Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Etiology and Clinical Features of Acute Flaccid Paralysis among Children in Gadarif, Sudan

Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) is a rare but a serious neurological condition characterized by sudden weakness or paralysis of one or more extremities, the respiratory or bulbar muscles and reduced muscle tone without other obvious cause. Death occurs in about 7.5% of AFP affected patients worldwide. AFP is the most common sign of acute polio. Therefore, AFP studies are important for surveillance during polio outbreaks to differentiate polio cases from AFP cases. There is a lack of information about the clinical features & causative factors of AFP among children in Gadarif, Sudan. The identification of AFP cases and its causative factors are important in the management & prevention of the disease. This study assessed the etiology and the clinical features of AFP among children in Gadarif, Sudan aiming at effective management & prevention of the disease. It was a prospective cross sectional study conducted at Gadarif Pediatrics Teaching Hospital during the period of January 2017-December 2019. It comprised 73 children with confirmed AFP, ages 6 months to < 15 years old. Our study revealed that Poliomyelitis was not the cause of AFP. AFP was significantly affected children with youngest ages 0-5 years old and from the rural areas. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was the leading cause of AFP followed by meningitis, traumatic neuritis and hypokalemia and we believed that infections were the main triggers of GBS. Gender did not affect the prevalence of the AFP. Fever and paraplegia were the most prevalent clinical signs at onset of the weakness. Over 50% of the AFP victims showed symmetric paralysis. It is obviously that AFP-based awareness, provision of high-quality health services and fighting of illiteracy and poverty in the rural areas of Sudan are urgently needed for effective management of AFP.
DETECTION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT FRAUD TRIANGLE (FRAUD TRIANGLE) IN LQ45 COMPANIES LISTED IN INDONESIA STOCK EXCHANGE

ABSTRACTFinancial Statement Fraud is a deliberate action taken by management by manipulating the value of financial statements to mislead users of financial statements. Information on the financial statements should describe the actual condition and financial performance of the company and do not contain information that is misleading to the user, but in reality, there are still many financial statements that do not inform the actual financial condition of the company. This research aims to detect fraudulent financial statements based on fraud analysis triangle, there are three conditions that are always present in every incident of fraud. The three conditions are pressure, opportunity, and rationalization. Based on the fraud triangle theory developed by Cressey, researchers develop variables that can be used to proxy the size of the fraud triangle component. Fraud on financial statements or financial statement fraud in this study was proxied by the fraud score model. The population of this study was LQ45 companies listing on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2014-2018. The sample selection is done by purposive sampling method and obtained as many as 20 company research samples. Hypothesis testing is done by multiple linear methods. The results showed that the financial stability variable which is proxied by changes in assets (ACHANGE) affects the financial statement fraud while the other variables have no effect.
Microemulsion of Mixed Chlorinated Solvents Using Food Grade (Edible) Surfactants

Ground water contamination frequently consists of mixed chlorinated solvents [e.g., tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and trans-1,2- dichloroethylene (DCE)]. In this research, mixtures of the food grade (edible) surfactants bis(2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) and sodium mono- and dimethylnaphthalene sulfonate (SMDNS) were used in the formation of middle-phase microemulsions for mixed chlorinated solvents. Microemulsions of binary (e.g., PCE/TCE, PCE/DCE, DCE/TCE) and ternary (PCE/TCE/DCE) chlorinated solvent systems were evaluated. Several empirical correlations were used for describing and/or predicting the phase behavior of the resulting middle-phase microemulsions (e.g., the ideal mixing rule or the nonideal regular mixing theory). The ideal mixing rule provided a good approximation for binary and ternary systems, but experimental deviations from the predictions were significant enough to affect the optimal surfactant system. Nonideal regular mixing theory demonstrated much .
A Novel Plant Actin-Microtubule Bridging Complex Regulates Cytoskeletal and ER Structure at Endoplasmic Reticulum-Plasma Membrane Contact Sites (EPCS)

In plants, the cortical ER network is connected to the plasma membrane through the ER-PM contact sites (EPCS), whose structures are maintained by EPCS resident proteins and the cytoskeleton. Strong co-alignment between EPCS and the cytoskeleton is observed in plants, but little is known of how the cytoskeleton is maintained and regulated at the EPCS. Here we have used a yeast-two-hybrid screen and subsequent in vivo interaction studies in plants by FRET-FLIM analysis, to identify two microtubule binding proteins, KLCR1 (Kinesin Light Chain Related protein 1) and IQD2 (IQ67-Domain 2) that interact with the actin binding protein NET3C and form a component of plant EPCS, that mediates the link between the actin and microtubule networks. The NET3C-KLCR1-IQD2 module, acting as an actin-microtubule bridging complex, has a direct influence on ER morphology. Their loss of function mutants, net3a/NET3C RNAi, 0klcr1 or iqd2, exhibit defects in pavement cell morphology which we suggest is linked to the disorganization of both actin filaments and microtubules. In conclusion, our results reveal a novel cytoskeletal associated complex, which is essential for the maintenance and organization of both cytoskeletal structure and ER morphology at the EPCS, and for normal plant cell morphogenesis.
Freeze-Drying of an Active Principle Ingredient Using Organic Co-Solvent Formulations: Influence of Freezing Conditions and Formulation on Solvent Crystals Morphology, Thermodynamics Data, and Sublimation Kinetics

We have investigated principally the influence of organic solvent concentration of the formulation corresponding to water +tert-butanol (TBA) mixtures and of the freezing rates on solvent crystals morphology on some thermodynamical properties (vapor pressures and sublimation enthalpies) and on sublimation kinetics. The solvent crystals’ morphology of frozen formulations showed unexpected behavior compared with the previous literature data reported for water-based formulations. Indeed, the super cooling degrees decreased by increasing the freezing rates and, consequently, the mean sizes of solvent crystals increased with the freezing rates. Otherwise, at the eutectic composition, namely at 90% (w/w) of TBA, we observed that the equilibrium vapor pressure data for solid-vapor system (sublimation) were twice higher than the data obtained with pure water systems. Moreover, the sublimation enthalpy values of organic formulations were only a quarter to a third of that of pure water. These specific thermodynamical data explained principally the faster sublimation kinetics observed during freeze-drying of our active principle ingredient (API) with TBA co-solvent formulations.
Studies in Molecular Structure. VI. Potential Curve for the Interaction of Two Hydrogen Atoms in the LCAO MO SCF Approximation

The LCAO MO SCF method, both in the single‐configuration and a limited configuration interaction approximation, has been utilized to evaluate the potential curve of the ground state of H2; wave functions and total molecular energies are presented for a wide range of the internuclear distance (1.0 a.u. ≤R≤18.0 a.u.). These solutions were then used to construct potential curves for the ground states of the molecular ions H2+ and H2— and for the lower‐lying excited states of the neutral molecule. Results of vibration‐rotation analyses for the stable states are presented. The results for a population analysis of the single‐configuration ground‐state function over the whole range of R are given, and compared to similar results for He2.
Optimization of parameters for semiempirical methods. III Extension of PM3 to Be, Mg, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Hg, Tl, Pb, and Bi

Using a recently developed procedure for optimizing parameters for semiempirical methods,1 PM3 has been extended to a total of 28 elements. Average ΔHf errors for the newly parameterized elements are Be: 8.6, Mg: 8.4, Zn: 5.8, Ga: 14.9, Ge: 11.4, As: 8.5, Se: 11.1, Cd: 2.6, In: 11.3, Sn: 9.0, Sb: 13.7, Te: 11.3, Hg: 6.8, Tl: 6.5, Pb: 7.4, and Bi: 10.9 kcal/mol. For some elements the paucity of data has resulted in a method, which, while highly accurate, is likely to be only poorly predictive.
Oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes with oxygen and cupric ion, mediated by nitrosonium ion

Oxydation a temperature ordinaire des alcools allyliques et benzyliques par l'oxygene en utilisant comme catalyseur un melange de chlorure cuivreux et du tetramethyl-2,2,6,6 piperidinoxyle(I), et oxydations plus generales des alcools primaires en presence de chlorure cuivrique et du nitroxyle I
Studies on fungal products. Part 15. Isolation and structure determination of arugosin E from Aspergillus silvaticus and cycloisoemericellin from Emericella striata

Together with arugosins A (3), B (4), and C (5), a novel compound related to the arugosins, designated arugosin E (1), was isolated from the mycelial extract of Aspergillus silvaticus. A new compound designated Cycloisoemericellin (2) was also isolated along with arugosins A (3) and B (4) from the mycelial extract of Emericella striata. The structures of compounds (1) and (2) were determined on the basis of spectroscopic investigation and chemical correlation with the known compounds (3), (4), and (6). An X-ray crystal analysis of arugosin E (1) was carried out.
Evaluation of Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Var. Gongylodes) Extract Effect on Mesenchymal Stem Cells Viability and Apoptosis

BackgroundCell viability and apoptosis are two crucial factors that may determine cell fate. There are several factors, such as hypoxia, which may be effective in cell processes. Because of its unique features, such as its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis mechanisms, kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) extract may be used in the amelioration of cell viability and a decrease in cell apoptosis. In this study, we evaluate the effect of kohlrabi extract on the viability and apoptosis of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs). Material and MethodsIn this study, extract from kohlrabi and mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue were isolated in a laboratory under sterile conditions. Expression of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) surface markers, including CD44, CD90, and CD105 was evaluated by flow cytometry method. Besides, CD34 was used as a negative marker. MTT assay was carried out to determine the cell viability. Evaluation of BCL2 and BAX expression levels was performed by real-time PCR.ResultsMSC surface markers were verified by flow cytometry. The obtained results demonstrated a significant difference between the cell viability of the kohlrabi-extract treated and control group over time (P=0.03). In addition, the real-time PCR analysis showed that expression levels of BCL2 significantly increased in hypoxic condition after treatment with leaf extract (P=0.019). However, there was no significant expression change in the BAX gene.ConclusionOur study illustrates that kohlrabi extract may have positive effects on cell survival while having inhibitory effects on apoptosis.
Functionally distinct neutrophils sequentially promote Th1-type responses upon antiviral antibody therapy

Antiviral monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can generate protective immunity through immune complexes (IC)-FcγRs interactions. We have shown the essential role of neutrophils in mAb-induced immunity of retrovirus-infected mice. Using this model, here we addressed how viral infection, with or without mAb therapy, affects the functional activation of neutrophils. We found that neutrophils activated by viral ICs secreted high levels of chemokines able to recruit monocytes and neutrophils themselves. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines potentiated chemokines and cytokines release by IC-activated cells and induced FcγRs upregulation. Similarly, infection and mAb-treatment upregulated FcγRs expression on neutrophils and enhanced their cytokines and chemokines secretion. FcγRs upregulation allowed to identify in vivo two splenic neutrophils subpopulations with distinct phenotypic and functional properties that differentially and sequentially collaborate with inflammatory monocytes to induce Th1-type responses in mAb-treated mice. Our work provides novel findings on the heterogeneity and the immunomodulatory role of neutrophils in the enhancement of immune responses upon antiviral mAb therapy.
Behavior of a ‐ SiN : H and a ‐ SiON : H Films in Condensed Water

The etch rates of plasma-deposited silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride films in condensed water were studied as a function of water temperature, pH of the solution, and film composition. The etch rates for all films at water temperatures between 50 and 125 o C were between 0.2 and 10.0 nm/h. The activation energies were between 0.6 and 1.0 eV. Where water condensation on devices is possible, water etching of the passivation should be considered as a potential failure mode
Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Forage Sorghum Nutrient Composition

Whole plant nutrient composition was investigated as forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) nitrogen (N) fertilization regimes were changed for Virginia production systems. Five N rates were applied to forage sorghum plots using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The N rates where 23.5, 53.5, 83.5, 113.5 and 143.5 lb N acre. Total digestible nutrients (TDN), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations were analyzed from two harvests, 40 days post emergence and 45 days after first cutting, using near infrared spectroscopy. No significance for TDN, CP, ADF or NDF across N rates was found for either cutting. Means for TDN were 57.0% and 59.0% for the first and second cutting and means for CP concentrations where 9.0% and 10.4 %, respectively. Plant height and normal difference vegetative index readings were taken twice for each harvest period and were not significant across N rates. Dairy manure had been applied in previous years which could have led to higher plant available N rates. Lower than average rainfall may have limited growth for the second growth period. N Rate Effects on TDN 3 Table of
Uptake and elimination kinetics of organophosphorous pesticides in the guppy (poecilia reticulata): Correlations with the octanol/water partition coefficient

Bioconcentration factors, uptake rate constants and elimination rate constants of a series of organophosphorous pesticides were determined in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata). The results of these three toxicokinetic parameters were related to measured octanol/water partition coefficients (Kow). A simple one-compartment model fitted the uptake and elimination characteristics of the chemicals. A biphasic relationship was observed between log k1 (uptake rate constant) and log Kow, whereas elimination rate constants were inversely related to Kow. For some of the test compounds substantially higher elimination rates were found, compared to isolipophilic chlorobenzenes, which resulted in lower bioconcentration factors. This divergent behavior is discussed in view of possible biotransformation reactions for these compounds.
Extraction and Determination of Phenolic Acids and Vitamin B of Sieved and Unsieved Wheat Grain by MEKC

An MEKC method has been used to separate m-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, and 3,4-Dihydroxy benzoic acid, along with Vitamins B1 and B6 from uncoated fused silica capillary of 60.2 cm total length, 50 cm effective length, and 75 µm id. Optimum separation was achieved with BGE comprised of sodium tetraborate buffer (50 mmolL−1), pH 9.0, Sodium dodecylesulfate (SDS) (10 mmolL−1), and normal propanol (4% v/v), the optimum ratio was 70:20:10 (Borate:SDS:Propanol) with applied voltage of 20 kV at a wavelength of 225 nm. Linear calibration range and limit of detection (LOD) observed for the analytes were in the range 0.1–100 mgL−1 and 0.032–0.068 mgL−1, respectively. Calculated recoveries of analytes by standard addition were in the range 96–102% with RSD of 0.98–1.43%. Phenolic acids: ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and syringic acid were identified along with m-coumaric acid which is being reported for the first time from wheat varieties. The amount of phenolic acids in unsieved wheat grain were found to be higher than sieved wheat grains. Acid hydrolysis was found to release vitamin B along with phenolic acids, whereas methnol/water extraction system released phenolic acids only.
COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES AS A CONDUIT FOR ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION CAPABILITIES FOR IMPROVED CROP PRODUCTION

Of late, the cooperative option has come into focus as a viable medium to effectively mobilize farmers to form groups and pool their resources together, so as to become more effective in agricultural production. It is against that backdrop that this study employed primary data obtained from a sample of 120 crop farmers in Iwo LGA of Osun State to ascertain their participation in cooperatives, assess their perception of cooperatives, identify the factors that significantly influence their decision to participate in cooperatives, and to investigate the challenges confronting cooperatives. The objectives were actualized using descriptive statistics, Likert type scale, binary logit regression and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, respectively. The results revealed that the level of participation of crop farmers in cooperative societies is low. However, respondents were of the perception that cooperatives provide easy access to loans, improve farmers’ welfare, provides medium for exchange of knowledge, and provides access to information regarding best practices in crop production and marketing. Gender, land size, major occupation, and farming experience were the factors that exert significant influence on crop farmers’ participation in cooperatives in Iwo LGA. Furthermore, inadequate capital emerged as the most severe constraint confronting cooperatives, whereas lack of appropriate medium for dissemination of information was the least pressing constraint. It is recommended that synergistic relationship involving the public sector, private actors and community members should be put in place, so as to create awareness and enlighten crop farmers regarding the potentialities of cooperative societies.
Facile synthesis of Pt–Pd nanodendrites and their superior electrocatalytic activity

In this report, well-dispersed porous Pt–Pd nanodendrites (Pt–Pd NDs) were synthesized at high yield by a simple, one-pot, wet chemical method without using any seed, template, or toxic organic solvent. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and urea were employed as the co-stabilizing and co-structure-directing agents. It was found that the reaction temperature, the amount of PVP and urea, the Pt/Pd molar ratio, and the pH value of the reaction media greatly affected the size and shape of the Pt–Pd product. The as-prepared Pt–Pd nanocrystals had a larger active surface area, superior catalytic activity, and better stability for the electrooxidation of methanol and ethylene glycol (EG), compared with the commercial Pt-black and Pd-black catalysts.
Composition and functional properties of banana flour from different varieties.

The chemical composition and some physico-chemical characteristics of the flour obtained from eight different banana varieties are presented. The flour was prepared by freeze-drying a homogenate of green banana pulp. Amylose, starch, dietary fiber, protein, ash, moisture and lipid contents were determined. Viscosity and gelatinization of starch were also investigated. Banana flour is rich in starch granules. Peak temperature of gelatinization varied from 68 to 76 °C according to the variety. All of them showed an increase in viscosity during cooling but the variety Ouro colatina showed more stability during shearing and cooling. Chemical composition of the flour also varied according to the variety. The range obtained were 61—76.5% starch, 19—23% amylose, 2.5—3.3% protein, 4—6% moisture, 0.3—0.8% lipids, 2.6—3.5% ashes, and 6—15.5% total fiber. Considering that the flour production is easier and faster than the isolation of the starch, it would be not only more practical but also less expensive to use the flour instead.
Determination of 17 endocrine disruptor compounds and their spatial and seasonal distribution in the Sado River Estuary (Portugal)

The Sado waters show signs of anthropogenic pollution. However, hardly any information exists on the levels of endocrine disrupters (EDCs) such as estrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone and 17α-ethynylestradiol) and there is no information at all on xenoestrogenic industrial pollutants (4-octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol and their mono and diethoxylates and bisphenol A). Moreover, data on plant derived phytoestrogens (formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, genistein) and sitosterol are scarce or inexistent. To assess on the suspected influx of EDCs in this aquatic system, water samples were taken every two months, during 2010, at nine sites distributed along the Sado Estuary and River (Alcácer do Sal) being afterward analyzed by GC-MS. Data showed the ubiquitous presence of potentially hazardous amounts of estrogens (mainly of estrone and estradiol, reaching over 10 ng L−1), nonylphenol diethoxylate (up to 900 ng L−1) and nonylphenol (up to 230 ng L−1). It was concluded that there are conditions for the occurrence of endocrine disruption in local aquatic animals, even in areas included inside the Natural Reserve. Moreover, a clear seasonal pattern of fluctuation was found for phytoestrogens and sitosterol. Besides, there were high amounts of unionized ammonia (up to 0.6 mg L−1) and phosphates (up to 3.2 mg L−1) suggesting that the current status poses risks for local fauna and humans.