Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soft Skills Required of Business Education Graduates: Perception of Students and Lecturers of Colleges of Education in Oyo State

The study was conducted to assess the level of students’ and lecturers’ perception to soft skills, identify the difference in the perception of students and lecturers in soft skills and as well identify the difference in the perception of respondents in various colleges of education on the soft skills required of Business Education graduates in Oyo state. Descriptive design of survey type was adopted. The target population for the study were the students and lecturers of Business Education department and two federal and state owned colleges of education in Oyo town were purposively sampled. Forty students in the department of Business Education were randomly selected from each of the three levels in the institutions and ten lecturers were equally selected from each school making a total of 240 students and 20 lecturers. Out of the 240 questionnaires administered, 237 were duly returned. Three research questions were answered and tested at 0.05 level of significance. A questionnaire measuring the perception of students and lecturers was used to gather data from the respondents. Methods of data analysis that were used included frequencies, percentages mean and independent sample t-test. Findings indicate that majority of the students and lecturers are highly perceived on the required soft skills for graduates of Business Education. However, the lecturers had more perception than the students probably due to their level of experience. It was recommended that self-development should be encouraged by the students, schools should introduce acquisition of skills to their curriculum and lecturers should also involve their students in solving uphill tasks in a bid to enhance their practical ability.
Vaccine Safety and Surveillance for Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) for COVID-19 Vaccine in a Tertiary Care Hospital-Kerala

Introduction: The meteoric spread of COVID-19 had facilitated the researchers to develop vaccines. One among the most recommended, Covishield requires further investigations for lighting up the society towards the immunization program. The study has determined the severity and frequency of adverse event following immunization concerning the first and booster dose of the Covishield vaccine. Also, we investigated the relationship between the participant’s demographic characteristics with the adverse events encountered due to the two doses. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 months among the individuals who were administered with Covishield vaccine registered via Indian government website, COWIN. Results: The study constituted of 2470 participants among them the frequency of females who received the vaccine (55.18%;62.36%) was more significant than the males, so as the adverse events (Female, first dose: 51.41%, Second dose: 64.92%). We observed participants with chronic diseases (39,5%) and had long term medications (15.57%). Those with age greater than 45 years (61.15%) were discerned by the unfavorable episodes of the vaccine compared to the youngsters. First dose predominantly spawn pain at the injection site (40.15%) whereas, fever (34.72%) was the major concern in the second. The causality assessment scale put forward by World Health Organization stated all the reported adverse events following immunization in the first (62.90%) and the second dose (30.28%) was allied to the same category, consistent causal association to immunization. Conclusion: The safety surveillance study helped in the investigation wherein the adverse event profile of Covishield vaccine was causal or coincidental. We intend the generated data would reduce the fear and augment the acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccine among the mass population.
N,N-Diethyl-3-toluamide Formulation Based on Ethanol Containing 0.1% 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin Attenuates the Drug’s Skin Penetration and Prolongs the Repellent Effect without Stickiness

N,N-diethyl-3-toluamide (DEET) is one of the most widely used insect repellents in the world. It was reported that a solution containing 6–30% cyclodextrin (CD) as a solvent instead of ethanol (EtOH) provided an enhancement of the repellent action time duration of the DEET formulation, although the high-dose CD caused stickiness. In order to overcome this shortcoming, we attempted to prepare a 10% DEET formulation using EtOH containing low-dose CDs (β-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HPβCD), methyl-β-CD, and sulfobutylether-β-CD) as solvents (DEET/EtOH/CD formulations). We determined the CD concentration to be 0.1% in the DEET/EtOH/CD formulations, since the stickiness of 0.1% CDs was not felt (approximately 8 × 10−3 N). The DEET residue on the skin superficial layers was prolonged, and the drug penetration into the skin tissue was decreased by the addition of 0.1% CD. In particular, the retention time and attenuated penetration of DEET on the rat skin treated with the DEET/EtOH/HPβCD formulation was significantly higher in comparison with that of the DEET/EtOH formulation without CD. Moreover, the repellent effect of DEET was more sustained by the addition of 0.1% HPβCD in the study using Aedes albopictus. In conclusion, we found that the DEET/EtOH/HPβCD formulations reduced the skin penetration of DEET and prolonged the repellent action without stickiness.
Diagnostic Performance of an Automated System for Assaying Anti-Hepatitis E Virus Immunoglobulins M and G Compared with a Conventional Microplate Assay

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Liaison® Murex anti-HEV IgM and IgG assays running on the Liaison® instrument and compare the results with those obtained with Wantai HEV assays. We tested samples collected in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients during the acute (HEV RNA positive, anti-HEV IgM positive) and the post-viremic phase (HEV RNA negative, anti-HEV IgM positive) of infections. The specificity was assessed by testing HEV RNA negative/anti-HEV IgG-IgM negative samples. The clinical sensitivity of the Liaison® IgM assay was 100% for acute-phase samples (56/56) and 57.4% (27/47) for post-viremic samples from immunocompetent patients. It was 93.8% (30/32) for acute-phase (viremic) samples and 71%% (22/31) for post-viremic samples from immunocompromised patients. The clinical sensitivity of the Liaison® IgG assay was 100% for viremic samples (56/56) and 94.6% (43/47) for post-viremic samples from immunocompetent patients. It was 84.3% (27/32) for viremic samples and 93.5% (29/31) for post-viremic samples from immunocompromised patients. Specificity was very high (>99%) in both populations. We checked the limit of detection stated for the Liaison® IgG assay (0.3 U/mL). The clinical performance of the Liaison® ANTI-HEV assays was good. These rapid, automated assays for detecting anti-HEV antibodies will greatly enhance the arsenal for diagnosing HEV infections.
An Evolutionary Conservation and Druggability Analysis of Enzymes Belonging to the Bacterial Shikimate Pathway

Enzymes belonging to the shikimate pathway have long been considered promising targets for antibacterial drugs because they have no counterpart in mammals and are essential for bacterial growth and virulence. However, despite decades of research, there are currently no clinically relevant antibacterial drugs targeting any of these enzymes, and there are legitimate concerns about whether they are sufficiently druggable, i.e., whether they can be adequately modulated by small and potent drug-like molecules. In the present work, in silico analyses combining evolutionary conservation and druggability are performed to determine whether these enzymes are candidates for broad-spectrum antibacterial therapy. The results presented here indicate that the substrate-binding sites of most enzymes in this pathway are suitable drug targets because of their reasonable conservation and druggability scores. An exception was the substrate-binding site of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase, which was found to be undruggable because of its high content of charged residues and extremely high overall polarity. Although the presented study was designed from the perspective of broad-spectrum antibacterial drug development, this workflow can be readily applied to any antimicrobial target analysis, whether narrow- or broad-spectrum. Moreover, this research also contributes to a deeper understanding of these enzymes and provides valuable insights into their properties.
Perinatal Obesity Induces Hepatic Growth Restriction with Increased DNA Damage Response, Senescence, and Dysregulated Igf-1-Akt-Foxo1 Signaling in Male Offspring of Obese Mice

Maternal obesity predisposes for hepato-metabolic disorders early in life. However, the underlying mechanisms causing early onset dysfunction of the liver and metabolism remain elusive. Since obesity is associated with subacute chronic inflammation and accelerated aging, we test the hypothesis whether maternal obesity induces aging processes in the developing liver and determines thereby hepatic growth. To this end, maternal obesity was induced with high-fat diet (HFD) in C57BL/6N mice and male offspring were studied at the end of the lactation [postnatal day 21 (P21)]. Maternal obesity induced an obese body composition with metabolic inflammation and a marked hepatic growth restriction in the male offspring at P21. Proteomic and molecular analyses revealed three interrelated mechanisms that might account for the impaired hepatic growth pattern, indicating prematurely induced aging processes: (1) Increased DNA damage response (γH2AX), (2) significant upregulation of hepatocellular senescence markers (Cdnk1a, Cdkn2a); and (3) inhibition of hepatic insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1-AKT-p38-FoxO1 signaling with an insufficient proliferative growth response. In conclusion, our murine data demonstrate that perinatal obesity induces an obese body composition in male offspring with hepatic growth restriction through a possible premature hepatic aging that is indicated by a pathologic sequence of inflammation, DNA damage, senescence, and signs of a possibly insufficient regenerative capacity.
Characterization of the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, enzyme inhibition, and anticancer properties of Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow)

Abstract The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, enzyme inhibition, anticancer properties of Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow), which is generally consumed by humans as herbal tea, were investigated. Yarrow extracts were prepared with different extraction techniques and solvents and the optimum conditions were determined. When the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content results were evaluated, the best yield was obtained with ultrasound-assisted extraction for all solvents. Moreover, the yields from highest to lowest were methanol, water, and acetonitrile. The enzyme inhibition and anticancer of Achillea millefolium L. extracts using methanol were evaluated. The IC50 values for the inhibition of xanthine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase were 4.974 ± 0.54 and 21.891 ± 1.118 µg/mL, respectively. The extract concentration was determined to be 23.85 μg/mL for 50% reduction in growth inhibitory activity cell viability (IC50) against breast cancer (MCF-7).
The Utilization of Diffusion Tensor Imaging as an Image-Guided Tool in Brain Tumor Resection Surgery: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an image-guided tool, especially in brain tumor resection surgery. Neuroimaging tools are essential for operative planning, particularly for maximizing tumor resection and, at the same time, preserving brain function. In this systematic review, we discuss the utilization of DTI in brain tumor resection, by looking into its ability to assess the perioperative approach, as well as evaluating its benefits for successful surgery. The present study proposes to use DTI as a vital neuroimaging tool for preoperative planning in brain tumor resection surgery. Abstract The diffusion tensor imaging technique has been recognized as a neuroimaging tool for in vivo visualization of white matter tracts. However, DTI is not a routine procedure for preoperative planning for brain tumor resection. Our study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of DTI and the outcomes of surgery. The electronic databases, PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus, were searched for relevant studies. Studies were systematically reviewed based on the application of DTI in pre-surgical planning, modification of operative planning, re-evaluation of preoperative DTI data intraoperatively, and the outcome of surgery decisions. Seventeen studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most studies agreed that preoperative planning using DTI improves postoperative neuro-deficits, giving a greater resection yield and shortening the surgery time. The results also indicate that the re-evaluation of preoperative DTI intraoperatively assists in a better visualization of white matter tract shifts. Seven studies also suggested that DTI modified the surgical decision of the initial surgical approach and the rate of the GTR in tumor resection surgery. The utilization of DTI may give essential information on white matter tract pathways, for a better surgical approach, and eventually reduce the risk of neurologic deficits after surgery.
Investigating driver reaction time and speed during mobile phone conversations with a lead vehicle in front: A driving simulator comprehensive study

ABSTRACT This study analyzed driving performance while using different mobile devices in different road configurations and geometries during a critical driving situation. Three different road environments were implemented in a driving simulator: an urban road, a two-lane rural road, and a highway. Thirty drivers with an average age of 26.8 years were asked to answer a phone call while driving, using different mobile devices: hand-held, hands-free, and hands-free voice-activated cellular phone. The effects of using the mobile phones were also compared to the BC (no phone conversation). Driving performance, under car-following conditions, were collected and statistically analyzed when a sudden braking of the leading vehicle occurred. The main results demonstrated that the driver's speed generally reduced during the phone call whereas the reaction time generally increased, especially under certain driving conditions (urban road, along tangent, using hand-held mobile device). This study analyzed the effects of using a mobile phone while driving, highlighted the worst combinations of the variables investigated, and demonstrated that some reductions in driving performance were revealed, especially in the urban environment, even when using mobile equipment permitted by the regulations of several countries.
Exploring Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells to Better Understand the Pathophysiology of Disease: An Updated Review

Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction has been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions. The collection of ECs from patients is typically conducted postmortem or through invasive procedures, such as surgery and interventional procedures, hampering efforts to clarify the role of ECs in disease onset and progression. In contrast, endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), also termed late endothelial progenitor cells, late outgrowth endothelial cells, blood outgrowth endothelial cells, or endothelial outgrowth cells, are obtained in a minimally invasive manner, namely, by the culture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in endothelial growth medium. ECFCs resemble mature ECs phenotypically, genetically, and functionally, making them excellent surrogates for ECs. Numerous studies have been performed that examined ECFC function in conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, congenital bicuspid aortic valve disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, venous thromboembolic disease, and von Willebrand disease. Here, we provide an updated review of studies using ECFCs that were performed to better understand the pathophysiology of disease. We also discuss the potential of ECFCs as disease biomarkers and the standardized methods to culture, quantify, and evaluate ECFCs and suggest the future direction of research in this field.
Segmentation of Liver Region based on Multifractal Analysis

Multifractal analysis is suggested to solve the liver region segmentation problem from CT scans. It is claimed that image contrast enhancement should be taken as a preprocessing step. It is shown that this ensures more exact reproduction of multifractal spectrum. According to the dice similarity coefficient the liver region segmentation results evaluated are limited in range with the start value 75.8 % and the end value 97.5 %. These results coincide with achievements in this research area published by the other scientists. This suggests that multifractal analysis can be valuable tool to segment the liver region from CT scans. Ill. 4, bibl. 8 (in English; summaries in English, Russian and Lithuanian).
Physical and Enzymatic Hydrolysis Modifications of Potato Starch Granules

In this work, a valorization of the starch stemming from downgraded potatoes was approached through the preparation of starch nanoparticles using different physical methods, namely liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide, high energy ball milling (HEBM), and ultrasonication on the one hand and enzymatic hydrolysis on the other hand. Starch nanoparticles are beneficial as a reinforcement in food packaging technology as they enhance the mechanical and water vapor resistance of polymers. Also, starch nanoparticles are appropriate for medical applications as carriers for the delivery of bioactive or therapeutic agents. The obtained materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), whereas the hydrolysates were analyzed using size exclusion chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (SEC-PAD). The acquired results revealed that the physical modification methods led to moderate alterations of the potato starch granules’ size and crystallinity. However, enzymatic hydrolysis conducted using Pullulanase enzyme followed by nanoprecipitation of the hydrolysates allowed us to obtain very tiny starch nanoparticles sized between 20 and 50 nm, much smaller than the native starch granules, which have an average size of 10 μm. The effects of enzyme concentration, temperature, and reaction medium pH on the extent of hydrolysis in terms of the polymer carbohydrates’ fractions were investigated. The most promising results were obtained with a Pullulanase enzyme concentration of 160 npun/g of starch, at a temperature of 60 °C in a pH 4 phosphate buffer solution resulting in the production of hydrolysates containing starch polymers with low molecular weights corresponding mainly to P-10, P-5, and fractions with molecular weights lower than P-5 Pullulan standards.
Inflammatory Gene Expression Associates with Hepatitis B Virus cccDNA- but Not Integrant-Derived Transcripts in HBeAg Negative Disease

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem that presents as a spectrum of liver disease, reflecting an interplay between the virus and the host immune system. HBV genomes exist as episomal covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) or chromosomal integrants. The relative contribution of these genomes to the viral transcriptome in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is not well-understood. We developed a qPCR method to estimate the abundance of HBV cccDNA- and integrant-derived viral transcripts and applied this to a cohort of patients diagnosed with CHB in the HBe antigen negative phase of disease. We noted a variable pattern of HBV transcripts from both DNA templates, with preS1/S2 mRNAs predominating and a significant association between increasing age and the expression of integrant-derived mRNAs, but not with inflammatory status. In contrast, cccDNA-derived transcripts were associated with markers of liver inflammation. Analysis of the inflammatory hepatic transcriptome identified 24 genes significantly associated with cccDNA transcriptional activity. Our study uncovers an immune gene signature that associates with HBV cccDNA transcription and increases our understanding of viral persistence.
Drivers of biases in the CMIP6 extratropical storm tracks. Part 2: Southern Hemisphere

The Southern Hemisphere storm tracks are commonly simulated too far equatorward in climate models for the historical period. In the latest generation of climate models from the 6th phase of the coupled model intercomparison project (CMIP6), the equatorward bias that was present in CMIP5 models still persists, although is reduced considerably. A further reduction of the equatorward bias is found in atmosphere-only simulations. Using diagnostic large-scale fields we propose that an increase in the midlatitude temperature gradients contributes to the reduced equatorward bias in CMIP6 and AMIP6 models, reducing the biases relative to ERA5. These changes increase baroclinicity in the atmosphere, and are associated with a storm track that is situated further poleward. In CMIP6 models, the poleward shift of the storm tracks is associated with an amelioration of cold midlatitude SST biases in CMIP5 and not through a reduction of the long-standing warm Southern Ocean SST bias. We propose that increases in midlatitude temperature gradients in the atmosphere and ocean are connected to changes in the cloud-radiative effect. Persistent track density biases to the south of Australia are shown to be connected to an apparent standing wave pattern originating in the tropics, which modifies the split jet structure near Australia and subsequently the paths of cyclones.
Instantaneous Best Integer Equivariant Position Estimation Using Google Pixel 4 Smartphones for Single- and Dual-Frequency, Multi-GNSS Short-Baseline RTK

High-precision global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning and navigation can be achieved with carrier-phase ambiguity resolution when the integer least squares (ILS) success rate (SR) is high. The users typically prefer the float solution under the scenario of having a low SR, and the ILS solution when the SR is high. The best integer equivariant (BIE) estimator is an alternative solution since it minimizes the mean squared errors (MSEs); hence, it will always be superior to both its float and ILS counterparts. There has been a recent development of GNSSs consisting of the Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), and the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), which has made precise positioning with Android smartphones possible. Since smartphone tracking of GNSS signals is generally of poorer quality than with geodetic grade receivers and antennas, the ILS SR is typically less than one, resulting in the BIE estimator being the preferred carrier phase ambiguity resolution option. Therefore, in this contribution, we compare, for the first time, the BIE estimator to the ILS and float contenders while using GNSS data collected by Google Pixel 4 (GP4) smartphones for short-baseline real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning. It is demonstrated that the BIE estimator will always give a better RTK positioning performance than that of the ILS and float solutions while using both single- and dual-frequency smartphone GNSS observations. Lastly, with the same smartphone data, we show that BIE will always be superior to the float and ILS solutions in terms of the MSEs, regardless of whether the SR is at high, medium, or low levels.