Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shockwave Therapy Versus Dry Needling for the Management of Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is a common leading cause of lateral knee pain. Despite varieties of medical and non-medical treatments proposed for the management of ITBS, the best therapeutic approach for its treatment remained a significant question. The current study aims to compare the outcomes of dry needling (DN) versus shockwave therapy (SWT) in the management of ITBS. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with ITBS. The patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups of DN (n=20) and SWT (n=20). Visual analog scale for the pain assessment, Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) for the function evaluation, and length of the iliotibial band were assessed at baseline, immediately after the cessation of the intervention, and within four weeks. Results: The two groups were similar regarding demographic characteristics (P0.05). Both approaches could efficiently lead to improved pain (P0.001) and promoted function based on LEFS (P0.001); however, iliotibial band length (ITBL) did not alter remarkably (P0.05). The groups were similar in terms of pain score, LEFS, and ITBL at all of the assessment intervals (P0.05), but the pain score within four weeks following the interventions that were significantly better in DN (P=0.023). Conclusion: Based on our results, DN, as well as SWT, could remarkably lead to an improvement in pain and function among patients resenting from ITBS; however, none of the approaches was superior over the other.
Permanent Signatures of Birth and Nursing Initiation are Chemically Recorded in Teeth

In 2013 we presented a model for identifying nursing behavior from primate teeth based on rapid postnatal concentration changes in the non-essential trace element barium. Here we leverage the permanent neonatal (birth) line in the enamel of several dozen primate M1 cusps to compare pre- and postnatal trends in barium, zinc, strontium, and oxygen, as each element is believed to evince developmental patterning. Barium and zinc are the most consistent biomarkers of nursing initiation; a majority of M1 cusps show concentration increases from prenatal to postnatal enamel, whereas strontium shows no change or decreases with equal frequency. Exceptions to the pattern of barium increase occurred in cusps that had been mineralizing for less than three weeks, suggesting that subsequent enamel maturation has only a minor impact on detecting real time events. Oxygen isotope compositions (δ18O) show marked fluctuations (~ 1–2 ‰) within a few weeks of birth in 92% of M1 cusps (n = 22/24). This is likely due to measurements of hypomineralized perinatal enamel, as well as physiological changes in the body water of newborn infants. Ongoing work integrating elemental concentration gradients with isotopic variation will help establish the degree to which milk intake may cause elevated δ18O in teeth. We show that chemical identification of pre- to postnatal transitions may be robust to slight planar deviations that often obscure growth increments under light microscopy, and could help validate the identification of potential neonatal lines, making this approach a useful complement to bioarchaeological studies and public health investigations.
Cost of Financing on Affordability of Housing in Nakuru East and Nakuru West Sub-counties, Nakuru County, Kenya

Access to affordable and decent housing remains a dream to many households, especially in developing nations. In Kenya, the housing need has been identified as one of the most agent area that needs attention. In fact, the government has put affordable housing as one of the big four agenda for the Nation. This study examined the relationship between cost of financing and affordability of housing in Nakuru East and Nakuru West Sub-Counties. Data was collected from 384 households sampled from the 11 wards in the two sub-counties. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure adequate representation of every ward in the sample. Data was collected through self-administered structured questionnaires and interviews. A pilot test was conducted prior to the actual study, incorporating reliability and validly tests. The study achieved a response rate of more than 87%. Findings from analysis revealed that cost of finance is significant determinant of affordability of housing. The study recommends that the government and other stakeholders in the housing sector should consider subsidizing cost of building materials, land, and cost of professional services, mortgage facilities as well as water and electricity. The government can partner with financial institutions as well as private investment organizations to offer more affordable housing solutions to the general public.
Optimal synthesis of a spring-actuated cam mechanism using a cubic spline

Abstract This paper presents the optimal synthesis for a cam with non-constant angular velocity based on the dynamic model of a complete spring-actuated cam system. In order to satisfy asymmetric constraints and guarantee continuous contact at the cam-follower interface, the follower motion, which is dependent on the requirements during the closing period of a vacuum circuit breaker, is optimized using a cubic spline. The optimized cam is compared with a cam designed by assuming the cam angular velocity to be constant and with a polynomial cam. Simulation results reveal that the dynamic behaviours of the optimized cam are superior to those of the original cam and the polynomial cam.
Biochemical Study and Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Solanum torvum (Swartz) Fruits Used as Fruiting Vegetables in Togo

The fruits of Solanum torvum are used as fruiting vegetables and in traditional medicine in Togo, to treat anemia and several infectious diseases. However, no study has been conducted on its nutritional potential in Togo. The present study aims to valorize this species through its biochemical compounds in the interest of food security. The contents of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, mineral salts and vitamin C of the fruits of Solanum torvum have been thus evaluated by the usual methods of AOAC. The contents in biochemical compounds have been of 71.42 ± 0.52% for total carbohydrates, 16.49 ± 0.47% for proteins, 7.71 ± 0.19% for lipids, 4.65 ± 0.46% for ash, 2.44 ± 0.36% for vitamin C and 421 ± 2.01% for metabolizable energy. The spectrophotometric analyses revealed the presence of minerals such as Na, Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn and Fe at interesting levels with Na/K ˂ 1, Ca/P > 1 and Ca/Mg > 1 in the analyzed Solanum torvum fruits. The results thus indicated that the fruits of S. torvum have an appreciable nutritional value similar to that of vegetables and legumes that enter the human diet daily. These fruits would thus contribute to the fight against nutrient deficiencies. The valorization of this pharmaco-nutritional plant in human food is therefore of interest.
Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Labor Force Employed in the Translation Industry of Saudi Arabia

The on-going pandemic caused by COVID-19 has undoubtedly created huge impact not only to human health but to livelihood as well. The translation industry is a key player in the economy of multi-linguistic nations like Saudi Arabia, and the labor market inherent to it faces imminent challenges posed by this global health crisis. It is the intention of this study to look into the economic status of translators working in Saudi Arabia in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Email interviews were conducted to random translators from different agencies in the country. After a thorough descriptive analysis of their pre- and post-COVID labor situation, it was found that there was generally a decrease in income of the translators whose portfolio is comprised by the translation business by 50%. Nonetheless, there are very few of those who consider translation as the main source of income who benefitted from the situation. Translation rates also had to be reduced by 7% to 8% in order to become competitive in the market. This applies to the various sectors utilizing translation services including post-editing machine translation, transcreation, and localized engineering, among others. However, among the sectors covered in this study, the demand for translation services was observed to be most significant in the healthcare, life sciences, and medical and pharmaceutical sectors. It is then the hope of this study to contribute knowledge in finding effective means to alleviate the economic conditions of translators who, in one way or another, could be considered as frontliners in this trying time.
Interactive Effects of Foliar Application of Zinc, Iron and Nitrogen on Productivity and Nutritional Quality of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an important winter oilseed crop in India. It acts as a promising species for the extraction of Zn and Fe under nutrient-deficit conditions. Therefore, this study planned to determine the impact of nutritional supplementation (Zn, Fe and urea) on the productivity and nutritional quality of Indian mustard. In the experiment, different combinations of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with 0.5% FeSO4·7H2O, 0.5% ZnSO4·7H2O and 1% urea at 45 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) were applied to Indian mustard. Foliar application of micronutrients along with urea enhanced the productivity and quality of the crop. Among different treatments, the foliar application of 0.5% FeSO4·7H2O + 0.5% ZnSO4·7H2O + 1% urea (FZU) at 45 and 60 DAS resulted in the maximum increase in grain (27.8%) and stover (34.47%) yield, which was statistically at par with the treatment 0.5% FeSO4·7H2O + 0.5% ZnSO4·7H2O at 45 and 60 DAS (FZ). A similar trend was observed for Zn concentration in grain and stover, as well as Fe concentration in stover. However, the Fe concentration in grain was at maximum with treatment FZU, and the results were significantly higher compared with the treatment FZ. Treatment FZU also resulted in a maximum increase in Zn and Fe uptake in grain (54.7% and 34.3%, respectively) and stover (110.5% and 46.1%, respectively), which was statistically at par with treatment FZ. Physiological efficiencies of Zn (11,838.33) and Fe (3575.887) were highest when only urea was applied along with RDF, whereas the apparent recovery efficiency of Zn and Fe was highest in treatment FZU. Overall, it is concluded that combined foliar application of, 0.5% FeSO4·7H2O + 0.5% ZnSO4·7H2O + 1% urea at 45 and 60 DAS along with RDF was found to be most effective to enhance yield, concentration and uptake of Zn and Fe in Indian mustard.
APPLICATION OF BACTERIOCIN-PRODUCING LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM SALTED DRIED CAMEL MEAT (EL KADID) IN THE PRESERVATION OF GOAT CHEESE AGAINST Staphylococcus aureus

El kadid is a traditional North African food obtained by natural dehydration of One-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) meat still produced through traditional method in Algeria. This traditional food matrix constitutes a rich ecological niche for the screening of bacteriocin-producing strains and lactic acid bacteria which contributes to the safety and preservation of foods. Fifteen lactic acid bacterial isolates from El kadid were tested for antibacterial activity and biopreservative effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus. Only four strains exhibited bacteriocin activity against the two indicator bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 4379G and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, in the neutralized cell-free supematant treated with catalase and proteolytic enzymes. Strain LB6, identified as Lactobacillus plantarum and characterized by the highest antimicrobial activity, was selected for further trials. Bacteriocin rate peaked during the stationary phase. The ideal temperature and pH for its formation were 37°C and 6.5, respectively. The bacteriocin was stable at high temperatures (30 min at 100°C) and active following incubation at pH levels ranging from 2 to 12. This strain showed high activity in fresh goat cheese (11–15 mm inhibition zone) having the ability to prevent the development of S. aureus, also reducing the inoculum level of pathogen by about 1 log cycle. These results revealed that this strain could be a promising biopreservative starter for the dairy industry. To the author ’s knowledge, this is the first report of L. plantarum being isolated in salted dried camel meat.
Development of mechanical expression rig for dry extraction of shea butter from shea kernel

A mechanical expression rig (MER) was designed, constructed and tested for the dry extraction of shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) butter from shea kernel. While designing and material selection, consideration was given to local availability, durability and cost of construction materials. While testing the MER, a 4 3 factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design was used to study the effects of 4 levels each of heating temperature, applied pressure and loading speed on oil yield during dry extraction of shea butter from shea kernel. Results showed that a maximum oil yield of about 35.1% was obtained in the experiments. This high oil yield indicated that the MER performed satisfactorily.
Determinants of Eco-Innovations in Agricultural Production Cooperatives in Iran

The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of Eco-Innovations (EI) in agricultural production cooperatives in Iran. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to the research. The qualitative section included semi-structured interviews, faceto-face interviews, and brainstorming sessions, and the quantitative section included descriptive statistical and spatial and Bayesian probit models to estimate the model of research. SPSS and MATLAB software was used in this study. SPSS software was used to describe the variables, explain the types of EIs and their effects and comparison of adopters and nonadopters, and MATLAB software was used for the estimation of the model. The data of 300 members of agricultural production cooperatives in Khouzestan Province, Iran, were collected based on random sampling, in 2020 summer. The research examined the different types of EIs. For comparison of adopter and non-adopter characteristics, a t-test and Mann-Whitney test (MW) were used. The results of the t-test showed that there was a significant difference between age, income, crop yield, and farm size for adopters and non-adopters of EI. The Mann Whitney U test (MW) showed significant difference between farmers’ education level, EI awareness, attitude toward EI, EI knowledge, willingness to creativity, being risk oriented, and access to information of adopters and non-adopters of EI. Based on the results obtained from the spatial models, with a probability of 99%, both models were significant. Based on the results of the estimation of spatial models, the independent variables and the spatial autoregressive coefficient had significant role on adoption of EI. For practical implications, it can be said that cooperative members, when adopting the EIs, can use the proposed model that is appropriate to their field of work. This study conducted a critical review before specifically recommending how cooperatives become eco-innovators.
The Effect of Posterior Tibial Slope on the Risk of Revision Surgery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: A significant proportion of patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) later experience graft failure. Some studies suggest an association between a steep posterior tibial slope (PTS) and graft failure. Purpose: To examine the PTS in a large cohort of patients about to undergo ACLR and to determine whether a steep PTS is associated with later revision surgery. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective review of a cohort undergoing isolated ACLR between 2002 and 2012 (with 8-19 years of follow-up) was conducted. Preoperative sagittal radiographs of knees in full extension were used for measurements of the PTS. There were 2 independent examiners who performed repeated measurements to assess the reliability of the method. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the PTS in the groups with and without later revision surgery. Results: A total of 728 patients, with a mean age of 28 years at the time of surgery, were included. Overall, 10% (n = 76) underwent revision surgery during the observation period. The group of injured knees had a significantly steeper PTS compared with the group of uninjured knees (9.5° vs 8.7°, respectively; P < .05). The mean PTS in the no revision group was 9.5° compared with 9.3° in the revision group (not significant). Dichotomized testing of revision rates related to PTS cutoff values of ≥10°, ≥12°, ≥14°, ≥16°, and ≥18° showed no association of PTS steepness (not significant) to graft failure. Patients with revision were younger than the ones without (mean age, 24 ± 8 vs 29 ± 10 years, respectively) and had a shorter time from injury to ACLR (mean, 14 ± 27 vs 24 ± 44 months, respectively) as well as a smaller graft size (8.2 vs 8.4 mm, respectively; P = .040). Conclusion: The current study did not find any association between a steep PTS measured on lateral knee radiographs and revision ACL surgery. However, a steeper PTS was seen in the group of injured knees compared with the group of uninjured (contralateral) knees. Independent of the PTS, younger patients, those with a shorter time from injury to surgery, and those with a smaller graft size were found to undergo revision surgery more often.
Multiple parameters based pulsed eddy current non-destructive testing and evaluation

Eddy current sensing technique is widely used primarily because of its high tolerance to harsh environments, low cost, broad bandwidth and ease of automation. And its variant, pulsed eddy current offers richer information of target materials. However, accurate detection and characterisation of defects remains a major challenge in the petro-chemical industry using this technique which leads to spurious detection and false alarm. A number of parameters are contributory, amongst which is the inhomogeneity of the materials, coupling variation effect and relatively large lift-off effect due to coating layers. These sometimes concurrently affect the response signal. For instance, harsh and dynamic operating conditions cause variation in the electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability of materials. Also, there is the increased need to detect defects and simultaneously measure the coating layer. In practice therefore, multi-sensing modalities are employed for a comprehensive assessment which is often capital intensive. In contrast to this, multiple parameter delineation and estimation from a single transient response which is cost-effective becomes essential. The research concludes that multiple parameter delineation helps in mitigating the effect of a parameter of interest to improve the accuracy of the PEC technique for defect detection and characterisation on the one hand and for multi-parameter estimation on the other. This research, partly funded by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), proposes use of a novel multiple parameter based pulsed eddy current NDT technique to address the challenges posed by these factors. Numerical modelling and experimental approaches were employed. The study used a 3D finite element model to understand, predict and delineate the effect of varying EM properties of test materials on PEC response; which was experimentally validated. Also, experimental studies have been carried out to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed to estimate multiple parameters vis-a-vis defect depth (invariant of lift-off effects) and lift-off. The major contributions of the research can be summarised thus: (1) numerical simulation to understand and separate the effect of material magnetic permeability and electrical conductivity in pulsed eddy current measurements and experimental validation; (2) proposed the lift-off point of intersection (LOI) feature for defect estimation invariant of lift-off effects for ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic samples; a feature which is hitherto not apparent in ferromagnetic materials (a primary material used in the oil and gas industry); (3) separation and estimation of defect and the lift-off effects in magnetic sensor based pulsed eddy current response; and (4) application of the LOI feature and demonstration of increased defect sensitivity of the PEC technique with the proposed feature in both ferrous and non-ferrous conductive materials.
Comparative Study of the Nutritional Value of Unripe and Ripe Arils of Blighia sapida (K. D. KOENIG)

B. sapida arils are of great socio-economic importance in West Africa due to their food uses. Several studies have focused on mature arils but few studies have focused on immature ones. The objective of this work was to assess the nutritional potential of mature and immature arils of these species. The arils were collected in Kara (Northern-Togo) and in Lome (Southern-Togo). The organic substances contained in the arils were determined according to the methods of AOAC while the minerals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry for sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium and by molecular absorption spectrophotometry for phosphorus. The main results showed that the mature and immature arils of B. sapida contain alkaloids, tannins, reducing compounds and carbohydrates and are a good source of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals. Furthermore, immature arils showed a better dietary fiber content compared to mature arils. The metabolisable energy of the two types of arils were 526.78 ± 39.87 and 615.95 ± 33.90 Kcal/100 g of dry matter, respectively for the unripe arils and the ripe ones. All these results show that these arils have an appreciable nutritional value and can contribute to food safety. This justifies their food uses.
Modeling Protective Forests for Gravitational Natural Hazards and How It Relates to Risk-Based Decision Support Tools

Simulation tools and their integrated models are widely used to estimate potential starting, transit and runout zones of gravitational natural hazards such as rockfall, snow avalanches and landslides (i.e., gravitational mass flows [GMFs]). Forests growing in areas susceptible to GMFs can influence their release and propagation probabilities (i.e., frequency and magnitude of an event) as well as their intensity. If and how well depends on the GMF type, the topography of the terrain and the forests’ structure. In this chapter, we introduce basic concepts of computer models and state-of-the-art methods for modeling forest interactions with rockfall, snow avalanches and landslides. Furthermore, an example of a protective forest routine embedded in the runout angle-based GMF simulation tool Flow-Py will be presented together with its parameterization for forest-GMF interactions. We applied Flow-Py and two custom extensions to model where forests protect people and assets against GMFs (the protective function) and how forests reduce their frequency, magnitude and/or intensity (the protective effect). The goal of this chapter is to describe protective forest models, so that practitioners and decision makers can better utilize them and their results as decision support tools for risk-based protective forest and ecosystem-based integrated risk management of natural hazards.