Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response Surface Methodology in Optimising the Extraction of Polyphenolic Antioxidants from Flower Buds of Magnolia × soulangeana Soul.-Bod. var. ‘Lennei’ and Their Detailed Qualitative and Quantitative Profiling

A response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD) was developed to predict and apply the best ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions, including the extraction time, the composition of aqueous-ethanolic extractants, and the solvent-to-plant-material ratio, for obtaining the highest yields of different types of polyphenolic components from the dried flower buds of Magnolia × soulangeana Soul. -Bod. var. ‘Lennei’ (MSL). The novel approach in the RSM procedure resulted from the simultaneous optimisation of UAE conditions to obtain extracts with the highest antioxidant and antiradical potential (examined as dependent variables), using appropriate spectrophotometric assays, with Folin–Ciocâlteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reagents, respectively. The use of 66.8% (V/V) ethanol as the extraction solvent during the 55.2 min extraction protocol and the ratio of extractant volume to herbal substance of 46.8 mL/g gave the highest total yield of bioactive antioxidant phenolics in the extract obtained. For this herbal preparation, a qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed using combined chromatographic (LC), spectroscopic (PDA), and tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-QToF–MS/MS) techniques. A detailed phytochemical profiling, conducted for the first time, documented substantial amounts of various polyphenolic antioxidants, especially phenylethanoids and flavonoids, in the MSL flower buds. Their average total content exceeded 30.3 and 36.5 mg/g dry weight, respectively.
Multi-level challenges in talent management in a post COVID-19 future: Examining the banking sector in Vietnam

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on the Vietnamese banking sector, leading banks to search for talented employees who can support their business and develop this competent workforce. However, there is currently a lack of research examining the effects of multi-level challenges on talent management (TM) and their on-going changes within the post-pandemic context in the Vietnamese banking industry. This research’s objective is to address this gap by exploring the challenges faced by TM practices in the banking industry with the consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic’s influences. The study used a qualitative approach and purposive sampling method with 20 semi-structured interviews conducted with bank managers from various types of banks. Saturation was achieved in 17 interviews. For better robustness, 3 further interviews were conducted, where similarly, no emergent themes were revealed. Thematic analysis was afterwards employed to examine interview data. The findings revealed different multi-level challenges for TM, including talent mobility, digital transformation, competition for talent between banks, changing customer demands, limited resources, and individual talent expectations. This research would contribute to the theoretical development of TM and contextual impacts on TM, and pave the way for comparison with similar industries in terms of TM related issues.
The Effect of Perceived Value and Marketing 4.0 on Customer Satisfaction and Purchase Intention in E-commerce Context

To observe the effect of perceived value and Marketing 4.0 factors on purchase intention and satisfaction of customers in the context of e-commerce, this study used a quantitative method to analyze 315 collected data e-commerce platform users in Indonesia by applying the multiple-regression analysis method. A combination of SPSS Statistics v.20 and Microsoft Excel was used during the data analysis. In addition to the perceived value components that might influence the satisfaction of customers and purchase intention in an e-commerce context, all four components of the Marketing 4.0 model were combined as components that might also affect the satisfaction of customers and purchase intention. As a result, this study shows that two components (utilitarian value and hedonic value) as part of perceived benefits and three components (brand image, brand identity, and brand integrity) as part of the Marketing 4.0 model have a significant and positive influence on both satisfaction of customers and purchase intention. On the other hand, social value and perceived risk do not have a significant effect on customer satisfaction. Moreover, brand interaction and customer satisfaction have a positive impact on
Cyclones in the Mediterranean Region: Climatology and Effects on the Environment

P. Lionello, J. Bhend, A. Buzzi, P.M. Della-Marta, S.O. Krichak, A. Jansà, P. Maheras, A. Sanna, I.F. Trigo, and R. Trigo University of Lecce, Italy (piero.lionello@unile.it) University of Bern, Switzerland (bhend@giub.unibe.ch, dmarta@giub.unibe.ch) ISAC-CNR, Italy (A.Buzzi@isac.cnr.it) Tel Aviv University, Israel (shimon@cyclone.tau.ac.il) INM Spain (jansa@inm.es) University of Thessalonoki, Greece (maheras@geo.auth.gr) ARPA, Piemonte, Italy (antonella.sanna@arpa.piemonte.it) Instituto de Meteorologia, Centro de Geofı́sica da, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal (isabel.trigo@meteo.pt) CGUL at University of Lisbon and Universidade Lusófona Portugal (rmtrigo@ fc.ul.pt)
Effect of Salinity Stress on Oxidative Stress Parameters and the Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes in Eight Durum Wheat Genotypes

This study was carried out at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, which belongs to the General Commission of Biotechnology, in order to evaluate the influence of NaCl-induced salinity stress on some oxidative parameters (MDA and H2O2) and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX, and SOD) in eight durum wheat genotypes (Doma1, Bouhoth11, Cham3, Bezater, Cham5, Aghamatales, Icaverve, and Icamber) in vitro, to determine the most salinity tolerant genotypes. Salinity stress was applied by adding different levels of NaCl to the growing medium (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM). The experiment was laid according to a complete randomized design (CRD) with sixteen replicates. Increasing salinity level caused an increase in both the Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of the investigated antioxidant enzymes (SOD، APX، CAT) compared with the control. The leaf content of both H2O2 and MDA was significantly higher in the genotype Icaverve at the salinity level of 150 mM NaCl (45.67 and 130.74 µmol g-1 fresh wt. respectively), while the activity of the enzymes SOD, APX and CAT were significantly higher in the two durum wheat genotypes, Bouhoth11 and Doma1 at the highest salinity level (150 mM NaCl). Antioxidant enzymes play a pivotal role in the defense mechanisms in the durum wheat under salinity stress conditions, and the in vitro screening tool can be effectively used to assess the genetic variability for salinity tolerance in the durum wheat crop.
NEOGLOBOQUADRINA ATLANTICA PRAEATLANTICA , NEW SUBSPECIESFROM LATE MIDDLE MIOCENE

A new subspecies of Neogloboquadrina atlantica atlantica previously reported under different names, is here distinguished and named Neogloboquadrina atlantica praeatlantica . Its first occurrence into the Mediterranean dated at 11.78 Ma, is not evolutionary appearance but is related to a global climatic cooling which pushed southwards from high latitude this taxon; however, the area of its evolutionary appearance is not clearly defined; its extinction occurs within the Globigerinoides obliquus extremus Zone. N. atlantica atlantica which evolves from N. atlantica praeatlantica occurs in the Mediterranean at 11.15 Ma, just after the Mediterranean exit of Paragloborotalia siakensis (Le Roy).
Clinical Predictive Factors Affecting Laparoscopic Approach in the Management of Ectopic Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy accounts for approximately 2% of all pregnancies and is the most common cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the first trimester. Our aim was to study the preoperative clinical factors affecting the choice of laparoscopic approach to tubal ectopic pregnancy. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of tubal ectopic pregnancy cases that were managed by laparoscopy at an academic university hospital in the period January 2010 to December 2018. Cases that were managed medically or conservatively and laparoscopic cases that were converted to laparotomy were excluded. Cases where the surgical approach of laparoscopy or laparotomy were determined by the patients’ choice were also excluded. Results: The laparoscopy rate was 49.4%. The mean age was 32.04 years. Compared with laparotomy, laparoscopy was significantly associated with low parity (less than 3) (p=0.008), a low level of initial beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (p=0.032), fewer cases of adnexal mass (p=0.000451), hemoperitoneum (p=0.000072), ruptured ectopic (p=0.000261), and more cases of bowel adhesions (p=0.0095). There was no significant difference between laparoscopy and laparotomy regarding the risk factors of ectopic pregnancy. Salpingectomy and salpingostomy were not significantly different between the two surgical approaches (p=0.643). Twenty-eight laparoscopic cases were converted to laparotomy. Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach to ectopic pregnancy was affected by parity, presenting symptoms of pain and vomiting, mean initial beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin, the presence of adnexal mass, the presence of hemoperitoneum, and the rupture of the ectopic. Bowel adhesions were seen more frequently in laparoscopy than laparotomy. Salpingectomy and salpingostomy were no different between laparoscopy and laparotomy.
EFECTO DEL TRATAMIENTO CON AGUA CALIENTE E IMBIBICIÓN SOBRE LA GERMINACIÓN DE SEMILLAS DE L. LEUCOCEPHALA Effect of the Treatment with Hot Water and Imbibition on the Germination of Seeds de l. leucocephala

The objective of this study was to evaluate two scarification methods in a integrate way to determine their effect on the germination of the seed of L. leucocephala. Three-diferent temperatures of hot water (T1: 60, T2: 80 and T3: 100 oC) were used for the scarification of the seeds. The seeds were divided by lots and subject to four times of exhibition (t1: 15; t2: 30; t3: 45; t4: 60 seconds). Once scarified harrowed the seed lots were subjected to two imbibitions lapses (R1: 0, R2: 24 and R3: 48 hours). The variables were time of germination (TG) and percentage germination (PG). The statistical design was totally randomized in a factorial arrangement of 32 x4 with three repetitions. A significant increase in the PG and a decrease of the TG with the increment of temperature and the time of imbibitions of the seed were observed. Likewise, it was found that the time of scarification in hot water and the time of imbibitions affected the PG and TG significantly. The results showed that is very important to use the scarification with hot water at high temperatures, accompanied by a later phase of soaking to achieve the best results in the germination of the leucaena seed.
Diagnostic Performance of Serum MicroRNAs for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the Emergency Department

Prompt diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is essential for initiating timely treatment. MicroRNAs have recently emerged as biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the discriminatory capacity of serum microRNAs in identifying an ischemic origin in patients presenting with chest discomfort to the Emergency Department. The study included 98 participants (78 with STEMI and 20 with nonischemic chest discomfort). Significant differences in the expression levels of miR-133b, miR-126, and miR-155 (but not miR-1, miR-208, and miR-208b) were observed between groups. miR-133b and miR-155 exhibited 97% and 93% sensitivity in identifying STEMI patients, respectively. miR-126 demonstrated a specificity of 90% in identifying STEMI patients. No significant associations were found between microRNAs and occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). However, patients with MACE had higher levels of interleukin (IL)-15, IL-21, IFN-γ-induced protein-10, and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide compared to non-MACE patients. Overall, there were significant associations among the expression levels of microRNAs. However, microRNAs did not demonstrate associations with either inflammatory markers or cardiovascular risk scores. This study highlights the potential of microRNAs, particularly miR-133b and miR-126, as diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing patients with STEMI from those presenting with nonischemic chest discomfort to the Emergency Department.
Effect of 8-Weeks PNF Stretching on Muscle Strength and Neuromuscular Activity of the Hamstring Muscles in Team Sports Players

Background: Hamstring injuries are common in sports that involve rapid, forceful lengthening of the hamstring muscles, such as sprinting, jumping, and kicking. This type of injury is more likely to occur in team sports such as football and handball. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate chronic effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on muscle strength and neuromuscular activity of the hamstring muscle. Methods: Six male team sports players (age: 24.38 ± 1.94 years; height: 180.73 ± 6.05 cm; body-mass: 80.23 ± 10.42 kg) were recruited for this study. Participants completed a 2-month rehabilitation program that included three sessions per week of contract-relax (CR) PNF stretching. Neuromuscular activity and strength were evaluated by electromyography (EMG) and force sensor before and after 8 weeks of CR-PNF stretching. Results: For the neuromuscular activity of the medial and lateral hamstring muscles, there was a significant difference between pre- and post-training for the apex and area of muscle (P < 0.01). Similarly, there was a great difference between pre- and post-training for hamstring muscle strength (medial and lateral) in the contract and relax positions (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Contract-relax-proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching after an eight weeks of rehabilitation period is effective in increasing neuromuscular activity and muscle strength of the hamstring muscles.
Sociodemographic factors in Arab children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Introduction There is a critical gap in Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) research with respect to manifestations of the condition in developing countries This study examined the influence of sociodemographic variables on the severity of autistic symptoms and behavioral profile in Arab children. Methods The total study sample comprised of 60 Arab children (38 boys and 22 girls) from three Arab countries (22 Jordanians, 19 Saudis and 19 Egyptians). The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) was based on DSM-IV criteria supplemented by direct observation according to the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) and assessment of Intelligent Quotient (IQ). Finally, parents rated their child on the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results It was found that the housewives and Saudi parents described more autistic symptoms and externalizing behavior problems. A significant negative correlation was found between IQ and each of ISAA, CBCL Internalizing and Externalizing problems scores. Conclusion The study concluded that the clinical presentation of ASD may be shaped by cultural factors that are likely to help to formulate specific diagnosis and intervention techniques in Arab children with ASD.
The Synthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of the n-Type Solid Solution Bi2−xSbxTe3 (x < 1)

Commercial Peltier cooling devices and thermoelectric generators mostly use bismuth telluride-based materials, specifically its alloys with Sb2Te3 for the p-type legs and its alloys with Bi2Se3 for the n-type legs. If the p-type materials perform with zT well above the unity around room temperature, the n-type counterpart is lacking efficiency in this temperature range, and has the disadvantage of containing selenium. Indeed, despite the fact that selenium is not environmentally benign and that its handling requires precautions, the use of selenium does not facilitate the optimization of thermoelectric performance at or around room temperature, as the presence of selenium results in a larger band gap. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of a selenium-free n-type (Bi, Sb)2Te3 using a simple two-step process: mechanical alloying synthesis followed by spark plasma sintering. All the members of the solid solution Bi2−xSbxTe3 with x < 1 are n-type materials, with zTs between 0.35 and 0.6. The zT is maximized at lower temperatures with an increasing Sb content, which is proof that the band gap is reduced accordingly. We also show here that an edge-free sintering process considerably improves thermoelectric performance.
Exogenous Sodium Chloride Explores the Mechanisms For Hyperosmotic Stress Acclimation in Liverwort Marchantia Polymorpha

In contrast to angiosperms, the mechanisms of hyperosmotic stress responses in liverworts, the evolutionarily important land plants remain more or less elusive. The present investigation was set with liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha to find out the approaches essential for hyperosmotic stress acclimation in distant land plants. The gemmae of M. polymorpha cultured in ½ B5 medium were subjected to control (0 mM NaCl) and osmotic stressed conditions led by 50 mM and 100 mM NaCl to find their morphological, biological and physiological responses. Compared to non-stress control, the thallus body of M. polymorpha showed strong growth inhibition while acclimating to hyperosmotic stress led by 100 mM NaCl. The significant reduction of chlorophyll content and tissue damage were recorded by hyperosmotic stress led by 100 mM NaCl compared to control. The negligible tissue damage and more or less similar chlorophyll content were recorded in control and by 50 mM NaCl. Further, the gemmalings showed enhanced accumulation of osmolytes proline and soluble sugar by 100 mM NaCl compared to the control which was consistent with the increased accumulation of soluble sugar by hyperosmotic stress led by 0.2 M sucrose. Hyperosmotic stress led by 100 mM NaCl showed a higher rate of electrolyte leakage in the gemmalings which was consistent with the higher amount of lipid peroxidation; malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in the gemmalings treated with 100 mM NaCl compared to the control. However, the activity of enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase; catalase; ascorbate peroxidase; dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione S-transferase were greatly induced by 100 mM NaCl as compared to control. Therefore, the findings suggest that the basal land plants liverworts followed morpho-physiological alterations during acclimation to hyperosmotic stress which were crucial for the terrestrialization of land plants. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2022) 26 (2) : 1-18
Generation mechanism of a hierarchy of vortices in a turbulent boundary layer

To understand the generation mechanism of a hierarchy of multiscale vortices in a high-Reynolds-number turbulent boundary layer, we conduct direct numerical simulations and educe the hierarchy of vortices by applying a coarse-graining method to the simulated turbulent velocity field. When the Reynolds number is high enough for the premultiplied energy spectrum of the streamwise velocity component to show the second peak and for the energy spectrum to obey the $-5/3$ power law, small-scale vortices, that is, vortices sufficiently smaller than the height from the wall, in the log layer are generated predominantly by the stretching in strain-rate fields at larger scales rather than by the mean-flow stretching. In such a case, the twice-larger scale contributes most to the stretching of smaller-scale vortices. This generation mechanism of small-scale vortices is similar to the one observed in fully developed turbulence in a periodic cube and consistent with the picture of the energy cascade. On the other hand, large-scale vortices, that is, vortices as large as the height, are stretched and amplified directly by the mean flow. We show quantitative evidence of these scale-dependent generation mechanisms of vortices on the basis of numerical analyses of the scale-dependent enstrophy production rate. We also demonstrate concrete examples of the generation process of the hierarchy of multiscale vortices.
Biodiversity and human livelihoods in protected areas : case studies from the Malay Archipelago / edited by Navjot S. Sodhi ... [et al.]

Protected areas have emerged as major arenas of dispute concerning both indigenous people and environmental protection. In the Malay Archipelago, which contains 2 of the 34 biodiversity hotspots identified globally, rampant commercial exploitation is jeopardizing species and livelihoods. While protected areas remain the only hope for the imperilled biota of the Malay Archipelago, this protection requires consideration of the sustenance needs and economic aspirations of the local people. Putting forward the views of all the stakeholders of protected areas – conservation practitioners and planners, local community members, NGO activists, government administrators, biologists, lawyers, policy and management analysts and anthropologists – this book fills a unique niche in the area of biodiversity conservation, and is a highly valuable and original reference book for graduate students, scientists and managers, as well as government officials and transnational NGOs.
Unpacking immediate public behavioral responses to earthquakes: A study focusing on the role of fatalism and fear

Compared to the numerous studies on the public’s seismic preparedness, few studies have focused on actual behavioral responses to earthquakes. According to an investigation of immediate public behavioral responses to an earthquake in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region of China, this study found that the public’s response behaviors included two main patterns of self-protection and milling. It reveals that the adoption of a behavioral pattern is the result of a complex interaction of cultural and psychological factors related to fatalism and emotional response. Specifically, fatalism reduces the possibility of an individual engaging in self-protective activities. However, fear motivates a positive response. The findings in this study suggest that earthquake resilience can be enhanced through both cultural pathways and cognitive processes. These findings shed new light on earthquake behavioral science and aid policymakers in developing strategies for disaster education and emergency training, especially for people who hold fatalistic beliefs about disaster risk reduction.