthcare workers need more education and training on basic epidemiology of COVID-19 to prevent occupational transmission.
The surface tension of a moving water sheet

The direct impact of two cylindrical jets of liquid causes the liquid to emerge radially in a plane at right angles to the common axis of the jets. The maximum diameter of the disc of moving liquid so formed is shown to depend on the surface tension of the liquid. A method of measuring surface tension is developed and is applied to measure the surface tension of water, giving 73.83±0.13 dyne/cm. at 15°C. The liquid surface is renewed about 80 times per second, contamination being thus prevented. The only other method in which such rapid renewal of the surface takes place is the Rayleigh oscillating-jet method. The angle of contact is not involved in Rayleigh's method, nor in the present method.
Outsourcing warfare: Proxy forces in contemporary armed conflicts

The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive examination of the different types of armed non-state proxy groups. It discusses their characteristics and sponsorship and how they are employed by states in pursuit of their security and foreign policy objectives. The article also analyses the reasons for the recent increase in the use of proxy forces, including the benefits and risks for states that employ them, as well as the broader impact of proxy forces on the international security environment, including great power competition. Data was collected and analysed from a wide range of secondary source documents. A descriptive, qualitative research methodology was applied to print and on-line publications available from governmental, institutional and academic sources. This involved literature reviews and case studies to provide an in-depth understanding of current thinking on the topic, while also identifying potential areas for further research. The article provides a comprehensive, qualitative analysis of the existing literature and case studies on the topic of proxy forces, which due to the research methodology applied, also relies on the researcher’s judgement, choices and assumptions. Proxy wars will remain the norm for the foreseeable future. Two strategic developments drive this conclusion. Firstly, there is the renewal of great power competition for influence, resources and security, and secondly, the imperative for states to achieve these objectives without employing their military forces in a manner that could cause a major war.
Estimates of spectral wave attenuation in Antarctic sea ice, using model/data inversion

Abstract A model-data inversion is applied to an extensive observational dataset collected in the Southern Ocean north of the Ross Sea during late autumn to early winter, producing estimates of the frequency-dependent rate of dissipation by sea ice. The modeling platform is WAVEWATCH III® which accounts for non-stationarity, advection, wave generation, and other relevant processes. The resulting 9477 dissipation profiles are co-located with other variables such as ice thickness to quantify correlations which might be exploited in later studies to improve predictions. An average of dissipation profiles from cases of thinner ice near the ice edge is fitted to a simple binomial. The binomial shows remarkable qualitative similarity to prior observation-based estimates of dissipation, and the power dependence is consistent with at least three theoretical models, one of which assumes that dissipation is dominated by turbulence generated by shear at the ice-water interface. Estimated dissipation is lower closer to the ice edge, where ice is thinner, and waveheight is larger. The quantified correlation with ice thickness may be exploited to develop new parametric predictions of dissipation.
Examining Trauma Symptoms and Interpersonal Dependency within Incarcerated Psychopathic and Non-psychopathic Women

ABSTRACT The histories of incarcerated women exhibit a multitude of personality issues including psychopathy, trauma, and interpersonal dependency. Two studies were undertaken to better understand these issues with psychopathic (PCL-R ≥ 30; N = 115) and non-psychopathic (PCL-R ≤ 24; N = 53) women incarcerated for drug, theft, fraud, violence, and sex offenses. In the first study, trauma symptoms were compared on Rorschach variables, TSI-2, and PAI scales. The female psychopathic group experienced more problems related to intrusive experiences and dissociation (TSI-2, Rorschach). In the second study, interpersonal dependency was also examined with the PAI, TSI-2, and Rorschach. The psychopathic females had higher rates of interpersonal dependency (PAI, Rorschach). Based on our findings we discuss the relationship between trauma and interpersonal dependency and the meaning of these testing variables and concepts within the personality functioning of these antisocial women.
Water Use in Global Livestock Production—Opportunities and Constraints for Increasing Water Productivity

Increasing population, change in consumption habits, and climate change will likely increase the competition for freshwater resources in the future. Exploring ways to improve water productivity especially in food and livestock systems is important for tackling the future water challenge. Here we combine detailed data on feed use and livestock production with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) statistics and process‐based crop‐water model simulations to comprehensively assess water use and water productivity in the global livestock sector. We estimate that, annually, 4,387 km3 of blue and green water is used for the production of livestock feed, equaling about 41% of total agricultural water use. Livestock water productivity (LWP; protein produced per m3 of water) differs by several orders of magnitude between livestock types, regions, and production systems, indicating a large potential for improvements. For pigs and broilers, we identify large opportunities to increase LWP by increasing both feed water productivity (FWP; feed produced per m3 of water) and feed use efficiency (FUE; protein produced per kg of feed) through better crop and livestock management. Even larger opportunities to increase FUE exist for ruminants, while the overall potential to increase their FWP is low. Substantial improvements of FUE can be achieved for ruminants by supplementation with feed crops, but the lower FWP of these feed crops compared to grazed biomass limits possible overall improvements of LWP. Therefore, LWP of ruminants, unlike for pigs and poultry, does not always benefit from a trend toward intensification, as this is often accompanied by increasing crop supplementation.
Middle-Late Jurassic plant assemblages of the Catlins coast, New Zealand

Jurassic plant macrofossils from along New Zealand’s far-south ‘Catlins Coast’ (between Fortrose and the mouth of the Catlins River) are described. New records and the consequences of other taxonomic changes means there are additions to the list of plant taxa in the New Zealand Jurassic. Hausmannia, Archangelskya, Pseudoctenis, and Bellarinea are recorded for the first time in New Zealand. The taxonomic changes include synonymising Equisetum nicoli with E. laterale, transferring Pterostoma matauraensis to Pseudoctenis? ensiformis, and Ptilophyllum acutifolium to Otozamites douglasii. The material commonly ascribed to Cladophlebis australis remains problematic, but is here regarded as C. patagonica, although other species may exist. There is little clear indication of floristic assemblages restricted to particular facies. Very low diversity assemblages with Cladophlebis and/or Taeniopteris are almost ubiquitous, and probably represent a very generalised pioneering vegetation. Conifers may have been added as a component of a later stage of succession. A notably distinct assemblage, dominated by very narrow leaved Taeniopteris and Bellarinea, occurs in the axis of the Waikawa Syncline. It may be the youngest assemblage in the region and could be of zonal significance. Due to its location on an independent terrane, the exact location of the Catlins area during the Jurassic is unclear, although it was somewhere along the edge of Gondwana and possibly not far from what is now Queensland. The low diversity and relatively small leaves of the assemblages is consistent with a relatively high-latitude setting. Current knowledge probably cannot confirm the palaeolatitude more precisely than somewhere below the Polar Circle, to significantly above it. Mike Pole. Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, Toowong, Qld, Australia. murihiku@yahoo.com
Communicative Styles through the Prism of Intersubjectivity

The style people communicate has a significant impact on how they get the things they want, express needs, avoid conflicts, and make healthy intersubjective relationships. The success of communication is always the shared responsibilities of both communicators – the sender and the recipient. The article offers the theoretical assumptions and practical results of the research on the communicative correlation between the phenomenon of intersubjectivity, and the existence of the communication styles – assertive, aggressive, and submissive. The authors introduce a semiological approach to the paradigm of intersubjective processes, apply the conversation analysis to the material of English fictional discourse, and characterize the nonverbal profiles of the communication styles under investigation. The article aims at highlighting the specificity of intersubjectivity realization in different communicative styles according to the degree criterion and intensity features. The main findings of the research reveal the intersubjectivity as a communicative style forming principle, which differently actualizes the concept of ''self and other'' and manages the creation of the communicative climates (supportive or unsupportive) via verbal and nonverbal behaviors of the sender and the recipient who can or cannot demonstrate their intersubjective competence.
Resistant Starch and Health — Himalaya 292, a Novel Barley Cultivar to Deliver Benefits to Consumers

Dietary and lifestyle change is a recognised strategy for the management and prevention of socio-economically important non-infectious diseases. Dietary fibre is composed largely of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), and greater consumption of NSP-rich foods relieves simple constipation very effectively. Starch (as resistant starch, RS) is also receiving attention for its potential role in promoting colonic function. Resistant starch is that fraction of starch which escapes human small intestinal digestion and enters the large bowel where (together with a variable fraction of NSP) it is fermented by the resident microflora. The resulting short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are taken up by the large bowel and metabolised. SCFA mediate many of the health benefits ascribed to NSP and RS. Starch consumption is low in affluent westernised countries, despite recommendations by health agencies. In Australia, foods enriched in RS as a high amylose maize starch have gained consumer acceptance. However, scope remains for additional products and ingredients and a company, Ascentia Pty Ltd, has been established to develop a novel barley cultivar (Hordeum vulgare var. himalaya 292) for this purpose. This cultivar has a specific gene alteration leading to a loss of starch synthetase lla activity resulting in a grain which is low in starch but disproportionately higher in amylose and also NSP. Animal and human studies have shown that Himalaya 292 is high in RS relative to existing products and has a low glycaemic index and the cultivar offers promise as a vehicle to deliver health benefits to consumers.
Knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors toward COVID-19: a study among higher education students in Portugal

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about COVID-19 among Portuguese higher education students.Design/methodology/approachIn May 2020, all students from a Portuguese University were invited to participate in completing an online questionnaire. A total of 262 students participated. COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes toward COVID-19 and preventive behaviors were assessed. Differences between outcomes and sociodemographics were analyzed through independent t-tests and the ANOVA. A generalized linear model was calculated to determine the predictive variables of preventive behaviors.FindingsStudents revealed good knowledge about COVID-19, correctly answering 13.06 (SD = 1.25) questions in a total of 14 and favorable attitudes toward preventive behaviors (M = 32.73, SD = 2.88). Students reported always engaging in, on average, 5.81 (SD = 2.61) of the 12 behavior analyzed. Females presented higher levels of knowledge, more positive attitudes and engaged in more preventive behaviors than males. Being a bachelor's (Exp (β) = 8.213, 95% CI: 1.791–37.670, p < 0.01) or a master's degree student (Exp (β) = 7.568, 95% CI: 1.598–35.835, p < 0.05) and having positive attitudes toward preventive behavior of COVID-19 predicted the adoption of those preventive behavior (Exp (β) = 1.340, 95% CI: 1.189–1.510, p < 0.001). Originality/valueThis study provides useful data to plan health education programs about COVID-19 among higher education students. The continuous investment by universities in preventive campaigns is essential to promote good preventive behaviors in the next academic year.
Motivational factors that influence student science achievement: a systematic literature review of TIMSS studies

ABSTRACT In this systematic literature review, we examined the theoretical frameworks, construct operationalisation, and quantitative results as they relate to student motivation and science achievement in TIMSS studies. Our synthesis of findings derived from an international dataset present notable value in that the patterns identified regarding the influence of motivation on science achievement are nationally representative. Additionally, we present organised documentation of motivation theories used in TIMSS studies, and the alignment of constructs and tested models to these theories. Based on our findings, we identified Expectancy-Value Theory as the motivation framework that most closely aligns with the data available in the student TIMSS questionnaire, and also provide a summary of items used to measure relevant motivation constructs within this framework. These findings will inform methodological approaches in future TIMSS research, particularly in selecting items to construct and model motivation variables in a manner that is both theoretically sound and allows for comparison of results across studies. Finally, we provide a review of the methodologies and findings regarding studies that examined the relationship between motivation and science achievement. These findings shed light on which motivation factors have robust effects on students’ science achievement.