Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enterotoxigenic and Antimicrobic Susceptibility Profile of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Fresh Cheese in Croatia

Certain Staphylococcus aureus strains harbour staphylococcal enterotoxin genes and hence can produce enterotoxin during their growth in food. Therefore, food can be a source of staphylococcal food poisoning, one of the most common food-borne diseases worldwide. Epidemiological data show that S. aureus is often present in raw milk cheeses, and consequently, cheeses are often the source of staphylococcal food poisoning outbreaks. The aim of this study was to determine the phenotypic characteristics of S. aureus isolates from fresh cheese, including antibiotic susceptibility; the presence of classical sea-see enterotoxin genes through molecular methods; and the isolate’s ability to produce SEA-SEE enterotoxins in vitro through reversed passive latex agglutination. A total of 180 coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated from 18 out of 30 cheese samples, and 175 were confirmed as S. aureus through latex agglutination and API STAPH tests. All isolates possessed phenotypic characteristics typical for S. aureus, with certain variations in the egg yolk reaction (18.3% of the isolates showed a weak reaction and 28% no reaction at all) and haemolysis pattern (36.6% of the isolates produced double-haemolysis and 4.6% were non-haemolytic). Antibiotic resistance was observed in 1.1% of the isolates and to mupirocin only. Real-time PCR detected the sec gene in 34 (19.4%) isolates, but most isolates (80.6%) were not enterotoxigenic. For all 34 (19.4%) strains that carried the sec gene, the RPLA method detected the production of the SEC enterotoxin in vitro. For those enterotoxigenic strains, the possibility of enterotoxin production in fresh cheese could not be ruled out.
Transmisi Kebijakan Moneter Syariah: Sebuah Analisa

Transmisi Kebijakan Moneter Syariah: Sebuah Analisa Daniar Program Doktor Ilmu Ekonomi Islam, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya E-mail: daniar@yahoo.com ABSTRAK Kebijakan moneter syariah sangat erat kaitannya dengan berbagai hal kegiatan ekonomi dalam upaya pencapaian pembangunan ekonomi yang memberikan kesejaheteraan bagi masyarakat. Makalah ini berusaha untuk menganalisa mekanisme instrumen moneter syariah dengan dua tujuan; pertama mengidentifikasi mekanisme kebijakan moneter syariah beserta alur transmisi kebijakannya. Kedua, melihat sejauh mana penerapan mekanisme kebijakan moneter syariah di Indonesia. Berdasarkan hasil analisa dan pembahasan yang telah diuraikan di atas, maka peneliti berkesimpulan bahwa; mekanisme instrumen kebijakan moneter syariah masih perlu dikembangkan kembali dengan menggunakan akad-akad lainnya selain wadi’ah dalam SWBI dan ju’alah dalam SBSI. Selanjutnya, dibandingkan dengan negara Islam lainnya, Indonesia termasuk negara yang telah menjalankan instrumen kebijakan moneter syariah bersama dengan beberapa negara-negara lainnya. Namun bila dilihat dari progresnya Indonesia termasuk mengalami perlambatan dibandingkan Negara- negara lainnya. Kata Kunci: Kebijakan transmisi, Moneter Syari’ah, Transaksi Syari’ah
SUPPLIER SELECTION PRACTICES AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITALS IN KENYA

The study examined the effect of supplier selection practices on supply chain performance of county referral hospitals in Kenya. Descriptive survey design was utilized. Both stratified random and simple random techniques were used in the selection of 81 respondents. For data collection close ended questionnaires and an interview schedule was used. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics which entailed frequency and percentage and also using inferential statistics whereby simple linear regression was utilized. Findings revealed that supplier selection practices positively and significantly impacted on the supply chain performance. The study concludes that supplier selection practices can be a strategic organizational weapon which may be used to achieve supply chain performance. The study recommends for supply chain managers in county referral hospitals to take into consideration supplier evaluation and supplier certification as aspects of supplier selection as this may enhance supply chain performance.
Les Echinodermes Stylophores du Massif armoricain

Les terrains paleozoiques du Massif armoricain representent une region privilegiee pour l'etude des Echinodermes Stylophores. Les recherches intensives qui y sont menees depuis 150 ans ont permis de mettre en evidence une faune riche et diversifiee, dont la description a influe de maniere significative sur l'evolution des idees et de nos connaissances sur ces organismes. Ces fossiles temoignent egalement d'affinites evidentes entre le Massif armoricain et la plupart des regions de la marge nord-gondwanienne, a l'Ordovicien (implications paleogeographiques).
Mutual interference between memory encoding and motor skills: the influence of motor expertise

In cognitive–motor dual-task situations, the extent of performance decrements is influenced by the attentional requirements of each task. Well-learned motor skills should be automatized, leading to less interference. This study presents two studies combining an episodic memory encoding task with well-practiced motor tasks in athletes. Study 1 asked 40 rowers (early teenagers to middle adulthood) to row on ergometers at slow or fast speeds. In study 2, Taekwondo athletes (n = 37) of different skill levels performed a well-practiced sequence of martial arts movements. Performing the motor task during encoding led to pronounced performance reductions in memory in both studies, with costs of up to 80%. Cognitive costs were even larger when rowing with the fast compared to the slow speed in study 1. Both studies also revealed decrements in motor performances under dual-task conditions: Rowing became slower and more irregular (study 1), and the quality of the Taekwondo performance was reduced. Although higher-level athletes outperformed others in motor skills under single-task conditions, proportional dual-task costs were similar across skill levels for most domains. This indicates that even well-practiced motor tasks require cognitive resources.
“If only balls could talk…”: barriers and opportunities to participation for students with blindness and visual impairment in specialized PE

Purpose For children with blindness and visual impairment (BVI) of all ages, disability sport and/or regular Physical Activity (PA) are deemed beneficial, promoting physical and mental health as well as increasing wellbeing and life satisfaction. In this regard, Physical Education (PE) serves as a foundation to regular and lifelong participation in PA, mainstream and/or disability sport. Research points towards manifold participation barriers for children with BVI in PE, which so far have mainly been investigated in inclusive settings and from the perspectives of sighted parents, teachers and peers. Consequently, people with BVI frequently consider PE a missed opportunity for lifelong PA. As transitioning from general to special schooling deems the only alternative to continue their education, questions arise in how far and in which ways specialized schools manage to accommodate their needs in PE. To address these gaps in literature, we investigated BVI students' perceived opportunities and barriers to participation in PE within a specialized school setting and their imaginations for possible (digital) improvements and solutions. Materials and methods Within the framework of Inclusive and Youth Participatory Action Research, we adopted the Mosaic Approach to investigate a sample of 19 students aged 14–20 at lower and upper secondary level in a specialized school in Austria. Data material included audio-recordings of interviews, student-guided school tours, photographs of significant places and objects and field protocols. The analysis was conducted with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results and conclusion Through the analysis, we identified three themes. The data material firstly revealed the complex intricacies of how PE teachers can act as facilitators and gatekeepers to autonomous PA. Secondly, material norms function not only as barriers to participation even in a specialized school setting, but also constitute the basis for social hierarchies between students with various degrees of visual impairment. Thirdly, students imagined manifold digital solutions to enhance participation derived from their perceived barriers. The findings contribute to amplifying BVI individuals' voices and provide revealing insights in how participation in PA is enabled and prohibited for students with BVI which can not only help to improve specialized but also inclusive settings.
Relationship between Novel Anthropometric Indices and the Prevalence of Abdominal Aortic Calcification: A Large Cross-Sectional Study

Background : The relationship between novel anthropometric indices, specifically a body shape index (ABSI) and body roundness index (BRI), with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) or severe AAC (SAAC) is unclear. The aim of our study was therefore to investigate possible relationships between novel anthropometric indices and prevalence of AAC and SAAC. Methods : We obtained U.S. general population data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2014. The study used restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, multivariable logistic regression modeling, subgroup analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessment. We investigated relationships between ABSI or BRI and AAC and SAAC risk. Associations between ABSI or BRI and the degree of AAC were also evaluated using a generalized additive model. Results : The study cohort was comprised of 1062 individuals. The RCS plots revealed a U-shaped curve associating ABSI with AAC risk. A similar trend emerged for SAAC, where the risk initially increased before subsequently decreasing with rising ABSI levels. Additionally, BRI exhibited a positive correlation with both AAC and SAAC risk. As ABSI and BRI values increased, the degree of AAC also increased. In ROC analysis, ABSI displayed a significantly larger area under the curve compared to BRI. Conclusions : ABSI is associated with AAC prevalence following a U-shaped curve. Additionally, BRI is positively correlated with AAC risk. ABSI demonstrates a superior discriminative ability for AAC compared to BRI. Therefore, maintaining an appropriate ABSI and BRI may reduce the prevalence of AAC.
Mafic Plinian eruptions: Is fast ascent required?

It has been hypothesized that for a Plinian eruption of mafic magma to occur, that magma must ascend rapidly from the chamber to cause it to fragment into a jet containing juvenile and nonjuvenile tephra. To determine how fast mafic Plinian magmas need to travel to the level of fragmentation, a number of decompression experiments were carried out on two hydrous mafic magmas, and the results are compared to the products of two well‐documented mafic Plinian eruptions: the basaltic andesite Fontana eruption of Masaya (Nicaragua) and the hawaiite 122 B.C. eruption of Etna (Italy). Comparison of natural and experimental textures shows that the Fontana eruption can be replicated in the lab at decompression rates between 0.1 MPa s−1 and 0.2 MPa s−1. This decompression rate is faster than any previously determined experimentally rate for more silicic eruptions. The hawaiite was unable to be reproduced in the lab. The natural groundmass is highly crystalline, which would have raised the viscosity of the initial melt by 1–2 orders of magnitude, which may not be enough to cause fragmentation.
Carbon Storage and Density of Forests in Jiangxi Province

In order to provide exact and credible data for evaluating carbon sink of forests in China.Forest resources second-class inventory materials and Volume-biomass method are used to research carbon storage and density of forests in Jiangxi.Carbon density of different forests from large to small are:Hardwood forests,Mixed Coniferous and Broad leaf forests,Pubescens forests,Exotic pine forests,Fir forests,Softwood forests,Shrubbery,Masson Pine forests and Economic forests.Its carbon density become larger with its age but become smaller with its population density.Soil carbon density is the largest,vegetation is larger,and then is litter.Carbon storage of different forests from large to small are: Fir forests,Masson Pine forests,Hardwood forests,Shrubbery,Economic forests,Pubescens forests,Mixed Coniferous and Broad leaf forests,Exotic pine forests,and Softwood forests.Carbon storage of its southern part and midwest are larger than its east central and northern part.Total carbon storage of forests in Jiangxi is 1.5Gt C and it is taken up 5.33 percent in China.
Promising antimalarial hits from phenotypic screens: a review of recently-described multi-stage actives and their modes of action

Over the last two decades, global malaria cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum have declined due to the implementation of effective treatments and the use of insecticides. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption in the timely delivery of medical goods and diverted public health resources, impairing malaria control. The emergence of resistance to all existing frontline antimalarials underpins an urgent need for new antimalarials with novel mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the need to reduce malaria transmission and/or prevent malaria infection has shifted the focus of antimalarial research towards the discovery of compounds that act beyond the symptomatic blood stage and also impact other parasite life cycle stages. Phenotypic screening has been responsible for the majority of new antimalarial lead compounds discovered over the past 10 years. This review describes recently reported novel antimalarial hits that target multiple parasite stages and were discovered by phenotypic screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their modes of action and targets in blood stage parasites are also discussed.
Competition between outer zone electron scattering by plasmaspheric hiss and magnetosonic waves

We quantify the electron scattering effects of simultaneous plasmaspheric hiss and magnetosonic waves that occurred in two neighboring time intervals but with distinct wave intensity profiles on 21 August 2013. Their combined scattering is found capable of causing electron distribution variations largely distinguishable from the consequences of individual waves. The net effect of electron diffusion relies strongly on the relative dominance of the two wave intensities, which also controls the relative contribution of each wave mode. In combination, MS waves slow down the hiss‐induced loss of ~100 keV electrons, and hiss efficiently inhibits the electron butterfly distribution caused by MS waves to produce a gradual acceleration process. Our results strongly suggest that comprehensive simulations of the radiation belt electron dynamics should carefully incorporate the combined scattering and complex competition resulting from simultaneous occurrences of various magnetospheric emissions, including, but not limited to, plamaspheric hiss and magnetosonic waves.
On the Vaneless Space Vortex Structures in a Kaplan Turbine Model Operating at Speed No Load

The growing installation of intermittent renewable energy sources is forcing hydraulic turbines to work more frequently at speed no load when dangerous vaneless space vortex structures and stochastic flow phenomena can occur. An experimental campaign has been performed in a reduced-scale Kaplan turbine model at speed no load for different combinations of guide vane and runner blade angles under non-cavitation and cavitation conditions. Several simultaneous vaneless space vortex structures, all of them inducing torsional rotor vibrations, have been observed. Nonetheless, only one of them has been found to dominate over the rest depending on the blade and guide vane angles. Off-board pressures, torques and vibrations as well as on-board strains have been measured to characterize their nature, intensity, dynamic behavior and induced structural response. Their precession frequencies have been found to depend on the discharge factor, the number of vortices and their location inside the vaneless space. Under cavitation conditions, their dynamic behavior has not been significantly altered but the induced structural response has increased at the low-pressure side of the turbine.
Bacterial communities of the specialty crop phyllosphere: response to biological soil amendment use, rainfall, and insect visitation

Title of Dissertation: BACTERIAL COMMUNITIES OF THE SPECIALTY CROP PHYLLOSPHERE: RESPONSE TO BIOLOGICAL SOIL AMENDMENT USE, RAINFALL, AND INSECT VISITATION Sarah Michelle Allard, Ph.D., 2016 Dissertation directed by: Dr. Shirley Ann Micallef, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Microorganisms in the plant rhizosphere, the zone under the influence of roots, and phyllosphere, the aboveground plant habitat, exert a strong influence on plant growth, health, and protection. Tomatoes and cucumbers are important players in produce safety, and the microbial life on their surfaces may contribute to their fitness as hosts for foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes. External factors such as agricultural inputs and environmental conditions likely also play a major role. However, the relative contributions of the various factors at play concerning the plant surface microbiome remain obscure, although this knowledge could be applied to crop protection from plant and human pathogens. Recent advances in genomic technology have made investigations into the diversity and structure of microbial communities possible in many systems and at multiple scales. Using Illumina sequencing to profile particular regions of the 16S rRNA gene, this study investigates the influences of climate and crop management practices on the field-grown tomato and cucumber microbiome. The first research chapter (Chapter 3) involved application of 4 different soil amendments to a tomato field and profiling of harvest-time phyllosphere and rhizosphere microbial communities. Factors such as water activity, soil texture, and field location influenced microbial community structure more than soil amendment use, indicating that field conditions may exert more influence on the tomato microbiome than certain agricultural inputs. In Chapter 4, the impact of rain on tomato and cucumberassociated microbial community structures was evaluated. Shifts in bacterial community composition and structure were recorded immediately following rain events, an effect which was partially reversed after 4 days and was strongest on cucumber fruit surfaces. Chapter 5 focused on the contribution of insect visitors to the tomato microbiota, finding that insects introduced diverse bacterial taxa to the blossom and green tomato fruit microbiome. This study advances our understanding of the factors that influence the microbiomes of tomato and cucumber. Farms are complex environments, and untangling the interactions between farming practices, the environment, and microbial diversity will help us develop a comprehensive understanding of how microbial life, including foodborne pathogens, may be influenced by agricultural conditions. BACTERIAL COMMUNITIES OF THE SPECIALTY CROP PHYLLOSPHERE: RESPONSE TO BIOLOGICAL SOIL AMENDMENT USE, RAINFALL, AND INSECT VISITATION
A two‐step model for dynamical dike propagation in two dimensions: Application to the July 2001 Etna eruption

We developed a hybrid numerical model of dike propagation in two dimensions solving both for the magma trajectory and velocity as a function of the source overpressure, the magma physical properties (density and viscosity), and the crustal density and stress field. This model is used to characterize the influence of surface load changes on magma migration toward the surface. We confirm that surface loading induced by volcanic edifice construction tends both to attract the magma and to reduce its velocity. In contrast, surface unloading, for instance, due to caldera formation, tends to divert the magma to the periphery‐retarding eruption. In both cases the deflected magma may remain trapped at depth. Amplitudes of dike deflection and magma velocity variation depend on the ratio between the magma driving pressure (source overpressure as well as buoyancy) and the stress field perturbation. Our model is then applied to the July 2001 eruption of Etna, where the final dike deflection had been previously interpreted as due to the topographic load. We show that the velocity decrease observed during the last stage of the propagation can also be attributed to the local stress field. We use the dike propagation duration to estimate the magma overpressure at the dike bottom to be less than 4 MPa. This approach can be potentially used to forecast if, where, and when propagating magma might reach the surface when having knowledge on the local stress field, magma physical properties, and reservoir overpressure.
Food Taboos and Avoidance Practices affecting Pregnant Women at Larteh in the Akwapim North District, Eastern Region, Ghana

Purpose: The cultural beliefs of a group of people play a pivotal role in determining the nutritional status and well-being of the people. Understanding food beliefs and practices is critical to the development of dietary recommendations, nutritional programmes, and educational messages. An aspect of cultural beliefs that greatly affect majority of people especially children, pregnant women and the aged is food taboos and avoidance practices. The main aim of this study is to explore the various food taboos and its associated practices that affect pregnant women in Larteh. Materials and Methods: The study employed aspects of quantitative and qualitative approaches, and used the cross-sectional exploratory design. The random sampling technique was used to select 75 participants for the quantitative aspect, whilst the purposive sampling approach was used to select five opinion leaders for the qualitative aspect. A closed-ended structured questionnaire was used to obtain quantitative data, whilst a structured interview guide was used to collect the qualitative data. Whilst the quantitative data was analysed using frequencies and percentages in IBM-SPSS v9, the qualitative data was analysed using narratives. The results were presented in tables. Findings: Among the key findings were pregnant women were forbidden from eating snails, crabs, shellfish mudfish and eggs. It was further revealed that the people perceive these taboos as a way to protect pregnant women from experiencing stillbirths, deformities and delayed labour, among others. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The sociological theory of functionalist perceptive anchored the study and its assertion that food taboos and avoidance practices are handed down to generations was affirmed. It was thus suggested that there should be public education on the nutritional needs of people in Larteh, especially the vulnerable so that adequate provision can be made for them because of food scarcity and limited choices of food commodities due to numerous food taboos and avoidance practices. Moreover, given the deep-rooted nature of the beliefs, it is advisable that when nutritious foods are restricted, nutritional interventions should rather search for alternative sources of nutrition, which are available and considered appropriate for pregnant women.
Improving the Wear Resistance of High Chromium Cast Iron through High Entropy Alloys Concepts and Microstructure Refinement

High Chromium Cast Iron (HCCI) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a potential material for applications in severe environments due to its remarkable wear resistance attributed to the volumetric fraction of carbides in the microstructure. This study investigates a novel high-alloyed composition of white cast iron named High Entropy White Cast Iron (HEWCI), which merges the concepts of HCCI and high entropy alloys. Specifically designed chemical compositions incorporating Vanadium (V), Molybdenum (Mo)