Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“Empowering Our People”: Impact of a Culturally Adapted Evidence-Based Intervention on Sexually Transmitted Infection Risks Among Native Americans With Binge Substance Use

Impact evaluation of a culturally adapted evidence-based intervention demonstrated increases in sexually transmitted infection screening, refusal of sex if partner not tested, and reductions in unprotected sex among Native American adults with binge substance use. Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Background The objective of this study was to evaluate a culturally adapted evidence-based intervention called EMPWR (Educate, Motivate, Protect, Wellness and Respect) for impacts on sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and sexual health risk behaviors. Methods We enrolled Native American adults with recent binge substance use from a rural, reservation community in the Southwest into a 1:1 randomized controlled trial conducted on July 2015 to June 2019. All participants were offered non–clinic-based self-administered STI screening. Data were collected via self-report at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after the intervention. Baseline and end line data are presented. Results Three hundred one participants were enrolled and had a mean age of 33.8 years; 46.5% of the sample were female, and 9.1% were employed at baseline. EMPWR participants were more likely to complete STI self-screening than control participants (38.2% vs. 23.8%, P = 0.0275). EMPWR participants reported fewer unprotected sex acts in the past 3 months (9.3 vs. 16.0, P = 0.001) and were more likely to refuse sex if their partner was not tested (23.6% vs. 12.4%, P = 0.049). The between-group difference in STI positivity 1 year after study completion was nearing statistical significance (intervention: 39.5% vs. control: 59.6%, P = 0.0575). Conclusions The culturally adapted evidence-based intervention, EMPWR, increased uptake of STI screening and refusal of sex if partner was not STI tested and decreased the frequency of unprotected sex acts among Native American adults with recent binge substance use living on a rural reservation. Future research is needed to examine EMPWR impacts among other Native American subgroups and its potential for advancing sexual health equity in this high-priority population.
An ignored player in internationalisation: why and how does a Chinese regional university internationalise?

ABSTRACT Most scholarly work on internationalisation in Chinese higher education institutions has been conducted on top-level universities but prior research does not necessarily apply to regional universities that are pursuing a strategy of internationalisation and recruiting international students. This research has selected a Chinese regional university as a case study and has investigated its rationale for and practices in implementing internationalisation. Data were collected primarily through the university’s internal documents and 18 semi-structured interviews with university senior and middle managers. Results show that the university is motivated by quantitative indicators that relate to internationalisation in the China University Subject Rankings, which has determined the university’s long-term and short-term financial resources, reputation and development opportunities. This instrumental approach to internationalisation has resulted in changes and challenges in the university’s management and academic practices, and has indicated the debate of the good and bad of a strong government role in higher education internationalisation.
Reduced light absorption of black carbon (BC) and its influence on
BC-boundary-layer interactions during APEC Blue

Abstract. Light absorption and radiative forcing of black carbon (BC) is influenced by both BC itself and its interactions with other aerosol chemical compositions. Although the changes in BC concentrations in response to emission reduction measures have been well documented, the influence of emission reductions on the light absorption properties of BC and its influence on BC-boundary-layer interactions has been less explored. In this study, we used the online coupled WRF-Chem model to examine how emission control measures during APEC affect the mixing state/light absorption of BC, and the associated implications for BC-PBL interactions. We found that both the mass concentration of BC and the BC coating materials declined during the APEC week, which reduced the light absorption and light absorption enhancement (Eab) of BC. The reduced absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD) during APEC were caused by both the declines in mass concentration of BC itself (52.0 %), and the lensing effect of BC (48.0 %). The reductions in coating materials (39.4 %) dominated the influence of lensing effect, and the reduced light absorption capability (Eab) contributed 3.2 % to the total reductions in AAOD. Reduced light absorption of BC due to emission control during APEC enhanced planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) by 8.2 m. Different responses of PM2.5 and O3 were found to the changes in light absorption of BC. Reduced light absorption of BC due to emission reductions decreased near surface PM2.5 concentrations but enhanced near surface O3 concentrations in the North China Plain. These results suggest that current measures to control SO2, NOx, etc. would be efficient to reduce the absorption enhancement of BC, and to inhibit the feedback of BC on boundary layer. Yet enhanced ground O3 might be a side effect of current emission control strategies. How to control emissions to offset this side effect of current emission control measures on O3 should be an area of further focus.
Protonic Conduction in Oxides at Elevated Temperatures and Their Possible Applications

Protonic conduction in o》dde ceramics under hydrogen−containing atmosphere at elevated temperatures is reviewed with respect to o】d（le materials，their electrochemical properties，conduction mechanism and possible applications． These oxi（les are unique in respect of the fact that they have no protons as a host component，but incorporate pro− tons via reactions with the atmosphere．The materials of this class are some perovskite−type oxides and other o】ddes which contain crystal〔lefects．Defect equilibria for proton fomlation in these kinds of oxides are discussed citing some expehmental results．Possible electrochemical devices using proton conducting ceramics are briefly in仕oduced． κθy防眺 Protonic Conduction，Perovskite−type
Supply Chain Management as a Competitive Advantage of Fast Moving Consumer Goods SMEs in South Africa

The supply chain management strategy adoption by enterprises in the last four decades, has made enterprises more customer-centric, as they focus on product flow from source to the ultimate end-user. Consequently, the phrase ‘customer is king’ has become synonymous with good customer service. The study explored the coordinated supply chain processes as a competitive advantage for the South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs). The study was grounded in the theory of competitive advantage and qualitative research methodology and constructivism research paradigm were used. The SMEs from Gauteng province, which is the South Africa’s leading economic hub provided the sample for the study. Non-probability sampling was used in selecting the participants of the study who were the owner/managers of the SMEs. The interview covered enterprise relationship with suppliers of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) and third-party logistics (3PL) transportation service. The recorded interviews were transcribed, translated, coded and analysed via content analysis to determine the outcome of the study. The results indicated that SCM improved cost-effectiveness through savings on 3PL transportation service optimisation shared amongst the SMEs, and improved customer service, through enhanced supplier-customer relationship that maintained continuous flow of products/services.
Active disturbance rejection control for lower triangular uncertain stochastic nonlinear systems driven by coloured noises

In this paper, the active disturbance rejection control approach is addressed for a class of lower triangular uncertain stochastic nonlinear systems driven by coloured noises. An extended state observer is first constructed to estimate the stochastic total disturbance including the total effects of internal uncertainties and external disturbances affecting system performance, and then an active disturbance rejection controller based on estimation and compensation is designed to obtain desired closed-loop performance. It is shown with a rigorous analysis that the closed-loop state tracks a reference trajectory generated from the target system in practically mean square and almost sure sense. Some numerical simulations are performed to validate the practicality of the proposed control strategy.
Effectiveness of Solvent Extraction on Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities from Fresh and Dried Wheatgrass

Aims: This study was intended to investigate and quantify the phytochemicals and the antioxidant activities of fresh and powdered wheatgrass. Study Design: The experiment was performed by solvent extraction technique for determining the phytochemicals of wheatgrass samples. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Food engineering laboratory in Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh between June 2018 and December 2018. Original Research Article Ove et al.; EJNFS, 13(2): 1-10, 2021; Article no.EJNFS. 65946 2 Methodology: Fresh and powdered wheatgrass were used for the experiment. Methanol and ethanol solutions were separately utilized, in an attempt to assume the efficient solvent for extraction. UV-Vis spectrophotometric methods were employed in general throughout the study. Total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), DPPH scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the total chlorophyll contents of both solvent extracts were analyzed. Results: Phytochemicals and antioxidant activity were found lower in both solvent extracts of powdered wheatgrass than fresh leaves. Phenolic content and Chlorophyll were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fresh samples (extracts). Due to heating, a significant decrease was observed in the DPPH radical scavenging activity of powdered extracts. Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in methanolic extracts than in ethanolic extracts. No significant (P > 0.05) difference was observed in total flavonoids contents. Conclusion: These findings endorsed that both solvents demonstrate competitive potentials to extract bioactive compounds from wheatgrass and its derivatives and hence can be chosen specifically according to the components.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW: THE ENHANCEMENT OF ANTI-INFLAMMATION ACTIVITY OF NON STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG (NSAID) BY SOLID DISPERSION MODIFICATIONS

Objective: NSAIDs are very hydrophobic drugs and have low solubility. This causes the bioavailability of NSAIDs to be low in the body thus affect its anti-inflammatory activity. There has been some primary research proven that solid dispersion can increase the solubility and anti-inflammatory activity of NSAIDs. Moreover, there are not researches explaining the effect of a solid dispersion system on the anti-inflammatory activity of NSAIDs. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a review to assess the effect of the solid dispersion system on the solubility and anti-inflammatory activity of NSAIDs systematically. Methods: This was systematic review research, where the data were originated from PubMed and Science Direct with the keywords ‘NSAID’, ‘solid dispersion’, and ‘drug effect’. The inclusion criteria formulated were English-language papers, published in 2010–2020, and primary research that conducted in vivo anti-inflammatory testing. The appropriate papers by the inclusion criteria were assessed its quality by the SYRCLE’s tool. Data was analyzed narratively. Results: The results were eight papers under the inclusion criteria. As a whole is known modification of solid dispersion can increase the dissolution profile of NSAIDs. This is because the polymer used can increase the wetting of drug particles, thereby being able to increase the solubility of NSAIDs. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory activity of NSAIDs by solid dispersion systems are increases compared to NSAIDs without solid dispersions.
The magic bullet for rural development? Exploring the impacts of community telecenters in Bangladesh

This paper explores the impacts of Bangladesh’s Union Digital Centers (UDCs) as government information and service delivery hubs in rural areas. Drawing on user-surveys and semi-structured individual interviews it demonstrates that the UDCs have produced generally positive yet modest impacts on governance of service delivery. It shows that the UDCs are at an early stage of development, and that they offer only a limited set of services. While they helped extend ICT-enabled services to sections of population that would otherwise have missed them, the UDCs do not have much to do with rural livelihoods and empowerment of the poor and marginalized groups. These findings point to current inadequacies and pitfalls of the UDC approach to development. We argue that enhanced viability and effectiveness of the UDC experiment would warrant embedding more value-added governmental services and further strengthening of their capacity, mandate, and connectivity with government agencies at various levels, among others.
Quasi‐Periodic Intensification of Convective Asymmetries in the Outer Eyewall of Typhoon Lekima (2019)

Typhoon Lekima (2019) possessed a double‐eyewall structure before making landfall in eastern China, with its outer eyewall showing quasi‐periodic convective intensification. Several physical mechanisms that may cause eyewall convection asymmetries were examined. The upshear occurrence of the strongest convection could not be explained by either the typhoon's motion or the effect of descending inflow from outer rainbands. Radar reflectivity analysis showed that phase locking occurred between the wavenumber‐2 vortex Rossby waves (VRWs) propagating radially outward from the inner eyewall and the azimuthally propagating wavenumber‐1 VRWs on the inner edge of the outer eyewall. Additional phase locking further arose between the aforementioned wavenumber‐1 VRWs and the azimuthally propagating wavenumber‐2 VRWs on the outer edge of the outer eyewall. These two phase‐locking processes led to the pronounced quasi‐periodic intensification of the convective asymmetry in the western semicircle of Lekima's outer eyewall.
The effect of self-selected music on endurance running capacity and performance in a mentally fatigued state

We investigated the effects of listening to self-selected music on intermittent running capacity (study 1) and 5 km time-trial (TT) performance (study 2) in a mentally fatigued state. In study 1, nine physically active males performed a 30-minute incongruent Stroop test (IST) followed by the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIRT1) with (MF+MUSIC) and without (MFONLY) music. They also completed a baseline trial (BL). Study 2 repeated these trials with nine recreational runners. Mental fatigue (MF) showed large increases following IST in both studies ( d unb = 1.44 – 2.0). Intermittent running capacity was moderately greater in MF+MUSIC (564 ± 127 m; d unb = 0.52) and BL (551 ± 106 m; d unb = 0.51) vs. MFONLY (496 ± 112 m). Time-trial performance showed small improvements in MF+MUSIC (23.1 ± 2.4 min; d unb = 0.28) and BL (23.4 ± 3.5 min; d unb = 0.20) vs. MFONLY (24.1 ± 3.2 min). Differences in ratings of perceived exertion between trials were trivial to small in both studies ( d unb = 0-0.47). Listening to self-selected music in a mentally fatigued state negates the negative impact of MF on endurance running capacity and performance, potentially due to altered perception of effort when listening to music.
Porous Ionic Liquids: Structure, Stability, and Gas Absorption Mechanisms

Porous ionic liquids prepared from phosphonium‐based ionic liquids and metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are fluid in large ranges of temperature including ambient. It is shown that the ion pairs are too voluminous to enter the pores of the MOF, so the porous liquids remain several months as suspensions with permanent free volume, capable of absorbing large quantities of gases. The increase in gas absorption, when compared with the pure ionic liquids, is proportional to the amount of porous solid in suspension. Structural features of the MOFs and of the ionic liquids are maintained in the suspensions. Thermodynamic analysis and molecular simulations show that the driving force for gas absorption by the porous ionic liquids is energetic as well as structural being controlled by gas‐solid affinity or by the porous liquid free volume. The enthalpy of gas absorption allows easy regeneration of the porous liquid in all cases. The dissolved gases fluidify the porous ionic liquids, different gases having distinct effects on mass transport. The molecular mechanisms that explain the stability of the suspensions and their capacity for gas absorption are identified and point toward easy design rules that will enable numerous applications of these innovative materials as reaction or separation media.
Organic Hybrid Perovskite (MAPbI3−xClx) for Thermochromic Smart Window with Strong Optical Regulation Ability, Low Transition Temperature, and Narrow Hysteresis Width

Recently, organic hybrid halide perovskites have been found to show thermochromism with good optical performance, which can be applied in smart windows to reduce building energy consumption. However, these perovskites have shortcomings regarding their thermochromic performance, namely long transition time, high transition temperature, and large transition hysteresis width. In this study, a hydrated MAPbI3−xClx thermochromic perovskite smart window (H‐MAPbI3−xClx TPSW) is proposed, which undergoes a reversible transition between a transparent state and a dark reddish‐brown tinted state with a high solar modulation ability of 23.7%. Most importantly, the H‐MAPbI3−xClx TPSW possesses a tunable low transition temperature of 29.4 to 51.4 °C, a controllable and narrow transition hysteresis width (7.7–13.2 °C) and a short transition time (1–4 min). Additionally, a mathematical model is developed to predict the transition temperature of the H‐MAPbI3−xClx TPSW. A field test is also conducted, demonstrating that the H‐MAPbI3−xClx TPSW fitted to a model house can reduce the indoor air temperature by 3.5 °C compared to using a quartz glass window. Overall, the H‐MAPbI3−xClx TPSW can yield excellent optical properties, while simultaneously providing remarkable transition properties, making it potentially useful for a wide range of applications in energy‐efficient buildings.
Bioactive and physicochemical profile of honey collected from Colombian organic and conventional coffee growing areas

A study related to the physicochemical composition and profile of phenolic compounds and flavonoids was performed on honey of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) obtained in coffee-growing areas from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in Colombia. A total of 67 samples were obtained from hives installed on coffee farms classified according to their type of production: organic or conventional. The results of physical properties and chemical composition analyses showed that the honey samples were within the limits established by international regulations. The phenolic compounds and flavonoids identified as chemical markers of interest were coumaric, caffeic, and cinnamic acid, as well as luteolin, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. Tukey's multiple comparison tests showed no major significant differences between the composition of the honey samples from organic coffee growing areas compared to conventional plantations, mainly because of the similarity of floral sources in the surrounding area. Additionally, an analysis of pesticides and heavy metals showed the absence of such components in all samples, confirming that regardless of the type of production, this region is an environmentally clean agricultural zone. This information will generate bases for the differentiation by origin of honey from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, aimed to improve their marketing and promote added value.
Association between Liver Enzymes and Dyslipidemia in Yemeni Patients with Type Two Diabetes Mellitus

Type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and is associated with dyslipidemia and liver function disorders. This study was conducted to assess the association between liver enzymes and elevated lipid profile in a sample of Yemeni patients with T2DM. A case-control study comprising 142 T2D patients and 142 healthy control subjects was carried out at the outpatient clinics of Ibn-Sina hospital, Mukalla, during the period from January to May 2020. Serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were analyzed using the Cobas Integra Plus 400 autoanalyzer. Also, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken from each participant. Independent sample T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. T2D patients had significantly higher FBG (P= <0.0001), total cholesterol (P= <0.0001), LDL-C (P= <0.0001), and GGT (P= <0.0001) while, HDL-C was significantly lower in T2D patients (P= 0.021). In correlation analysis, serum GGT was positively associated with FBG (r= 0.216; P= <0.0001), total cholesterol (r= 0.196; P= 0.0001), triglyceride (r= 0.123; P= 0.038), and LDL-C (r= 0.209; P= <0.0001). Also, serum ALT was positively associated with FBG (r= 0.145, P= 0.014) and triglyceride (r= 0.172, P= 0.004). In conclusion, higher levels of ALT and GGT are used as the predictive biomarkers for NAFLD in T2D patients with hyperlipidemia. Thus, routine screening of liver enzymes and lipid profile in T2D patients is recommended for the early detection of liver abnormalities and diminish diabetes complications.
Surface Plasmons and Visible Light Iniferter Initiated Polymerization for Nanolocal Functionalization of Mesoporous Separation Layers

Although the technological relevance of mesoporous ceramic polymer hybrid materials is well accepted, missing functionalization concepts enabling 3D nanoscale local control of polymer placement into mesoporous materials, including thin films, and ideally using controlled polymerization techniques limit the application potential. Here, nanolocal functionalization of mesoporous separation layers using controlled, visible light iniferter initiated polymerization allowing responsive polymer functionalization locally limited to the irradiated spot is introduced. Thereby, two visible light sensitive iniferters, s‐p‐trimethoxysilylbenzyl‐S´‐dodecyltrithiocarbonate and 4‐cyano‐4‐((dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonyl)sulfanyl)pentanoic acid, are developed for polymer functionalization of mesoporous films in a grafting from and a grafting through approach. 3D nanolocal polymer placement close to the proximity of the plasmonic field source is demonstrated by combining these visible light iniferter initiated polymerizations with optical near field modes, such as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). As the location of the LSPR in mesoporous films can be controlled by placing metal alloy nanoparticles into these films and film thicknesses can be adjusted, this strategy is applied for precise positioning of polymers into mesoporous films with nanolocal control in three dimensions and thus reduces the gap in precision of functional group positioning between technological and biological nanopores.