Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrogeochemistry of Surface and Ground Water in Alatening Village, Northwest Region, Cameroon

The purpose of this study was to evaluate petrography and the quality of water for drinking purposes in Alatening, Northwest Cameroon, with respect to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The indigenes of the study area, as well as other dwellers in rural areas, consume water from these sources whose quality is unknown; thus, it can lead to contamination and waterborne diseases. Three springs and two streams of Alatening village were investigated in early December 2017 and late July 2018 for organoleptic, physicochemical, and bacteriological parameters using standard methods. The petrographic studies revealed trachyte and benmoreite, and weathering of minerals from these rocks into the soil leads to the water-rock interaction, thus water hydrogeochemistry. All the water samples were clean except that of Alabong which had slight odour due to leaf fall. pH showed acidic water with the springs of Ngog and Alabong falling below the WHO limit in the dry season. Electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) were low implying low mineralised water which can also lead to shortage of important minerals in humans. All the essential ions were found within the WHO guideline values without any significant change in concentrations between seasons ( p > 0.05 ). The water facies were such as Mg-Ca, Cl-Ca, and HCO3-CO3, suggesting an influence of rock silicate weathering and anthropogenic influence. Aluminium and iron contents were above the WHO limit in both seasons due to their abundance in the soils which could be a risk factor for the local population. Faecal coliforms as well as specific bacteria such as Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Salmonella, and Shigella were found in all the water samples, attributable to poor hygiene. Health data in the locality indicated the prevalence of typhoid, dysentery, and amoebiasis with a total of 2702 cases recorded between 2016 and 2017, therefore requiring treatment before consumption.
Spectroscopic Studies of Synthetic and Natural Saponites: A Review

Saponite is a trioctahedral 2:1 smectite with the ideal composition MxMg3AlxSi4−xO10(OH,F)2.nH2O (M = interlayer cation). Both the success of the saponite synthesis and the determination of its applications depends on robust knowledge of the structure and composition of saponite. Among the routine characterization techniques, spectroscopic methods are the most common. This review, thus, provides an overview of various spectroscopic methods to characterize natural and synthetic saponites with focus on the extensive work by one of the authors (JTK). The Infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of natural and synthetic saponites are discussed in detail including the assignment of the observed bands. The crystallization of saponite is discussed based on the changes in the IR and Raman spectra and a possible crystallization model is provided. Infrared emission spectroscopy has been used to study the thermal changes of saponite in situ including the dehydration and (partial) dehydroxylation up to 750 °C. 27Al and 29Si magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is discussed (as well as 11B and 71Ga for B- and Ga-Si substitution) with respect to, in particular, Al(IV)/Al(VI) and Si/Al(IV) ratios. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provides chemical information as well as some information related to the local environments of the different elements in the saponite structure as reflected by their binding energies.
Standardized Recipes and Their Influence on the Environmental Impact Assessment of Mixed Dishes: A Case Study on Pizza

Food and diet life cycle assessment (LCA) studies offer insights on the environmental performance and improvement potential of food systems and dietary patterns. However, the influence of ingredient resolution in food-LCAs is often overlooked. To address this, four distinct decomposition methods were used to determine ingredients for mixed dishes and characterize their environmental impacts, using the carbon footprint of the U.S. daily pizza intake as a case study. Pizza-specific and daily pizza intake carbon footprints varied substantially between decomposition methods. The carbon footprint for vegetarian pizza was 0.18–0.45 kg CO2eq/serving, for meat pizza was 0.56–0.73 kg CO2eq/serving, and for currently consumed pizzas in the U.S. (26.3 g/person/day; 75 pizzas types) was 0.072–0.098 kg CO2eq/person/day. These ranges could be explained by differences in pizza coverage, ingredient resolution, availability of ingredient environmental information, and ingredient adjustability for losses between decomposition methods. From the approaches considered, the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, which reports standardized food recipes in relative weights, appears to offer the most appropriate and useful food decompositions for food-LCAs. The influence and limitations of sources of reference flows should be better evaluated and acknowledged in food and diet LCAs.
Gıda Zenginliği ve Deneyiminden Etkilenen Bal Arısının (Apis mellifera) Yayılma Performansı

Bal arilari (Apis mellifera) icin, gida zenginligi ve deneyimi yiyecek arama kararlari vermede onemli etkiler yaratmaktadir. Gida acisindan zengin kaynaklari izleyen arilar, sonraki gunlerde belirli bir bolgeyi tekrar ziyaret etmelerine yardimci olan uzamsal-anilari olusturmaya baslarlar. Mevcut arastirmanin iki amaci vardi. Ilk amacimiz, bir beslenme kaynagindaki farkli gida zenginligi veya odul seviyelerinin (% 10,% 30 ve% 50 seker cozeltisi), kosullarin yerine getirilmeye baslandiginda ziyaretcileri icin yem arilarinin sayisini etkileyip etkilemedigini arastirmakti. Ikinci hedefimiz onceki deneyimlerin arilari yiyecek arama sureleri uzerinde nasil etkiledigini arastirmakti. Ilk amacimiz olarak, durumun deneyimli beslenme sahasinda (FA) yuksek gida zenginliginden dusuk seviyeye degistirilmesinin, belirli gida kaynagi uzerindeki ari sayisinda kademeli bir azalmaya yol acacagini varsaydik. Ayrica, ikinci hedefimizle ilgili olarak, onceki ziyaretlerin deneyimleri ile arilarin yemleme verimliliginin artacagini ongorduk. Hipotezimizle ilgili olarak, sonuclar, arilarin gida acisindan zengin kaynaklar sunan beslenme bolgelerini ziyaret etmeye devam ettigini gostermektedir. Bununla birlikte, gida zenginligindeki azalma, beslenme alanindaki arilarin sayisinda kademeli bir dususe neden olur, ancak en dikkat cekici sey, gida acisindan zengin kaynaklarla ele alinmasalar bile, birkac gun boyunca yiyecek arama gezilerini ziyaret etmeye devam etmeleridir. Bu sonuclar, arilarin yolculuk suresi boyunca yem arama etkinliginin onceki ziyaretlerin deneyimleriyle artacagina dair ongorumuzu de dogrulamaktadir. Sonuc olarak, arilar artik yiyecek vermeyi birakan deneyimli beslenme alani ile onemli olcude baglanti gosterirler ve deneyim ile arilarin yemleme suresi azalir.
Dinâmica da distribuição e degradação de atrazina em argissolo vermelho-amarelo sob condições de clima tropical úmido

The biodegradability and distribution of pesticides in the environment determine their pollution potential. The risk of contamination with atrazine herbicide was studied in an Ultisol under field conditions and complemented with a microcosm system study. This system allowed the use of 14C-atrazine under controlled conditions and to determine of the volatilization (0.33%), mineralization (0.25%) and leaching (4 to 11%) parameters, which are difficult to evaluate in the field. Ninety percent of the radioactivity remained in the soil, with 75% in the first 5 cm. The field experiment was carried out during the dry season, allowing the simulation of summer rains. Results showed that 90 days after the application, atrazine was found at a depth of 50 cm and could well have reached the groundwater. Atrazine lost by runoff was found mainly in the liquid phase (1.6% of total applied), whereas 0.4% was adsorbed to the eroded particles. The atrazine concentration in the runoff was higher on the second day after application, decreasing to less than a tenth of that value after 15 days. These results suggest that application of this herbicide needs to be avoided when rain is forecast due to the pollution potential for ground and surface water in this kind of soil.
Life Interruptions, Learnings and Hopes among Filipino College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract In order to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic and other eventualities in 2020 has influenced the lives and future perspectives of Filipino college students. I interviewed five students and used narrative analysis to make sense of their stories. The participants reveal various experiences of life interruptions that introduced actual and potential challenges that they had to cope with. They also share positive learnings and hopeful prospects for the future.
Dominant Flow Structures in Gas–Solid Fluidized Beds Using Time and Frequency Domains Analyses

Time series analysis techniques in time domain and average cycle frequency were applied to characterize bubbling fluidization. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory scale fluidized bed, operated under ambient conditions and various sizes of particles, measurement heights, and different superficial gas velocities. It was found that a minimum in average cycle frequency and flatness and a shift of skewness from negative to positive against velocity correspond to shift from macrostructures and finer structures of the flow rather than transition velocity from the bubbling to turbulent regime. The power spectrum estimation of the measured pressure fluctuations shows that the peak dominant frequency of the pressure fluctuations is about 1.5–2.5 Hz which is corresponding to the macrostructures of the bed. Accordingly, the onset of turbulent fluidization regime was detected through standard deviation analysis. It was shown that the simple analysis techniques still have interesting information about hydrodynamics of fluidization and they can accurately estimate transition between dominant flow structures of a gas–solid fluidized bed.
The effect of oral gavage (force-feeding) administration of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on biochemical and neurobehavioural parameters in male Wistar rats

This study aims to evaluate the effect of fenugreek on biochemical parameters, body weight, and the behavior of male Wistar rats. The purpose of administering the aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L) for 30 successive days by oral gavage (force-feeding) at a dose of 250g / l of water is intended to assess, on the one hand, the neurobehavioural effects and 'on the other hand its effect on some biochemical parameters (glycemia and lipid balance) as well as weight. The behavioral tests performed are the Light/Dark Box tests (LDB) and the Elevated Plus Maze test (EPM). This work indicated that the consumption of the aqueous extract of the seeds of fenugreek is beneficial to stimulate appetite and gain weight, thus decreasing the level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and a significant increase in HDL-C, also a reduction in blood sugar and a decrease in anxiety.
A combination of insecure attachment patterns in a relationship and its quality: The role of relationship length

Most studies confirm that a combination of insecure attachment patterns in a couple has a negative effect on a romantic relationship. However, some research findings suggest otherwise. It is because they do not take account of relationship length as a moderating variable. The aim of this study was to examine the role of relationship length in predicting the effects of a combination of insecure attachment patterns on different aspects of its quality. The study involved 200 heterosexual couples. We used the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire to measure insecure attachment patterns (anxiety and avoidance) and the Couple Satisfaction Index-32 to determine relationship satisfaction. The other aspects of relationship quality (tenderness, communication, conflict behavior) were examined by means of the Partnership Questionnaire. The key results showed that with time the selected indicators of relationship quality deteriorate in a combination of anxious and avoidant patterns, while they improve in a combination of both anxious patterns.
Regulators vs. Markets: Are lending terms influenced by different perceptions of bank risk?

Abstract In this paper we quantify the differences between market and regulatory assessments of bank portfolio risk, and thereby demonstrate that larger differences significantly reduce corporate lending rates. Specifically, to entice borrowers, banks reduce spreads by approximately 4.3% following a one standard deviation increase in our measure for bank asset-risk differences. This is equivalent to an interest income loss of USD 2.03 million on a loan of average size and duration. The separate effects of market and regulatory risk are much less potent. Our study reveals a disciplinary-competition effect in favor of corporate borrowers when there is information asymmetry between investors and bank regulators.
Uterine decidual niche modulates the progressive dedifferentiation of spiral artery vascular smooth muscle cells during human pregnancy†

Abstract Uterine spiral artery (SPA) remodeling is a crucial event during pregnancy to provide enough blood supply to maternal–fetal interface and meet the demands of the growing fetus. Along this process, the dynamic change and the fate of spiral artery vascular smooth muscle cells (SPA–VSMCs) have long been debatable. In the present study, we analyzed the cell features of SPA–VSMCs at different stages of vascular remodeling in human early pregnancy, and we demonstrated the progressively morphological change of SPA–VSMCs at un-remodeled (Un-Rem), remodeling, and fully remodeled (Fully-Rem) stages, indicating the extravillous trophoblast (EVT)-independent and EVT-dependent phases of SPA–VSMC dedifferentiation. In vitro experiments in VSMC cell line revealed the efficient roles of decidual stromal cells, decidual natural killer cells (dNK), decidual macrophages, and EVTs in inducing VSMCs dedifferentiation. Importantly, the potential transformation of VSMC toward CD56+ dNKs was displayed by immunofluorescence-DNA in-situ hybridization-proximity ligation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays for H3K4dime modification in the myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11) promoter region. The findings clearly illustrate a cascade regulation of the progressive dedifferentiation of SPA–VSMCs by multiple cell types in uterine decidual niche and provide new evidences to reveal the destination of SPA–VSMCs during vascular remodeling. Summary sentence We illustrate a cascade regulation of the dedifferentiation and destination of SPA–VSMCs by uterine decidual niche during vascular remodeling.
Lower dietary mineral intake is significantly associated with cervical cancer risk in a population-based cross-sectional study

Population-based studies investigating the association between dietary mineral intake and risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical cancer in Chinese women are few. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of screening data obtained from 2,304 women in 2014 within an ongoing cohort study comprising 40,000 women in China. Dietary intake was assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Nutrition intake was calculated using a 26-item list of food sources drawn from a validated, comprehensive database. All participants were surveyed through in-person interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. The Pearson chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between dietary mineral intake and CIN+ risk. The food frequency questionnaire exhibited acceptable reproducibility and reasonable validity in assessing nutrient intakes among these women. After adjusting for multiple potential confounders, low dietary calcium intake was associated with CIN2+ risk (first versus fourth quartile: odds ratio [OR]=1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-2.32). Similar for magnesium (OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.20-2.68), phosphorus (OR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.12-2.55), zinc (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.03-2.34), and potassium (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.28-2.88). Low dietary intakes of calcium and potassium were significantly associated with CIN1 risk. Increased CIN2+ risk correlated with rates of no oral contraceptives and lower levels of dietary Potassium. These results thus proposed that low dietary mineral intake was an independent risk factor, potential synergy may exist between low dietary mineral levels and oral contraceptives contribute to the development of higher-grade CIN and cervical cancer.
Effect of using taro leaves as a partial substitute of soybean meal in diets on growth performance and feed efficiency of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. There is a need for enhanced feed efficiency and growth performance of cultured fish species (El-Tawil, 2015). A current priority in the aquaculture industry is the need to partially or totally replace fishmeal with less expensive and easily available plant protein sources to reduce dependence on fish meal and soybean meal as the fundamental protein sources for aquatic animal diets without reducing the nutritional quality of feeds (Toan and Preston, 2010; Castillo and Gatlin, 2015). Numerous studies have been carried out on the use of different plants as partial or complete replacements for fishmeal or soybean meal in aqua feeds (Richter et al., 2003; Chhay et al., 2010). Taro Colocasia esculenta is herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Araceae family, it is an important staple food crop in many tropical countries where it ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
Do plant‐herbivore interactions persist in assisted migration plantings?

Biotic interactions are expected to be impacted by rising temperatures due to climate change, particularly in climate‐threatened ecosystems such as the tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF). In assisted migration plantings, novel interactions between previously non‐overlapping species may emerge while other interactions may disappear. However, these processes require study. Herbivory is particularly important in tree early stages, and can vary with elevation and plant species traits. We assessed whether leaf herbivory occurs in translocated tree saplings and varies with elevation, and whether herbivory affects sapling growth in six shade‐tolerant TMCF tree species translocated to seven enrichment plantings along an elevation gradient (1,250–2,500 m a.s.l.), including sites located above the reported distributional limit of the species, in eastern Mexico. Given the conservative strategy of the studied plant species, limited damage was expected. Since insects are ectothermic, we expected decreasing herbivory pressure with increased elevation. After 4 years, sapling survival was high (77.9–92.1%). Moderate herbivory was recorded in all species and at all sites (1.0–6.6%), with no effect on growth in any of the species. Herbivory decreased with elevation in three species and was unaffected in the other three. The results indicate that plant‐herbivore interactions can continue at new locations; however, the contribution of generalist and specialist insect herbivores requires further study. The reduced herbivory at higher elevation in some species supports the expected trend, which could represent an advantage for upward assisted migration of endangered TMCF tree species in restoration plantings to mitigate climate change effects.
Parental perception of stress and emotional-behavioural difficulties of children with autism spectrum disorder and specific language impairment

Background and aims The daily challenges of caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder affect many areas of everyday life and parental well-being, as well as parents’ ability to manage the needs of the family and the child concerned. A better understanding of parents’ perception of their child’s characteristics can allow better support for them and individualize intervention protocols in a more accurate way. The main objective of this study is the evaluation of the perception of stress by parents of children with autism compared to parents of children with specific language impairment. Methods The parents of 87 children aged between 2 and 6 years were included in this study, 34 children with a specific language impairment diagnosis and 53 children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (ASD) or at risk of developing it. They were asked to complete a self-report on perceived stress and rating scales on adaptive/problematic behaviours, executive functions and sensory profile of the child. Results The results reveal that parents of ASD children, compared to the control group, showed significantly higher levels of stress, mainly due to the difficulty of managing unexpected events, the feeling of loss of control over one's life and the fear of not being able to cope with the adversities they were experiences. The most critical area, both for ASD and control group, concern the executive function related to emotional reactions. Conclusions Thus, we argue that the difficulties in self-control, sensory modulation and emotional regulation, represent an element of stress for parents of children with developmental disorders. Implications: Regarding the difficulties of children with ASD, supporting the ways in which caregivers adapt to the signals of children is an important strategy, which has now become a key element of treatments for autism mediated by parents.
Analysis and Comparison of Mango Fermentation Carried out in Pilot Plate Scale Bioreactor and Acetator

Two mango vinegar fermentations have been carried out in a 20L pilot plant scale bioreactor and a 300L acetator. Both vinegar fermentations were started from fresh mango juice to witch was added the acetic acid bacteria Acetobacter senegalensis. This bacterium was isolated from mango fruits, Mangifera indica L. , and was proved to have thermotolerance and acidotolerance properties. Based on this fact the acetic acid bacterium was used as a starter in the vinegar fermentation process. The aim of this research is compare the fermentation processes realized with the two equips, concerning the cells growth, the ethanol, sugars and organic acids evolution and also the volatile compounds. The volatile compounds have been identified by two gas chromatographic techniques, HS/GC-MS and HS/SPME-GC-MS, at different times during the two fermentation processes. The obtained results had shown a better mango vinegar fermentation process, regarding the bacteria growth, when the pilot plant scale bioreactor was used for the fermentation process rather than the acetator. Regarding the volatile compounds identified, a higher number was found by using the HS/SPME-GC-MS technique while the HS/GC-MS technique shown some variations of the volatile compounds identified during the fermentation processes. Â