Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Fermented Pentaclethra Macrophylla Benth (African Oil Bean) Seed Extract on Plasma Lipid Profile in Healthy Rat Model-A Preliminary Study

Background: African oil bean seed is one of several plant products commonly used in Nigeria as food. However, report as to whether or not it could predispose consumers to dyslipidemia is yet to be documented. Aim: The study aim was to determine the effect of fermented Pentaclethra Macrophylla Benth (African oil bean) seed extract on lipid profile. Methods: A total of twenty-five (25) male rats randomly divided into five groups of five rats per group were used. Each group received the crude methanol seed extract of Pentaclethra Macrophylla Benth (MEPB) once daily at the dose of 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg kg body weight respectively, for 14 days except the control group. Lipid profile parameters were determined according to enzymatic assay using a commercial kit from Randox Laboratories, United Kingdom and calculation using Friedewald’s equation. Results: A statistically significant increase in HDL and decrease in LDL content (p < 0.05) were obtained following the administration of MEPB in all dosed groups compared with the control group. Administration of MEPB in all dosed groups improved lipid metabolism and increased Original Research Article Anioke; SARJNP, 2(1): 1-9, 2019; Article no.SARJNP. 39979 2 percentage protection against atherogenesis by a range between 61% 90%. Conclusion: Fermented African oil bean seed has a positive effect on lipid metabolism and showed an anti-atherogenic property. According to the result, African oil bean seeds at the level used in the study could protect against atherosclerosis.
Epiregulin is released from intervertebral disks and induces spontaneous activity in pain pathways

Introduction: Lumbar radicular pain after disk herniation is associated with local release of many inflammatory molecules from nucleus pulposus (NP) cells leaking out of the intervertebral disk. Here, we have used a rat model to investigate the role of epiregulin (EREG), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, in this process. Methods: A protein immunoassay was chosen to confirm the release of EREG from the NP tissue. Single unit recordings were used to demonstrate the effect of recombinant EREG applied onto the dorsal nerve roots in vivo. Intracellular responses induced by recombinant EREG were studied in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells by phosphoprotein assay. Changes in EGF receptor expression induced by NP in the DRG were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The protein immunoassay showed that EREG was released from the NP tissue. Moreover, application of EREG onto the spinal dorsal nerve roots induced a decrease in the evoked responses, but an increase in spontaneous activity in the dorsal horn neurons. Interestingly, the EREG activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in the DRG, a pathway previously linked to cellular growth, proliferation, and tissue regeneration. An NP-induced upregulation of the EGF receptor HER3 in the DRG was also revealed. Conclusion: Taken together, the present observations indicate that EREG may induce changes in the DRG and spontaneous activity in the pain pathways. We suggest that EREG signaling may be involved in the pathophysiological process leading to sensory deficits and neuropathic pain in patients after disk herniation.
Trust factor in construction alliances

In any strategic alliance, there are cooperation and competition aspects between the parties involved. The propensity to pursue vigorously either of them depends on the confidence each party has that the partner(s) will not act opportunistically. A study in Botswana was undertaken to determine the role of trust on the propensity to pursue the competition aspect of the alliance. Using structured interviews on five construction alliances, it was found that the firms tended to pursue the competition aspect when trust between the partners was low, but strengthened the cooperation aspect when trust was high. It was concluded that if construction alliances are to achieve their principal aims, then the partners need to nurture a high level of trust between themselves. A framework for doing this is proposed and tested on a case study.
Indigenous community members’ views about water quality in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

ABSTRACT Cyanobacteria blooms, a recent phenomenon in Lake Atitlán (Guatemala), impact the lake’s ecology and local Maya communities’ cultural identity, subsistence, and employment. The blooms and their anthropogenic provenience are relatively well understood scientifically, yet beliefs and attitudes of impacted communities are less explored. We investigated one Maya community’s 1 perceptions of the blooms via separate focus groups of three men and four women from Santa Cruz La Laguna. Participants described how daily lives and employment were negatively impacted by the blooms, expressing a desire for more communication among those working to improve water quality. Participants desired leadership and resources in order to participate and take action. Men and women differed in views of who is responsible for the health of Lake Atitlán; men expressed greater importance of government and non-government organizations; women emphasized that both the government and local citizens play critical roles. Participants expressed a desire for education and knowledge about cyanobacteria blooms and to contribute to solutions. To broaden understanding of indigenous stakeholders’ perspectives, additional research is needed that includes other Atitlán watershed communities to promote socio-ecological discourse. As cultural eutrophication exists at the nexus of science and culture, future work must be extended beyond disciplinarily boundaries and consider collectively the relevant natural and social sciences to understand the causes, consequences, and solutions to the blooms within the context of environmental justice.
Deployment of OASIS in the semiconductor industry: status, dependencies, and outlook

The OASIS working group was first initiated in 2001, published the new format in March 2004, which was ratified as an official SEMI standard in September 2005. A follow-on initiative expanded the new standard to cover the needs of the mask manufacturing equipment sector with a derived standard called OASIS.MASK (P44) that was released in November 2005 and updated in May 2008. While there are many potential benefits from this improved format over the incumbent GDSII and MEBES standards, the main driver for the development of the OASIS format was the looming data volume explosion from the onward march of processing and design technology. With a demonstrated benefit of roughly 10x over the GDSII format, it was expected that the new OASIS format would be embraced quickly by the semiconductor industry. In reality, the adoption process took significantly longer and is still in progress. The paper analyzes the data volume and adoption trends by manufacturing steps - e.g design, post tapeout flow and mask manufacturing. Survey results on the adoption status are shared and an analysis of the technical, economic, and environmental factors influencing it will be discussed.
Grow fast, die young: Does compensatory growth reduce survival of juvenile blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) in the western Gulf of Mexico?

Abstract Effective conservation and management necessitate an understanding of the ecological mechanisms that shape species life histories in order to predict how variability in natural and anthropogenic impacts will alter growth rates, recruitment, and survival. Among these mechanisms, the interaction between parturition timing and prey availability frequently influences offspring success, particularly when postnatal care is absent. Here, we assess how parturition timing and nursery conditions, including prey abundance and environmental conditions, influence the growth and potential survival of blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) in western Gulf of Mexico (GOM) estuaries over their first year. Catch data from long‐term gillnet monitoring allowed for clear delineation of cohorts based on size frequency distribution plots, and showed that late parturition cohorts born in estuaries with fewer prey resources exhibited more rapid growth than early parturition cohorts that experienced more abundant prey. Compensatory behaviors that promoted accelerated growth led to reduced second year residency, likely due to reduced survival resultant from greater risk taking and potentially due to reduced site fidelity attributed to larger body size. Water temperatures influenced blacktip growth rates through physiological increases in metabolism and potential premigratory foraging cues associated with cooling temperatures. Gradual warming of the GOM (0.03°C year−1) was also correlated with earlier parturition across the study period (1982–2017), similar to other migratory species. Considering current trends in climate and associated phenological shifts in many animals, testing hypotheses assessing compensatory growth‐risk trade‐offs is important moving forward to predict changes in life histories and associated recruitment in concert with current and future conservation actions, like wildlife management.
Deposit feeding of a foraminifera from an Arctic methane seep site and possible association with a methanotroph revealed by transmission electron microscopy

Abstract. Several foraminifera are deposit feeders that consume organic detritus (dead particulate organic material along with entrained bacteria). However, the role of such foraminifera in the benthic food-web remains understudied. As foraminifera may associate with methanotrophic bacteria, which are 13C-depleted, feeding on them has been suggested to cause negative δ13C values in the foraminiferal cytoplasm and/or calcite. To test whether the foraminiferal diet includes methanotrophs, we performed a short-term (1 d) feeding experiment with Nonionellina labradorica from an active Arctic methane-emission site (Storfjordrenna, Barents Sea) using the marine methanotroph Methyloprofundus sedimenti, and analyzed N. labradorica cytology via Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM). We hypothesized that M. sedimenti would be visible, as evidenced by their ultrastructure, in degradation vacuoles after this feeding experiment. Sediment grains (mostly clay) occurred inside one or several degradation vacuoles in all foraminifers. In 24 % of the specimens from the feeding experiment degradation vacuoles also contained bacteria, although none could be confirmed to be the offered M. sedimenti. Observations of the area adjacent to the aperture after 20 h incubation revealed three putative methanotrophs, close to clay particles. These methanotrophs were identified based on internal characteristics such as a type I stacked intracytoplasmic membranes (ICM), storage granules (SG) and gram-negative cell walls (GNCW). Furthermore, N. labradorica specimens were examined for specific adaptations to this active Arctic methane-emission site; we noted the absence of bacterial endobionts in all specimens examined but confirmed the presence of kleptoplasts, which were often partially degraded. Based on these observations, we suggest that M. sedimenti can be consumed by N. labradorica via untargeted grazing in seeps and that N. labradorica can be generally classified as a deposit feeder at this Arctic site. These results suggest that if methanothrophs are available to the foraminifera in their habitat, their non-selective uptake could make a substantial contribution to altering δ13Ctest values. This in turn may impact metazoans grazing on benthic foraminifera by altering their δ13C signature.
Learning Opportunities and Career Implications of Experience with BIM/VDC

AbstractThis paper aims to identify the impact of building information modeling (BIM), or Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), technologies on construction education and the architectural, engineering, construction, and facilities management (AEC/FM) industry, as well as the career implications for a person proficient in BIM. To identify the impact of BIM technology, an extensive review of the literature on BIM utilization in higher education and the AEC/FM industry was conducted. In addition, the lessons the authors have learned from years of BIM practices were introduced to further identify the specific benefits and challenges of adopting BIM in construction and engineering management (CEM) education as well as in the AEC/FM industry, for both vertical and horizontal projects. Surveys also were conducted to measure the estimating time contractors would save with a BIM-based estimating strategy compared with a traditional estimating approach. The findings concluded that personal skill sets in BIM have .
The Different Molecular Code in Generation of Dopaminergic Neurons from Astrocytes and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Transplantation of exogenous dopaminergic (DA) neurons is an alternative strategy to replenish DA neurons that have lost along the course of Parkinson’s disease (PD). From the perspective of ethical acceptation, the source limitations, and the intrinsic features of PD pathology, astrocytes (AS) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the two promising candidates of DA induction. In the present study, we induced AS or MSCs primary culture by the combination of the classical transcription-factor cocktails Mash1, Lmx1a, and Nurr1 (MLN), the chemical cocktails (S/C/D), and the morphogens SHH, FGF8, and FGF2 (S/F8/F2); the efficiency of induction into DA neurons was further analyzed by using immunostaining against the DA neuronal markers. AS could be efficiently converted into the DA neurons in vitro by the transcriptional regulation of MLN, and the combination with S/C/D or S/F8/F2 further increased the conversion efficiency. In contrast, MSCs from umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) or adipose tissue (AD-MSCs) showed moderate TH immunoreactivity after the induction with S/F8/F2 instead of with MLN or S/C/D. Our data demonstrated that AS and MSCs held lineage-specific molecular codes on the induction into DA neurons and highlighted the unique superiority of AS in the potential of cell replacement therapy for PD.
Medication‐Related Problems in Outpatients With Decompensated Cirrhosis: Opportunities for Harm Prevention

People with decompensated cirrhosis are often prescribed a complex regimen of therapeutic and prophylactic medications. In other chronic diseases, polypharmacy increases the risk of medication misadventure and medication‐related problems (MRPs), with associated increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. This study examined MRPs in a cohort of ambulatory patients with a history of decompensated cirrhosis who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a pharmacist‐led, patient‐oriented medication education intervention and assessed the association between MRPs and patient outcomes. A total of 375 MRPs were identified among 57 intervention patients (median, 6.0; interquartile range, 3.5‐8.0 per patient; maximum 17). Nonadherence (31.5%) and indication issues (29.1%) were the most prevalent MRP types. The risk of potential harm associated with MRPs was low in 18.9% of instances, medium in 33.1%, and high in 48.0%, as categorized by a clinician panel using a risk matrix tool. Patients had a greater incidence rate of high‐risk MRPs if they had a higher Child‐Pugh score (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09‐1.56); greater comorbidity burden (IRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02‐1.29); and were taking more medications (IRR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.22). A total of 221 MRPs (58.9%) were resolved following pharmacist intervention. A greater proportion of high‐risk MRPs were resolved compared to those of low and medium risk (68.9% versus 49.7%; P < 0.001). During the 12‐month follow‐up period, intervention patients had a lower incidence rate of unplanned admissions compared to usual care (IRR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30‐0.92). Conclusion: High‐risk MRPs are prevalent among adults with decompensated cirrhosis. Pharmacist intervention facilitated identification and resolution of high‐risk MRPs and was associated with reduced incidence rate of unplanned hospital admissions in this group.
Energy Storage for Power Systems Applications: A Regional Assessment for the Northwest Power Pool (NWPP)

Wind production, which has expanded rapidly in recent years, could be an important element in the future efficient management of the electric power system; however, wind energy generation is uncontrollable and intermittent in nature. Thus, while wind power represents a significant opportunity to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), integrating high levels of wind resources into the power system will bring great challenges to generation scheduling and in the provision of ancillary services. This report addresses several key questions in the broader discussion on the integration of renewable energy resources in the Pacific Northwest power grid. More specifically, it addresses the following questions: a) how much total reserve or balancing requirements are necessary to accommodate the simulated expansion of intermittent renewable energy resources during the 2019 time horizon, and b) what are the most cost effective technological solutions for meeting load balancing requirements in the Northwest Power Pool (NWPP).
Identifikasi Penyakit Daun Jeruk Siam Menggunakan K-Nearest Neighbor

Jeruk siam adalah salah satu jeruk local yang mempunyai nilai jual yang tinggi di Indonesia. Tahun 2020, tingkat produksi jeruk siam mengalami penurunan menjadi 712.585 ton di Jawa Timur. Salah satu faktor utama yang menyebabkan menurunnya tingkat produksi jeruk siam yaitu serangan penyakit pada daun jeruk siam. Dua penyakit yang sering menyerang daun jeruk siam adalah penyakit kanker yang disebabkan oleh patogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.citri dan penyakit ulat peliang. Selama ini, pengamatan pada penyakit daun jeruk siam dilakukan secara manual menggunakan mata sehingga penentuan penyakit tersebut bersifat subyektif. Untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut dibuatlah sistem otomatis identifikasi daun jeruk siam sehat dan daun jeruk siam terserang penyakit dengan bantuan teknik computer vision. Tahapan penelitian yaitu pengumpulan citra daun jeruk, konversi warna, ekstraksi fitur warna dan tekstur serta klasifikasi K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN). Parameter fitur yang digunakan yaitu fitur warna GB, fitur tekstur (ASM, entropi dan kontras). Metode KNN mampu mengklasifikasi dan mengidentifikasi penyakit daun jeruk siam dengan akurasi sebesar 70% dengan variasi nilai K = 21.
Educational Robotics for Promoting 21st Century Skills

This paper introduces an educational robotics course offered as one of the Interdisciplinary Studies Courses under General Education category at a liberal art college that serves predominately underprivileged population of students from neighboring communities in New Jersey. It also presents the case study to examine participated students’ learning from the course. The results show that, although the focus of the course is the educational robotics and programming to control robots created with LEGO Mindstorms, the students identified their learning of collaboration and cooperation skills as well as communication skills as one of the best learning outcomes
Implementasi Nilai-nilai Karakter Inti Di Perguruan Tinggi

Abstrak: Pendidikan karakter di perguruan tinggi bertujuan untuk meningkatkan mutu penyelenggaraan dan hasil pendidikan yang mengarah pada pencapaian pembentukan karakter dan akhlak mulia mahasiswa secara utuh, terpadu, dan seimbang, sesuai standar kompetensi lulusan. Melalui pendidikan karakter diharapkan mahasiswa mampu secara mandiri meningkatkan dan menggunakan pengetahuannya, mengkaji dan menginternalisasi nilai-nilai karakter sehingga terwujud dalam perilaku sehari-hari. Nilai-nilai karakter yang diterapkan di perguruan tinggi adalah memilih nilia-nilai inti yang dikembangkan dalam implementasi pendidikan karakter, khususnya pada masing-masing jurusan/program studi. Nilai-nilai inti yang dipilih itu adalah jujur, cerdas, peduli, dan tangguh. Implementasi nilai-nilai karakter inti tersebut dilakukan secara terpadu melalui tiga jalur, yaitu terintegrasi dalam pembelajaran, manajemen pengelolaan jurusan dan program studi, serta pada kegiatan kemahasiswaan. Kata Kunci: pendidikan karakter, terintegrasi, implementasi, tangguh IMPLEMENTATION OF CORE CHARACTER VALUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION Abstract: Character education at a higher eduaction institution aims to improve the quality of the implementation and outcomes of education that leads to the achievement of the formation of character and moral values of the students holistically, integratively and proportionally, in line with the competency standard of the graduates. Through character education students are expected to be able to autonomously improve and use their knowledge, study and internalize the values of character and moral values that manifest in their everyday behaviors. Character values applied in higher education, especially in colleges producing teachers, are selected values developed in the implementation of character education, particularly in each department/study program. The core values selected are: honest, intelligent, caring, and resilient. The implementation of the core character values in higher education producing teachers can be integrated using three channels, namely integrated in teaching and learning, management of departments and study programs, and student activities. Keywords: character education, integration, implementation, resilient
Reducing the peak-to-average power ratio in OFDM by cyclically shifting partial transmit sequences

An adaptation of the work by Huber and Muller on partial transmit sequences (PTSs) for the reduction of the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is described. The new variation combines cyclic shifts of the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) sub-block output with PTSs. The performance of the new scheme is slightly better than that of a PTS scheme for the same number of comparisons and avoids the need for complex multipliers when the number of phase rotations is greater than 4.
Comparison of measurement based and site specific ray based microcellular path loss predictions

The development of mature systems for personal communication services (PCS) are envisioned to employ base station antennas at lamp post heights covering distances of 1 km or less. Prediction of the path loss for such low antennas is required to determine the actual shape of individual cells, and to evaluate interference with neighboring cells. The performance of site specific ray tracing methods based on UTD to predict the path loss are compared against measurement based models and measurements. An empirical formulation based on a simple least squares regression fit from one site is used as a prediction tool at another site having similar building environment. Comparing the accuracy of both types of prediction models, it is found that the site specific method provides an improvement over the traditional method of measurement based path loss prediction.