Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The color of urban dust as an indicator of heavy metal pollution

Introduction: Urban dust contains heavy metals (HMs) that pose a risk to human health. Objective: To evaluate the color of urban dust as an indicator of HM pollution in Mexico City. Materials and methods: Color and HMs (Ba, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, V and Zn) were measured in 455 dust samples, and redness and saturation rates were calculated. Based on color, groups of samples were formed using cluster analysis. Multiple regression analysis between HMs and indices by color groups was performed, as well as a Kruskal-Wallis analysis of HMs by color groups. Results and discussion: Urban dust samples were classified as dark grayish brown (I), dark gray (II), dark olive brown (III), very dark gray (IV), grayish brown (V) and black (VI). Multiple linear regressions between color indices and HMs showed high and significant correlation (P < 0.05) in groups I, II, III and IV. Urban dust HMs were generally found in the order Zn > Mn > Ba > Pb > Cu > Cr > Ni > V. Also, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among the color groups; the samples from very dark gray to black were the most polluted, and those of dark grayish brown had lower HM contents. Conclusions: Urban dust color is an indicator of heavy metal pollution in Mexico City.
EVALUATION OF SINGLE-STAGE ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIO-PANCREATOGRAPHY AND LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Objective: To compare between one-stage approach Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-pancreatography and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (ERCP with LC) in the same session, and the current sequential approach (ERCP then LC in separate sessions). Study design: A prospective comparative study. Patients and Methods: 172 patients with the mean age 42 ± 11.8 years presented with combined gall bladder stones and CBD stones, divided into two groups: Group I(80 patients) allowed for one-stage ERCP/LC, and group II(92 patients) allowed for sequential ERCP/LC (LC performed within 7 days after ERCP). Results: The overall success rate to clear the CBD stones and complete LC was 92.5% vs 90.2% respectively. Minor complications in the form of mild post-ERCP pancreatitis, accessory cystic duct leakage and wound infection were observed in five patients in each group in our study (6.25% vs 5.4%),and no deaths were recorded. The mean hospital stay in single-stage ERCP/LC group was 2.8 ± 1.6 (1-12) days, while it was 5.2 ± 1.9 (2-15) days in sequential ERCP/LC group. Single-stage ERCP/LC procedure was more economic than sequential ERCP/LC procedure. The total cost was 10500 ± 1325 Egyptian pounds and 12250 ± 1850 Egyptian pounds respectively. Also, the frequency of anesthetic sessions and anesthetic time exposure was lower in singlestage ERCP/LC group.Conclusion: Both single-stage ERCP/LC and sequential ERCP/LC were safe and effective in detecting and removing common bile duct stones. However, a single surgical procedure for combined gall bladder and common bile duct stones is feasible, cost-effective, and should be available for most patients.
Assessment of INSAT-3D Retrieved Temperature and Water Vapour With Collocated Radiosonde Measurements Over Indian Region

This article evaluates the performance of Indian National Satellite System (INSAT)-3D sounder temperature (T) and water vapor (WV) by comparing with the collocated radiosonde observations obtained at different stations over Indian region. The assessment is carried out in terms of bias in the INSAT-3D measurements by assuming the radiosonde observations as a standard measurement technique. The study is carried out to find the performance of INSAT-3D sounder data on different surface types (land, coast, and ocean), seasons, and latitude zones. The main findings are the large bias in INSAT-3D-derived T and WV profiles over land compared to the coastal and oceanic stations, which may be attributed to the large contrasting surface emissivities over land. The WV measurements of INSAT-3D showed a relative dry bias of 15%–25% in the lower troposphere. Near the surface, a warm bias (~2 K) is observed over the land, and a cold bias (~1 K) is observed over the coastal and oceanic stations. Cold biases of ~1 K (land) and ~0.5 K (coastal and oceanic) are observed in the middle troposphere. The variability of the T bias is relatively large over land, particularly during winter and premonsoon. The variability of T bias is large in the 25°–35°N latitudinal zone mainly in winter followed by premonsoon, postmonsoon, and monsoon. A consistent warm bias of ~2–3 K is observed in the upper troposphere particularly at around 100 hPa on all the surface types in all seasons over all latitude zones. Thus, bias correction is advised in using these data for upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric (UTLS) studies.
Observations on Reflex Phenomena in Cases of Spinal Injury in Man

l. -'::INTRODl1CTION. ': " ,: i . '. I ;' , ~ ,/,' " , ')' ~ . ; \ TIIEiS? -caHeq '~ defen6e~rl3flex 'i l • in' 'Qlani8but,an il)starice . ,Ofibat ' flexlori-reflei ,of·the limbs which ,has been'observed ·ihall,otherlimbed /' . ve,1:'teb~ates hithertoinvest~gat~d. "'. ', "\'. , {/ ,,' " ,The followiJ;lg ,obseryations we belieye t6 demonstrate iilman pb,enomena/ ' ' ",hich have been found in other inammals but have no~ yetlleen shown fotthe humansubjeet~ Before 'we proce~(fto theil'd~<rription it will he, useful to " 'sumiqari~e thecharacterl'! of the:tie~ion-reflex. The f! exion-,reflex ()~alii:qb js ,part oftbe t5eneral reaction ,~f theanimM to stimtliatiOJ:1! ,patticula~lyof' the sk~n of the same limb. ; " His accompanied, as part of th,e same reaction,ny an . extelll'jon'of ,the opposite limb. , • ,The flexion-reflex is really' an absiraction-;-a "type"r<;lfiex? : (Sherripgto~) ""-composed of allth~ innumeral)lefiexi6n-refleies. : ',which are evoked by stimulation of the iIinlllnerablesensory ~nd;organs of, '. the lim,b. ,Its receptive neldembtl1ces aUthese se~se organs-notonlythdse in the' sJiiIi its~lf,but itlsothost;lof tl;l6 deep~r structures-tenddns,muscles; , . ' ,and joints. In it afll the flexor ,muscles contractegually ~ShEm'ingtb? )-'\ . " though;with different degree in . reflexe_s. cif different strengths. ' AV thE3 I ,e~tenf'\oir,ll/uscles relaxre,ciprocally. "The rel1ction consists, itself in tw(h· "parts,', the 'iminediaterea~.tion and the,5after .rea9tion. TheimmefIiate re~c~~()n is thatofflexor.cont~action and extensQrrelaxation, and>occurs du~ing'Jhe_contiIiuatioq 'of the, stimulus; although in' weak responses all reaption may/disappear wh,il,e' ~h~ 'stim~lus, stil1,pEJl;sists~ . The a,fte:r;-reaytioq is' that wh}~h follows upon.cessati()n6f'stimulation. It oft~n consists , in extensorqoriiraction ,and fiexorrela:J! ::ation (the ",extensor' rebound~' .' ofSher:l:ingto~), 'but itm~y.als~ apRE;laras 3,:'s~arp' increnient 'of ,fi'exion (Grahani Brown); whilesorpetimesalternate fle~io:hand,>extension may ~e rhythmically. repeated. V ery.w~ak stiplUli norma;Ily give notflexion but' extension iq, tl~e same ·llmb. '· 'It,occa,siopally happens that the . resp6ilse in th~opposite liinbis one.offiexion' and not extensi~n (GrabamBrown i1nd '/Sheqington). When sfimuli arelipplieddto' both, limbs . simultaD. ~ou~ly . J' ,the reactions ~l1either are analg~braic ~umma~iori(ofthe.re~cti()ns :Which. oc~ur whene,ither limb· is' stimulated separ,ately. (Sheriihgton) . ' Hone
Inhibitory studies of peroxidase from infected African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) fruit

The effect of two parameters: inhibitors (potassium cyanide, salicylic acid and urea) and heat on peroxidase from the infected Solanum aethiopicum grown within the Nsukka Area of Enugu State, Nigeria was studied. The inhibitory and heat studies were carried out using standard procedures. The thermal stability of the enzyme was monitored using thermodynamic parameters after heating the enzyme over a temperature range of 30-70°C for 90 min. Potassium cyanide and salicylic acid and urea inhibited the enzyme in a concentration dependent manner. The inhibition of the enzyme by salicylic acid was an indication that the enzyme is a heme-protein. A high half-life of 64.78 mins was observed when the enzyme was heated at 50 °C for 90 mins. The free energy change (ΔG) values of 55.142, 58.731, 60.472, 60.227 and 64.296 KJ/mol and entropy (ΔS) values of -196.45, -179.07, -178.49, -195.66 and -195.43 were obtained. Similarly, low Z-value was obtained. The thermal stability results implied that high amount of energy was required to initiate the enzyme denaturation at the temperatures studied.Keywords: Peroxidase, Solanum aethiopicum, bioenergetics, Inhibitory Studies, salicylic acid, potassium cyanide
A one-dimensional logistic like equation with nonlinear and nonlocal diffusion: strong convergence to equilibrium

We consider a one-dimensional logistic like equation with a nonlinear and nonlocal diffusion term with periodic boundary conditions. In this note we focus on smooth nonlocal kernels exhibiting a repulsive effect, that is expressed in term of the positivity of their Fourier transforms. Here we describe the large time behaviour of the solutions for a large class of initial data. We roughly prove that the non trivial solutions converge strongly to the unique spatially homogeneous equilibrium, by providing a refined study of the properties of the characteristic curves associated to the problem.
Five decades of Lapita archaeology: A personal retrospective

My engagement with the archaeology of Lapita having now extended over exactly five decades, I offer the following reflections on how the field has changed and advanced over this period, in terms of the questions being posed, the field and lab methods applied, and the resulting interpretations. This is not intended as a comprehensive or even balanced overview, but rather as the personal perspective of one researcher. I conclude with a brief assessment of the current stateof-play and a few suggestions for where the field might develop in coming years.
Analyzing the Dynamics of Residential Properties’ Rent in Ede, Nigeria

Rental movement is an important parameter in real estate investment and can influence the supply of rental accommodations in the property market. This study empirically analyzed the trend in rents and growth rates of five residential property categories comprising tenement room, one room self-contained, room and parlour self-contained, two bedroom flat and three bedroom flat to determine the property with highest trend and growth rate; and whether the growth rates across the five property categories differ significantly in the study area between 2002 and 2017. The study utilized residential properties’ annual rent as primary data. The primary data was collected through questionnaire administered on landlords who rented their properties within the study period and comprised rental values of five residential property categories between 2002 and 2017. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as frequency table, chart, ANOVA and linear regression were used to analyze the data collected. The results revealed that annual rental values of all the selected residential properties maintained upward trend over the period studied. Three bedroom flat had the highest trend in rent and highest R2 value (0.89) implying it is the property whose rental values can be most ascertained with each successive year under study. The findings furthermore revealed that the average yearly growth rates of the selected residential properties ranged from 17.01% to 20.83% during the study period with three bedroom flat having the highest growth rate. The ANOVA result however suggested that the mean rental growth rates across the selected residential property categories at 95% confidence level were not significantly different F (4, 70) = 0.345 P = . 847 > . 05. This study brings to fore the localized rental income levels and the impacts they have on rental growth rates, which is necessary in the process of understanding investment returns in the residential submarket.
Spectrum estimation using frequency shifting and decimation

Parametric spectral estimation techniques are widely used to estimate the parameters of sums of complex sinusoids corrupted by noise. In this work, the authors show that the numerical stability of the estimated frequencies not only depends on the size of the amplitudes associated with the real frequencies, but also to the distance among frequencies. Therefore, for closely spaced frequencies, the estimates are vulnerable to large deviate from their true values. To overcome this problem, they propose a strategy to artificially increase the frequency separation by downsampling the baseband equivalent of the noisy signal before applying a spectral estimation technique. This methodology significantly improves the estimation performance especially in the low signal to noise ratio regime. The performance of the technique is assessed in terms of the root mean square error and it is compared to results obtained in previous publications.
Financial contracting and misreporting with limited enforcement, firm financing and growth

Abstract This article employs a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium framework to examine asymmetric information and limited contract enforcement in financial markets, where firms have access to both internal and external sources of finance. It considers limited enforcement of financial contract in the form of firm’s ability to misreport and default on output when it is still solvent, that is, a form of institutional weaknesses in holding defaulters to account. The model shows how institutional weakness in the form of limited enforceability of financial contracts affects fluctuations in key macroeconomic variables such as output, employment and investment via its impact on interest rates, risk premium, default risk and leverage. The findings show that limited contract enforcement amplifies the effects of shocks and lower small firm funding. The sensitivity analysis shows that weak contract enforcement affects firm growth and also leads to welfare losses to the society. This study is relevant for developing countries, where there is often poor quality of institutions and the paper suggests that improving such quality has the potential to improve the prospects of such countries.
Moral Distress and Privatisation: Lost in Neoliberal Transition

ABSTRACT This article discusses social workers’ moral distress associated with privatisation processes in neoliberal transitions. Based on a qualitative study of social workers (N = 15) working in privatised long-term nursing care agencies in Israel, findings revealed multiple expressions of moral distress. The study shows that moral distress relates to four main sources: illegal actions, violation of caregivers’ employment rights and benefits, clashes between professional principles and profit considerations, and harm to elders’ wellbeing. In addition, the study identified three patterns of coping with moral distress: compliance, denial, and resistance. Most participants follow a pattern of compliance and denial and only a minority offer some signs of resistance, mostly through covert actions. Implications for social work education and policy are discussed.
Effectiveness of the Lorodent Probiotic Lozenge in Reducing Plaque and S. Mutans Levels in Orthodontic Patients: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Background/Objectives: To determine the efficacy of the Lorodent probiotic complex at reducing plaque accumulation and Streptococcus mutans levels in adolescent orthodontic patients. Methods: 60 adolescent orthodontic patients were randomized in a double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial to receive either the Lorodent probiotic or placebo lozenge orally every day for a 28-day administration period. Plaque scores, supragingival plaque samples and saliva samples were assessed over a total of 56 days. Results: Participants receiving the placebo lozenge had a greater improvement in plaque scores compared to those receiving the Lorodent probiotic lozenge. There were no significant changes in S. mutans and total lactobacilli levels between the probiotic and placebo groups. Lozenge consumption compliance was over 90% and no adverse events were observed in the probiotic group. Conclusions: The Lorodent probiotic lozenge did not decrease plaque or S. mutans levels in adolescent patients undergoing fixed orthodontic appliance treatment. Funding: Ontario Centres of Excellence.
A molecular and morphological approach on the taxonomic status of the Brazilian species of Palaemon (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

Previous studies have indicated the occurrence of nine species of Palaemon in Brazil. However, the extensive variability in their diagnostic characters and the geographic distribution of some species raises doubts about the validity of some taxa, potentially indicating the occurrence of species not yet reported from Brazil or even not described. To solve taxonomic issues with Palaemon species in Brazil, we carried out a multigene analysis by using partial fragments of 16S and COI mitochondrial genes and the nuclear H3. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The external morphology corresponding to the terminal clades obtained in the molecular phylogram was analysed to identify diagnostic characters that allow the recognition of the groups and the correct taxa assignment. The combined analysis of molecular and morphological data confirms the existence of nine species of Palaemon in Brazil, five from the “Palaemon” lineage (P. mercedae and four Palaemon stensu stricto—P. argentinus, P. octaviae—first record in Brazil, P. northropi and P. paivai) and four of the “Alaocaris” lineage (P. carteri, P. ivonicus, P. pandaliformis and P. yuna). The possibility of further cryptic speciation is also pointed out. In addition to confirming the validity of the nine species, the results indicate the need for taxonomic adjustments and corresponding changes in the geographic distribution of Palaemon species occurring in Brazil.
How Can Low-Frequency Noise Exposure Interact with the Well-Being of a Population? Some Results from a Portuguese Municipality

Noise pollution is the second most harmful environmental stressor in Europe. Portugal is the fourth European country most affected by noise pollution, whereby 23.0% of the population is affected. This article aims to analyze the effects of exposure to low frequency noise pollution, emitted by power poles and power lines, on the population’s well-being, based on a study of “exposed” and “unexposed” individuals in two predominantly urban areas in north-western Portugal. To develop the research, we used sound level (n = 62) and sound recording measurements, as well as adapted audiometric test performance (n = 14) and surveys conducted with the resident population (n = 200). The sound levels were measured (frequency range between 10 to 160 Hz) and compared with a criterion curve developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The sound recorded was performed 5 m away from the source (400 kV power pole). Surveys were carried out with the “exposed” and “unexposed” populations, and adapted audiometric tests were performed to complement the analysis and to determine the threshold of audibility of “exposed” and “unexposed” volunteers. The “exposed” area has higher sound levels and, consequently, more problems with well-being and health than the “unexposed” population. The audiometric tests also revealed that the “exposed” population appears to be less sensitive to low frequencies than the “unexposed” population.
Title: Public perspective towards third-party reproduction in Iran

Infertility treatment in the past two decades in Iran has been improved in such an unprecedented rate that perceived by experts as “the Iran ART revolution”. Centres making use of assisted reproductive technologies are currently more than 70 clinics offering all forms of modern treatment including third-party reproduction: Gamete and embryo donation as well as surrogacy. Despite the fact that using donor gametes have been legitimized in Iran by religious authorities and passed into law, little is known about public attitudes towards the application of these methods. The present study uses inferential analysis to examine the Iranian public attitudes towards Gamete donation and surrogacy. This questionnaire based study conducted in 2012 and included 405 Iranian residents (276 women and 129 men) of nearly all ages selected through cluster sampling method. We found that, public is reluctant to practice Egg donation and surrogacy. Moreover, they were more negative to the use of sperm donation, particularly men (nearly 70% of men rejected sperm donation). The explanatory variables including sex of respondents, marital status, age group, education, and occupational status are significant in the differences of public attitudes towards third-party donation. Results indicate that people in general are still conservative to the third-party donation methods. Therefore, Medical practitioners and legislators have to think about some precautions in order to reduce the diverse effects. Furthermore, public should be more informed of the procedures of Gamete donation and surrogacy.
KONFLIK DALAM PEMANFAATAN SUMBER DAYA DI PESISIR TELUK BANTEN

Konflik sudah merupakan bagian dari kondisi yang terjadi di wilayah pesisir Teluk Banten. Karena begitu banyak kepentingan yang terlibat dalam pemanfaatan sumber daya pesisir Teluk Banten, pengelolaan wilayah pesisir Teluk Banten perlu dibangun berdasarkan pada pemahaman dan penyelarasan berbagai kepentingan tersebut, Tujuan dari penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui peta konflik dalam pemanfaatan sumber daya pesisir, Penyebab konflik dalam pemanfaatan sumber daya pesisir serta resolusi konflik yang efektif dalam menyelesaikan konflik pemanfaatan sumber daya di pesisir Teluk Banten. Metode yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah metode deskriptif - kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa konflik yang terjadi dapat dikelompokan menjadi konflik antara masyarakat dengan masyarakat, pemerintah dengan masyarakat dan Konflik antara swasta dengan masyarakat, dimana masing konflik tersebut mempunyai karasteristik yang berbeda. Sumber atau penyebab konflik di pesisir Teluk Banten adalah ; a. Perubahan karasteristik wilayah pesisir yang semula “ open acces ” menjadi “controlled access”, b. Perbedaan Kepentingan, c. Tujuan Bersaing yang memicu persaingan pemanfaatan ruang d.Kerusakan atau degradasi lingkungan, e. Pembatasan akses serta Ketidak adilan pemerataan hasil pembangunan yang dilihat sebagai ketidak seimbangan pemanfaatan ruang. Penyelesaian konflik di pesisir Teluk Banten dapat mengunakan metode coercion , arbitaration , mediation, compromise , hingga Adjudication sesuai sesuai dengan karasteristik konflik yang dihadapi.