Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Development, Governance and Performance Measurement in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs): A Methodological Proposal

Institutionalized Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are a widely debated phenomenon, addressed by both scientific literature and policymakers. The most important contribution of this work is to describe the various theories used for understanding the performance expectations of PPPs, as the focus on performance is still poor despite the growing interest in participant companies (mixed-owned companies), especially at the local level. While analyzing the evaluation of the performance of these entities, a wide stream of literature has focused on profitability and efficiency, showing a substantial difference in terms of the performance of such companies compared to private capital ones. All this leads us to consider the Public Value theory as the best framework in literature to address the many dimensions of performance and business strategy in PPPs while pursuing sustainable development. The interest in this area has increased lately, mainly due to the growing complexity within this dynamic context. Therefore, it seems meaningful to carry out a systematic review of the relevant published literature in this field. This study contributes to the literature on sustainable development in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) that are seen as a form of mixed-owned companies, trying to address their multilayered performance expectations within the public value perspective and to understand how the role of performance measurement is influencing business strategies and the attitude towards sustainable environment. This will prove useful to scholars, policymakers and practitioners alike.
In Vitro Dissolution Study of Acetylsalicylic Acid and Clopidogrel Bisulfate Solid Dispersions: Validation of the RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Analysis

Solid dispersions were prepared via a solvent evaporation method, employing ethanol (96%, v/v) as solvent, with three different polymers as carrier: povidone, copovidone, and poloxamer 407. Previously developed reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) methods were modified and used for the simultaneous determination of acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel bisulfate and after release from solid dispersions. Chromatography was carried out on a C-18 column, with a mobile phase of acetonitrile–methanol–phosphate buffer pH 3.0, UV detection at 240 nm, and a run time of 6 min. The method was validated according to International Conference of Harmonisation guidelines and validation included specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, robustness, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). The method is specific for determination of acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel bisulfate. The linearity was provided in the concentration range 0.0275–0.1375 mg/mL for acetylsalicylic acid and 0.0200–0.1000 mg/mL for clopidogrel bisulfate, with a correlation coefficient (R2 value) of 0.9999 for both active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Accuracy was confirmed by calculated recoveries for acetylsalicylic acid (98.6–101.0%) and clopidogrel bisulfate (100.0–101.6%). The intra-day and the inter-day precision-calculated relative standard deviations are less than 1%, which indicates high precision of the method. The limits of detection and quantification for acetylsalicylic acid were 0.0004 and 0.0012 mg/mL, and for clopidogrel bisulfate 0.0002 mg/mL and 0.0007 mg/mL, respectively. Small variations in chromatographic conditions did not significantly affect qualitative and quantitative system responses, which proved robustness of method. The proposed RP-HPLC method was applied for simultaneous determination of clopidogrel bisulfate and acetylsalicylic acid from solid dispersions.
BLACK OAT (Avena strigosa) SILAGE FOR SMALL-SCALE DAIRY SYSTEMS IN THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL MEXICO [ENSILADO DE AVENA NEGRA (Avena strigosa) PARA SISTEMAS DE PRODUCCIÓN DE LECHE EN PEQUEÑA ESCALA EN EL ALTIPLANO CENTRAL DE MÉXICO]

RESUMEN Se evaluó el uso de Ensilado de Avena Negra (Avena strigosa cv Saia) (BOS) como cereal alternativo en la época de secas, comparado con 6 kg MS/vaca de ensilado de maíz (MSL) en sistemas de producción de leche en pequeña escala. Los tratamientos se evaluaron bajo el esquema de investigación participativa rural, los tratamientos fueron: T1=100 BOS, T2= 66:34 BOS:MSL, T3= 34:66 BOS:MSL, y T4=100 MSL complementado con 4.5 kg MS/vaca/día de concentrado comercial y 2.2 kg MS/vaca/día de Pradera de Corte. Se asignaron ocho vacas bajo un arreglo estadístico de cuadro latino 4X4 repetido dos veces, con periodos experimentales de14 días. Se midieron los rendimientos de leche y la composición los últimos cuatro días de cada periodo experimental, el peso vivo y la condición corporal se midieron el último día de cada periodo experimental. Los costos de alimentación se determinaron por medio del análisis de presupuestos parciales. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en rendimiento de leche (15.9±0.26 kg/vaca/día), composición de leche con valores para grasa de 38.8±0.86 g/kg, proteína en leche de 32.2±0.38 y lactosa de 46.3±0.22. Tampoco se encontraron diferencias significativas en nitrógeno ureico en leche (MUN) con una media de 11.8±. 83 mg/dl, peso vivo 385.6±1.67 kg, y la condición corporal con una media de 2.6±0.01. Los costos de alimentación por kg de leche fueron 33% más altos en T1 y T2 que en T4, con costos de alimentación intermedios en T3 (T1 = 0.88, T2 = 0.85, T3 = 0.74, T4 = 0.66 R$/kg). Los márgenes de ganancia y los costos de ingresos/alimentación fueron positivos. El ensilado de avena negra puede ser un forraje alternativo en sistemas de producción de leche en pequeña escala en la estación seca cuando el ensilado de maíz no se pueda cultivar debido a problemas climáticos. Palabras clave: Forrajes alternativos; pastura de corte y acarreo; costos de alimentación; ensilado de maíz; investigación participativa.
Fruit set and plant regeneration in cassava following interspecific pollination with castor bean

The increasing demand for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for food and non-food uses in the tropics necessitates that its breeding for increased root productivity be made faster. The characteristic long breeding cycle and heterozygous nature of this crop, pose a major obstacle to its rapid genetic improvement. This study aimed at inter-pollinating cassava with castor bean (Ricinus communis), with a purpose of inducing and regenerating cassava doubled haploids (DHs). A total of 3,349 flowers from twelve elite cassava varieties were inter-pollinated with caster bean. A total of 803 fruits were harvested for early embryo rescue and/or ovule culture. Of these, three were dissected to obtain seven unique embryos, while 800 were dissected to obtain 1312 young ovules, all of which were cultured in vitro. Overall, 82 (6.25%) of the cultured ovules formed callus that originated from the embryosac region, which is haploid. Four out of seven rescued embryos (57.1%) regenerated into plantlets. Ploidy analyses of 24 samples using flow cytometry revealed that 23 of the analysed samples were diploid. However, one callus sample was anueploid. Only one sample had an exceptionally high level of homozygosity ( 84.2%). These findings lay a foundation for future research aimed at induction of haploids in cassava.
Continual Learning for Addressing Optimization Problems with a Snake-Like Robot Controlled by a Self-Organizing Model

We have entered a new era, “Industry 4.0”, that sees the overall industry marching toward an epoch of man–machine symbiosis and intelligent production. The developers of so-called “intelligent” systems must attempt to seriously take into account all possible situations that might occur in the real world, to minimize unexpected errors. By contrast, biological systems possess comparatively better “adaptability” than man-made machines, as they possess a self-organizing learning that plays an indispensable role. The objective of this study was to apply a malleable learning system to the movement control of a snake-like robot, to investigate issues related to self-organizing dynamics. An artificial neuromolecular (ANM) system previously developed in our laboratory was used to control the movements of an eight-joint snake-like robot (called Snaky). The neuromolecular model is a multilevel neural network that abstracts biological structure–function relationships into the system’s structure, in particular into its intraneuronal structure. With this feature, the system possesses structure richness in generating a broad range of dynamics that allows it to learn how to complete the assigned tasks in a self-organizing manner. The activation and rotation angle of each motor are dependent on the firing activity of neurons that control the motor. An evolutionary learning algorithm is used to train the system to complete the assigned tasks. The key issues addressed include the self-organizing learning capability of the ANM system in a physical environment. The experimental results show that Snaky was capable of learning in a continuous manner. We also examined how the ANM system controlled the angle of each of Snaky’s joints, to complete each assigned task. The result might provide us with another dimension of information on how to design the movement of a snake-like robot.
Surgical Outcome of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergilloma: An Experience from Two Tertiary Referral Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Surgical management of pulmonary aspergillosis is challenging and controversial. This study is designed to assess the clinical profile, indications and surgical outcome of Pulmonary aspergilloma. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 72 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for pulmonary aspergilloma over the period from November, 2014, to November, 2019 was done. Data on demographic, clinical and surgical out come were retrieved. Analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Chi-square test was used to assess for significance of the association between variables and surgical outcome. Results There were 46(63.9%) males and 26(36.1%) female patients with a mean age of 35.2+/-11.6 years (Range 16– 65 years). All patients were previously treated for tuberculosis. Cough, hemoptysis, and shortness of breath were the main symptoms identified. A ball of fungus together with the surrounding lung was removed. Accordingly, 32(44,4%) lobectomies, 12(16.7%) pneumonectomy, 7(9.7%) Bi-lobectomy, and 21(29.2%) cavernostomy were done. Intraoperative and Postoperative complications were seen in 8(11.1%) and 21(29.1%) patients respectively. Major morbidity encounters included massive intraoperative blood loss, prolonged air leak, empyema, air space, bronchopleural fistula, and wound infection. The hospital mortality was 3(4.2%) and the average hospital stay was 14.8days. Postoperative complications were evaluated for the difference in socio-demographic characteristics and other variables and a statistically significant difference was detected only for the location of aspergilloma, site of the lung involved and type of surgery done. (P-value =0.05.) Conclusion Pulmonary resection done for pulmonary aspergilloma showed favorable outcomes when done with good patient selection, meticulous surgical techniques, and good postoperative management. However, its long term outcome and role of antifungal treatment as adjunctive therapy for surgical resection need further investigation.
Palynological characterisation of sedra honeys (Ziziphus lotus) produced in Algeria

Abstract A melissopalynological study was carried out on 46 samples of Ziziphus lotus honey from Laghouat and Djelfa region (central Algeria). The number of pollen types identified per honey sample ranges between nine and 39 with a mean of 24. These correspond to 52 botanical families with 79 different pollen types in the whole samples. Asteraceae and Fabaceae families were present in all the samples where as Apiaceae, Brassicaceae and Nitrariaceae (Peganum harmala) were identified in more than 90%. Other plant families as Boraginaceae, Cistaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Salicaceae or Urticaceae were identified in more than 50% of the samples but frequently as minor pollen. Ziziphus lotus pollen had a mean content of 68.9% (with a range of 45.3% to 93.4%). The secondary pollen types were Ononis natrix, Peganum harmala, Brassica napus, Echium and Olea europaea. Regarding the important pollen it is highlighted the presence Lotus t. , Eucalyptus, Pimpinella anisum t. , Trifolium t. , Eryngium campestre t. , Centaurea t. , Galega officinalis t. , Citrus or Scrophularia t. The sedra honeys of the studied region are characterised by their high content in pollen grains with a mean content of 188 403 grains/10 g. The presence of some pollen types in the pollen spectra of honeys such as Peganum harmala, Thapsia garganica, Launaea, Muscari comosum, Carthamus or Limonium bonduellei together several Asteraceae as Centaurea, Taraxacum, Carduus, Artemisia and Matricaria was proposed as geographical markers of this honey type.
The Relationship of Smartphone Addiction with Self-esteem and Self-consciousness among Girls in the First Year of High School

Background In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shownself-esteem and self-consciousness can be protective factors against smartphone addiction among adolescents. Our study aims to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction and self-esteem and self-consciousness among girls in their first year of high school. Materials and Methods: The samples of this cross-sectional included all the female first year students in Tehran, Iran, from 2019 to 20. The formula suggested by Krejcie and Morgan was used to measure the sample size (n=140), and stratified sampling was used for the collection of samples. The scale of smartphone addiction, the scale of Coopersmith self-esteem, and the self-consciousness scale (revised version) were used. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23.0. Results: The total sample of the study included 140 girls with the mean age of 15.81 (0.63) years. The Mean students' self-esteem was (34.58± 11.81). The correlation analysis indicated that self-esteem and self-consciousness (MR = -0.423, p <0.05) had a significant negative correlation with smartphone addiction among student. The results also showed a significant negative correlation between self-esteem and self-consciousness with smartphone addiction (p <0.05). The correlation coefficient between self-esteem and smartphone addiction was (r = 0.394, p <0.05) and the correlation coefficient between self-consciousness and smartphone addiction was (r = -0.293, p <0.05). Conclusion Based on the regression equation with the standard coefficients, self-esteem and self-consciousness had a positive effect on smartphone addiction in students. The findings also show that self-esteem predictors, compared to those of the self-consciousness, are better predictors for smartphone addiction.
Pig Production System of Ethnic Group in Ratanakiri

Ratanakiri borders with Laos PDR to the west and Vietnam to the east the annual temperature is in the range from 22-34 ̊C with annual precipitation is approximately 2,200 millimeters. Total population is about 184 000 and population density is very low approximately 17/km2. 70% of them practiced the crops such as rice, soybean, cashew, cassava, banana, mango.etc. The pigs’ production systems there generally are freely scavenging system, challenging poor feeding, no deworming and vaccination programs; resulting to lower productivity and high risk of diseases and mortality as FOA 2010 suggested to keep the pigs in the pen with enough feed supply to avoid any contaminations and infections from other relevant factors. Moreover, most of farmers are the subsistence farmers and the monthly income is about 5 USD per person [1].
Physical properties of guna fruits relevant in bulk handling and mechanical processing

The physical properties ofguna fruits, relevant in bulk handling and mechanical processing, were determined and the effect of variety, post harvest history and moisture content investigated. Two varieties of the crop, namely Citrullus colocynthis and Citrullus lanatus, three post harvest storage durations of eight weeks, four weeks and fresh state that gave three moisture levels in the ranges of 87.21-92.45% (w.b.) and 85.07-89.74% (w.b.) for the Citrullus colocynthis and Citrullus lanatus fruits, respectively, were used. Fruit moisture content was found to decrease with increase in storage period. In the above moisture ranges, the major and minor semi-axial dimensions varied from 5.27 to 5.71 cm and 5.18 to 5.61 cm, respectively, for the Colocynthis variety and from 4.53 to 4.96 cm and 4.25 to 4.66 cm, respectively, for the lanatus. The thickness of the epicarp and mesocarp and fruit volume, the fruit, pod and pulp masses, as well as the pod-fruit and pulp-fruit mass ratios increased with increase in moisture content for each fruit variety, while the average seed mass remained virtually constant and the seed-fruit mass ratio decreased with increase in moisture. The true and bulk densities of the fruits also increased with increase in moisture content and ranged from 0.767 to 0.803 g cm -3 and 0.664 to 0.698 g cm -3 , respectively, for the colocynthis fruit, and from 0.637 to 0.765 g cm -3 and 0.554 to 0.665 g cm -3 , respectively, for the lanatus. Regression equations that could be used to adequately express the relationship existing between the above properties and fruit moisture were established. The impact strength, bioyield, yield and rupture points and the bioyield, compressive and rupture strengths, as well as the modulus of stiffness and modulus of elasticity of the fruits were higher at the longitudinal loading orientation than at the lateral. At a similar storage condition, all the properties investigated were higher for the Citrullus colocynthis fruits than those of Citrullus lanatus.
In vitro evaluation of different fungicides against pomegranate anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

The cultivation of pomegranate is going to be increase due to high remuneration from its fruits as it is widely used as a nutritive food. Leaf and fruit spot caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is contributing factors for the low productivity as well as economic losses among the farmers. Pomegranate leaves and fruits with anthracnose symptoms were collected from the farmer’s field. On isolation, they yielded species of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with typical cultural and morphological characters on potato dextrose agar media. Koch’s postulates were successfully proved in laboratory by standard method. In laboratory screening of different fungicides against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , tebuconazole 25.9% EC and hexaconazole 5% EC were found to be effective in inhibiting the cent per cent radial growth among systemic group of fungicides, while in non-systemic group of fungicides, captan 50% WP was quite effective and in case of ready mix fungicides azoxystrobin 11% + tebuconazole 18.30% SC, epoxiconazole 50g/l + pyraclostrobin 133g/l, tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG, zinab 68% + hexaconazole 4% WP were significantly inhibited the growth of test fungus under in vitro .
Acute Effects of Self-selected Music Intervention on Recovery of Autonomic Functions and Anxiety after Submaximal Intensity of Short-Term Cycling

Background: Music intervention is considered as an optimal modality to improve exercise motivation, exercise performance, and endurance capacity. The aim of this study is to investigate the acute effects of self-selected music intervention on post-exercise heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and anxiety after a submaximal intensity of cycling exercise. Methods: Fifty-two healthy adults (males: n= 24, age: 20.6 ± 2 yrs; female: n= 28, 21.8 ± 2.1 yrs) were voluntarily participated this study. A counter-balanced design was used to examine submaximal intensity of cycling exercise with non-music or self-selected music trials at least 48 hours apart. Participants first visit the laboratory to determine individual self-selected music and to complete an incremental exercise test until HR response researched to 80% of heart rate reserve (HRreserve). The 80% HRreserve was used to control the exercise intensity during a subsequent 10-minute stationary cycling exercise. At the beginning of experiment, the participants performed a 5-min cycling warm-up exercise with self-pace. Afterwards, the participants rested in a sitting position for 5-min and then performed 10-min cycling exercise with intensity of 80% HRreserve. After the cycling exercise, 5-min HR recovery (HRR) and 10-min HRV was measured in a sitting position for 15-min. A situational anxiety mass scale (STAI-S) was used immediately after the cycling exercise. Music intervention was applied during 15-min post-exercise recovery. Results: The exercise HR and post-exercise HRV showed no significant differences between self-selected music trial and non-music trial in both groups. In self-selected music trial, HRR was significantly faster after the self-selected music trial than that of non-music trial in female. In addition, the STAI-S scores were significantly lower in the self-selected music trial than that of non-music trial in both groups. Conclusion: Self-selected music intervention can improve HRR in healthy female. Consideration to implement a self-selected music intervention after submaximal intensity of stationary cycling exercise to reduce post-exercise anxiety in male and female is warrant.
Bottom-up effects of fertilization and irrigation on plant-herbivorous insect-natural enemy tri-trophic interactions in agroecosystems

The “Plant-herbivorous insect-natural enemy” system provides an ideal basic model to understand how the plant-inhabiting arthropod communities are structured and how various mechanisms (i.e. direct and indirect interactions) contribute to shape the community structure. In agro-ecosystems, top-down forces encompass the controlling effects that arthropod organisms of the higher trophic level (e.g., predators) have on species at the next lower level (e.g., prey). Arthropod communities may also be influenced by bottom-up forces induced by environmental variations (e.g. fertilization or irrigation regimes) or plant traits (plant insect-resistance or plant-adaptive traits). Furthermore, bottom-up forces may affect top-down forces on herbivores either directly (e.g., effects on omnivorous predator) or mediated by the intermediate herbivorous insects. In this context, the aims of the PhD study were to disentangle how variations in resource inputs (i.e. nitrogen and water availability) affect interactions among plant, herbivores and their natural enemies at both the individual (life-history traits) and population (population dynamic) levels. The studies were carried out on two agrosystems based on tomato and cotton. On tomato, the system 'Solanum lycopersicum L - leafminer Tuta absoluta - omnivorous predator Macrolphis pygmaeus' was used under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in France. We found strong evidence of bottom-up effects of nitrogen and/or water inputs on the herbivore and the omnivorous predator. Feeding ecology of the predator was also strongly influenced by water availability.