Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Macroeconomic Variables on the Asset Positions and Financial Performance of Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs) in Jamaica

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the effect of macroeconomic variables such as real GDP, unemployment levels, bond yields, stock market growth, and interest rate on the asset positions and financial performance of non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) in Jamaica. This is reflected by return on asset (ROA) ratio, return on equity (ROE) ratio and total asset growth (TA). To explore the nature of the short and long-term relationship between dependent variables and independent variables, the research used a bound test approach to the co-integration and error correction process using time series data over the period from 2005Q1 to 2020Q3. The results showed that real gross domestic product (RGDP) and unemployment rate (UR) had a positive long-run relationship with ROA; government bond yield (GBY), UR, interest rate (IR) and stock market growth (JSEM) influenced ROE positively at the long-run; while all the independent variables showed a long-run causal relationship with TA. In the short-run estimates, however, minimal short-run causal relationships among variables could be identified with ROA, ROE and TA. Meanwhile, the research has shown there is a stable long-run relationship between the three profitability metrics and the variables that have a significant long-run relationship with them. This assumes that, in the event of some shock to the system, the model will converge back to equilibrium. Furthermore, the cumulative sum of recursive residuals (CUSUM) checks validated the model’s stability.
Correlation of Hepcidin to Other Markers of Iron Overload in Egyptian Thalassemia Patients

Background: Beta thalassemia is a disorder of hemoglobin leading to hemolytic anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis and iron overload that mediates much of the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis. Objectives: Here we assessed the value of serum hepcidin level as a marker of iron overload in thalassemia patients. Patients and Methods: This case control study involved 30 thalassemia patients and 10 controls. The patients were selected from the Hematology Department of Ain Shams University Hospitals. We assessed the value of serum hepcidin level and see how it is correlated to values of serum ferritin along with MRI T2*on the liver and the heart in the same patients. Results: The median hepcidin level for cases was significantly lower than that for controls with P value (0.004), but serum hepcidin was not a statistically significant marker of iron overload when correlated with either serum ferritin or hepatic and/or cardiac MRI T2* findings of the patients. However, we found a significant correlation between hepcidin and gender, blood transfusion frequency and hepatitis C infection. Conclusion: hepcidin is not directly correlated to markers of iron overload in thalassemia patients. In these patients with anemia and iron overload, the erythropoietic drive is the dominant factor influencing hepcidin levels. Therefore, hepcidin is not a good marker of iron overload, but rather a good marker of erythropoietic drive.
Crystal structure of dimethanol-bis(μ2-methanol-κ2O:O)-bis{3-((4-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)amino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-olato-κ3O,N,O′}dimanganese(II), C38H38Mn2N2O14

Abstract C38H38Mn2N2O14, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 8.2828(12) Å, b = 10.428(2) Å, c = 12.152(3) Å, α = 113.44(2)°, β = 93.369(16)°, γ = 107.890(16)°, Z = 1, V = 896.5(3) Å3, Rgt(F) = 0.0578, wRref(F2) = 0.1288, T = 293(2) K.
Effect of Different Slaughter Weights on some Carcass Characteristics and Sensory Evaluation of Meat in Karadi Male Lambs تأثير أوزان الذبح المختلفة في بعض صفات الذبيحة والتقييم الحسي للحوم في ذکور الحملان الکرادي

This study was carried out to evaluation the effect of slaughter weights on carcass characteristics and meat sensory evaluation of Karadi male lambs. A total 20 male Karadi lambs, with an average initial body live weight of 23.27 ± 0.28 kg and 3 to 4 months old were used in this experiment. Lambs were randomly allocated to 4 groups (5 lambs for each group). The experimental diet was consisting of concentrate feed 75% and 25% of wheat straw and prepared based on Cornell net carbohydrate and protein system software for growing lambs. Lambs were slaughtered according to Islamic way when each lamb has reached its target slaughter weights of 28, 33, 38 and 43 kg for treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4), respectively, following fasting for 12 h, with free access to water. The slaughter weight (SW), empty body, hot and cold carcass weights were all significantly different (p≤0.05) among all treatments. The foreshank was significantly (p≤0.05) difference between T1 and T3, while T2 and T4 were not significant. The physical dissection of shoulder for (fat and bone) and foreshank for (meat, fat and bone) were significantly differences (p≤0.05) among treatments. The percentage of meat in neck were significantly differences (p≤0.05) among treatments. Fat thickness and sensory evaluation for (tenderness and juiciness) were significant differences (p≤0.05) among treatments. It was concluded that the Karadi male lambs slaughtered at weights between 38-43 kg improved carcass characteristics, physical dissection, carcass cuts and some sensory evaluation of their meat.
Effect of Adding Moringa Leave-Extract to Growing Rabbits Ratins on Performance, Cecal Microbial Activity and Blood Parameters تأثير إضافة مستخلص أوراق المورينجا لعلائق الارانب النامية على الأداء الانتاجى والنشاط الميکروبي للأعور وبعض خصائص الدم

This study aimed to test the effect of adding Moringa leave-extract as a feed additives to growing rabbits rations on performance, cecal activity and blood traits. A total number of 72 growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits at 6 weeks of age were randomly distributed into 3 equal groups for 70 days. The control group was fed a basal diet without additives (ME0); treated groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with either 200mg (ME200) or 400mg (ME400) moringa extract/ kg diet. All animals were almost equal in their initial body weight, but the final body weight increased due to the additive; feed intake followed the opposite pattern; Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better for M400 followed by M200 then M0. Results indicating that adding Moringa extract at the levels of 200 or 400mg improved all the digestion coefficients of all nutrients comparing to the control diet. The heaviest body weight at slaughter was recorded for ME400; followed by M200 then M0. It was evident that feeding moringa leaves extract increased serum total protein at both levels used. Albumin and Globulin followed the same pattern. Cholesterol level decreased significantly due to treatment. Values of AST and ALT enzymes lie between the normal ranges without any adverse effect on liver function. Total VFA in cecum content increased as a result of the dietary treatments; no differences were reported regarding anaerobic and cellulolytic bacterial, however, E. coli, decreased significantly due to dietary treatment indicating that moringa leaf extract had a benefit effect on rabbit hygiene.
Linked changes in visual acuity, cortical population receptive field size, visual field map size, and retinal thickness in healthy human aging

Healthy human aging is associated with a deterioration of visual acuity, retinal thinning, visual field map shrinkage and increasing population receptive field sizes. Here we ask how these changes are related to each other in a cross-sectional sample of fifty healthy adults aged 20-80 years. We therefore hypothesized that age-related loss of macular retinal ganglion cells may lead to decreased visual field map sizes, and both may lead to increased pRF sizes in the cortical central visual field representation. We measured our participants’ perceptual corrected visual acuity using standard ophthalmological letter charts. We then measured their early visual field map (V1, V2 and V3) functional population receptive field (pRF) sizes and structural surface areas using fMRI, and their retinal structure using high-definition optical coherence tomography. With increasing age visual acuity decreased, pRF sizes increased, visual field maps surface areas decreased, and retinal thickness decreased. Among these measures, only functional pRF sizes predicted perceptual visual acuity, and Bayesian statistics support a null relationship between visual acuity and cortical or retinal structure. However, pRF sizes were in turn predicted by cortical structure only (visual field map surface areas), which were only predicted by retinal structure (thickness). These results suggest that linked disruptions of neural structure and function throughout the early visual system underlie the deterioration of perceptual visual acuity in healthy aging.
Mineral sequestration of CO2 from Vernasca Ca-looping demo system: scale up to a pilot

In recent years, carbon sequestration into thermodynamically stable carbonates has been developed as a promising carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) method, especially, when alkaline industrial wastes are used as sorbents. The use of industrial wastes to sequester CO2 plays a dual role in environment protection, creating opportunities not only for capture and disposal of CO2 but also for recycling of wastes and promoting the transition to circular economy. The CLEANKER project (Horizon 2020 Project Clean clinker production by Calcium looping process) aims to build a CO2 mineralization pilot incorporated into Ca-looping demo system in Vernasca cement plant and use the re-carbonated wastes in concrete applications. Different types of wastes such as burnt oil shale (BOS) from Eesti, Balti and Auvere power plants as well as from Enefit280 oil producing unit in Estonia, concrete demolition wastes (CDW), cement by-pass dust (CBD) from Robilante, Italy, blast furnace slag (NSF) from Bremen, Germany were tested first in laboratory scale via dry and wet direct carbonation routes under the conditions of CO2-rich model gas flow of 70 – 100% CO2, simulating the Ca-looping system. The results show that selected types of BOS and cement wastes could be used as efficient binders in both dry and wet CO2 mineralization systems with binding capacities up to 0.18 kg of CO2 per kg of BOS and up to 0.24 kg of CO2 per kg of CBD. The activating effect of hydration as a pre-treatment method showed that at lower operating temperatures, the same level of CO2 capture can be achieved, thereby rendering the carbonization processes of similar industrial wastes more energy efficient. Moreover, the CO2 mineralization tests with BOS in a 46 L concrete mixer confirmed the applicability of wet carbonization process also in larger scale. Based on the results, the most promising materials, BOS and CBD, were selected for in the proposed CO2-mineralization process in wet conditions at ambient temperature. The pilot (200 L) was designed based on a commercially available concrete mixer integrated into CLEANKER Ca-looping demo system and equipped with CO2 inlets and outlets, as well as CO2, temperature and moisture sensors to detect the reaction progress. The re-carbonated wastes will be tested via concrete casting in order to demonstrate the quality of the commercial product in the following stages of the project.
Determination and Characterization of Caffeine in Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks by Solid Phase Extraction and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (SPE - HPLC)

Caffeine (1,3,5-trimethylxanthine), a mild addicting drug was isolated, purified and characterized from tea (black and green) and coffee. Isolation was done by liquid-liquid extraction using chloroform as an extracting solvent. Extraction was carried out in four steps such as leaching, dye removal, liquid extraction and recrystallization. Crude caffeine was purified by solid phase extraction (SPE) method. The solvent used for recrystallization were toluene and petroleum ether. The purity of caffeine was ascertained by the determination of melting temperature. Pure caffeine obtained from different samples was characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, TLC, FT-IR and HPLC. In HPLC, 50mM KH2PO4 (pH=2), acetonitrile and methanol (40:8:2) was used as solvent as well as mobile phase. Amount of caffeine in various soft drinks (Cola) commercially available in Bangladesh was also determined by HPLC method.
Effect of pinching on growth and quality flower production of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum L.)

A field study conceded to assess the effect of pinching on growth and quality flowers yield of chrysanthemum at Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Gazipur, Bangladesh. The research was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. The treatment combinations were as T0No pinching, T1Once 40 days, T2Once 50 days, T3Once 60 days, T4Twice 40 and 50 days and T5Thrice 40, 50 and 60 days. It was observed that the highest plant height 60cm in no pinching (T0) and the lowest 45 cm was recorded by pinching the plants thrice (T5). Days of the first flowering (57 days) was observed where no pinching was followed and significantly delay in flowering (68 days) was recorded in in pinching the plants thrice (T5). The highest number of branches (12) was recorded in pinching the plants thrice (T5) and the lowest number of branches (05) in no pinching (T0). The maximum number of leaves (235) was recorded in pinching the plants thrice (T5) and minimum number of leaves (200) was observed in no pinching (T0). The treatment T5 (pinching the plants thrice) attained maximum plant spread (30 cm) and the treatment T0 (no pinching) attained minimum plant spread (17cm). The highest number of flower (45) was recorded in pinching the plants thrice (T5) treatment and the lowest flower (28) was observed in T0 treatment. Among the six treatment, T5 (pinching the plants thrice) showed the highest efficacy and it could be used as treatment in cultivation of Chrysanthemum indicum for growth and quality flower production.
Enhancement of a Diffracted Beam in a Domain–Wall–Motion-Type Light Modulator Array

We fabricated a domain–wall–motion-type light modulator array to measure the diffraction characteristics of a magneto-optical-type spatial light modulator (MO-SLM) driven by current-induced domain wall motion. The array imitated the structure of an SLM and displayed a predetermined 2-D magnetic grating by applying an external magnetic field. The pitch of the modulator was designed to be $1\,\,\mu \text{m}\,\,\times 2\,\,\mu \text{m}$ . We investigated the relationship between the intensity of the diffracted beam and the figure of merit (FOM), which is the product of the reflectance and the square of the complex Kerr angle. We varied the multiple-reflection conditions by changing the incident beam angle and the cap layer thickness to compare the behavior of the diffracted beam and the FOM. The diffracted beam’s intensity was enhanced by adjusting the FOM. Furthermore, the diffracted beam exhibited polarization dependence even though the FOM was independent of the polarization direction. The diffracted beam’s intensity was enhanced by the incident beam polarized in the longitudinal direction of the modulator. This work demonstrates that not only FOM maximization but also polarization direction optimization is important for the enhancement of diffracted beams in narrow-pixel-pitch MO-SLMs with non-square pixel shapes.
Constrained Gaussian Condensation Filter for Cooperative Target Tracking

Real-time high-precision navigation has many applications, such as pedestrian navigation, emergency rescue, and vehicle networks. In practice, the measurement models are often nonlinear, and sequential Bayesian filters, such as Kalman and particle filter, suffer from accumulative errors, which cannot provide long-time high-precision services for localization. To solve arbitrary noise distribution, this article proposes a Gaussian condensation filter (GCF) algorithm to achieve high-precision localization in a non-Gaussian noise environment. To this end, we proposed an error-ellipse resampling (EER)-based GCF (EER-GCF), which establishes error ellipses with different confidence probabilities and implements a resampling algorithm based on the sampling points’ geometrical positions. Furthermore, a cooperative EER-based GCF (CEER-GCF) is proposed to enhance information fusion in the multitarget network. This study accomplishes cooperative tracking based on spatial–temporal constraints to enhance error correction. The experimental results show that CEER-GCF can effectively eliminate the accumulative error and optimize state estimation, which outperforms state of the arts, such as unscented Kalman filter and particle filter.
LieNet: A Deep Convolution Neural Network Framework for Detecting Deception

Nowadays, automatic deception detection has received considerable attention in the machine learning community owing to this research interest to its vast applications in the fields of social media, interviews, law enforcement, and the military. In this study, a novel deep convolution neural network (DCNN) named LieNet is proposed to precisely detect the multiscale variations of deception automatically. Our approach is a combination of contact and noncontact-based approaches. First, 20 frames from each video are fetched and concatenated to form a single image. Moreover, an audio signal is extracted from video and treated as image input by plotting the signal into 2-D plane. Furthermore, 13 channels of electroencephalogram signals are plotted into 2-D plane and concatenated to generate an image. Second, the LieNet model extracts features from each modality separately. Third, scores are estimated using a softmax classifier for all the modalities. Finally, three scores are combined using score level fusion to obtain a score, which gives support in favor of either deception or truth. The LieNet is validated on the “Bag-of-Lies (BoL),” “ real-life (RL) trail,” and “Miami University Deception Detection (MU3D)” databases by considering four evaluation indexes, viz., accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. Experimental outcomes depict that the LieNet defeats an initial work on Set-A and Set-B of the BoL database with average accuracies of 95.91% and 96.04%. respectively. The accuracies obtained by the LieNet are 97% and 98% on RL trail and MU3D databases respectively.
The Effect of Adult Attachment of University Students on Their Career Barriers: Focused on the Mediating Effects of Resilience

The purpose of this study is to examine the relevance of resilience, which is one of the internal psychological competencies, in the relationship between the adult attachment of university students and their career barriers. A total of 300 university students from across the country were surveyed online through a specialized research firm over the period from November 10, 2019 till November 20, 2019. The data were analyzed using AMOS 23.0 and SPSS 23.0 suites, and the study findings were as follows. The adult attachment of university students firstly had a negative impact on resilience and secondly a positive impact on the career barriers. Third, the resilience of the university students had a negative impact on the career barriers. Fourth, in the influence of the adult attachment of university students on career barriers, resilience had a mediating effect to mitigate career barriers. With this study, it is expected that an environment where the information and training on desirable attachment at home and school can be provided, while educational supports can be examined for the development of the programs that can enhance their self-competency, including career education.
Developing a Mathematics Homework Evaluation Scale (MHES) for Secondary School Mathematics Teachers

This study aims to develop a valid and reliable scale that shows the secondary school mathematics teachers’ evaluations of mathematics homework. A literature review was conducted, and a pool of 41 articles have been prepared for this purpose. Five expert academicians in the field of mathematics education were consulted for the content, construct, and appearance validity of the prepared items. According to the opinions of the field experts, the number of items was reduced from 41 to 38 and applied to 492 mathematics teachers in total. The answers of 20 mathematics teachers were removed from the scope of this study since the answers were either incomplete or coded incorrectly. Therefore, scale forms collected from 472 mathematics teachers were included in this study. This form data was split, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were done. The construct validity was analyzed via EFA. The scale is a five-factor scale of the five-point Likert scale, which explains the 64.643% of the total variance with 21 items according to EFA results. The reliability of the scale was tested with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, and the coefficient was calculated as 0.737. The subscales of the scale are titled “Parent Relationship”, “Motivation”, “Control and Evaluation”, “Time” and “Source Use” respectively. CFA was carried out for the scale, and it was concluded that the fit indices are either acceptable or perfect. As a result, a reliable and valid “Teacher Approaches for Mathematics Homework Scale” has been added to the literature.
Effects of Virtual Reality Based Therapeutic Exercise on the Upper Extremity Function and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Acute Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Virtual reality-based therapeutic exercise (VRTE) has been considered as a rehabilitativeintervention for neurological deficits. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of VRTE andoccupational therapy (OT) on the upper extremity function and activities of daily living in patients withacute stroke.Method: Twenty-four patients who had suffered a stroke within the last 30 days before enrollmentparticipated in this study. They were randomly assigned to either the VRTE group (n = 12) or the OT group(n = 12). Twenty sessions were conducted in all. To quantify the upper extremity function, the Jebsen-Taylorhand function test (JT) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the upper limb were used, and the gripstrength (GS) was assessed. To assess activities of daily living, the modified Barthel index (MBI) was used.Results: In the VRTE group, JT (p = 0.002), FMA (p = 0.002), GS (p = 0.002), and MBI (p = 0.002) showeda significant improvement after the intervention. In the OT group, JT (p = 0.002), FMA (p = 0.001), GS (p= 0.002), and MBI (p = 0.001) significantly improved after the intervention. However, compared with OT,VRTE did not show significant improvements in upper extremity function and activities of daily living.Conclusions: This study suggests that the early approach of VRTE is not superior to OT for the improvementof upper limb function and activities of daily living in patients of stroke