Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Results of the who-coordinated exposure study on the levels of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs in human milk

Introduction Since the mid-eighties, the WHO Regional Office for Europe has coordinated a comprehensive programme on possible health risks of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). This programme was carried out in collaboration with other international organisations and national institutions, and concentrated particularly on the health risk of infants, due to exposure through contaminated breast-milk, and aiming to prevent and control environmental exposure to these chemicals. Because breast milk contains many lipid soluble compounds that are also present in mother’s adipose tissue, it can also be assumed that the levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in breast milk are representative for those in plasma, serum lipid and adipose tissue. Therefore levels of these contaminants in human milk do reflect the body burden and can thus be used as an indicator for the overall exposure of the general population. The collection of human milk is a non-invasive sampling method, offering a great advantage over the collection of other biological samples to assess overall human exposure. In addition, the high content of fat makes the extraction method easier and the precision of the measurements higher. WHO has carried out a series of international exposure studies on levels of these contaminants in breast milk. The first WHO-coordinated exposure study took place in 1987-1988 (1), the second round in 1992-1993 (2). In the second round, in which concentrations of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs were determined in milk samples collected in a total of 47 areas from 19 different countries, mean levels in industrialised countries ranged from 10-35 pg I-TEQ/g. In developing countries mean levels were usually less than 10 pg I-TEQ/g milk fat. Compared to the outcome of the first round, a trend towards declining levels of PCDDs/PCDFs and PCBs in breast milk was found, with largest declines in countries with the highest initial levels. The 3rd round of the WHO-coordinated exposure study has been initiated in March 2000. In order to collect data on more countries, also beyond the European region, the study was organised in collaboration with the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) and the WHO Global Environment Monitoring System/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment (GEMS Food). The current exposure study has the following aims: a) produce reliable and comparable data on levels of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs in human milk for further improvement of the health risk assessment in infants; b) determine time trends in exposure levels in the countries and areas already studied in the first and second round of the study in the period 1987-88 and 1992-1993, respectively; c) provide a better overview of exposure levels in various countries and geographical areas; d) identify highly exposed local populations in relation to their daily intake for guidance on
Reliability of a Trunk Flexion and Extensor Muscle Strength Test with Hand-Held and Isokinetic Dynamometers in Female Athletes

An accurate trunk muscle strength assessment seems very important to design and individualize training and rehabilitation programs in clinical and sport settings. Hand-held dynamometers (HHDs) are interesting alternatives to isokinetic dynamometers for assessing trunk isometric muscle strength because they are inexpensive instruments and easy to use. This cross-sectional observational study aimed to examine the reliability of two novel sitting tests for assessing trunk flexion and extension isometric strength using an HHD and their relationship with two other novel isometric tests that use an isokinetic dynamometer. Twenty-four female amateur athletes (age: 24.5±2.64 years; height: 164.45±6.33 cm; weight: 63.17±10.35 kg) participated in this study. A test-retest design was carried out one-week apart to examine the reliability. The relationship and degree of agreement between the HHD and the isokinetic dynamometer measurements was analysed using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analysis, respectively. In general, the reliability of all isometric strength tests was good, with ICCs ranging from 0.65 to 0.87 and typical error <15%. Pearson correlations were moderate, with values of r=0.47 (R2=0.22) and r=0.42 (R2=0.18) for flexion and extension strength, respectively. Bland-Altman plots showed no agreement between the HHDs and the isokinetic measurements. All trunk isometric tests using both, an isokinetic dynamometer and HHDs, provide reliable measurements for assessing trunk flexion and extension strength. According to the comparative analysis, both measurement types are different and cannot be used interchangeably. Health and sport professionals should choose the test that best suits the biomechanical characteristics required for functional goals or success in a given sport.
PLUG PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SOILLESS SYSTEMS AND SUBSTRATES FOR CULTIVATION OF STRAWBERRY (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) cv. ‘STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL’

The investigation was carried out at the Division of Fruit Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) Bangalore, India during 2010-11 on strawberry cv. ‘Strawberry Festival’ to find out the effect of explant and media on plug growth. The studies were extended to determine the suitable system and media for quality fruit production in soilless culture. The explant (first and second order nodes and runner tip) did not affect most of biometric characters of plug. However, the highest per cent establishment (89) was observed from first order node. Higher number of roots (12.33) and leaves (5.48), larger crown diameter (7.32 mm) and higher shoot and root fresh and dry weight were observed when plugs produced in coco peat + perlite (1:1, v/v). The results of soilless culture of strawberry indicated that plants performed best in Open-trough as compared to Lay-Flat-Bag and VertiGro systems. Maximum leaf area (2478.66 cm2), crown diameter (33.75 mm), highest shoot (60.97 g) and root (16.50g) fresh weight, highest shoot (21.10 g) and root (5.74 g) dry weight, highest fruit weight per plant (281.83 g) and marketable fruits (78.33 %) recorded in Open-trough. Further, highest number of leaves (37.16), leaf area (2199.82 cm2), larger crown diameter (30.50 mm), fruit weight per plant (209.92 g) and marketable fruits (61.91%) was recorded when plants were grown using 60% coco peat +40% perlite (v/v). Maximum leaf area (2002.64 cm2), crown diameter (31.00 mm), fruit weight per plant (194.60 g), marketable fruits (63.33) and highest TSS (10.51 ̊B) and lowest acidity (0.81 %) was observed in first tier as compared to lower section of the Verti-Gro system. Signature of the student Signature of major advisor (FRAIDOON) (B.N.S. MURTHY) ¥ÀèUï GvÁàzÀ£É aÀÄvÀÄÛ aÀÄtÂÚ®èzÀ aÀåaÀ ̧ÉÜAiÀÄ°è ̧ÁÖç ̈Éj(¥sÀæUÉÃjAiÀiÁ C£Á£À ̧Á qÀZï)1«. aÀiË®åaÀiÁ¥À£À “ ̧ÁÖç ̈ÉjAiÀÄ GvÀìaÀ”
Leisure, sedentary lifestyle and health in Ecuadorian teenagers

Introduction: The study of leisure not only favors an approach to the time dedicated to non-working activities, but also to relate recreational habits with levels associated to physical inactivity and health. Objective: This research paper focuses on the evaluation of leisure (active and passive) of Ecuadorian adolescents and their relationship with the existing level of physical inactivity. Methods: To this end, the Ecuadorian reality was adapted into a survey of Leisure, similar to the ages studied, applied in countries like Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay; and PAQ-A (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents) internationally used and validated. It was taken a sample of 429 students aged 12-13 years, 438 (14-15 years) and 430 (16-17 years), obtaining a sample size of 1 297 students from Colegio Nacional Juan de Salinas. Results: The results show that in their leisure students dedicate 47.16% to passive activities with a predominant use of technology, listen to music and watch TV; 19,91% to dynamic activities with a predominance of walking, going to the disco and sports. Conclusion: It is shown that the misuse of leisure is favouring a marked physical inactivity in adolescents, laying the foundation for the subsequent design of a program of physical and recreational activities according to the socio-economic, historical and cultural conditions of the Ecuadorian mountain range.
Examining the Symbolism of the Ascension (Mi‘rāj): Relationships Between Traditional Malay Prose Narratives (Ḥikāyāt) and Traditional Malay Mosques in Melaka

The saying that the Islāmic ritual prayer (ṣalāh) epitomises the ascension (mi‘rāj) of the believer has prompted some scholars to interpret the Prophet Muḥammad’s Ascension (Mi‘rāj) in the traditional mosque’s symbolism in the Islāmic world, including those in Melaka. Despite being original in the Traditionalist sense of the word, their allusions to the symbolism remain methodologically deficient and conceptually limited. Given these circumstances, this article examines the symbolism of the Mi‘rāj in the traditional Malay mosques in Melaka through the traditional Malay prose narratives (ḥikāyāt) which manifest the symbolism of the same. It employs a hermeneutic reading of MSS 2968 Risālat Laṭīfat fī Bayān al-Isrā’ wa-al-Mi‘rāj (1767), the earliest known manuscript narrating the story of Prophet Muḥammad’s Mi‘rāj in the Malay world as well as case studies of three significant and contemporaneous Malay mosques in Melaka, namely Masjid Tengkera (1728), Masjid Kampung Hulu (1728), and Masjid Kampung Kling (1748). By capitalising on the combination of textual, document, and comparative analyses, it was found that there is a correlation between the text and the buildings, in which the symbolism of the Mi‘rāj is manifested in several external and internal architectural elements of all three mosques. These findings present the unity of the traditional Malay-Islāmic heritage generally and the productive relationship between literature and architecture particularly through a provisional methodological and conceptual framework which endeavours to establish the basis for future research on the subject.
Age and connection to nature: when is engagement critical?

Conservation organizations are increasingly aware of the need to motivate pro‐environmental behavior by connecting people with nature. However, to maximize the effectiveness of the limited resources available, there needs to be a better understanding of the variability in people's connection to nature shown at different ages. We examined connection to nature among people aged 5–75 years, using two popular measures, in a cross‐sectional UK sample, based on the hypothesis that there would be clear, age‐related patterns in people's connection to nature, with specific “breakpoints” associated with differences in feelings of connection. Data were collected across a variety of locations. Analysis of generalized additive models revealed similar age‐related patterns for both measures, with connection declining from childhood to an overall low in the mid‐teens, followed by a rise to the early 20s and reaching a plateau that lasts to the end of the lifetime. Both measures also showed that females generally had higher connection scores than males. These findings have implications for conservation action.
Local Wisdom Integration in Islamic Education: Empowering Professionalism of Future Elementary School Educators

This study aims to analyze the religious character and independence of elementary school teacher candidates through Project Based Learning (PjBL) and the effect of the PjBL model on religious character and independence. This research is a combination research (Mixed Methods). The combined method design model used in this research is a sequential exploratory design. The subjects in this study totaled 120 elementary school teacher candidates in semester 6 who were joined in three classes. The first stage is to use a qualitative approach using data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation through project-based learning. Test the validity of the data using triangulation techniques. The data analysis technique for the Miles, Huberman, and Saldana model consists of three stages: data condensation, data display, and conclusions. The next stage is a quantitative study using a quasi-experimental type with a nonequivalent control group design. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling, so two classes were selected as the experimental class and one class as the control class. Data collection techniques using a questionnaire. The data analysis technique uses a statistical test, the Mann Withney-U test. The results of the analysis show that: 1) the project-based learning model can be used to strengthen the religious character and independence of prospective elementary school teachers as an effort to foster professionalism; 2) Project-based learning has a significant effect on the religious character and independence of prospective elementary school teachers with respective significance values of 0.002 and 0.003 meaning less than 0.05; 3) Religious character in terms of gender shows that women have a higher religious character than men; 4) Independence in terms of gender shows that men have higher independence than women
Comparison of physiological and behavioral nutrition-related factors in people with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, from cohort data at 8 to 20 years

Abstract Nutrition-related variables including lower body mass index (BMI), lower bone mineral density (BMD), altered body composition and hormone levels have been reported in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The aims of this study were to determine if physiological and behavioral nutrition-related factors differ between people with and without AIS, and to quantify their relationship with AIS, in unbiased cohort sample. BMI, presence of an eating disorder, leptin, adiponectin, BMD, vitamin D, lean mass, and fat mass were compared between those with and without AIS at ages 8, 10, 14, 17, and 20 years, and multiple logistic regression was performed between these variables and AIS. Lower total body BMD (median, 1.0 g/cm2 vs 1.1 g/cm2; p = .03) and lean mass (median, 38.8 kg vs 46.0 kg; p = .04) at age 20 years were observed in those with AIS compared to those without scoliosis. At age 20, the odds of AIS were 3.23 times higher for adolescents with an eating disorder compared to those with no eating disorder (95% CI, 1.02–8.63) when adjusted for BMI. Every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI decreased the odds of AIS by 0.88 times (95% CI, 0.76–0.98), after adjusting for eating disorder diagnosis. In conclusion, lower BMI in mid-adolescence and presence of eating disorder outcomes, lower BMD, and lower lean mass in late adolescence were associated with the presence of AIS. Current data do not explain the mechanisms for these associations but suggest that serum leptin, adiponectin, and vitamin D are unlikely to be contributing factors. Conclusive determination of the prevalence of eating disorders in AIS will require further studies with larger sample sizes.
Impact of Social Media Marketing on Purchase Intention: The Moderating Role of Perceived Enjoyment

The purpose of this study is to the effect of social media marketing on the purchase intention as the mediating role of perceive enjoyment. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine the variables that influenced participants’ decisions about whether or not to buy tickets to events using social networking sites. This study presented an online survey disseminated through social media based on TPB, using a quantitative research approach. Controllers of events pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram formed the sample population of the study. Convenience sampling technique use for this study and select ample of N= 125. The review showed that all research protocols were accepted. Among all the independent variables of event fans intention, event fans behavior EWOM and brand loyalty had a significant positive effect on the dependent variable of intention to purchase event tickets. This study provided statistical support for the performance of the TPB when it comes to event marketing and social media activities. This suggests a deeper understanding of rational decision-making and social influences in the formation of behavioral intentions and intentions. The model also included a component of subjective pleasure. While there was perceived interest, the event’s social media pages were well received. This emphasizes the importance of presenting information and content in an engaging and simple way. When it comes to promoting events, perceived enjoyment seems to be an important influence. This highlights the need to create a great user experience for the product page, emphasizing customer feedback, information sharing through their engaging product-related stories and experiences between social media, for customers connect, communicate, share with their friends and help, that’s a brand new marketing strategy. Event marketers should use social media to help create, promote and organize events. If the marketing goal is to spark broad interest in the event, social media is a great way to reach a core group of customers, members and donors.
A machine learning approach for agricultural parcel delineation through agglomerative segmentation

ABSTRACT A correct delineation of agricultural parcels is a primary requirement for any parcel-based application such as the estimate of agricultural subsidies. Currently, high-resolution remote-sensing images provide useful spatial information to delineate parcels; however, their manual processing is highly time consuming. Thus, it is necessary to create methods which allow performing this task automatically. In this work, the use of a machine-learning algorithm to delineate agricultural parcels is explored through a novel methodology. The proposed methodology combines superpixels and supervised classification in order to determine which adjacent superpixels should be merged, transforming the segmentation issue into a machine learning matter. A visual evaluation of results obtained by the methodology applied to two areas of a high-resolution satellite image of fragmented agricultural landscape points out that the use of machine-learning algorithm for this task is promising.
Body size characteristics and polymorphism in GH and GHRH genes of Simeulue Buffalo of Aceh, Indonesia

Eriani K, Rahmi R, Jamil I, Rosnizar R, Azhar A. 2019. Body size characteristics and polymorphism in GH and GHRH genes of Simeulue Buffalo of Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 236-242. This study was done to determine body size characteristics, to identify the presence of polymorphism in the GH/MspI and GHRH/HaeIII genes, and to analyze the relationship between GH and GHRH gene polymorphisms to body size characteristics in Simeulue buffalo. Experimental animals used were 45 Simeulue buffalo randomly sampled from three subdistricts, i.e., Salang, Alafan and Simeulue Cut, fifteen from each subdistrict. Body size characteristics measured were withered height, body length, chest circumference, chest depth, and hip height. A 5 mL whole blood was collected from fifteen out of forty five by using EDTA as an anticoagulant. Extraction of genomic DNA and analysis of GH/MspI and GHRH/HaeIII polymorphisms was done using GeneAid DNA extraction kit and polymerase chain reaction-restriction length fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, respectively. The data of body size characteristics which includes mean value, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were analyzed descriptively. The molecular data represented by DNA banding pattern was used to calculate allele and genotype frequencies, expected (He) and observed (Ho) heterozygosities, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The relationship between genotype and body size characteristic was analyzed using t-test. The results showed that coefficient of variation in body size characteristics was low, ranging from 5.39-16.06% in the age category of 4-6 years old and ranging from 5.25-11.27% in the age category of 2- 4 years old. The results of the molecular analysis indicated that GH/MspI locus was monomorphic by the presence of one (+/+) genotype. GHRH/HaeIII locus was polymorphic as shown by the presence of 3 genotypes namely AA (0.13), AB (0.80) and BB (0.07). Expected heterozygosity (0.80) was higher than observed heterozygosity (0.49). The frequency of GHRH/HaeIII agreed with Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. GHRH/HaeIII polymorphism did not significantly influence (P>0.05) body size characteristics of Simeulue buffalo.
An Assessment of the Internal Quality Assurance Mechanisms at the Open University of Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to assess the status of Quality Assurance systems at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) as well as give recommendations for improvement. The study employed the exploratory sequential mixed methods design that had three phases. The study sample comprised of one senior staff from the Quality Assurance directorate and 12 Heads of departments. Data was collected through an interview and a questionnaire. Qualitative data was analysed thematically while quantitative data was analysed descriptively using frequencies and mean. The study established that OUT had put in place an elaborate Quality Assurance (QA) framework with a directorate of QA headed by a director under the office of the Vice Chancellor. The university also had an IQA policy document as well as a QA handbook. The QA directorate had embraced the use of ICT as it employed online tools for monitoring various activities in the institution. The university also carried out a Self-Assessment every five years. However, the IQA at the university was faced by the following challenges: inadequate funding, understaffing of the IQA directorate, negative attitude by university staff towards QA staff, lack of involvement of HoDs in planning QA activities amongst others. The study recommends the following: the university should adequately staff and fund the QA directorate; the QA directorate should develop its activities in a participatory manner; and the QA directorate should increase sensitization of the university community on QA policies and issues.