Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Nanomagnetite/Crosslinked Carboxymethyl kappa Carrageenan Nickel Imprinted Composite

Nickel(II) ions are carcinogenic water pollutants. To increase the accuracy of instrumental analysis of Ni(II) content, several analytical preparation methods have been developed, including solid phase adsorption extraction. The development of magnetic solid phase extraction adsorbents for metal ions is required, to support the application of magnetic solid phase adsorption as a method of separating metal ions in aqueous samples. This research describes the synthesis of Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction adsorbents as Ni(II) ion adsorbents, nano magnetite/carboxymethyl kappa-carrageenan (CMKC) crosslinked bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) imprinted Ni(II)-IIP ion composites. This research was carried out in several stages, synthesis and characterization of nano magnetite (NM), synthesis and characterization of CMKC, and synthesis of NM/CMKCNi(II)-IIP adsorbents. The results of the synthesis were analyzed for morphological characteristics, magnetic strength, spectral characteristics, crystallinity, and composition using SEM, FTIR, XRD, and XRF instruments. The adsorption ability of Ni(II) of the adsorbent was tested. Determination of Ni(II) ion content in the sample before and after adsorption was carried out using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). Based on the results of spectral character analysis, crystal diffraction patterns, magnetic strength, and morphology, it is confirmed that nano-magnetite has been successfully synthesized. The diameter of the nano magnetite grains is 21.8 nm, the adsorbent NM/CMKCNi(II)-IIP has magnetic properties and wavy surface morphology. The optimum adsorption ability of Ni(II) for the NM/CMKCNi(II)-IIP composite was 2.44 mg Ni(II)/g adsorbent. To evaluate the tendency of the adsorption ability of the adsorbent towards Ni(II) ions in the presence of competitor ions, the adsorption ability of the adsorbent to adsorp Ni(II) ions in samples containing Ni(II) ions, Pb(II) ions and a mixture of Ni(II) ions. and Pb(II) were determined, based on the results of the analysis, the ability of the adsorbent to adsorb Ni(II) ions was higher than the ability of the adsorbent to adsorb Pb(II) ions, in all types of samples.
The use of functional amino acids in different categories of pigs – A review

The present review deals with a particularly important topic: the use of functional amino acids in different categories of pigs. It is especially relevant in the context of the current efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in pig farming and the search for possible alternatives to replace them. The review is based on the definition that functional amino acids (FAAs) are classified as dispensable amino acids, but with additional biological functions, i.e., not only are they used for protein formation, but they are also involved in regulating essential metabolic pathways to improve health, survival, growth, and development. We describe the mechanism of action of individual FAAs and their potential use in pigs, including glutamate, glutamine, arginine, branched-chain amino acids (i.e., leucine, isoleucine, and valine), tryptophan and glycine. The work is divided into three parts. The first part deals with the FAAs and their role in the overall health of sows and their offspring. The second part describes the use of functional amino acids in piglets after weaning. Part three examines the use of functional amino acids in growing and fattening pigs and their impact on meat quality.
Statistical Inference to Evaluate and Compare the Performance of Correlated Multi-State Classification Systems

The current emphasis on including correlation when comparing diagnostic test performance is quite important, however, there are cases in which correlation effects may be negligible with respect to inference. This proposed work examines the impact of including correlation between classification systems with continuous features by comparing the optimal performance of two diagnostic tests with multiple outcomes as well as providing inference for a sequence of tests. We define the optimal point using Bayes Cost, a metric that sums the weighted misclassifications within a diagnostic test using a cost/benefit structure. Through simulation, we quantify the impact of correlation on standard errors comparing two tests and evaluate the resulting errors with respect to CI coverage and width under varying diagnostic test accuracy, sample size, cost/benefit structures, parametric assumptions and correlation levels. When formulas are required for better inference to include correlation, we provide updated computational techniques that properly extend the Delta and Generalized method. Additionally, ,to date, no methods have been applied to quantify the performance of a sequence of tests. Therefore, the inference methods derived in this work are extended to sequenced tests where feature correlation is unavoidable and must be accounted for when developing inference on tests.
The Development of Chemoattractant Plumes in Complex Flows and the Role of the Chemotactic Strategies Employed by Sperm to Navigate the Plumes to Fertilize an Egg

The ability of benthic invertebrate sperm to utilize chemotaxis and chemokinesis to locate an egg during broadcast spawning is examined under a variety of flow conditions. During the fertilization process, males release a cloud of sperm and females release a cloud of eggs into the ambient flow. The two plumes are brought together due to turbulent stirring. Individual eggs release a mass of chemoattractant into the flow upon being spawned. The motile sperm are tasked with swimming to an egg for fertilization to occur. The sperm are able to sense the concentration of chemoattractant released by a conspecific egg and change their swimming behavior. Chemotaxis, the orientation due to a chemoattractant, and chemokinesis, the increase in speed due to a chemoattractant, aid the sperm in finding and reaching the egg in a flow. The mechanics of this process are not well understood. The flow around an egg in a linear shear flow is modeled for both a constant linear shear rate and for an unsteady turbulent flow where the linear shear changes direction and magnitude. Sperm are placed in a mass at an initial location and advect due to their swimming behavior and the flow. The rate at which the sperm reach the egg is quantified. The efficacy of several possible response behaviors are tested within a range of flows and for a variety of initial placement within the flow.
Effect of gamma irradiation on the waste polyethylene/bagasse composites reinforced with flax and sisal fibers for use in wood applications

Due to their many benefits, including their environmentally benign nature, low cost, biodegradability, and generally good mechanical behavior, natural fibers represent one of the most attractive reinforcing materials. This paper describes the fabrication of green composites based on waste polyethylene (WPE)/bagasse reinforced with flax and sisal fibers. The composites were prepared using the hot‐mixing method in an internal mixer and molded in a hot press with a suitable thickness. This thickness is about 6 mm to ready for measurements belonging to the wood as impact strength, flexural strength, hardness, water absorption, density, and porosity measurements. The prepared specimens will be subjected to gamma irradiation to evaluate the effect of ionizing radiation on the fabricated samples. Furthermore, the thermal behaviors of the fabricated specimens were examined using TGA and DSC techniques. As a result of their superior mechanical performance, sisal, and flax fibers reinforced WPE/bagasse were able to create composites that were suitable for use in wood applications. The mechanical results revealed that composites with flax fiber are superior to composites with sisal fiber. With 30 phr fiber loading, WPE/bagasse thermal stability improved, with composites made of sisal being the best. With increasing fiber loading, the porosity of the composite rises due to the increase in density. Porosity decreases in composites with irradiation due to crosslinking and enhancement of the compatibility between fiber and matrix. Flax composites that have been irradiated exhibit significantly higher thermal stability than those that have not.
Evaluation of Adiponectin and ANGPTL8 in Women With Metabolic Syndrome in the Madinah Region of Saudi Arabia

Objective: “Metabolic syndrome” (MetS) is a set of abnormalities that may be risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. The current study sought to (1) determine MetS prevalence and (2) examine Adiponectin and ANGPTL8 levels in connection to MetS components and CVDs and diabetes risk in females with MetS. Methods: A total of 350, 20-35-year-old Saudi females were studied. Waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), glucose, HbA1c, insulin, lipid profiles, and blood pressure (BP) were examined for MetS. ANGPTL8 and Adiponectin were also measured. Results: The patients were classified into two groups, namely MetS and non-MetS, according to the criteria established by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII). We examined biomarker and anthropometric results between these groups. One hundred forty-four of 350 female participants (41.2%) had MetS, with a mean age of 30.5 years. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), ANGPTL8, adiponectin, and insulin resistance (IR) were statistically significant differences observed between the two groups. BP, BMI, WC, and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) all changed significantly (P ≤0.05). Correlation studies linked MetS components to higher ANGPTL-8 and reduced adiponectin. The levels of ANGPTL8 were shown to be influenced by the increase in FBG, TG, BP, IR, and AIP (P < 0.05). Factors such as FBG, BMI, WC, and IR have been found to have an inverse relationship with adiponectin levels. Conclusion: 41.2% out of 350 Saudi females at Taibah University in the Madinah region had MetS, medium CVD risk, and slightly elevated BMI, TG, WC, and BP. To lower their risk of CVD and diabetes later in life, overweight young women should be evaluated for MetS. FBG and TG were substantially associated with ANGPTL8 while reducing adiponectin was associated with elevated TG and BP. Our findings may lead to ANGPTL8 and adiponectin's possible predictive function for CVD in early MetS in females.
Range-ambiguity suppression for SAR using joint sparse recovery

ABSTRACT Dealing with range ambiguity is a hot issue in SAR signal processing. One limitation of current algorithms is their poor robustness to noise and the energy of ambiguous targets, which can lead to performance degradation in complex environments. This letter proposes a new algorithm for range ambiguity suppression in SAR. The algorithm utilizes the orthogonality of the transmitted signal to separate the echo signals of the main region and the ambiguous area, and subsequently applies the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm to perform joint sparse recovery on both areas. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively suppress range ambiguity, and it has a good ability to maintain the weak targets and the details of the main region’s image.
Volunteer experiences at a hospice for homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Context Volunteers provide important social support for homeless people. While motivations of the volunteer population for homeless people have been studied, little is known about volunteers for a hospice targeting the homeless population. Objectives The purpose of this study is to describe volunteer experiences and motivation at a hospice for homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This study was conducted at a hospice for homeless individuals in Fall 2021. Data were collected by six virtual focus groups in November and December 2021. There were 21 participants. The recordings of the focus groups were automatically transcribed via ZOOM. The data were analyzed based on themes. Results This study has highlighted three main findings. First, honoring a loved one and being engaged in the community were two main reasons individuals began volunteering at the hospice center. Second, volunteers faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a slow start, increased use of technology, and constant change in volunteers’ responsibilities due to safety reasons. During this time however, volunteers felt much support from the program staff. Third, interactions with staff, other volunteers and residents were the main reasons driving volunteer motivation. Conclusions This project examined the under-studied subject of volunteers’ experiences at a hospice for homeless people and provided insight in this topic. While the COVID-19 pandemic affected volunteering at a hospice for homeless people, support from the program staff and leadership helped sustain volunteer motivation.
Meteorological satellite data: A tool to describe the health of the world's agriculture

Local area coverage data acquired aboard the TIROS-N satellite family by the advanced very high resolution radiometer systems was examined to determine the agricultural information current. Albedo differences between channel 2 and channel 1 of the advanced very high resolution radiometer LAC (called EVI) are shown to be closely correlated to the Ashburn vegetative index produced from LANDSAT multispectral scanner data which have been shown to vary in response to "greenness", soil moisture, and crop production. The statistical correlation between the EVI and the Ashburn Vegetative Index (+ or - 1 deg) is 0.86.
Potential for bispecific T-cell engagers: role of blinatumomab in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

: Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and patients whose minimal residual disease persists during treatment have a poor leukemia-free survival. Despite improvements in front-line therapy, the outcome in these patients remains poor, especially after relapse. As there are no standard chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of patients with R/R B-precursor ALL, T-cell-based therapeutic approaches have recently come to the forefront in ALL therapy. Recently, monoclonal antibodies have been developed to target specific antigens expressed in B-lineage blast cells. In this setting, CD19 is of great interest as this antigen is expressed in B-lineage cells. Therefore, it has been selected as the target antigen for blinatumomab, a new bi-specific T-cell engager antibody. This sophisticated antibody binds sites for both CD19 and CD3, leading to T-cell proliferation and activation and B-cell apoptosis. Owing to its short serum half-life, blinatumomab has been administrated by continuous intravenous infusion with a favorable safety profile. The most significant toxicities were central nervous system events and the cytokine release syndrome. This new therapeutic approach using blinatumomab has been shown to be effective in patients with positive minimal residual disease and in patients with R/R B-precursor ALL leading to a recent approval by the US Food and Drug Administration after an accelerated review process. This review focuses on the profile of blinatumomab and its efficacy and safety.
Application of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology in various fields: A review

CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a revolutionary tool that enables precise and efficient modifications of the genetic material. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its applications in genome editing. We begin by describing the fundamental principles of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, explaining how the system utilizes a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to direct the Cas9 nuclease to specific DNA sequences in the genome, resulting in targeted double-stranded breaks. In this review, we provide in-depth explorations of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its applications in agriculture, medicine, environmental sciences, fisheries, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. We also highlight its potential, ongoing research, and the ethical considerations and controversies surrounding its use. This review might contribute to the understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its implications in various fields, paving the way for future developments and responsible applications of this transformative technology.
Title : Dumpster diving in RNA-sequencing to find the source of every last read

High throughput RNA sequencing technologies have provided invaluable research opportunities across distinct scientific domains by producing quantitative readouts of the transcriptional activity of both entire cellular populations and single cells. The majority of RNA-Seq analyses begin by mapping each experimentally produced sequence (i.e., read) to a set of annotated reference sequences for the organism of interest. For both biological and technical reasons, a significant fraction of reads remains unmapped. In this work we develop a read origin protocol (ROP) aimed at discovering the source of all reads, originated from complex RNA molecules, recombinant antibodies and microbial communities. Our approach can account for 98.8% of all reads across poly(A) and ribo-depletion protocols. Furthermore, using ROP we show that immune profiles of asthmatic individuals are significantly different from the control individuals with decreased average per sample T-cell/B-cell receptor diversity and that immune diversity is inversely correlated with microbial load. This demonstrates the potential of ROP to exploit unmapped reads to better understand the functional mechanisms underlying the connection between immune system, microbiome, human gene expression, and disease etiology. The ROP pipeline is freely available at
Design and Modeling of High Efficiency Graphene Intensity/Phase Modulator Based on Ultra-Thin Silicon Strip Waveguide

Based on the electro-absorption/electro-refraction effect of graphene, we present a high efficiency intensity/phase modulator by exploiting ultra-thin silicon strip waveguide (UTSSW) structure. Due to the special structure of UTSSW, the propagating transverse electric (TE) mode is less confined to the core of silicon and penetrate deeper into the cladding SiO2 layer, which makes the double-layer graphene closer to the maximum of electric field. The combination of UTSSW structure and double-layer graphene facilitate low insertion loss (IL) together with high modulation efficiency modulator. The graphene intensity/phase modulator performances are comprehensively studied in terms of attenuation, IL, modulation depth (MD), optical operation bandwidth, phase shift, energy per bit (Ebit) consumption, and 3-dB electro-optic bandwidth. With graphene chemical potential μ = 0 eV, the MD is about 0.297 dB/μm, 0.304 dB/μm, 0.306 dB/μm for typical incident light wavelength λ = 1310 nm, 1550 nm, 2000 nm, respectively. When the electro-refraction working region is set between 0.6 eV and 1.0 eV, the $\Delta {\rm{Re}}({{\rm{n}}_{{\rm{eff}}}})$ keeps >6.8 × 10−3 with the wavelength increasing from 1250 nm to 2000 nm, which can be used for phase modulation. The maximum value of $\Delta {\rm{Re}}({{\rm{n}}_{{\rm{eff}}}})$ is 8.055 × 10−3 at incident light wavelength of 1616 nm. The 3-dB electro-optic bandwidth of graphene intensity/phase optical modulator are estimated by using an RC circuit model. Moreover, performances metrics dependence on the distance between the capacitor plates d and the doping level (EF) of transferred graphene are quantitatively analyzed and described. Finally, the quantum capacitance of designed graphene-based intensity modulator with different charged impurity concentration are also discussed when graphene μ = 0 eV and μ = 0.6 eV, respectively.
Assessment of the genetic variation in Ethiopian germplasm of durum wheat from region with contrasting environment and water stress

Ethiopian durum wheat germplasm provide useful breeding traits, including disease resistance, environmental stability, drought and low temperature stress tolerance. We analyzed a collection of 234 durum wheat genotypes belonging to nine populations from 3 Ethiopian regions (Tigray, Gonder and Shewa) that are distinguished for their climatic conditions. This gene pool was analysed using 28 SSRs markers randomly chosen one for each chromosome arm in order to define: a) population structure, b) genetic variation, c) relationships between and within populations, d) rare or unique genotypes. The results of this study allow us to get information on the genetic structure of the analyzed populations by evaluating the percent of polymorphism (P), number of alleles (A), number of polymorphic allele per locus (Ap), the expected (He) and the observed heterozigosity (Ho). Our results provide information for the identification of more favorable genotypes to tolerate adverse conditions, contributing to safeguard and to evaluate the available germplasm to assist wheat breeders in developing of new promising genotypes.
The effect of service quality on revisit intention: The mediating role of destination image

Abstract The study investigates the effect of service quality on revisit intention and the mediating role of destination image. Data were gathered from tourists who visited ZimParks tourist destinations (n = 400) using structured questionnaires. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey. Findings show that service quality positively influences revisit intention. Service quality is found to have a positive impact on destination image. Findings also reveal that destination image significantly impacts revisit intention. Destination image was found to mediate the effect of service quality on revisit intention. The findings contribute to the existing body of tourism and marketing literature. Destination Management Companies (DMCs) are advised to consider service quality and destination image when developing strategies to improve tourist revisit intention.
A review on recent advantages and evaluation of microparticles and their applications

Microparticles are free spherical dust between 1 and 1000 microns made of synthetic, non-biodegradable, and non-biodegradable polymers. There are two types of microparticles: microcapsules and micro matrix. The main types of microparticles are magnetic microparticles, polymer microparticles, bio-adhesive microparticles, biodegradable polymer microparticles, synthetic polymer microparticles, floating microparticles, and radioactive microparticles. The advantage of microcarriers over nanoparticles is that they do not cross the 100 nm interstitium during lymphatic transport and therefore act locally. Toxic substances can be solidified in the form of micro-encapsulated and dried particles. Moreover, methods to characterize numerous physicochemical parameters like drug release, thermal properties, and particle size are introduced, along with new tests like in vitro leaching tests and floating tests.
Abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescence

World health organization (WHO) defines adolescence as the age between 10 and 19 years and is a transitional stage between childhood and adulthood during which significant physical and mental changes occur. Menstruation is a normal part of adolescence, but when there is excessive uterine bleeding, it can be associated with significant morbidity. These menstrual disorders are among the most frequent gynaecologic complaints in adolescents. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommend for routine assessment of patterns of menstrual bleeding in all adolescent girls in order to identify possible pathology and to improve their quality of life. Definition