Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Who Bears the Burden of Bribery? Evidence from Public Service Delivery in Kenya

This paper empirically examines how an individual's economic, social and political capital affects their propensity to make bribe payments in exchange for public services. Using an individual-level survey on bribes, the econometric results suggest that the burden of bribery is borne by the poor, but substantially decreases when institutions that constrain bureaucratic corruption are strong and effective. The results also show that bribery incidences decrease when social capital is high but increase when political networks are prevalent. These findings support the need to combine anti-corruption reforms with poverty reduction strategies and social policies in order to foster equity in public services provision in Kenya. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
5 Application Potential of Food Protein Modification

Proteins are essential in foods, not only for their nutritional value, but also as modulator of structure and perception of a food product. The functional behavior of a protein is inherently susceptible to physico-chemical conditions as pH, ionic strength, temperature, or pressure, making them also an unpredictable, and at the same time, opportune component in food production. Proteins are generally also industrially costly, and with increasing world population and welfare the pressure on protein-availability for food purposes gives rise to some concerns. In view of a more sustainable use of protein-sources a number of routes have been followed in the past decades that provided big steps forward in protein availability: (i) more efficient production or protein refinery methods, (ii) use of alternative protein sources, and (iii) optimized usage of protein functionality. Especially in wheat production correlations between genetic expression and functional product behavior allowed breeders to optimize cultivars for geographic location (e.g. Payne et al., 1984). Alternatively, one has the ability to express specific proteins in non-original sources, for example human milk proteins in plants, such as rice (e.g. Lönnerdal, 2002). Directed alterations in the genome of food-producing organisms can lead to changes in the primary sequences of relevant proteins and thereby introduce potentially new functionality. If sufficient quantities of the novel protein are synthesized and become admixed with the basal levels of protein in the food, the functional properties of the food system (textureformation) may become improved. Alternatively, the modified protein can be isolated for use as food ingredient. More recently, a number of proteins from less-conventional origin have been identified as human food ingredients that one has started to exploit, e.g. algae, leafs, insects, and various seeds. Successful utilization of these new proteinaceous materials has thus far been rather limited, requiring breakthroughs in extractability, their digestibility, nutritive value, and overall functional and organoleptic properties. More downstream in the process is the modulation of protein functional behavior at an ingredient level. This can be physical-chemically, enzymatically, or via chemical engineering.
Wideband substrate integrated waveguide cavity‐backed spiral‐shaped patch antenna

A new technique for designing wideband substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity‐backed antenna is presented in this article. The antenna element is composed of a spiral‐shaped patch and an SIW cavity fed by a coaxial probe. It takes advantage of a dual‐resonance observed in the proposed spiral‐shaped patch structure to enhance its bandwidth. A 2 × 1 array is designed to increase the antenna gain. To demonstrate the validity of the bandwidth enhancement technique, prototypes of the proposed antenna element and array for X‐band applications are fabricated and measured. The measure 10‐dB return loss bandwidth of the antenna element is 11.2% (10.306–11.531 GHz) while that of the array is 12.5% (10.292–11.66 GHz). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:332–337, 2015
Mechanical properties of structural lightweight concrete reinforced with waste steel wires

The study of concrete incorporating different waste fibres has started to increase rapidly due to economic reasons and positive environmental effects. In the study reported here, waste steel wires from steel reinforcement and used formworks were blended with structural lightweight concrete, with the aim of replacing commercial steel fibres of controlled quality with recycled fibres. Compression, tensile, flexural and impact tests were performed to assess the mechanical properties of 28 d old concrete specimens reinforced with mixed waste steel wires, mixed steel fibres as well as plain concrete. The percentages of fibres examined in the fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) specimens were 0·25%, 0·50% and 0·75% (volume fraction of the concrete). With varying fibre contents, similar trends were observed in all the types of FRCs studied. It was thus concluded that waste steel wires could be used as a suitable alternative to industrial steel fibres for structural lightweight concrete applications.
Application of Mechanical Models to Flax Fiber /Wood Fiber/ Plastic Composites

Bio-fibers have been used for some time to reinforce thermoplastic composites; such structures are being used in a variety of commercial applications. In this study, wood fiber and flax fiber were used to reinforce high-density polyethylene (HDPE) formed by extrusion. The flexural, tensile, and impact resistance properties of the resulting flax fiber/wood fiber/HDPE (F/W/HDPE) composites were measured and modeled as a function of the volume fraction of flax ﬁber. Finally, the correctness of the modified model was verified. Based on the measurement data, the volume fraction of flax ﬁber was shown to play an important role in determining the mechanical properties of these composites. With increasing flax fiber volume fraction, the flexural strength, tensile strength, tensile modulus of elasticity, and impact resistance of the composites generally increased. However, the flexural modulus decreased. Based on the rule of mixtures (ROM) model, two coefficients were introduced and a new curve-fitting model was established based on measurements of macrostructure. Compared with the traditional ROM model, the new model developed in the present study could describe the flexural strength, tensile modulus, and impact strength of F/W/HDPE composites more accurately.
Energetic galaxy-wide outflows in high-redshift ultraluminous infrared galaxies hosting AGN activity

We present integral field spectroscopy observations, covering the [O iii] λλ4959, 5007 emission-line doublet of eight high-redshift (z = 1.4–3.4) ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) that host active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity, including known submillimetre luminous galaxies. The targets have moderate radio luminosities that are typical of high-redshift ULIRGs (L1.4 GHz = 1024–1025 W Hz−1) and therefore are not radio-loud AGNs. We decouple kinematic components due to the galaxy dynamics and mergers from those due to outflows. We find evidence in the four most luminous systems ( erg s−1) for the signatures of large-scale energetic outflows: extremely broad [O iii] emission (full width at half-maximum ≈ 700–1400 km s−1) across ≈4–15 kpc, with high velocity offsets from the systemic redshifts (up to ≈850 km s−1). The four less luminous systems have lower quality data displaying weaker evidence for spatially extended outflows. We estimate that these outflows are potentially depositing energy into their host galaxies at considerable rates (–1045 erg s−1); however, due to the lack of constraints on the density of the outflowing material and the structure of the outflow, these estimates should be taken as illustrative only. Based on the measured maximum velocities (vmax ≈ 400–1400 km s−1) the outflows observed are likely to unbind some fraction of the gas from their host galaxies, but are unlikely to completely remove gas from the galaxy haloes. By using a combination of energetic arguments and a comparison to ULIRGs without clear evidence for AGN activity, we show that the AGN activity could be the dominant power source for driving all of the observed outflows, although star formation may also play a significant role in some of the sources.
Nucleic Acid Detection of Major Foodborne Viral Pathogens: Human Noroviruses and Hepatitis A Virus

Human noroviruses (hNoVs) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are the leading cause of food‐ borne viral illness, and they exact a considerable economic and health toll worldwide. The detection of viral contamination in foods requires highly sensitive and accurate methods, due to the intrinsically low amounts of viruses and the complexity of the sam‐ ple matrices. In recent years, a wide variety of nucleic acid-based molecular methods have been developed for the detection of hNoVs and HAV, displaying superior sensitivi‐ ty, specificity, and speed. This chapter aims to provide a summary of the application of the molecular methods for the detection of the two important foodborne viruses.
A Frequency Based Approach to Multi-Class Text Classification

Text classification is a method which involves managing and processing important information that can be categorized into predefined classes within a collection of text data. This method plays a vital role in the field of information processing and information retrieval. Different approaches to text classification specifically based on machine learning algorithms have been discussed and proposed in various research works. This paper discusses a classification approach based on the frequencies of some important text parameters and classifies a given text accordingly into one among multiple categories. Using a newly defined parameter called wf-icf, classification accuracy obtained in a previous work was significantly improved upon.
Microfluidic Advancements in Classical Biotechnology – A Review

Micro-technology has played a substantial role in bioscience, biomedical and biotechnological research due to its core advantages in modern science and engineering. It has created unique development in various sectors of bio-research and upsurges the efficacy of research at the molecular level in recent years. Microfluidic technology makes it possible to manipulate sample volumes at the microand nano-level (called nanofluidics) with terrific control outside in vivo cellular microenvironment, enabling the reduction of discrepancies between in vivo and in vitro environments as well as reducing reaction time and cost. In this review, we discuss various effective integrations of microfluidic technologies into biotechnology and its paradigmatic significance in bioresearch, supporting mechanical and chemical in vitro cellular micro-environment. Specific innovations relating to the application of microfluidics to advance microbial life, solitary and cocultures along with a multiple-type cell culturing, cellular communications, cellular interactions and population dynamics are discussed.
Comparative Evaluation of Proximate Composition of Etroplus suratensis from Ecologically Different Areas of Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala

Muscle of fish is one of the best source of proteins, vitamins and minerals which are essential nutrients required for proper growth and maintenance of bodily functions. The widely different environmental conditions in which the fish live have profound influence on the biochemical composition of their tissues. Ashtamudi Lake contains a rich population of Etroplus, for the present study five areas exhibiting difference in environmental habitats were selected. No attempts have been made before to evaluate the nutritional quality and profiling of Etroplus species in Kerala especially Ashtamudi Lake. Therefore the present study was undertaken for a detailed account of the proximate composition, to evaluate the nutritional quality and also to understand whether the impact of environmental factors on the difference in palatability of individuals of same species obtained from different sites of the lake
INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE P34 ON GENE EXPRESSION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES AND LISTERIA SEELEGERI

Objective: Investigate the influence of the antimicrobial peptides P34 and nisin on the expression of genes associated with components of the cell surface of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria seeligeri . Methods: Antimicrobial activity was determined by addition of peptide P34 and nisin (12.5 µg/ml) onto Brain Heart Infusion agar (BHI) plates previously inoculated with indicator strains ( L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 or L. seeligeri AC 82/4) after incubation for 24 h at 37 °C or 240 h at 4 °C. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) was directly extracted from bacterial colonies at the border of the inhibition zones, and the expression levels of genes D-alanine-D-alanyl carrier protein ligase (dltA), putative phospholipid lysinylation ( Imo 1695 ) and EIIAB Man of mannose-specific PTS ( mptA ) were determined using real-time PCR. Results : A non-significant increase in the levels of transcription of genes dltA, Imo1695 and mptA was observed for L. monocytogenes treated with peptide P34 or nisin. Both peptides caused a similar decrease in dltA gene expression in L. seeligeri . The expression of gene Imo1695 significantly decreased (about 2000-fold) after treatment with the peptide P34 at 37 °C, while at 4 °C a reduction of 12-fold and 5-fold was detected for P34 and nisin, respectively. A significant decrease in mptA gene expression was observed by exposition to peptide P34 (31.872-fold) and nisin (16.047-fold) for 24 h at 37 °C. Conclusion: The results suggest that both peptide P34 and nisin influence the expression of genes related with the cell-surface/cell-membrane structure of L. seeligeri and in lesser extent L. monocytogenes .
Network Routing Optimization based on Mixed Particle Method Research

Particle swarm optimization (POS) algorithm is a reference to the mechanism of the biological predation community of a random search algorithm, the validity of its search, got extensive application in many ways.But the particle swarm algorithm has poor local search ability and easy early faults.So on the basis of it, combined with the genetic algorithm is proposed based on a mixed particle swarm algorithm.The new algorithm USES the similar to the mutation and crossover operation of genetic algorithm, speed and position update formula easier to express.To primary respectively after the particle group division evolution, global optimization to the formation of new species.Applied in the IP network quality of service routing optimization mixed POS algorithm, both meet the requirement of quality of service and will choose the path cost minimum as the optimization index.Through a series of simulation experiments of network routing, the improved algorithm has good effect.
A New Framework for Learning Approaches Toward Social Evolution of Organizations

This paper addresses a gap in the literature concerning suitability of organizational learning approaches in facing social responsibility challenges, and proposes a developed framework that could proactively bridge this gap. A new framework is designed in order to gain insight on the relationships between the typical organizational learning approaches- which have been discussed extensively so far in the literature- and the brand-new concept of civil learning come out of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) studies in very recent years. Comparative analysis is employed to identify well-adjusted organizational learning approaches toward social evolution of organizations. Indeed we are looking to propose a specific learning framework for the firms that are tackling with CSR issues. Hence, we qualitatively bridge between organizational learning models and social learning approaches in order to foster a more advanced framework which recommends the employment of specific learning methods and styles to deal with CSR challenges based on the features of the firm and its business contextual considerations.
CrestMusePEDB 2nd EDITION: MUSIC PERFORMANCE DATABASE WITH PHRASE INFORMATION

Music performance databases that can be referred to as numerical values play important roles in the research of music interpretation, analysis of expressive performances, automatic transcription, and performance rendering technology. We are creating and will publicly release a new version of the CrestMuse Performance Expression Database (PEDB), which is a performance expression database of more than two hundred virtuoso classical piano performances of scores from the Baroque period through the early 20th century, including music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin. The CrestMusePEDB has been used by more than 50 research institutions around the world. It has especially contributed to research on performance rendering systems as training data. Responding to the demand to increase the database, we started a three-year project in 2016 to develop a second edition of the CrestMusePEDB. In this second edition, 443 performances that contain quantitative data and phrase information about what the pianists had in mind while playing the performance are also included. We further report on the ﬁnal stage of the project, which will end next winter.
Use of and Satisfaction with Ankle Foot Orthoses

Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain insight in specific elements influencing the use, non-use, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) and the presence of underexposed problems with respect to AFOs. Methods: A questionnaire was composed to obtain information from AFO users to investigate the variables associated with satisfaction and the relation between these variables. A specific feature of this study was the systematic analysis of the remarks made by the respondents about their AFO. Quantitative data analyses were used for analysing the satisfaction and qualitative analyses were used analysing the remarks of the respondents. A total of 211 users completed the questionnaire. Results: Our survey showed that 1 out of 15 AFOs were not used at all. About three quarters of the AFO users were satisfied and about one quarter was dissatisfied. Females and users living alone reported relatively high levels of dissatisfaction, especially in the field of dimensions, comfort, weight, safety and effectiveness. Dissatisfaction with respect to off-the-shelf AFOs for the item durability was higher than that for custom-made AFOs. In the delivery and maintenance process the items ‘maintenance’, ‘professionalism’ and ‘delivery follow-up’ were judged to be unsatisfactory. A large number of comments were made by the respondents to improve the device or process, mainly by the satisfied AFO users. These comments show that even satisfied users experience many problems and that a lot of problems of AFO users are ‘underexposed’. Conclusion: To improve user satisfaction, the user practice has to be identified as an important sub-process of the whole orthopaedic chain especially in the diagnosis and prescription, delivery tuning and maintenance, and evaluation phase.
Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology Official Journal of the Societa Botanica Italiana

Knowledge of belowground structures and processes is essential for understanding and predicting ecosystem functioning, and consequently in the development of adaptive strategies to safeguard production from trees and woody plants into the future. In the past, research has mainly been concentrated on growth models for the prediction of agronomic or forest production. Newly emerging scientific challenges, e.g. climate change and sustainable development, call for new integrated predictive methods where root systems development will become a key element for understanding global biological systems. The types of input data available from the various branches of woody root research, including biomass allocation, architecture, biomechanics, water and nutrient supply, are discussed with a view to the possibility of incorporating them into a more generic developmental model. We discuss here the main focus of root system modelling to date, including a description of simple allometric biomass models, and biomechanical stress models, and then build in complexity through static growth models towards architecture models. The next progressive and logical step in developing an inclusive developmental model that integrates these modelling approaches is discussed.
Effect of local food on lumefantrine bioavailability and population pharmacokinetics in Ugandan children with malaria

Background. Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is widely adopted as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Lumefantrine (LUM), the long acting partner drug is critical for cure by eliminating malaria parasites left after artemether exposure. Absorption of LUM is dependent on dietary fat and the basis for the pediatric dose recommendations is unclear. Aim. To explore effect of local foods on oral bioavailability of LUM and describe its population pharmacokinetics (PPK) among under five year old children in Uganda treated for malaria with the aim of optimizing use and provide basis for AL rational dosage guidelines. Methods. In an intensive pharmacokinetics (PK) study, 13 healthy adult volunteers were randomized to participate in an open-label four period crossover design and received a single oral dose of AL (80mg A/ 480mg of LUM) with water, milk, maize porridge or maize porridge with oil on separate occasions. Peak concentrations (Cmax) and area under concentration-time curve (AUC) truncated at 48 hours after a single dose (AUC0-48h) were compared using average bioequivalence techniques (I). Relevance of the findings was assessed among children < 5 years with uncomplicated falciparum malaria who were randomized in a parallel study design to receive standard weight-based AL treatment (Coartem ® ), 6 doses over 3 days, with either milk or maize porridge with oil (n= 33) (III). Parametric two-sample t-test was used to compare relative oral LUM bioavailability, 0 to 8 h after the first dose (AUC0-8h) (III). This bioavailability study (III) was nested in a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) study (IV) in the same pediatric patient group. After treatment, sparse plasma samples were collected during 28 days’ follow up in all children (n=55). NONMEM was used to describe the PPK profile of LUM and its metabolite, desbutyl-lumefantrine (DBL) (IV). A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for determination of low concentrations of LUM and DBL in small amounts of plasma (II).
Survey on Methodologies and Techniques Involved in Feature Selection

: Feature selection is an important data processing step where irrelevant and redundant attributes are removed for shorter learning time, better accuracy and better comprehensibility. It involves identifying an optimal subset of the most useful features from the original set of features. The efficiency of feature selection algorithm concerns the time required to find a subset of features and the effectiveness is related to the quality of the subset of feature. This paper focuses on the study of different feature selection models, techniques and evaluation measures used for feature selection and their merits and limitations. Then we talk about the different frameworks involved in feature selection and find the gap between them which needs to be bridged so as to improve the feature selection efficiency and performance.