Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Quality and Mineral Content of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaves Consumed in Guinea Savannah Vegetation Zones of Nigeria

Green leafy vegetables are good sources of food for they are rich in nutritional quality which plays significant physiological role in human body such as stimulating enzymes, antioxidants, reducing diseases such as diabetes, cardiac infarction, cancer and destroying bacteria including Salmonella species, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of the study is to evaluate the nutritional quality and Mineral Content of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves Consumed in Guinea Savannah Vegetation zones of Nigeria. Three fresh and powdered leaves of Moringa oleifera sample of 60 g each were randomly collected from three locations in Guinea Savannah Vegetation Zones via: Abuja (Gwagwalada market) in Southern Guinea Savannah; Katsina (Daura market) in Northern Guinea Savannah and Sokoto (Central market) in Sudan Guinea Savannah of Nigeria, and were analyzed for their nutritional quality and mineral content using standard analytical procedures. Each sample was determined in triplicates and data analyzed with SPSS version 16. The results revealed that Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves from various locations, are highly rich in macro and micro nutrients. The parameters varied in both locations, fresh and dried samples. The proximate composition results of Moringa oleifera Lam, leaves from various locations contain many nutritionally chemical compounds including Protein, Lipids, carbohydrate/sugars and fibers which are excellent functional food source for human and animal feedstock. Mineral element results revealed Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves from the guinea savannah of Nigeria, are rich in minerals and could be utilized as a cheap source of mineral supplements in human and animal diets. Potassium content (351.9±1.3 mg to 367.0±1.4 mg dwb) compared to Sodium values (25.9±0.4 - 29.9.9±0.5mg, dwb) in the study, leads to a very low Na/K ratio which is a favorable diet nutritionally, that is associated with lower incidence of hypertension. Calcium (586.0±6.6 mg, dwb), is the most abundant mineral element recorded by Abuja sample, East of Gwagwalada market, while Zinc (1.9±1.3 mg, dwb), obtained by Sokoto sample, North of Central market, is the least mineral element in the study. In conclusion, the nutritional quality and mineral contents of Moringa oleifeara Lam. leaves in the studied areas varied in locations, fresh and dried samples and contain an appreciable amount of macro and micro nutrients which are excellent functional food source for human and animal feedstock and can be explored for export as an international commodity.
Modulation of DNA Methylation Influences Cartilage Formation in Murine Chondrogenic Models

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of in vitro and in vivo cartilage formation. Based on the data of an RNA chip-assay performed on chondrifying BMP2-overexpressing C3H10T1/2 cells, the relative expression of Tet1 (tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 1), Dnmt3a (DNA methyltransferase 3) and Ogt (O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase) genes was examined with RT-qPCR in mouse cell-line based and primary micromass cultures. RNA probes for in situ hybridization were used on frozen sections of 15-day-old mouse embryos. DNA methylation was inhibited with 5-azacytidine during culturing. We found very strong but gradually decreasing expression of Tet1 throughout the entire course of in vitro cartilage differentiation along with strong signals in the cartilaginous embryonic skeleton. Dnmt3a and Ogt expressions did not show significant changes with RT-qPCR and gave weak in situ hybridization signals. Inhibition of DNA methylation applied during early stages of differentiation reduced cartilage-specific gene expression and cartilage formation. In contrast, it had stimulatory effect when added to differentiated chondrocytes. Our results indicate that the DNA demethylation-inducing Tet1 is a significant epigenetic factor of chondrogenesis, and inhibition of DNA methylation exerts distinct effects in different phases of in vitro cartilage formation.
The Significance of Pre-Deployment Training, Culture Tolerance and Impartiality in Reducing Conflicts during Peacekeeping Operations: Malaysian Experiences

Cultural understanding is important in peacekeeping operations since it emphasizes on cooperation of various parties including the cooperation of the local community. Without cultural tolerance from both sides, this operation are difficult to run smoothly and effectively and in fact, this can also lead to a worsen situation, such as the armed conflict between the peacekeeping forces and the local community. Therefore, this study is carried out by using semi-structured interview of 25 officers who have been assigned under United Nations peacekeeping operations and it is centered on three parameters namely pre-deployment training, high level of tolerance and impartiality in discharging their duties. Most officers agree that these parameters are the most significant attributes that could reduce cultural based conflict in the assigned areas.
Applying Social Learning to Climate Communications—Visualising ‘People Like Me’ in Air Pollution and Climate Change Data

Technological approaches to carbon emission and air pollution data modelling consider where the issues are located and what is creating emissions. This paper argues that more focus should be paid to people—the drivers of vehicles or households burning fossil fuels (‘Who’) and the reasons for doing so at those times (‘Why’). We applied insights from social psychology (social identity theory and social cognitive theory) to better understand and communicate how people’s everyday activities are a cause of climate change and air pollution. A new method for citizen-focused source apportionment modelling and communication was developed in the ClairCity project and applied to travel data from Bristol, U.K. This approach enables understanding of the human dimension of vehicle use to improve policymaking, accounting for demographics (gender or age groups), socio-economic factors (income/car ownership) and motives for specific behaviours (e.g., commuting to work, leisure, shopping, etc.). Tailored communications for segmented in-groups were trialled, aiming to connect with group lived experiences and day-to-day behaviours. This citizen-centred approach aims to make groups more aware that ‘people like me’ create emissions, and equally, ‘people like me’ can take action to reduce emissions.
Ascorbic Acid Supplementation During Endurance Training in Hypertensive Men: Effect on Catalase, Nitric Oxide and Blood Pressure

Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the influence of consuming ascorbic acid during high -intensity endurance training on catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO) concentration, and blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive male. Methods: 36 hypertensive male voluntary participated in the present study and randomly assigned into endurance training-ascorbic acid (HTC; n = 9), endurance training-placebo (HTP; n = 9), ascorbic acid (AA; n = 9) and control (n = 9). The exercise protocol was including continuous running exercise training with gradually increasing of duration and intensity, 3 times a week for 10 weeks. The supplement groups consumed daily 500 mg of ascorbic acid, and the placebo group consumed the same amount of maltodextrin. Fasting blood samples was gathered before the beginning exercise protocol and one day after last session for analyzing CAT and NO. Results: Results showed that activity of CAT and NO concentration were significantly increased only in the HTC and HTP (P ≤ 0.05). Also, in the HTP and HTC, a significant decrease observed in the systolic and diastolic (P ≤ 0.05). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between HTC and HTP in SBP and DBP (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Finally, we concluded that, continuous running exercise training has positive effect on the catalase and oxide nitric activity, and can improve blood pressure in the hypertensive men. Anyway, combined the high -intensity aerobic training with ascorbic acid may have not more efficacy.
On the relationship between strain rate and seismicity in the India–Asia collision zone: implications for probabilistic seismic hazard

The increasing density of geodetic measurements makes it possible to map surface strain rate in many zones of active tectonics with unprecedented spatial resolution. Here we show that the strain tensor rate calculated from GPS in the India–Asia collision zone represents well the strain released in earthquakes. This means that geodetic data in the India–Asia collision zone region can be extrapolated back in time to estimate strain buildup on active faults, or the kinematics of continental deformation. We infer that the geodetic strain rates can be assumed stationary through time on the timescale needed to build up the elastic strain released by larger earthquakes, and that they can be used to estimate the probability of triggering earthquakes. We show that the background seismicity rate correlates with the geodetic strain rate. A good fit is obtained assuming a linear relationship ($\dot{N} = \lambda \ \cdot \dot{\epsilon }$, where $\dot{N}$ is the density of the rate of Mw ≥ 4 earthquakes, $\dot{\epsilon }$ is strain rate and λ = 2.5 ± 0.1 × 10−3 m−2), as would be expected from a standard Coulomb failure model. However, the fit is significantly better for a non-linear relationship ($\dot{N} = \gamma _1 \cdot \dot{\epsilon }^{\gamma _2}$ with γ1 = 2.5 ± 0.6 m−2 and γ2 = 1.42 ± 0.15). The b-value of the Gutenberg–Richter law, which characterize the magnitude–frequency distribution, is found to be insensitive to the strain rate. In the case of a linear correlation between seismicity and strain rate, the maximum magnitude earthquake, derived from the moment conservation principle, is expected to be independent of the strain rate. By contrast, the non-linear case implies that the maximum magnitude earthquake would be larger in zones of low strain rate. We show that within areas of constant strain rate, earthquakes above Mw 4 follow a Poisson distribution in time and and are uniformly distributed in space. These findings provide a framework to estimate the probability of occurrence and magnitude of earthquakes as a function of the geodetic strain rate. We describe how the seismicity models derived from this approach can be used as an input for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. This method is easy to automatically update, and can be applied in a consistent manner to any continental zone of active tectonics with sufficient geodetic coverage.
Investigations on tensile fractography and wear characteristics of Al7075-Al2O3-SiC Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites routed through liquid metallurgical techniques

The Al2O3-SiC reinforced Al7075 Metal Matrix Composite (MMCs) is fabricated through liquid metallurgical technique. Ceramic particulates were amalgamated into aluminium alloy to achieve improved mechanical properties and wear resistance. Al-7075/Al2O3/SiC hybrid MMCs were produced by reinforcing 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of Al2O3 and 3%, 5% and 7% of SiC particles. Microstructural analysis was carried out to evaluate the uniform dispersal of reinforcing particulates within the base matrix. The output results indicate that the mechanical properties of the hybrid MMCs enhanced by increase the wt. % of ceramic particulates. Tensile fractography results show the internal fracture structure of the tensile test specimens in which the particulates fracture and pullouts were observed. The wear characteristics of developed composites are studied using pin on disc apparatus. The high wear resistance is observed at 5% Al2O3 + 7% SiC reinforced MMCs.
Pre-departure academic preparation: international students’ experiences of disciplinary study on 2 + 2 joint programmes

ABSTRACT Despite a large number of Sino-foreign joint education programmes, little research has examined the pre-departure academic preparations of students on these programmes. This study aims to fill the research gap by interviewing 22 Chinese students on 2 + 2 programmes studying at an Australian host university. Findings show that while more than half of the participants acknowledged the preparing effort made by their home institutions, more participants pinpointed areas for improvements: little study pressure at home, the general and theoretical nature of the foundation disciplinary courses, and the disconnection between English and Chinese business terminologies. The implications of the findings are discussed.
The impact of cultural trade on economic growth

ABSTRACT The relationship between international trade and economic growth has been an area of interest to many researchers in recent years. Although the literature is broad with respect to this topic, few studies have focused on the particular effect of cultural exports and imports on economic growth. This study addresses the relationship between trade in cultural goods and economic growth for 31 countries in Europe for the period 2004–2017, through a vector error correction model (VECM). A panel Granger causality test and a system generalized method of moments (GMM) are also utilized in this study. Cultural trade is characterized by exports and imports of cultural goods. The results indicate there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between gross domestic product, total exports, capital formation and labour force. Cultural exports and imports have a positive effect on GDP in the long run. In the short run, there is Granger causality of cultural imports on economic growth, total exports, total imports and capital formation.
Preventing Youth Homelessness through Social Procurement in Construction: A Capability Empowerment Approach

Homelessness is a serious and growing problem in the UK, exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. The latest figures estimate that 160,000 households are at risk of the worst forms of homelessness. Employment is widely recognised as being critical to reducing homelessness, yet there has been no research into the role that the construction industry, as a major UK employer, can play in reducing this problem. The aim of this paper is to address this gap in knowledge and contribute to the emerging social procurement debate in construction by exploring the role that construction employment can play in reducing the risk of homelessness. Mobilising Sen’s and Nussbaum’s capabilities empowerment approach, an in-depth case study is presented of a construction employment program in Wales, UK, which was aimed at supporting young people who had experienced or who were at risk of homelessness. Contributing to the emerging social value and social procurement debate in construction and drawing on documentary analysis and interviews with young people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness who went through the program, findings indicate that these young people became empowered in ways which reduced their risk of homelessness. It is concluded that the capabilities empowerment framework is valuable in explaining how employment in the construction industry can reduce the risks of homelessness for disadvantaged youth with a care-experienced background or who were known to the criminal justice system.
Removal of Heavy Metals by Using Chitosan/ Poly (Acryl Amide-Acrylic Acid) Hydrogels: Characterization and Kinetic Study

In this Study, hydrogel P(CH/AA-co-AM) was prepared, identification and utilized as an efficient absorbent to eliminate Cr (III) and Cd (II) ions from the aqueous solution. The adsorption of these ions follows Freundlich isotherms. Due to greater activity surface of the hydrogel in adsorption of the contaminants, they can be utilized for elimination of the mentioned ions from water. Therefore, we characterized structural, surface and thermal properties of the prepared materials with technique: TGA, FE-SEM and FT-IR. Moreover, we implemented the kinetics of sorption with regard to the amounts of the metal sorbet at distinct time intervals and thus examined the modeling of the isotherm and kinetic curves. Finally, we computed the reaction order as well as rate constant.
Vegetation Cover and Tumuli’s Shape as Affecting Factors of Microclimate and Biodeterioration Risk for the Conservation of Etruscan Tombs (Tarquinia, Italy)

The conservation of underground tombs is affected by several physical-chemical and biological factors, which could be reduced by insulating systems able to maintain the microclimatic stability also decreasing the biodeterioration risk. In Mediterranean areas, wild ephemeral plants, which reduce their cover during the hot season, seem unsuitable for reducing summer overheating. In this study, we wish to assess the influence of vegetation cover and of overlaying soil, after the establishment of an evergreen turf of a cultivar of Cynodon dactylon, on two tombs in the Etruscan Necropolis of Monterozzi, covered by linear-shaped tumuli. Therefore, we evaluated for 10 months the thermo-hygrometric values of these tombs, together with two tombs as controls. We also evaluated the different tumuli’s morphologies and the related received solar radiation. Results confirmed that late summer and early autumn as critical microclimatic periods for the risk factors of hypogeal paintings when peaks of superficial temperature occur. A positive influence of vegetation cover on maintaining constant humidity and internal temperatures was detected, but the mounds orientation, as well as soil depth, seems to have a relevant role. Considering the naturalistic features of the area and the related cultural ecosystem services, a careful selection of wild plants is suggested.
Investor Relations, Engagement, and Shareholder Activism

A dedicated investor relations (IR) function facilitates direct and ongoing dialogue between management and shareholders. This paper examines whether this form of engagement mitigates activism that relies upon support from other shareholders. We find that IR engagement is associated with increased investor confidence in management and the board, as well as a lower likelihood of activism, with this deterrent effect becoming stronger when there are fewer frictions surrounding the development of mutual understanding and trust with investors. We also find that when firms do experience an activist campaign, firms with IR engagement have less costly and contentious campaigns, including a lower likelihood of CEO turnover, than those without such a commitment. Taken together, our findings suggest that direct and ongoing IR engagement is an important factor in achieving mutual understanding and trust between the firm and its shareholders, which deters activist investors and mitigates the costly escalation of initiated campaigns.
Small scale market survey on the preparation and physico-chemical characterstics of moin-moin: a traditional ready-to-eat cowpea food from Brazil

Moin-moin or moyi-moyi is a traditional African street food obtained by steaming a homogeneous paste containing cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), vegetable oil, pepper and other ingredients (Oguntona et al., 1999; Ayoade et al., 2012; Akajiaku et al., 2014). It is called abará, abala or olelé in Brazil and is a cultural and touristic icon in the city of Salvador (Brazil) sold in the streets every day by typically clothed women called baianas de acarajé (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional, 2005; Borges, 2008). Moin-moin represents an important source of income for the saleswomen. Like akara (fried cowpea paste) (Feitosa et al., 2015), moin-moin is prepared with several varieties of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp) such as fradinho, macássar, olho de pombo, costela de vaca and boca preta (Rogério et al., 2014).
Variation of the Content of Chlorogenic Acid Derivatives among Cultivars and Market Items of Burdock (Arctium lappa L.)

野菜や果物を十分に摂取すれば様々な病気の予防につながることが多くの疫学的調査で明らかにされてきている. これには野菜に含まれる様々な機能性成分が大きく関与すると思われる. しかし,野菜の量的な安定供給を可能にするために,栽培条件の改善や品種の改良が活発に行われてきた結果,野菜に含まれる成分の含量や組成が品種間あるいは栽培条件によって変動する可能性がある. 本稿では,ゴボウに含まれる機能性成分クロロゲン酸関連化合物の含量と組成に関わる品種・品目間変動を調査した. クロロゲン酸,1, 5-ジカフェオイルキナ酸,1, 5-ジカフェオイルー3-サクシニルキナ酸の組成比に大きな差は認められなかったが,それぞれの含量や合計含量は品種・品目間で大きく変動し,利用する品目によって摂取できる機能性成分の量が異なることが示唆された.
The Moderating Role of Mathematical Skill Level when Using Curricular Methods to Learn Multiplication Tables

The present study explores the effect of two instructional methods for children with different levels of mathematical skills. One of these methods uses a conventional approach to learning multiplication and emphasizes the memorization of all arithmetic facts, whereas the other method is based on psychological principles and combines: a) the memorization of a small subset of problems aided by color cues and a portable time-table, with b) the use of single-step rules. One hundred and sixty second-grade children (aged 7-8) received instruction in one of these approaches – either the conventional method or the memory and rules method (M&R) – over the course of 6 months as part of their normal school education. Moderation analysis revealed that children with poor mathematical skills in the conventional group scored significantly better than their counterparts in the M&R group, whereas a significant advantage was observed in the M&R group for those children with strong mathematical skills. El papel moderador del nivel de habilidad matemática al emplear métodos curriculares para la enseñanza de las tablas de multiplicación
Investigation of yield, phytochemical composition, and photosynthetic pigments in different mint ecotypes under salinity stress

Abstract Salinity stress is one of the main limiting factors of medicinal plant growth and may affect their characteristics and chemical composition. In order to evaluate the response of different species of Iranian mint to salinity stress, an experiment was designed in greenhouse conditions. In this experiment, six Iranian mint species were cultivated in pots under different salinity stress including 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 dS/m. The chlorophyll indices (a, b, total, and a/b ratio), carotenoids, total anthocyanin, total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, dry matter yield, and essential oil content were measured in two different harvest stages. Salinity stress affected various measured traits. The results showed that despite the negative effect of salinity stress on photosynthetic pigments, in some ecotypes and species, photosynthetic pigments were not affected by salinity stress. The amount of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total anthocyanin increased in response to salinity stress. The dry matter decreased under salinity stress, but the content of essential oil increased as a result of salinity stress increment. The results of PCA biplot showed that the E16 and E18 ecotypes were separated by a large distance. Among the various ecotypes, E18 had the most desirable traits which can be recognized as a salt‐tolerant ecotype. Also, piperita species was the best among the species in all salinity stress levels.
The Impact of Carbon Disclosure on Firm Value with Foreign Ownership as A Moderating Variable

The purpose of the study is to analyze the effect of carbon disclosure on firm value and examine the moderation effect of foreign ownership. This study used all of the companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) between 2016 and 2018 as the population and employed a purposive sampling method to determine 194 companies as the final data observation. The data were collected from annual report and sustainability report released by the sample companies and analyzed using Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The result shows that carbon disclosure negatively affects firm value, while, foreign ownership significantly moderates the relationship between both variables.