Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Chemical and Functional Properties of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Varieties Cultivated in Mexican Southeast

The leaf powders from two varieties of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) cultivated in Yucatan, Mexico were analyzed for their proximate composition, dietary fiber composition and functional properties. The leaf powders were a good source of carbohydrates (64.06%-67.98%), protein (12.11%-15.05%), and crudefiber (5.92%-9.52%). Total dietary fiber content in the S. rebaudiana leaf powders were 28.61 (Morita II) and 29.12 (Criolla) g/100g sample, with most of this content represented by insoluble dietary fiber 87.79% (Morita II) and 70.02% (Criolla). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were higher in Criolla (19.29%, 17.77%, 8.98%) than Morita II variety (18.11%, 14.16%, 2.28%). Hemicellulose and cellulose were higher in Morita II (3.96%, 11.78%) than criolla variety (1.51%, 8.79%). Functional properties of leaf powder from Morita II and Criolla were, water-holding capacity (2.87-4.07 g/g sample), oil-holding capacity (6.49-6.79 g/g sample), water-absorption capacity (3.41-3.44 g/g sample), water-adsorption capacity (0.25-0.28 g/g sample), and organic molecule absorption capacity (1.13-1.81 g/g sample). These suggest that S. rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaf powders may be used as dietary supplement or as food additive.
Estimating aboveground biomass using Landsat TM imagery: A case study of Anatolian Crimean pine forests in Turkey

Forests play an important role in carbon circulation, and the productivity of forest ecosystems can be evaluated by evaluating its biomass. Evaluation of biomass aids the determination and understanding of changes in forest ecosystems. Because of the limitations of ground measurements of biomass, in recent times, satellite images have been broadly applied to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB). The objective of this study is to examine the relationships between AGB and individual band reflectance values and ten Vegetation Indices (VIs) obtained from a Landsat TM satellite image for an Anatolian pine forests in northwestern Turkey. Multiple regression analysis is utilized to predict the AGB. The AGB model using TM 1 and TM 2 had an adjusted R2 of 0.465. Another AGB model using Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Normalized Difference 57 (ND57) had an adjusted R2 of 0.606. Our results reveal that VIs present better estimation of AGB in Anatolian pine forests as compared to individual band reflectance values.
Application, Evaluation, and Process Analysis of the US EPA's 2002 Multiple-Pollutant Air Quality Modeling Platform

A multiple-pollutant version of CMAQ v4.6 (i.e., CMAQ-MP) has been applied by the US EPA over continental US in 2002 to demonstrate the model’s capability in reproducing the long-term trends of ambient criteria and hazardous air pollutants (CAPs and HAPs, respectively) in support of regulatory analysis for air quality management. In this study, a comprehensive model performance evaluation for the full year of 2002 is performed for the first time for CMAQ-MP using the surface networks and satellite measurements. CMAQ-MP shows a comparable and improved performance for most CAPs species as compared to an older version of CMAQ that did not treat HAPs and used older versions of national emission inventories. CMAQ-MP generally gives better performance for CAPs than for HAPs. Max 8-h ozone (O3) mixing ratios are well reproduced in the O3season. The seasonal-mean performance is fairly good for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfate (SO42-), and mercury (Hg) wet deposition and worse for other CAPs and HAPs species. The reasons for the model biases may be attributed to uncertainties in emissions for some species (e.g., ammonia (NH3), elemental carbon (EC), primary organic aerosol (POA), HAPs), gas/aerosol chemistry treatments (e.g., secondary or- ganic aerosol formation, meteorology (e.g., overestimate in summer precipitation), measurements (e.g., NO3-), and the use of a coarse grid resolution. CMAQ cannot well reproduce spatial and seasonal variations of column variables except for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the ratio of column mass of HCHO/NO2. Possible reasons include inaccurate seasonal allocation or underestimation of emissions, inaccurate BCONs at higher altitudes, lack of model treatments such as mineral dust or plume-in-grid process, and limitations and errors in satellite data retrievals. The process analysis results show that in addition to transport, gas chemistry or aerosol/emissions play the most important roles for O3 or PM2.5, respectively. For most HAPs, emissions are important sources and cloud processes are a major sink. Simulated P H2 H O2/P HNO3 and HCHO/NO2 indicate VOC-limited chemistry in major urban areas throughout the year and in other non-urban areas in winter, but NOx-limited chemistry in most areas in summer.
Phage Immobilized Antibacterial Silica Nanoplatform: Application against Bacterial Infections

Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens has become a worldwide public health problem in veteri- nary and human medicine. The emergence of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus sp. has led to complications in treatment of bovine mastitis, wound infections in horses, dogs, pigs etc. and bacterimia in humans ranging from postules, sepsis to even death. To address this problem of antibiotic resistance, several attempts are being made of which, phage therapy offers a promising alternative. Herein, we report a phage based antibacterial nanoplatform hav- ing bactericidal potential against an isolated methicillin resistant skin bacterium, Staphylococcus arlettae as a model organism. The bacteriophages (phages) used in the study were isolated from sewage water via enrichment method against an isolated methicillin resitant skin bacterium, Staphylococcus arlettae (GenBank accession no. KF589201.1). The isolated phages were characterized thereafter for their host specificity and morphology by plaque assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. Intrinsic charge characteristic of phages was utilized for their immobilization on silica NPs monolyer using different conjugation chemistry, through covalent/electrostatic/ phy- sisorption interactions. The efficacy of each immobilization approach was compared using plaque assay. Silica NPs of size ~ 300 nm were synthesized by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate in an alkaline envi- ronment, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particles were dispersed at air/water interface for monolayer formation on polyvinyllidine fluoride (PVDF) membrane via Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) thin film deposition technique at 15 mN/m surface pressure. It was observed that 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) treated membranes act as a better bactericidal platform due to proper orientation of phages by means of electrostatic and covalent interaction as compared to phage bound by physical adsorption. Moreoever, high sur- face/volume ratio of NPs further helped in improving bactericidal performance, associated with large loading ca- pacity of phages on film. Thus, the present study can facilitate in design and development of an effective anti-bac- terial compositions and dressings in veterinary medicine and animal agriculture to combat Staphylococcal infections.
Influence of Immunity Induced at Priming Step on Mucosal Immunization of Heterologous Prime-Boost Regimens

Background: The usefulness of DNA vaccine at priming step of heterologous prime-boost vaccination led to DNA vaccine closer to practical reality. DNA vaccine priming followed by recombinant viral vector boosting via systemic route induces optimal systemic immunity but no mucosal immunity. Mucosal vaccination of the reversed protocol (recombinant viral vector priming-DNA vaccine boosting), however, can induce both maximal mucosal and systemic immunity. Here, we tried to address the reason why the mucosal protocol of prime-boost vaccination differs from that of systemic vaccination. Methods: To address the importance of primary immunity induced at priming step, mice were primed with different doses of DNA vaccine or coadministration of DNA vaccine plus mucosal adjuvant, and immunity including serum IgG and mucosal IgA was then determined following boosting with recombinant viral vector. Next, to assess influence of humoral pre-existing immunity on boosting CD8 + T cell-mediated immunity, CD8 + T cell-mediated immunity in B cell-deficient (Ǻ K/O) mice immunized with prime-boost regimens was evaluated by CTL assay and IFN-Ǳ -producing cells. Results: Immunity primed with recombinant viral vector was effectively boosted with DNA vaccine even 60 days later. In particular, animals primed by increasing doses of DNA vaccine or incorporating an adjuvant at priming step and boosted by recombinant viral vector elicited comparable responses to recombinant viral vector primed-DNA vaccine boosted group. Humoral pre-existing immunity was also unlikely to interfere the boosting effect of CD8 + T cell-mediated immunity by recombinant viral vector. Conclusion: This report provides the important point that optimally primed responses should be considered in mucosal immunization of heterologous prime-boost regimens for inducing the effective boosting at both mucosal and systemic sites. (Immune Network 2003;3(2):110-117)
COMBINATIONS OF DRUGS THAT PRODUCE OPPOSITE EFFECTS

Numerous studies have examined combinations of drugs that pro- duce overtly similar effects in order to determine whether such combinations produce unusual interactions indicating synergism. When two drugs, or a drug and an endogenous chemical, individually produce opposite effects there is equal interest in the quantitative assessment of interactions in these combinations. This case of opposing effects, not previously examined quantitatively, is the subject of this communication.
Comparative feedlot performance of Washera and Horro sheep fed different roughage to concentrate ratio

A study was conducted using thirty male intact Washera and Horro sheep (15 from each breed) with initial body weight (BW) of 19.01±0.37 kg (mean ± SD) to compare feed intake, digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of the animals fed diet containing hay:concentrate ratio of 70:30 (L), 60:40 (M), 50:50 (H). The concentrate contained 30:70 (noug seed cake:wheat bran). Animals of each breed were blocked based on initial BW and were randomly assigned to the dietary treatments. The experimental design was therefore a 2*3 factorial in RCBD. The experiment had a 90 days feeding and 7 days digestibility trials and carcass evaluation at the end. The crude protein (CP) contents of the three diets were 13.7, 15.5 and 18.1% for L, M and H, respectively. Daily dry matter (DM) and CP intakes were only affected by diet (P 0.05) for M and H. CP intake (105, 130 and 160 g/day (SEM = 3.5) was in the order of L 0.05) by genotype, diet or their interaction and were above 60%. Average daily body weight gain (ADG) were significantly impacted only by diet (P 0.05) in all the main carcass parameters measured. Diet had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on hot carcass weight. Hot carcass weight (7.6, 8.2, 8.8 kg (SEM = 0.32)) was lower (P < 0.05) for L than H with value for M being similar to L and H. In conclusion this study highlighted that Washera and Horro sheep had a similar performance under the feeding regime used in this study, and it appeared that both breeds perform better in the diet containing the highest level of concentrate used in the current study.
Influences of the Input Factors towards Success of An Information System Project

This study examines the input factors that were reputed theoretically affecting the information system (IS) project success in term of the processional and causal perspectives. Adopting three of the four dimensions from the McLeod and MacDonell’s (M&M’s) classification project framework dimensions, the study is initiated by inviting the internal project stakeholders in a sampled institution. A stratified sampling then identified 130 people who experienced in the projects as the sample, contacted 90 of the samples via e-mail and distributed the paper-based questionnaire into 40 certain people especially who are on the managerial level. A number of 62 (48%) valid responses, then were analyzed using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) software, i.e. SmartPLS. The significances of the whole path coefficients, the acceptances of the overall hypotheses, the relevances of the three predictors relevances, and the moderate coefficient determination of the IS project success variable may present acceptability of the proposed model for the subsequent studies.
Pilot-aided joint phase and polarization tracking algorithm

The availability of fast and reliable advanced communication systems made it possible to transfer massive amounts of data over thousands of kilometers. Long-haul fiber-optical links have a unique role in this achievement by using coherent transmission. Coherent systems encode the data onto both the phase and amplitude of the optical carrier, making it possible to use higher-order modulation formats and achieve improved spectral efficiency at the cost of a reduced tolerance against channel impairments. Digital signal processing methods have been exploited to mitigate the channel impairments, which can be deterministic or stochastic. In this work we propose a pilot-aided algorithm to compensate jointly for the drifts of the carrier phase noise and state of the polarization, accommodating for an arbitrary modulation format. The algorithm is based on a channel model that accurately describes fiber propagation and it uses a sequence of known symbols at the receiver, named pilots, to estimate the channel and recover the carrier phase and state of polarization. The proposed pilot-aided algorithm originates from a blind algorithm that uses differential encoding. Simulation results compare both algorithms and show that the proposed algorithm has a better convergence rate and tolerance to the considered channel impairments, at the cost of a slight overhead. Furthermore, the state of polarization and phase ambiguities, which the blind algorithm suffers from, have also been resolved in the pilot-aided algorithm.
Risk and Prevalence of Self-Perceived Voice Disorders in Male and Female University Professors

Purpose: The aim of this survey was to explore risk factors and prevalence of voice disorders in male and female university professors in order to determine the need for a gender specific preventative vocal hygiene education program which could improve their occupational performance. Methods: An online survey was filled out by 102 female and 94 male university professors from 12 universities in Cyprus. The survey obtained information on risk factors that may lead to voice problems related to general health, voice use, lifestyle, and environment, as well as, the self-perceived severity of a participant’s voice difficulty. The chi-squared test was applied to investigate the differences in answers for each voice risk factor between male and female professors. The prevalence of self-perceived voice disorders in males and females was also calculated. Results: The estimated prevalence of self-perceived voice disorders was 43.1% for female and 26.6% for male professors. Female professors were more likely to “frequently” experience respiratory infections, “sometimes” speak over their natural breath cycle, and “always” and “frequently” have stress and anxiety than males. Female faculty were also more likely to have breaks between classes that last less than 30 minutes. Conclusions: Risk factors for developing voice disorders in female professors are related to health, voice use and lifestyle. Therefore, a preventative gender specific vocal hygiene education program is recommended for female faculty.
Dental health care technologies: factors affecting technology adoption and latest information technology solutions

The thesis studies the factors affecting information technology adoption in dental health care. The scope is on information systems used in diagnostics and clinical work. Besides the factors affecting technology adoption, the possibilities and challenges of two important technologies, 3D virtual workflow and CAD/CAM are introduced. The 3D technologies are studied further through a case study, Planmeca Romexis 3D applications. Through the thesis, the effects of the technologies for the whole value chain from the technology vendor to the patient are evaluated. Also, the economical side of the technologies is discussed. The thesis is based on a broad literature review. At first, dental clinical workflow is introduced to understand what kind of environment the information systems are facing. Second, a theoretical framework for technology adoption including Technology Acceptance Model by Davis (1989) and related theories is constructed, followed by a more throughout literature review on the factors characteristic to clinical environment and dental health care. The literature review is supported with the case study and interviews of specialists. The literature review finds various factors for technology adoption in dental health care. These factors are divided into usability and functional factors, work efficiency factors, learning curve factors and social & organisational factors. The general theoretical framework can be seen rather applicable for dental health care scope, but some factors such as patient safety or dental team’s sociocultural relationships are very characteristic to dentistry. 3D virtual workflow and CAD/CAM are seen to provide advantages into dentistry, and they’re bringing solutions to the factors discussed in the thesis. The thesis founds also challenges and problems arising from these technologies. Planmeca’s solutions are providing further insight on the possibilities of reallife solutions for 3D virtual workflow. The thesis has limitations since it’s based on a literature review, but a similar Information System Management-view for information systems in dentistry is rather rare. Thus, it can provide information on which factors to take into consideration for vendors designing dental information systems as well as for organizations that are considering investing in new information systems.
THE HOLISTIC VIEW OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ( BI ) AND BIG DATA ANALYTICS ( BDA ) TOWARDS DESIGNING STRATEGIC PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK : A CASE STUDY

In this research paper, we had approached the contradictory characteristic of holistic perspective in an organization that generated data value on organizational strategic performance by utilizing Business Intelligence (BI) mechanism and Big Data Analytics (BDA) within a conceptual framework and their strategy expansion and execution for strategic performance management. BI and BDA were emphasized due to the significance in empowering organizations for deriving better knowledge inception and decisionmaking process. Derived knowledge from organizing big data (BD) and utilizing BI together with MIT90s model, McKinsey 7S’s framework and survey findings. These approaches were used as the baseline of information excellence framework for the formulation of BI and BDA towards strategic performance management framework for an organization. This conceptual framework stated the simultaneous BI stages and BDA in strategies adoption via visualizing the organizational performance indicator. The outcome will be a blueprint of a strategic performance management framework for a prototype of such strategic application.
On the Frattini subgroup of a residually finite generalized free product

Let G = (,4 * B)H be the generalized free product of the groups A, B amalgamating the subgroup H, and let +(G) denote its Frattini subgroup. In support of the conjecture that +(G) C H whenever G is resiually finite and H satisfies a nontrivial identical relation, we show, amongst several other things, that the above inequality is indeed valid if in addition at least one of the following holds: (i) A, B, each satisfies a nontrivial identical relation; (ii) G is finitely generated; (iii) H is nilpotent. In particular (i) completes earlier investigations of the second author. The methods of proof are, however, different. 1. The questions concerning the Frattini subgroup of a generalized fre product of groups, first raised by Higman and Neumann L6] have, so far, be answered only for certain special classes of groups. In L7, Theorem 3.5] the second author proved the following result (throughout we assume A W E ; B): If G = (A * B)H is residually finite (in symbols, G C RSf) then I(G' is contained in H provided one of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) A, B each satisfies a nontrivial identical relation which is not satisfie( by the infinite dihedral group; (ii) A, 13 each satisfies a nontrivial identic; relation and both |A:HJ and JB:H| are greater than 2; (iii) JA:HJ = JB:HJ = 2. In this paper we improve this result to read: Theorem 1. Let G = (A *B) Rf. I/ HCCA and H;DCB where C, D each satisfies a nontrivial identical relation, then CO(G) C H. It is more convenient to begin with a proof of our main result, namely: Theorem 2. Let G = (A * B) H e Rf. If H satis/ies a nontrivial ident cal relation and if G is /initely generated then 4)(G) C H. Received by the editors October 30, 1973. AMS (MOS) subject classifications (1970). Primary 20E20, 20E30; Secondary 20E10, 20F30.
DESIGN OF MODIFIED 6-18 GHz BALANCED ANTIPODAL VIVALDI ANTENNA

In this paper, a modifled planar balanced Vivaldi antenna with endflre characteristics near the metal surface is proposed for 6{18GHz applications. The proposed antenna structure consists of three copper layers, among which two external layers locate on the two outsides of two dielectric substrates, and the central layer is sandwiched by these two dielectric substrates. To further enhance the end-flre radiation characteristic, a number of novel techniques are proposed, including elongation and shaping of the supporting substrate of a conventional balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna beyond its aperture, using an I-shaped slot loaded radiation patch and cutting a triangle on the edge of three copper layers. Measured and simulated results show that the proposed antenna not only exhibits good impedance bandwidth, but also improves the end-flre performance in the operational frequency of 6{10GHz and achieves high gain in the end-flre direction, low cross-polarization and high front-to-back (F-to- B) ratio.
Spectroscopy of diffuse light in dust clouds - Scattered light and the solar neighbourhood radiation field

The optical surface brightness of dark nebulae is mainly due to scattering of integrated starlight by classical dust grains. It contains information on the impinging interstellar radiation field, cloud structure, and grain scattering properties. We have obtained spectra of the scattered light from 3500 to 9000 Angstrom in two globules, the Thumbprint Nebula and DC303.8-14.2. We use observations of the scattered light to study the impinging integrated starlight spectrum as well as the scattered H-alpha and other line emissions from all over the sky. We search also for the presence of other than scattered light in the two globules. We obtained long-slit spectra encompassing the whole globule plus adjacent sky in a one-slit setting, thus enabling efficient elimination of airglow and other foreground sky components. We calculated synthetic integrated starlight spectra for the solar neighbourhood using HIPPARCOS-based stellar distributions and the spectral library of Pickles. Spectra are presented separately for the bright rims and dark cores of the globules. The continuum spectral energy distributions and absorption line spectra can be well modelled with the synthetic integrated starlight spectra. Emission lines of H-alpha + NII, H-beta, and SII are detected and are interpreted in terms of scattered light plus an in situ warm ionized medium component behind the globules. We detected an excess of emission over the wavelength range 5200-8000 Angstrom in DC303.8-14.2 but the nature of this emission remains open.