Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Flow Cytometric Approach for the Quantification and Quality Control of Chlamydia trachomatis Preparations

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogenic bacterium with a biphasic developmental cycle manifesting two distinct morphological forms: infectious elementary bodies (EBs) and replicative intracellular reticulate bodies (RBs). Current standard protocols for quantification of the isolates assess infectious particles by titering inclusion-forming units, using permissive cell lines, and analyzing via immunofluorescence. Enumeration of total particle counts is achieved by counting labeled EBs/RBs using a fluorescence microscope. Both methods are time-consuming with a high risk of observer bias. For a better assessment of C. trachomatis preparations, we developed a simple and time-saving flow cytometry-based workflow for quantifying small particles, such as EBs with a size of 300 nm. This included optimization of gain and threshold settings with the addition of a neutral density filter for small-particle discrimination. The nucleic acid dye SYBR® Green I (SGI) was used together with propidium iodide and 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate to enumerate and discriminate between live and dead bacteria. We found no significant differences between the direct particle count of SGI-stained C. trachomatis preparations measured by microscopy or flow cytometry (p > 0.05). Furthermore, we completed our results by introducing a cell culture-independent viability assay. Our measurements showed very good reproducibility and comparability to the existing state-of-the-art methods, indicating that the evaluation of C. trachomatis preparations by flow cytometry is a fast and reliable method. Thus, our method facilitates an improved assessment of the quality of C. trachomatis preparations for downstream applications.
Older Drivers’ Perception and Acceptance of In-Vehicle Devices for Traffic Safety and Traffic Efficiency

A multitude of new technologies (ranging from guidance systems to speed-limit exceeding systems and to fatigue detection systems) are emerging, many of which are either explicitly targeted to older drivers or expected to benefit them the most. However, these same older drivers are more likely to find adapting to the use of such technologies challenging. Therefore, understanding older drivers' perception of such devices will allow experts to take the necessary steps to ensure their smoother acceptance and complete success of their deployment. Using Greek drivers' attitude data collected within the scope of an extensive recent survey in 23 European countries (the SARTRE-3 data set), a statistical analysis of the perception of usefulness and acceptance of new technologies by older drivers is presented. The results of the developed ordered logit models provide insight into the human-factors' aspect of the introduction of advanced technologies with respect to these more sensitive segments of the driver population. For example, older respondents are, in general, more supportive of the considered in-vehicle technologies, while female respondents also show a higher willingness to adopt them.
Prospects and Challenges to Implement Business Process Reengineering (BPR) in Ethiopian Public Universities

A thesis submitted to the department of Accounting and Finance (graduate program) in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science in Accounting and Finance%%%%Since educational institutions function similar to other types of business organization, they can use Business Process Reengineering (BPR) to enhance their performances in terms of reducing processes‟ cost and cycle time, increasing service quality, and increasing customers and employees satisfactions. Likewise, starting from 2008 and 2009, all Ethiopian public universities engaged in BPR project to enhance their performances dramatically. However, the implementation phase of BPR pointed as the most challenging one. Thus, this study intended to identify factors that deemed as challenging factors of BPR implementation. To address study‟s objectives, sequential explanatory strategy of mixed methods research design adopted. Specifically, in the first phase of the study, survey was conducted on four public universities. To identify various challenging factors of BPR implementation, forty BPR project redesign and implementation team members in the universities were subjects of the study. In the second phase, after results obtained in the first phase, interviews were held with three interviewees to better understand the magnitudes of challenging factors. The study statistically analyzed the data obtained in the first phase. Then, results obtained in the first phase elicited to get qualitative data and thematically analyzed the qualitative data obtained in the second phase. Results of this mixed method research design in the first phase shows that between 11 to 40 percent of the redesigned processes implemented at universities and to implement the entire processes, the implementation phase believed to take more than three years. Results also identified universities‟ support processes (administrative) as challenging to implement compare to core processes (academic). Besides, out of the thirty challenging factors included in the survey instrument, more than 50 percent of respondents showed a higher degree of agreement to seventeen factors as the most challenging factors that impeded redesigned processes from being implemented. However, results in the second phase shows that, of the seventeen factors, the magnitudes of nine factors to delay the implementation phase were severe. These include problems originated from change-management factors, top management support factors, organizational factors, and country factors. Generally, this study suggests to take corrective measures by the universities‟ management body and Ethiopian Ministry of Education before the project completely fail.
Zookeepers – The most important animal in the zoo?

ABSTRACT Education to improve knowledge of animal welfare is not a universal component of training for zoo staff, and little is reported about the perspectives of zoo staff on the need for such education. This paper reports results from structured telephone interviews of a diverse sample of eight Chinese and eight European zoo staff about aspects of zoological animal welfare, education and zoological practices. These qualitative data were thematically analyzed and key themes generated. Similar themes emerged across regions: Zoo staff consider professional attributes including motivation and enthusiasm to be important alongside formal training, zoo staff value learning opportunities but don’t always feel supported, and contextual information including wild animal ecology was considered important content in zoo animal welfare education.
THE EFFECT OF SENSORIMOTOR RHYTHM ENHANCING NEUROFEEDBACK ON POWER OF ADJACENT FREQUENCY BANDS

Sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback training (NFT) has an important role in improvement of cognitive functions in both clinical and healthy individuals. It is very possible that in SMR NFT adjacent frequency bands, such as alpha and beta1, be affected by SMR enhancing neurofeedback. Therefore, the adjacent frequency bands, in addition to SMR, may be associated with the improvement of the cognitive functions. Eight sessions of NFT were applied to healthy individuals to enhance their SMR activity. In order to investigate the effect of SMR enhancing neurofeedback on the power of adjacent frequency bands, correlation between the change in SMR activity and the change in alpha or beta1 activity was computed. The results revealed that there is a highly significant positive correlation between the change in SMR and beta1 activities. The given outcome suggests that during SMR NFT, the effect of both SMR and beta1 be considered together on the improvement of the cognitive functions.
Association between skin-to-skin contact post-birth and breastfeeding behaviour: a cross-sectional study of Nigerian women using the 2018 Demographic Health Survey

at birth as part of the essential processes that can help improve breastfeeding behaviours in new In Nigeria had the highest number of infant mortalities (270,000 infant deaths), second only to India (522,000 infant deaths). Consequently, the possible benefits of skin-to-skin contact and healthy breastfeeding behaviours to both mother and child cannot be overemphasised. This study seeks to understand the rate of skin-to-skin contact post-birth and how this affects early breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding duration, and exclusive breastfeeding among Nigerian women. It also seeks to understand if the place of delivery or internet access affects the associations between skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding behaviours.
Relationships between Socioeconomic Indicators and Motor Performance of Schoolchildren in Slovakia

Physical inactivity is currently a significant problem in Western societies. Among the many factors that affect the amount of physical activity in children, socioeconomic status, the type of school, and the area where they live can play a major role in physical development. A total of 31,620 children (6.3 ± 0.53 years; 15,726 boys; 15,893 girls), representing 55.6 % of the entire Slovak population of first graders, participated in eight motor performance (MP) tests, the results of which were correlated with somatic parameters (body height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI)) and socioeconomic indicators (SEIs) within the children’s respective territorial regions. The largest correlations were observed between MP and unemployment rate (r = −0.802) and between MP and economically active population with primary education (r = −0.807). Other correlations between MP and SEIs were also found at the level of self-governing regions (r = 0.995) and districts (r = 0.551). SEIs and MP were strongly correlated, indicating that children who grow up in better socioeconomic environments display greater MP. Therefore, national and local governments should provide tangible and intangible resources to enable the proper development of children’s MP.
A novel method for analysis of inverter currents

In this paper, a novel method for analysis of the average and RMS currents in inverter switching devices and the RMS value of the ripple component of inverter input current is presented. The proposed method is based on the probability with which inverter switching devices receive ON signals. To show the general applicability of the proposed method, the expressions for the currents of sinusoidal PWM and hysteresis current-controlled inverters are derived. Experimental results are included to show the validity of the proposed method.
Dynamic Shear Modulus and Damping Ratio for Threshold Strain in Cohesionless Soils

Based on modern ideas of thermomechanics, small strain dynamic dissipation function of Hardin-Drnevich model for soils is formulated using the assumptions of the beeline and the skeleton curve shift laws. Fundamentally, for cohesionless soils, two types of cyclic strain thresholds are identified: first threshold strain and second threshold strain represent boundaries between fundamentally different dynamic characteristics of cyclic soil behavior. Comparison between the two threshold shear strain values and dynamic degradation curves obtained on exactly the same soils, the results showed that the ratio of secant modulus and maximum dynamic shear modulus for the first threshold strain are almost 1.0, and the damping ratio is almost constant. When dynamic strain level exceeds the second threshold strain, the soil behavior is considerably at nonlinear, and the primary deformation mechanism is related to fabric changes during cyclic loading. The first and the second threshold strains are therefore essential for the understanding and solving soil dynamic problems.
EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF NUMERICAL HEAT TRANSFER PREDICTIONS FOR SINGLE- AND MULTI-COMPONENT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS IN A FORCED CONVECTION ENVIRONMENT: PART I - EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL MODELLING

Coupling the electronic industries desire to produce more compact and reliable systems using shorter design cycle times, highlights the need for efficient thermal design tools. Such development trends are driven by technological advances, particularly at die level where increasing power dissipation densities push the need for forced convection air-cooling of electronic components. While the analysis of such conjugate heat transfer problems is highly complex, Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) based numerical predictive techniques have the potential to meet the outlined demands. However, relying solely on this approach without supporting experimental analysis still remains an unreliable design strategy, as the full capabilities of these evolving tools need to be carefully evaluated for realistic electronic systems. This can only be achieved by comparing CFD predictions to accurate experimental benchmark data, thereby enabling confidence to be established in both the modelling methodology and numerical code. In this study, benchmark test cases are presented for singleand multi-component, FR-4 Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), populated by three standard package types (SO16, TSOP48 and PQFP208) and exposed to a 2 m/s, forced airflow parallel to the PCB plane. Benchmark criteria used to validate prediction accuracy were based on the parameters of die junction temperature and component-PCB surface temperature gradients. The experimental equipment and procedure used, along with the numerical modelling techniques applied are described in this paper, while the results are presented and discussed in the accompanying Part II, [Rodgers et al., 1999a]. The motivation for this study and subsequent direction taken, is due in part to the industrial need, but also to an extensive literature review which is summarised in the opening section.
Effective of Educational Instruction of Nurses Knowledge Regarding Meningitis and Universal Precaution Measures at Selected Department at Minia Fever Hospital

Background: Meningitis is an inflammation and swelling of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges. Meningitis is most often caused by an infection. This disease can be fatal or cause serious lasting side effects. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the meninges Aim: The study aimed to assess effectiveness of educational instruction of nurses' knowledge regarding meningitis and universal precaution measures at Minia Fever Hospital. Study design: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was utilized in this study. Subject: A convenient sample of 50 nurse were selected from all departments (kidney department and pediatric department, outpatient, inpatient unit for infectious disease as typhoid fever, puerperal sepsis, meningitis and hepatitis A virus), who divided into 14 nurses had bachelor degree, 10 nurses had diploma in nursing and 26 nurses had Technical institute. Setting: This study was carried out at Fever Hospital in Minia city. Tools: Three tools were utilized in this study, The First Tool; was an interviewing structured questionnaire sheet concerned with the socio-demographic characteristics about studied nurse. Second Tool; was concerned with nurses knowledge Assessment questionnaire about meningitis, including of (18) questions. Third Tool; include Knowledge assessment tools regarding universal precaution of meningitis, it consisted of (30) questions. Results The most of study subjects have unsatisfactory level of knowledge about meningitis with mean scores of 9.3±2.7 and most of study subjects have good knowledge about universal precautions regarding meningitis with mean scores of 24.4±6.8. Conclusion: the most of study subjects have unsatisfactory level of knowledge about meningitis and less than fifth have satisfactory level of knowledge about meningitis and the most of study subjects have good knowledge about universal precautions regarding meningitis. Recommendations: Encourage the nurses to participate in training courses held by specialists in meningitis to update their knowledge and increase nurse's knowledge and updated in pediatric unit in the hospital with the current researches and guidelines by taking a training course.
Nucleolar Stress Functions Upstream to Stimulate Expression of Autophagy Regulators

Simple Summary Ribosome biogenesis takes place in nucleoli and is essential for cellular survival and proliferation. In case this function is disturbed, either due to defects in regulatory factors or the structure of the nucleolus, nucleolar stress is provoked. Consequently, cells classically undergo cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Induction of nucleolar stress is known to eliminate cells in the background of cancer therapy and paradoxically is also associated with increased cancer formation. Recent reports demonstrated that nucleolar stress triggers autophagy, a conserved pathway responsible for recycling endogenous material. Thus, it was suggested that autophagy might serve as compensatory pro-survival response. However, the mechanisms how nucleolar stress triggers autophagy are poorly understood. Here we show that induction of nucleolar stress by depleting ribosome biogenesis factors or by interfering with RNA polymerase I function, triggers expression of various key autophagy regulators. Moreover, we demonstrate that RNA pol I inhibition by CX-5461 correlates with increased ATG7 and ATGL16L1 levels, essential factors for generating autophagosomes, and stimulates autophagic flux. Abstract Ribosome biogenesis is essential for protein synthesis, cell growth and survival. The process takes places in nucleoli and is orchestrated by various proteins, among them RNA polymerases I–III as well as ribosome biogenesis factors. Perturbation of ribosome biogenesis activates the nucleolar stress response, which classically triggers cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Nucleolar stress is utilized in modern anti-cancer therapies, however, also contributes to the development of various pathologies, including cancer. Growing evidence suggests that nucleolar stress stimulates compensatory cascades, for instance bulk autophagy. However, underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that induction of nucleolar stress activates expression of key autophagic regulators such as ATG7 and ATG16L1, essential for generation of autophagosomes. We show that knockdown of the ribosomopathy factor SBDS, or of key ribosome biogenesis factors (PPAN, NPM, PES1) is associated with enhanced levels of ATG7 in cancer cells. The same holds true when interfering with RNA polymerase I function by either pharmacological inhibition (CX-5461) or depletion of the transcription factor UBF-1. Moreover, we demonstrate that RNA pol I inhibition by CX-5461 stimulates autophagic flux. Together, our data establish that nucleolar stress affects transcriptional regulation of autophagy. Given the contribution of both axes in propagation or cure of cancer, our data uncover a connection that might be targeted in future.
Infantile‐onset CMT2D/dSMA‐V in a Chinese family with parental germline mosaicism for a novel mutation in the GARS1 gene

Both Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type 2D (CMT2D) and distal spinal muscular atrophy type V (dSMA‐V) are GARS1 disease phenotypes involving axonal peripheral neuropathy. Patients often develop clinical symptoms in their teens. Herein, we reported a Chinese family with infantile‐onset CMT2D/dSMA‐V.
Bioactivity-guided Isolation of TRAIL-Resistance-Overcoming Activity Compounds From the Leaves of Murraya exotica

Fractionation of the leaf extract from Murraya exotica led to the successful isolation of 12 compounds (1-12) with TRAIL-resistance-overcoming activity. Xanthinosin (1), 11α, 13-dihydroxanthinin (2), 11β, 13-dihydroxanthinosin (3), 4α, 11α, 13-trihydroxanthuminol (4), desacetylxanthanol (5), and lasidiol p-methoxybenzoate (6) were sesquiterpenes isolated from this plant for the first time, and 3 was isolated from natural sources for the first time. Among them, compounds 1 and 5 showed strong TRAIL-resistance-overcoming activity, but their mechanisms have already been revealed. Furthermore, dihydroxanthinin (2), 1, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (7), and (-) loliolide (8), which belong to different phytochemical groups, were investigated for their effects on increasing apoptosis induction to overcome TRAIL resistance using Western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that 2, 7, and 8 promoted TRAIL-induced apoptosis by increasing the expression of several proapoptotic markers, including cleaved caspases −3 and −8, and suppressing anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.
Discussion and Analysis of Dumbbell Defect-Ground-Structure (DB-DGS) Resonators for Sensing Applications from a Circuit Theory Perspective

Microstrip transmission lines loaded with dumbbell defect-ground-structure (DB-DGS) resonators transversally oriented have been exhaustively used in microwave circuits and sensors. Typically, these structures have been modelled by means of a parallel LC resonant tank series connected to the host line. However, the inductance and capacitance of such model do not have a physical meaning, since this model is inferred by transformation of a more realistic model, where the DB-DGS resonator, described by means of a resonant tank with inductance and capacitance related to the geometry of the DB-DGS, is magnetically coupled to the host line. From parameter extraction, the circuit parameters of both models are obtained by considering the DB-DGS covered with semi-infinite materials with different dielectric constant. The extracted parameters are coherent and reveal that the general assumption of considering the simple LC resonant tank series-connected to the line to describe the DB-DGS-loaded line is reasonable with some caution. The implications on the sensitivity, when the structure is devoted to operating as a permittivity sensor, are discussed.
ICT Adoption and VAT Registration among Unincorporated Enterprises in India: Analysis of Unit-Level Data

Introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has resulted in harmonisation of tax compliance system in India. In the new tax regime, tax compliance system has completely moved to online (digital) platforms. Given the inequality in access to digital platform or adoption of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) among marginal, small and medium enterprises in India, tax compliance may not improve in the GST regime. In a developing country like India where majority of unincorporated enterprises are in the informal sector, staying outside the formal network may restrict their economic prospects. It is worthwhile to study the relationship between access to ICT and tax (VAT) registration among unincorporated enterprises in India. Based on unit-level data of the 73rd round NSS survey, this study explores factors influencing the decision of unincorporated enterprises to take VAT/Sales Tax registration across the Indian states. The results show that adoption of ICT in terms of using internet and computers positively influence tax registration. Policy suggestions of the study may help to expand the tax base of GST by bringing informal enterprises under the tax net.