Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of chemical composition and evaluation of the In-Vitro antioxidant capacity of unripe and ripe banana species (Musa Sapientum) biowastes

The effort of developing countries in addressing zero hunger (Goal 2) with good health and well-being (Goal 3) of Sustainable Development Agenda requires a multi-disciplinary analytical approach to waste materials capable of decomposing through aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Hence a research on ripe and unripe banana peels as potential sources of nutrients, essential minerals and antioxidants was carried out using standard analytical techniques. The study revealed that the percentage moisture of the unripe and ripe banana peels ranged from 4.60 – 17.8; crude protein 1.94 – 2.73; fat 1.76 – 3.25; ash content 11.3 – 14.7; crude fibre 14.2 – 15.5; and carbohydrates 48.4 – 52.7. Mineral content showed significantly high levels of Na, K, Ca, Zn, Fe in unripe peels while that of ripe exhibited higher levels of Mn and P. Na/K for both ripe and unripe banana peels is less than 1 while Ca/P ranged from 1.63 - 2.64. The antioxidant capacity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assay ranged from 3.75 - 13.6 mg TE/g and total phenolic content in unripe and ripe banana peels ranged from 8.42 - 15.8 mg GAE/g with higher value in unripe peels. The results indicate that the peels can be utilized as sources of fibre, carbohydrate and essential minerals in fortification of animal feeds.
Development of VLF/LF Bands Interferometer and Its Initial Observations

We have been developing an EM source location system using the VLF/LF bands based on broadband digital interferometry to monitor lightning activity in a wide area. Since EM waves in VLF/LF radiated by lightning discharges propagate a long distance, the VLF/LF interferometer locates lightning discharges a few hundred kilometers away from the VLF/LF interferometer. We conducted a lightning observation campaign using a prototype of a VLF/LF band digital interferometer and VHF band digital interferometers in Darwin, Australia. The VLF/LF radiation sources were located near those of the VHF source. We succeeded in locating the VLF/LF radiation sources associated with return strokes near the ground. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 185(4): 9–17, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22300
stakeholders, Financial Accountability & Management, 35, 37-54 Non-Profit Accountability: the viewpoint of the primary stakeholders

By means of a questionnaire survey, this paper aims at analysing the primary stakeholder viewpoint regarding NPO accountability. In detail, it investigates the member’s perspective regarding social accountability in a Cooperative Bank in Italy. Our findings suggest that respondents had a high level of satisfaction with social reporting: a large portion of the sample indicated that they found social reporting to be useful, credible, transparent, and complete. Moreover, members of the cooperative bank under investigation consider social accountability as a way to improve relationships, strengthen trust among members, and demonstrate transparency in its activities within the community.
Secure Lossy Transmission over Wiretap Channels with Side Information and State Information

This paper investigates the problem of secure lossy transmission over wiretap channels with side information and state information. Aiming at the reliability and security of compressed pictures, videos and other files when they are transmitted, a wiretap channel model with side information and state information and a secure lossy source transmission scheme based on double binning technique under this model are proposed. By using Fano inequality and Csiszar sum identity, the inner bounds of transmission rate, distortion rate and information leakage rate are proved. Considering noisy situations in reality, the Gaussian noise channel under this model is analyzed concretely as an example. Based on error estimation and differential entropy theorem, the inner bounds of transmission rate and distortion rate are obtained. Moreover, the equivocation rate is introduced to transform the information leakage rate into the minimum mean square error of the estimated source and its outer bound is also obtained. The simulation results show that under the optimal conditions of the proposed system model, the transmission rate can reach 0.7315 bits/source bit, the distortion rate can reach 0.0052 bits/source bit and the information leakage rate can reach 0.1286 bits/source bit.
Rheology of glycocalix model at air/water interface

The rheology of glycocalix model compounds was studied using an interfacial stress rheometer (ISR) to understand the complex interplay of various forces (e.g. electrostatic interaction, van der Waals force, and hydrogen bonding) operating on cellular surfaces. The viscous and elastic surface moduli of the monolayer of synthetic glycolipids (named as Lac 1, 2, and 3) were measured as a function of the length of the linear oligosaccharide head groups quantitatively. The ISR device allows for highly sensitive and real-time measurements of viscoelastic parameters at different frequencies under controlled thermodynamic conditions (surface pressure, temperature). The Lac 1 monolayer was highly viscoelastic, which can be attributed to strong chain–chain correlations. The introduction of another lactose unit further reduced the chain–chain correlation, and so resulted in a fluid monolayer. In contrast, the Lac 3 monolayer exhibited a clear rheological transition from a viscous to an elastic film at the surface pressure of 6 ∼ 8 mN m−1. This rheological transition could be related to a thermodynamic phase transition to the liquid condensed phase, where the hydrating water is excluded and hydrogen bonding “bridges” the Lac 3 head groups through the film compression. This physical cross-linking of synthetic oligosaccharide chains observed here can model a generic function of glycocalix to stabilize the plasma membrane structure.
EMPLOYER PREFERENCES AND SOCIAL POLICY: HOW TO EXPLAIN INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN GERMAN EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION SINCE WORLD WAR I?

The paper provides a historical case study of German labor law to address two linked questions of the political economy and institutional change literature: is change of formal institutions a result of exogenous pressure only or are there endogenous explanations as well? And how do functionalist theories about employer interests in social policies perform in explaining the development of institutions (vis-à-vis conflict-oriented explanations)? The results suggest that the trajectory of change was determined by the combined effect of four factors: 1) the impact of contingent events on the power resources of relevant actors, 2) the resulting bias towards employee interests in the formative compromise on dismissal protection, 3) the path dependence of the institution and 4) changed circumstances which made the ‘losers’ of the initial negotiation (i.e. employers) challenge the institutional arrangement. Hence, change partly goes back to endogenous factors, which, in turn, points to the importance of ongoing distributive conflicts destabilizing the institution.
Effect of Various Prestrain Levels on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Heat Treated 0.14% Carbon Steel

The result of an investigation on the effect of various prestrain levels on the microstructure and mechanical properties of heat treated 0.14%C steel were analyzed. low carbon steel was heat treated by first austenitising at 910°C and then quenched in water. The specimens were then subjected to prestrain levels of 7%, 9%, 13%, and 20% in tension. Microstructural and mechanical analysis was carried out on specimens for the various prestrain values including the unstrained. The results showed that the microstructures and mechanical properties of the different specimens showed consistent changes with the increasing prestrain values. The increase in prestrain value also resulted in an increase of hardness but brought about a reduction in the ductility. Toughness increased at 7% prestrain but reduced for higher prestrain values. For optimum mechanical properties prestrain level of 7% produced a balance between the strength increase and reduction in ductility.
Enzyme Activity in Forest Gleysols

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase and urease) in trophically diverse Gleysols. Efforts to establish the relationship between enzymatic activity and physico-chemical properties of various subtypes of Gleysols were attempted. Dehydrogenase activity was best correlated with carbon content and acidity among the studied properties of soils. Urease activity was correlated with the reaction pf soil. Enzyme activity differentiates subtypes of Gleysols, which are characterized by a different type of soil humus. The dehydrogenase activity was higher in gleysols with peat or muck of swamp habitats. The opposite trend was found in the urease activity. The urease activity was the highest in the gleysols without organic matter. The studies showed that enzymatic activity is closely related to the type of accumulated organic matter and at the same time with species variety of plant communities.
Molecular Characterization of a New Motu Ochoterenella (Nematoda: Onchocercidae: Waltonellinae): A Case Report of a Novel Subcutaneous Filarial Parasite Infesting a Wild-Caught Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) in Costa Rica 2019

Nematodes of the superfamily Filarioidea consist of parasites of vertebrate animals some of which are associated with pathology in humans and animals [1]. The adult filarid parasites dwell in body cavities, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, subcutaneous tissues or the eye depending on the species. Female filarial parasites produce microfilaria offspring that circulate in the blood, lymphatic tissues and tissue fluids. Microfilaria ingested by biting arthropods that feed on host species blood, lymph and/or subcutaneous tissues fluids further develop to an infectious stage transmitted in subsequent blood meals. Biting arthropods are an obligatory intermediate host in the life cycle of filarial parasites and once ingested the microfilaria molt continuing Research Article
Global pandemic and business performance: Impacts and responses

The COVID-19 pandemic is anticipated to continue to the year 2022 and could lead to several business failures if entrepreneurs do not respond adequately Thus, the purpose of this study is to introduce a framework that captures the impacts and potential responses to the ongoing pandemic To do that, we conducted telephone interviews with ten entrepreneurs who operate enterprises within Nigeria Data collected for analysis were transcribed, chronologically arranged, coded, and thematically analyzed using NVivo Our findings revealed that, during the pandemic, businesses experienced limited opening hours, a decline in their clients' patronage, lower turnover, and employee demotivation In response, business owners should consider re-strategizing their business activities, maintaining connections with clients, and exploiting available support measures Our findings have profound theoretical and practical implications For entrepreneurs and policymakers, they offer insights into the form of challenges confronting businesses during a pandemic It also provides response activities that entrepreneurs could adopt to mitigate the impact of an epidemic on their enterprises' performance For the field of entrepreneurship, it advances the need to integrate public health (health-related issues) into entrepreneurship study and consider its multiple levels of influence on the performance of businesses
Changes in electroencephalographic power and bicoherence spectra according to depth of dexmedetomidine sedation in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia

Background: Assessment the depth of dexmedetomidine sedation using electroencephalographic (EEG) features can improve the quality of procedural sedation. Previous volunteer studies of dexmedetomidine-induced EEG changes need to be validated, and changes in bicoherence spectra during dexmedetomidine sedation has not been revealed yet. We aimed to investigate the dexmedetomidine-induced EEG change using power spectral and bicoherence analyses in the clinical setting. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six patients undergoing orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Dexmedetomidine sedation was conducted by the stepwise increase in target effect site concentration (Ce) while assessing sedation levels. Bispectral index (BIS) and frontal electroencephalography were recorded continuously, and the performance of BIS and changes in power and bicoherence spectra were analyzed with the data from the F3 electrode. Results: The prediction probability values for detecting different sedation levels were 0.847, 0.841, and 0.844 in BIS, 95% spectral edge frequency, and dexmedetomidine Ce, respectively. As the depth of sedation increased, δ power increased, but high β and γ power decreased significantly (P <0.001). α and spindle power increased significantly under light and moderate sedation (P <0.001 in light vs baseline and deep sedation; P = 0.002 and P <0.001 in moderate sedation vs baseline and deep sedation, respectively). The bicoherence peaks of the δ and α-spindle regions along the diagonal line of the bicoherence matrix emerged during moderate and deep sedation. Peak bicoherence in the δ area showed sedation-dependent increases (29.93%±7.38%, 36.72%±9.70%, 44.88%±12.90%; light, moderate, and deep sedation; P = 0.008 and P <0.001 in light sedation vs moderate and deep sedation, respectively; P = 0.007 in moderate sedation vs deep sedation), whereas peak bicoherence in the α-spindle area did not change (22.92%±4.90%, 24.72%±4.96%, and 26.96%±8.42%, respectively; P=0.053). Conclusions: The increase of δ power and the decrease of high-frequency power were associated with the gradual deepening of dexmedetomidine sedation. The δ bicoherence peak increased with increasing sedation level and can serve as an indicator reflecting dexmedetomidine sedation levels.
Bacterial Causes of Infections and Their Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern in Cancer Patients

Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, Bangladesh Registrar, Department of Medical Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, Bangladesh Head, Department of Medical Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, Bangladesh Assistant Registrar, Department of Medical Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, Bangladesh
The book is divided into four main sections: I – Characteristics of child SLA; II – Instructed language learning in the early years of education; III – Instructed language learning in the later years of education;

Despite the fact that most people in the world acquire at least some aspects of another language besides their native one before they reach adulthood, until recently child second language acquisition (henceforth child SLA) has received little attention. There may be two reasons for this neglect. First, while language acquisition data in general have often been used as external linguistic evidence for linguistic theory, they have rarely had an influence on the development of linguistic theory itself. Yet, understanding how language is and can be acquired is one of the central goals of linguistics (Chomsky & Halle, 1968; see also Fikkert, 2007). Second, first language acquisition data have often been considered particularly interesting because they can serve as a window on the innate processes and constraints on language. In contrast, the study of late second language acquisition has been considered important because it can shed light on the role of the first language in the acquisition of a second language. In comparison to these processes, early second language acquisition is essentially hybrid in nature: while children have already acquired a language and are thus no longer the naı̈ve learners they were at birth, their first language may not be as entrenched as with late adult learners. Moreover, children’s cognitive and social knowledge and behavior are different from those of adults. The hybrid nature of early second language acquisition as well as the specific cognitive and social factors which need to be taken into account make the study of child second language acquisition a particularly challenging field of research. Recently, the challenge has been taken up, as evidenced by the publication in 2008 of two edited volumes on the topic, viz. Philp, Oliver & Mackey’s Second Language Acquisition and the Younger Learner, and Haznedar & Gavruseva’s volume on Current Trends in Child Second Language Acquisition. The present review deals with the former book. In Second Language Acquisition and the Younger Learner, Philp, Oliver & Mackey present a collection of studies which deal with various aspects of child SLA and use a variety of different methodologies. The book contains an excellent Introduction in which the editors present the volume and identify three main themes in the collection of papers, viz. (i) the social J. Child Lang. 37 (2010), 945–961. f Cambridge University Press 2010
Validation of breath biomarkers for obstructive sleep apnea

Background and objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an underdiagnosed respiratory disease with negative metabolic and cardiovascular effects. The current gold standard for diagnosing OSA is in-hospital polysomnography, a time-consuming and costly procedure, often inconvenient for the patient. Recent studies revealed evidence for the potential of breath analysis for the diagnosis of OSA based on a disease-specific metabolic pattern. However, none of these findings were validated in a larger and broader cohort, an essential step for its application in clinics. Methods: In the present study, we validated a panel of breath biomarkers in a cohort of patients with possible OSA (N = 149). These markers were previously identified in our group by secondary electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (SESI-HRMS). Results: Here, we could confirm significant differences between metabolic patterns in exhaled breath from OSA patients compared to control subjects without OSA as well as the association of breath biomarker levels with disease severity. Our prediction of the diagnosis for the patients from this completely independent validation study using a classification model trained on the data from the previous study resulted in an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.66, which is comparable to questionnaire-based OSA screenings. Conclusions: Thus, our results suggest that breath analysis by SESI-HRMS could be used to screen for OSA. Its true predictive power should be tested in combination with OSA screening questionnaires.
Synthesis of Novel Polymeric Membrane for Separation of MTBE-Methanol by Pervaporation

Abstract Polyvinyl alcohol(PVOH) has been chemically modified by crosslinking copolymerization of acrylic acid(AA) and hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) in aqueous solution of PVOH and finally crosslinking PVOH with glutaraldehyde to produce a full interpenetrating network(IPN) membrane. Accordingly, three such full crosslink IPNs i.e., PVAHI, PVAHII and PVAHIII have been synthesized with different weight ratio of PVOH:Poly (AA-co-HEMA) i.e., 1:0.25 (PVAHI), 1:0.50 (PVAHII) and 1:0.75 (PVAHIII). These IPN membranes have been used for pervaporative separation of MTBE-methanol mixtures. All the PVAH membranes were also characterized with various conventional methods like FTIR, mechanical properties, DSC and TGA. Permeability and methanol selectivity of these membranes were found to increase with increasing amount of copolymer in PVOH matrix. However, among the three membranes, PVAHIII were found to show the highest flux but lower selectivity for methanol while PVAHII membrane showed optimum performance in terms of both flux and selectivity.
Population homogeneity for the antibody response to COVID-19 Comirnaty vaccine is only reached after the second dose

While mRNA vaccines authorised for emergency use are administrated worldwide in an effort to contain the COVID19 crisis, little is known about the heterogeneity of the immune response they induce. Here, we report the first 6 weeks of a longitudinal study that quantifies the humoral immune response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 (Pfizer/BioNTech, Comirnaty) in 1245 health care providers, the Lx1000HCW-PZF cohort. We reveal a striking inter-individual variation 3 weeks after the 1st dose administration that only in part related to age and sex. While population homogeneity in robust IgG responses was reached upon 2nd dose administration, IgM and IgA levels remain low and heterogenous. Our findings of isotypic and heterogenous antibody responses to Comirnaty highlight the need for evaluating the efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in preventing infection aside disease, and - contrary to what has been proposed - advocate for the interval between the two doses not to be extended.
Diet-derived antioxidants do not decrease the risk of ischemic stroke: a Mendelian Randomization Study in over 1 million participants

Background: Intake, either as dietary components or as supplements, and blood concentrations of vitamin E, C, lycopene and carotenoids have been associated with a lower risk of incident (ischemic) stroke. However, causality cannot not be inferred from these associations. Here, we investigated causality by analyzing the associations between genetically-influenced antioxidant levels in blood and ischemic stroke using Mendelian Randomization (MR). Methods: For each circulating antioxidant (vitamin E, C, lycopene, {beta}-carotene and retinol), which were assessed as either absolute blood levels and/or high-throughput metabolite levels, genetic instrumental variables were generated from earlier genome wide association studies. We used summary statistics for SNP-stroke associations from three European-ancestry cohorts (cases/controls): MEGASTROKE (67,162/454,450), UK Biobank (2,404/368,771) and FinnGen study (8,046/164,286). MR analyses were performed on each exposure per outcome cohort using inverse-variance weighted analyses, and subsequently meta-analyzed. Results: In a combined sample of 1,065,119 individuals (77,612 cases), none of the genetically-influenced absolute antioxidants or antioxidant metabolite concentrations were causally associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke. For absolute antioxidants levels, the odds ratios (95% CI) ranged between 0.94 (95% CI: 0.85 to 1.05) for vitamin C and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.99 to 1.08) for lycopene. For metabolites, odds ratios ranged between 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.03) for retinol and 1.12 (95% CI: 0.88 to 1.42) for vitamin E. Conclusion: This study did not provide evidence for a causal association between dietary-derived antioxidant levels and ischemic stroke. Therefore, antioxidant supplements to increase circulating levels are unlikely to be of clinical benefit to prevent ischemic stroke.