Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of sun-drying on the antioxidant potentials of pepper (Capsicum) varieties

The present study investigated the effects of sun-drying on the antioxidant potential of three pepper varieties: Capsicum annuum var, Capsicum chinense and Capsicum annuum. Fresh fruits of the pepper varieties were collected, washed under distilled water and were divided into two parts: one for fresh sample and the other for the dried sample. Dried and fresh samples of the pepper varieties were homogenized and extracted with methanol. The concentrations of total phenolics and flavonoids were evaluated; DPPH-radical scavenging activity and the FRAP potential of the extracts were also determined. The results revealed that sun-drying process significantly reduced the total phenolic content of C. annuum var, C. chinense and C. annuum from 5.91 ± 0.22 mg/g GAE, 6.9 ± 0.23 mg/g GAE, 6.67 ± 0.99 mg/g GAE to 3.31 ± 0.72 mg/g GAE, 3.59 ± 0.89 mg/g GAE, 3.01 ± 0.17 mg/g GAE respectively and flavonoid content from 3.80 ± 0.02 mg/g QE, 3.91 + 0.08 mg/g QE, 3.84 ± 0.08 mg/g QE to 1.26 ± 0.90 mg/g QE, 1.95 ± 0.07 mg/g QE, 1.23 ± 0.04 mg/g QE respectively. The result also revealed that the fresh samples of C. annuum var, C. chinense and C. annuum exhibited higher percentage inhibition of DPPH-radical at 59.4 ± 0.5%, 61.2 ± 0.6%, 58.9 ± 0.2% respectively and were significantly different from the percentage inhibition by the dried samples: 39.2 ± 0.5%, 42.4 ± 0.4%, 38.6 ± 0.6% respectively.The FRAP potential of the fresh samples of C. annuum var, C. chinense and C. annuum: 588.56 ± 29.4 ìmol Fe(II)/g, 691.34 ± 20.46 ìmol Fe(II)/g and 598.9 ± 23. 82 ìmol Fe(II)/g respectively were significantly different from the dried samples: 370.22 ± 14.75 ìmol Fe(II)/g, 392.34 ± 45.74 ìmol Fe(II)/g and 358.6 ± 30.08 ìmol Fe(II)/g respectively. The three Capsicum species are very rich in antioxidants. However, the sun drying method reduced the antioxidant capacities of the peppers, thus further studies should be carried out on the best method for the preservation of Capsicum species. Key Words: Capsicum. annuum var, C. chinense, C. annuum, Antioxidant, Sun-drying, methanolic extract
Graphic Design Students’ Perspectives and Job Anxiety About Distance Education in the Pandemic Period

The coronavirus emerging in China has rapidly become a global epidemic. Many sanctions come to the fore to prevent the spread of the epidemic. One of them is that people stay at home and do not leave the house unless it is necessary. This necessity has affected the education system as in all areas of life. Universities have switched to the distance education system. Unfortunately, many universities do not have sufficient infrastructure or resources to facilitate instantly effective online teaching. In this study, it was aimed to determine the problems faced by the graphic design department students during the distance education process conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic period, their opinions on distance education and their job anxiety levels. This study is important in terms of determining the level of job anxiety faced by graphic designer candidates during their education, taking necessary precautions, supporting them in eliminating these concerns, raising their awareness on the subject and making determinations to reduce job anxiety. It is important to know the thoughts of students towards distance education especially during the pandemic period in order to increase the quality of education. The sample of the research consists of students studying in the field of graphic design in the 2020-2021 academic year in Turkey. The stratified sampling method was used in sample selection. Distance Education Attitude Scale and Job Anxiety Scale were used in the study. The sampling was carried out with the voluntary participation. Research data were collected from Google Forms through a questionnaire consists of personal information and the scales. SPSS 21 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) statistical software was used for data analysis. The relationship between job anxiety level and distance education satisfaction level is seen that there is almost zero and statistically insignificant. The anxiety score for this group of students is above the average and reasons should be analyze in great detail. On the other hand, distance education attitude score is below the average. The reasons would be related to being unprepared to this period. The most important factor in the occurrence of this situation is being caught unprepared for this process. While job anxiety differed in the level of satisfaction with the program, the distance education attitude differed in the education level of the mother, the education level of the father, grades and the level of satisfaction with the program. Although the relationship between the two scales was not significant in the study, it was observed that the distance education limitation factor was in a negative but weak and significant relationship between all factors of the job anxiety scale.
Variation Characteristics of Building Height Types
in the Vertical Urban Expansion Process

The evolution of building height types in three-dimensional (3D) space is important for urban planning and urban atmospheric environment. This paper used the data of buildings’ 3D information which were extracted from high resolution satellite images (QuickBird) in Qingdao city from 2003 to 2012 based on ArcGIS to detect the spatio-temporal variation characteristic of building height types in the urban renewal process in China. The results indicated that mid-rise and mid-high-rise buildings were the main architectural landscape components, the buildings grown in vertical direction. Main roads, business districts and schools had a significant effect on the spatial layout of building height types within 700m, 1800m and 1000m from them, respectively. The closer to these infrastructures, the more mid-high-rise, high-rise and ultra-high-rise buildings were distributed, and this phenomenon was highlighted during the urban renewal process. The dominant topography for all buildings was the area below 60m of elevation and less than 5° of slope. And buildings decreased rapidly with the increasing elevation and slope. These findings are important for understanding the characteristics of architectural landscape, simulating the evolution of urban architectural landscape and researching the urban atmospheric environment.
The League of Matteo Salvini: Fostering and Exporting a Modern Mass-Party Grounded on “Phygital” Activism

The Lega Nord (LN) has undergone a profound process of transformation since 2013, by replacing its historical regionalist populism with a new state-wide populist radical right outlook. However, very little is known about how such transformation impacted its organizational model, particularly the mass-party features that characterized it under its founding leader, Umberto Bossi. This article explores the organizational evolution of the party under Matteo Salvini by means of a qualitative in-depth analysis of 41 semi-structured interviews with representatives of the LN from four regions (Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Veneto) and primary documents. It underlines that the LN was turned into a disempowered and politically inactive “bad company,” charged with the task of paying the debts of the old party, while its structure, resources, and personnel were poured into a new state-wide organization called Lega per Salvini Premier (LSP). The LSP has not simply maintained the key features of the mass-party in the LN’s historical strongholds, but also pioneered a modern form of this organizational model grounded on the continuous interaction between digital and physical activism, i.e., “phygital activism,” which boosts the party’s ability to reach out to the electorate by delivering the image that the League is constantly on the ground. The LSP has sought to export this modern interpretation of the mass-party in the South; however, in that area its organizational development remains at an embryonic stage, and the party’s nationalization strategy has so far produced a “quasi-colonial” structure dominated by, and dependent on, the Northern elite.
Guinea Worm and Water Supply in Kordofan, Sudan

SYNOPSIS A study of a guinea worm epidemiology in South Kordofan, Sudan, found two different patterns of infection. In four villages, all with large open reservoirs (hafirs), the one-year period prevalence was over 34 per cent, and was not strongly related to age. In the remaining 23 villages, the prevalence did not exceed 20 per cent but was greater in adults than in children. The former pattern suggested contamination of the water carried home, while the latter appeared to be associated with casual use of water sources outside the village. Guinea worm disease was associated with the use of certain water sources, particularly in the poorly-maintained hafirs, but not with hand pumps, when these functioned, or open dug wells. In this context, open dug wells seem to be a more cost-effective intervention for guinea worm control than boreholes with hand pumps or the rehabilitation of hafirs.
Dynamic Behavior of Nonlinear Power Amplifiers in Stable and Injection-Locked Modes

Dynamic equations of reflection-type nonlinear power amplifiers in both stable and injection-locked modes are derived for modulated signals. The steady-state response and the transient response of an injection-locked negative-resistance diode ampfitier is evaluated. The response for an FM signal is discussed. Numerical results show that the dynamic behavior as well as the steady-state behavior is affected by nonlinearity of the diode conductance and susceptance.
Negative incremental impedance and stability of fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent lamps have a special V-I characteristic. Their incremental impedance is defined and studied in the frequency domain. It is found that the negative incremental impedance of a fluorescent lamp can be characterized by a right half plane zero. The existence of such a result is explained by the modified Francis equation. Two ballasting approaches, series impedance and close-loop operation, are proposed to stabilize lamp operation. Stability criteria based on the Nyquist criterion are developed for both approaches.
An edge-based approach for virtual network embedding based on the graph edit distance

Virtualization and resource isolation techniques have enabled the efficient sharing of networked resources. How to control network resource allocation accurately and flexibly has gradually become a research hotspot due to the growth in user demands. Therefore, this paper presents a new edge-based virtual network embedding approach to studying this problem that employs a graph edit distance method to accurately control resource usage. In particular, to manage network resources efficiently, we restrict the use conditions of network resources and restrict the structure based on common substructure isomorphism and an improved spider monkey optimization algorithm is employed to prune redundant information from the substrate network. Experimental results showed that the proposed method achieves better performance than existing algorithms in terms of resource management capacity, including energy savings and the revenue-cost ratio.
Validity and Prognostic Value of a Polygenic Risk Score for Parkinson’s Disease

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex multifactorial disorder caused by the interplay of both genetic and non-genetic risk factors. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) are one way to aggregate the effects of a large number of genetic variants upon the risk for a disease like PD in a single quantity. However, reassessment of the performance of a given PRS in independent data sets is a precondition for establishing the PRS as a valid tool to this end. We studied a previously proposed PRS for PD in a separate genetic data set, comprising 1914 PD cases and 4464 controls, and were able to replicate its ability to differentiate between cases and controls. We also assessed theoretically the prognostic value of the PD-PRS, i.e., its ability to predict the development of PD in later life for healthy individuals. As it turned out, the PD-PRS alone can be expected to perform poorly in this regard. Therefore, we conclude that the PD-PRS could serve as an important research tool, but that meaningful PRS-based prognosis of PD at an individual level is not feasible.
Estimating bearing response in symmetric and asymmetric‐plan isolated buildings with rocking and torsion

A comprehensive approach is developed to estimate relevant design quantities—lateral deformations and axial forces—in isolation systems composed of lead–rubber bearings. The approach, applicable to symmetric and asymmetric‐plan systems, includes the effects of bidirectional excitation, rocking, and torsion; and is the culmination of previous work on this topic. The approach is based on nonlinear response history analysis of an isolated block using an advanced bearing model that incorporates the interaction between axial force and lateral response of the bearing, known as axial‐load effects. The rocking response of the system and peak axial forces are shown to depend on the isolation period, the normalized strength—or yield strength normalized by peak ground velocity, the ratios of rocking frequency about each horizontal axis to vertical frequency, and the normalized stiffness eccentricity. In an attempt to develop results widely applicable to asymmetric‐plan systems, eccentricity is introduced by varying the stiffnesses and strengths of individual bearings in an idealized, rectangular plan. This idealized system approach is shown to have limited success; when applied to actual asymmetric‐plan systems the design equations to estimate response are accurate for lateral deformations but err by up to 25% for axial forces. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Electrical Properties and Impedance Analysis of ZnO Varistors Doped with Different Cu2O Contents

The Cu2O addition deteriorates the electrical properties of ZnO varistors, which is a good agreement with similar findings on Ag2O additions. The best fitted impedance analysis reveals that the Cu2O addition increases grain resistance and lowers the grain boundary resistance, results in low nonlinearity and higher leakage current of ZnO varistors.
Factors Contributing to High HIV Prevalence in Majang Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: What Lies Beneath the Tip of the Iceberg?

Background Despite the tremendous efforts made, HIV epidemic has been continuing to be a public health threat and one of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan African countries. Gambella region is a high prevalence region persistently exhibiting the highest share of HIV cases in Ethiopia. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore factors contributing to high HIV prevalence in the Majang zone of Gambella region, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in the Majang zone of Gambella region, Southwest Ethiopia from March to May 2019. A heterogeneous purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit key informants and focused group discussion participants. Eighteen key informant interviews and 9 focused group discussions were conducted (N = 90) with health professionals, youth, mothers, and community elders. An interview guide developed through an extensive literature review was used to elicit information from the study participants, and data were collected by the investigators themselves with the help of local guides. Data were audio recorded, transcribed, translated, coded, and analyzed thematically, assisted by Atlas.ti 7.5. 16 software. Trustworthiness of the data was ensured through data triangulation, prolonged engagement, member checking, and inquiry audit in which findings were audited and verified by qualitative research experts. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Mizan Tepi University, and written signed informed consent was obtained from all the participants prior to conducting the interviews. Results A total of 90 individuals have participated in this study. Several factors appear to underlie the sustained high prevalence of HIV in the study area and were organized into five major themes: 1) government-related factors, 2) community perception towards HIV, 3) substance use, 4) socio-cultural factors, and 5) movement of people. Conclusion Low government attention towards HIV prevention and control activities, low perceived severity of HIV, substance use, socio-cultural factors, and high movement of people appear to inform the understanding of factors contributing to HIV risk in Majang zone. The sociocultural factors include the use of “Tifo Bet” and social support for polygamy. These findings loudly call for the governmental, non-governmental, and private sectors to reconsider and strengthen strategies for the prevention and control of HIV in the study area.
Coordination and crisis management. The case of the federal Government and two sub-national governments in Mexico

The article analyzes how the Mexican subnational governments responded the COVID 19 outbreak during the first stage of the crisis. The response of two subnational governments whose territory is part of the largest metropolitan area in the country that has been the focus of the pandemic is presented. We ask about the coordination instruments to face COVID-19 between the federal policy and programs with the subnational governments and argue that, during the first stage of the management of the COVID-19 crisis the institutional and organizational design of the Mexican political-administrative system has had a relevant impact on the government’s response, as well in the coordination policies. The article demonstrates that in a crisis, coordination instruments do not depend on political parties but consist of a blend of weak and suitable articulation of policies of the subnational governments with the federal strategy, as well as the need to improve the instruments of collaboration between the various levels of government in the context of a healthcare system in transformation.
Local residents’ place attachment and the perceived benefits for them of the UNESCO Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve

Understanding local residents’ perceptions of changes triggered by the creation of a biosphere reserve (BR) is important for a reserve’s successful management. This study asked 383 local residents of the Wienerwald BR, Austria, about their perceptions of changes, at individual and regional levels, nine years after the creation of the BR, and correlated these perceptions with place attachment. The vast majority of respondents perceived either no changes or positive ones in the region and for themselves. They saw the most positive impact of the BR as being the preservation of threatened landscape types and cultural landscapes. Study results revealed that local residents with stronger emotional, functional and social ties to the region perceived more positive impacts of the BR. The BR management could make use of the positive relationship between place attachment and perceptions of change, as high place attachment can be beneficial for the preservation of natural and cultural landscapes, and can contribute to greater involvement in participation processes by, and quality of life of, the local population. Profile
"Distribution of Colistin Resistance Genes Among Clinical Isolate of Gram-Negative Bacteria"

This study focuses on the identification and the distribution of Colistin resistance genes among Gram-negative bacteria isolated from clinical samples at the National Ribat Teaching hospital, in Khartoum, Sudan. A total of 165 Gram-negative isolated pathogens were as follow Klebsiella pneumoniae (73/44.2%), E. coli (53/32.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33/20%), Proteus vulgaris (6/3.6%), and Citrobacter freundii (2/1.2%), isolated between December 2019 and February 2020 from clinical samples at the National Ribat Teaching hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. Stock of all isolates were stored in 20% Glycerol-broth at -80 °C for further subculture for antimicrobial susceptibility profile and resistance genes associated with Colistin resistance were identified. Colistin resistance associated genes (mcr
A Hospital-Based Study of EGFR and ALK Mutations in Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma in Odisha

Background: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have considerably benefited from the molecular identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations and subsequent targeted therapy against these biomarkers. Few studies have been undertaken in the Indian population on the analysis of both EGFR and ALK mutations in lung adenocarcinoma cases. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of EGFR and ALK mutations in lung adenocarcinoma patients, as well as to link mutational status with age, sex, and smoking history. Materials and Methods: This single hospital-based retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Medical Oncology, Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer, Cuttack, on histologically proven lung adenocarcinoma cases over a duration of two years from 01.08. 2019 to 31.07. 2021. Results: Out of a total of 164 cases, males comprised 89 (54.26%) of the 164 lung adenocarcinoma cases, while females comprised 75 (45.73%). EGFR mutations were found in 42 (26.75%) of the patients. In 9 cases, the ALK gene rearrangement was also determined to be positive (5.66%). In terms of EGFR and ALK mutations, there was no statistically significant relationship between patient age and gender. (P-value < 0.05). In our research, we found a link between nonsmokers and EGFR and ALK mutations. (P-value <0.05). The deletion of exon 19 (76.19%) was the most prevalent mutation, followed by the exon 21 L858R mutation (14.28%). Conclusion: This study was found to have a significantly higher rate of EGFR and ALK mutation in the Indian population with adenocarcinoma of lung compared to Western populations. To get the maximum benefit from targeted therapies, all patients of adenocarcinoma of the lung should have mutational testing for EGFR and ALK as part of a broad molecular pannel.
Fatigue Behavior of Welded T-Joints with a CHS Brace and CFCHS Chord under Axial Loading in the Brace

AbstractThe welded truss composed of circular hollow section (CHS) braces and concrete-filled circular hollow-section (CFCHS) chords is a new kind of structural system that has been increasingly applied in large span arch bridges in China. It is necessary to have a good knowledge of fatigue strength of the welded CHS-to-CFCHS joints for the design of this kind of composite bridge. This paper reports on a series of tests on welded CHS-to-CFCHS T-joints subjected to axial cyclic fatigue loading in the brace. Eleven joints were designed to investigate various influence factors such as different nondimensional geometric parameters of circular hollow sections and different concrete strength grades. The quality of welds connecting brace and chord members were examined using the magnetic particle and radiographic inspection methods. The conditions of hot spot stress at both the crown and saddle positions in brace and chord members were determined by means of linear and nonlinear extrapolation methods. During the.
Comparison of Diesel Engine Performance and Emissions from Neat and Transesterified Vegetable Oils

ABSTRACT A single-cylinder, 0.36 L, DI Diesel engine was operated on a certified No. 2. Diesel fuel, cottonseed oil, sunflowerseed oil, methyl ester of cottonseed oil, and methyl ester of sunflowerseed oil. The purpose of this study was to provide a comparison of performance and emission data when operating on neat vegetable oils, transesterified vegetable oils, and Diesel fuel. Results comparing the various vegetable oil fuels with No. 2 Diesel fuel generally show slight improvements in thermal efficiency and higher exhaust gas temperatures when operating on vegetable oils; equal or higher gas-phase emissions with vegetable oils; lower indicated specific revertant emissions with vegetable oils; and significantly higher aldehyde emissions, including an increased percentage of formaldehyde.