Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Campylobacter jejuni survival in chicken meat as a function of temperature

Recognition of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni (referred to hereafter as C. jejuni) as an important human pathogen and its isolation from meat products indicate the need for knowledge of its survival characteristics in meats. Thermal death times (D-values) for a single strain and a five-strain composite were determined in 1% peptone and autoclaved ground chicken meat at temperatures ranging from 49 to 57 degrees C. Survival was determined for these strains in chicken meat at 4, 23, 37, and 43 degrees C. Survival was also determined on raw chicken drumsticks stored at 4 degrees C in either an ambient or a CO2 atmosphere. D-values were greater in chicken meat than in peptone in all cases. D-values in peptone for strain H-840 at 49, 51, 53, 55, and 57 degrees C were 15.2, 4.90, 1.71, 0,64, and 0.25 min, respectively. The corresponding D-values in ground chicken meat were 20.5, 8.77, 4.85, 2.12, and 0.79 min, respectively. Similar results were obtained with a composite of five strains. When sterile ground chicken meat was inoculated with approximately 10(6) to 10(7) C. jejuni cells per g and stored at 37 degrees C in an ambient atmosphere, a 1-to 2-log count increase occurred during the first 4 days, followed by a gradual decline of about 1 log during the remainder of the 17-day storage period. No growth was observed among similarly inoculated samples that were stored at 4, 23, and 43 degrees C but counts declined by about 1 to 2 logs at 4 degrees C (17 day), by 2.5 to 5 logs at 23 degrees C (17 days), and to undetectable levels at 43 degrees C (between 10 and 16 days). Survival on raw chicken drumsticks stored at 4 degrees C in CO2 and in an ambient atmosphere declined by about 1.5 and 2.0 logs, respectively, during 21 days of storage. The effect of temperature on the survival of C. jejuni in chicken meat was similar to that reported in other natural and laboratory milieus. Ordinary cooking procedures that destroy salmonellae would be expected to destroy C. jejuni.
Efficient motion compensation of moving targets in SAR imaging

A procedure is presented to retrieve motion parameters of the moving target from single-channel synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data in a long-time coherent integration, and make motion compensation for SAR imaging. Firstly, the slant-range velocity is estimated using Radon transform which is not affected by the Doppler ambiguity, and after correcting the range walk induced by the slant-range motion, the target energy can be concentrated into a single range cell. Then, accurate motion compensation can be made efficiently via the velocity correlation function (VCF) based algorithm. The typical experimental result for simulated SAR data demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Characterization of substrate integrated non radiative dielectric slab waveguide for cross-polarized mm-wave components

Hybrid Substrate Integrated Non Radiative Dielectric Slab Waveguides are proposed as a new guiding structure suitable for mm-wave components. The proposed structure is a combination of two well-known guiding structures, each of which has its wide variety of applications but in different regimes of operation. The combination of the two guiding mechanisms in one physical structure gives unique characteristics to the resulting hybrid waveguide. A systematic analytical way is presented in this paper to characterize the new waveguide in terms of its dispersion relation, modes of operation, field solution, bandwidth of single mode operation, and power handling capability. Some possible applications and design recipes are discussed.
Fourth generation ports – a question of agility?

Since the Second World War, ports have been going through an evolution which the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) refers to as generations. The generation of a port reflects whether the approach adopted by port authorities/operators in developing their activities is likely to be reactive or proactive. These activities start with the traditional ones (cargo loading and discharging) and end up with the establishment of a wide range of logistics and value‐added activities, developed in conjunction with industrial and commercial businesses. This generation of ports, classified as third generation, would be sufficient if the world economic growth pattern could be forecast with any certainty. Unfortunately, this is not the case and the external environment today comprises constant changes that are reflected in the high levels of market uncertainty. To cope with this uncertainty it is suggested that ports should adopt a new logistics approach, agility, which has already been employed in other industries. This paper provides a definition of fourth generation ports and a methodology for implementing the concept of agile ports.
America's Homeless: Numbers, Characteristics, and Programs That Serve Them

Drawing on a nationally representative sample of interviews with homeless people who use services and with service providers in several large cities, the authors explore the efforts of various states and localities to provide emergency services to homeless people, to help them get out of homelessness, and to prevent homelessness. They find that services and programs to help people work their way out of homelessness are not well developed and that the level of interest in finding solutions and the levels of funding to create these solutions vary greatly from state to state.
Comparative Pathobiology of Major Age-Related Diseases: Current Status and Research Frontiers

There has been an increasing percentage of older individuals in our society over the past decade, and today one out of every ten Americans is 65 years or older. Consequently, the medical management of the aged has been assuming increasing importance, and has led to intensified research on diseases of the elderly. Major inroads have been made in our understanding of some of these chronic and progressive diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Leading scientists working in the area of diseases of the elderly participated in a symposium at the National Institutes of Health in April 1983. The proceedings of that symposium are presented in this volume, which is the fourth in a series dealing with various aspects of aging. Although this is a compilation of many excellent articles, the book lacks continuity, perhaps because it constitutes the proceedings of a symposium. This volume, dealing with the comparative pathobiology of several major diseases of the aged, consists of three parts. Part One, entitled "Basic Aspects of Aging," discusses our present understanding of the concepts underlying the aging process. Part Two, "The Mesenchyme and Aging," encompasses treatises on various bone diseases and on atherosclerosis encountered in the aged. Part Three, "The Aging Brain," deals predominantly with Alzheimer's disease. Throughout this symposium, emphasis is on the development of animal models for the different disease entities. In many cases appropriate animal models were not found. In the few instances where animal models appear to be adequate, definite progress has been made in understanding the etiology and pathophysiology, and in the prevention and treatment of the disease. Most of the papers are comprehensive reviews of current concepts, although the utility and quality of different articles vary. Overall, this volume is an excellent synopsis of our current understanding of aging-related diseases, and should be useful to students, practitioners, and researchers in gerontology.
A survey on use of marketable securities by firms quoted at Nairobi Stock Exchange

The study set to investigate the use of marketable securities by firms listed at Nairobi Stock Exchange. This was done with the objective of finding out the extent of use of marketable securities by managers. The study identifies the motives and factors that managers consider while choosing marketable securities. The assumption in this study is that managers maximise return while minimising risk. Data was collected by structured questionnaires and through examination of annual report. The findings were that, firstly, firms hold marketable securities for precautionary purpose with most firms holding commercial paper. The decision to invest depends on certainty of the cash flow pattern of the investing firm and also accessibility to capital when need arises. Secondly, firms that invest in marketable securities regard the investments yield as very important. The yield is a critical variable because it compares the return from an investment to the existing market price. It is also relied on in estimating the risk of an investment. Thirdly, majority of the firms that invest in marketable securities have specialised department who undertake the investment activities. Some firms consider investing in marketable securities as part time job and a few outsource this function. The conclusion is that firms invest in marketable securities for precautionary purpose and to earn yield till need for it arises. However, amount to hold for precautionary purpose will depend on individual firms attitude towards risk and the quality of marketable securities available.
Changes in oxidative stress markers and NF-κB activation induced by sprint exercise

This study was aimed to investigate changes in blood markers of oxidative damage induced by short-term supramaximal anaerobic exercise and to determine whether oxidative stress was associated to activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Both a single Wingate test (WAnT) test and series of four WAnTs separated by 60 min rest intervals were carried out by eight professional cyclists. Leukocyte 8-OH-2-deoxyguanosine levels were significantly elevated 24 h after both exercise protocols. A significant decrease in blood reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration was observed immediately after and at 15, 60 and 120 min of the single WAnT, followed by a return to basal value after 24 h. This decrease was parallel to a significant increase of the oxidised/reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) ratio, to an activation of NF-κB and to a significant decrease in the protein level of its inhibitor IκB. GSH concentration and the GSSG/GSH ratio changed significantly for the first three of the WAnTs series and normalised thereafter. A significant activation of NF-κB and a decrease in the IκB protein level were also detected. We conclude that short-term supramaximal anaerobic exercise induces oxidative stress, as evidenced by non cumulative damage to macromolecules and changes in the glutathione status. Our data also indicate that high intensity anaerobic work gives rise to an activation of the transcription factor NF-κB accompanied by a degradation of IκB.
A tail-feedback VCO with self-adjusting current modulation scheme

This paper proposes a tail-feedback VCO with adaptive current modulation scheme. The proposed current modulation scheme ensures robust startup conditions for the tail-feedback VCO. The proposed VCO is implemented in a 0.18-μm CMOS process. The measured phase noise is -119.3dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset with a power dissipation of 6.8mW at 4.6GHz.
[The index of left and right diastolic ventricular filling with 2D Doppler echocardiography in normal children].

Cross-sectional echocardiographic and Doppler studies were performed to study early and late diastolic inflow velocities transmitral and transtricuspid. The study group consisted of 50 normal subjects. Age varied from 5 hours to 17 years (x: 22 m). The measurements made were E/A ratio, isovolumetric relaxation time of the left ventricle, acceleration and deceleration time. Transmitral E/A ratio is higher than 1 since newborn period, increasing with age (newborn: 1.25 +/- 0.27 over 2 years of age: 1.79 +/- 0.35), and related to increase of "E" wave velocity (newborn: 0.67 +/- 0.09.m/s and over 2 years of age: 0.98 +/- 0.21 m/s). There is also a higher acceleration time (newborn: 50 +/- 10 m/s) and over 6 years of age 130 +/- 30 m/sec; isovolumetric relaxation time of the left ventricle (newborn: 60 +/- 10 msec vs. over 6 years of age: 80 +/- 20 msec). The E/A transtricuspid ratio is lower than 1 in the newborn (0.71 +/- 0.08) and (0.97 +/- 0.32) in infants less than 6 months of age; it is higher than 1 between 6 months and 2 years (1.17 +/- 0.33) and increasing in the group of six years of age and older (1.5 +/- 0.28), due to the higher velocity of "E" (newborn 0.47 +/- 0.07 m/s in relation to 6 years and older group (0.77 +/- 0.08 m/s). There is also an increase of acceleration time with aging (newborn: 50 +/- 10 msec and over six: 70 +/- 10 msec) and deceleration time (newborn: 60 +/- 10 msec and over six: 120 +/- 40 msec). The "A" wave velocities have been similar in the tricuspid and transmitral inflow, with progressive increasing since newborn period up to 2 years of age and decreasing over 6 years of age.
Invertebrate Ecological Immunology

Ecological immunology is a rapidly expanding field that examines the causes and consequences of variation in immune function in the context of evolution and of ecology. Millions of invertebrate species rely solely on innate immunity, compared with only 45,000 vertebrate species that rely additionally on an acquired immune system. Despite this difference in diversity, most studies of ecological immunology focus on vertebrates. Here we review recent progress derived largely from the mechanistic analysis of invertebrate innate immunity. Using this empirical base, we pose general questions in areas that are of central importance for the development of ecological immunology.
Kidney Fibrosis in Hypertensive Rats: Role of Oxidative Stress

Fibrosis of the glomerulus and the tubulointerstitium occurs in patients with hypertension. Studies have shown that renal oxidative stress appears in hypertensive kidney disease. The potential role of oxidative stress in renal fibrogenesis remains to be elucidated. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that oxidative stress contributes to the development of renal fibrosis during hypertension.Sprague-Dawley rats received angiotensin II (AngII; 9 µg/h s.c.) for 4 weeks with/without co-treatment of antioxidants, apocynin and tempol (120 mg/kg/day each, p.o.). Untreated rats served as controls. Appearance of renal oxidative stress and its effect on the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, population of myofibroblasts, collagen synthesis/degradation and fibrosis in kidneys were examined. Chronic AngII infusion elevated systemic blood pressure (228 ± 6 mm Hg), which was accompanied with extensive renal fibrosis and oxidative stress represented as upregulated NADPH oxidase and suppressed superoxide dismutase (SOD). Co-treatment with antioxidants led to: (1) markedly decreased renal NADPH oxidase; (2) significantly attenuated gene expression of TGF-β1, type I collagen, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-I/-II in the kidney; (3) largely reduced population of myofibroblasts in both the cortex and medulla; (4) significantly reduced renal collagen volume, and (5) partially suppressed blood pressure (190 ± 8 mm Hg). Thus, prolonged AngII administration promotes renal oxidative stress, which is associated with hypertensive renal disease. AngII induces renal oxidative stress by increasing NADPH oxidase and reducing SOD in the kidney, which, in turn, upregulates collagen synthesis, while suppressing collagen degradation, thereby promoting the development of fibrosis in kidneys of hypertensive rats.
Xyn10A, a Thermostable Endoxylanase from Acidothermus cellulolyticus 11B

ABSTRACT We cloned and purified the major family 10 xylanase (Xyn10A) from Acidothermus cellulolyticus 11B. Xyn10A was active on oat spelt and birchwood xylans between 60°C and 100°C and between pH 4 and pH 8. The optimal activity was at 90°C and pH 6; specific activity and Km for oat spelt xylan were 350 μmol xylose produced min−1 mg of protein−1 and 0.53 mg ml−1, respectively. Based on xylan cleavage patterns, Xyn10A is an endoxylanase, and its half-life at 90°C was approximately 1.5 h in the presence of xylan.
Preparation of Logistics Managers for the Contemporary Environment of the European Union

This study reports and analyzes a questionnaire administered to US and European logistics managers soliciting their perceptions regarding changes in background and skill preferences for logistics managers operating in the new European Union environment. The combined sample of respondents appeared to indicate the importance of being a manager first and a functional/technical specialist second. While no statistically significant differences between the two subgroups were found with regard to background preferences, there were eight statistically significant differences between the two subgroups with regard to preferred skill requirements in the contemporary environment. Possible explanations for this phenomenon are suggested. Finally, implications of the survey findings for employers, practitioners, educators, and students are discussed.
Coexistence of Chaos with Hyperchaos, Period-3 Doubling Bifurcation, and Transient Chaos in the Hyperchaotic Oscillator with Gyrators

In this paper, the dynamics of the paradigmatic hyperchaotic oscillator with gyrators introduced by Tamasevicius and co-workers (referred to as the TCMNL oscillator hereafter) is considered. This well known hyperchaotic oscillator with active RC realization of inductors is suitable for integrated circuit implementation. Unlike previous literature based on piecewise-linear approximation methods, I derive a new (smooth) mathematical model based on the Shockley diode equation to explore the dynamics of the oscillator. Various tools for detecting chaos including bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, frequency spectra, phase portraits and Poincare sections are exploited to establish the connection between the system parameters and various complex dynamic regimes (e.g. hyperchaos, period-3 doubling bifurcation, coexistence of attractors, transient chaos) of the hyperchaotic oscillator. One of the most interesting and striking features of this oscillator discovered/revealed in this work is the coexistence of.
Predicting Preferences for Innovative Design: The “Repeated Evaluation Technique” (RET)

How do you realistically assess the success potential of innovative products? This task is quite challenging because the Average Joe generally has an aversion to innovation. Therefore it is not really possible to get valid innovation evaluations from typical consumers. Only when we feel secure and have time to become familiar with a new thing can innovation become exciting and attractive.
Financial Control and Organisational Performance of the Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A Catalyst for Economic Growth

The premium interest that contemporary organisation invest in control mechanism within their organisations foregrounds control as a crucial function of management. A number of financial control tools are used in this regard to foster effective handling of this function. The study investigated the relationship between financial control tools and organisational performance. A survey of two hundred and sixty eight SMEs in Lagos was undertaken by means of self-administered questionnaire. Data generated were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The results revealed that participating firms significantly use the traditional control tools such as stocktaking, quality control and financial statements. Other forms of control were to a lesser extent used by participating firms. In addition, the correlation between the use of these control tools and organisational effectiveness demonstrated a significant relationship. Hence, the need for application of financial control tools for effective performance of Nigerian SMEs was suggested.
Economic Performance and Customer Expectation in e-Fulfillment Systems: A Multi-Channel Retailer Perspective

Store-based retailers are increasingly opening an additional online sales channel and becoming multi-channel retailers. Moreover, formerly pure online retailers are opening stores or physical pick-up points to allow their customers physical interaction and product pick-up. The integration of these different channels raises the question of how to redefine the operations and the strategic marketing elements because the two channels have different constraints and require different competencies. This multi-channel retailing has a major effect on operations and supply chain management. Order fulfillment for customers using the different sales channels is a key challenge, and customers are directly affected by the performance of this process. In this article, four e-fulfillment systems are identified according to the locus of order preparation (distribution center or in-store) and the means of delivery to the customer (home delivery or pick-up by the customer). Based on a literature review in supply chain management and in marketing, five economic performance and four customer expectation indicators are identified. The differences between the four e-fulfillment systems based on these indicators are examined from theoretical and empirical points of view relying on eight semi-structured interviews with supply chain managers, directors of points of sale, and senior operations managers of French retail companies.
Evaluation of problem-based learning curriculum implementation in a clerkship rotation of a newly established African medical training institution: lessons from the University of Botswana

Introduction Problem-based Learning (PBL) curricula, like all curricula, require systematic evaluation as there is a risk of implementing a dysfunctional PBL curriculum. The study intended to evaluate the PBL curriculum delivery from the perspective of the clerkship students at the University of Botswana-Faculty of Medicine. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among clerkship students in Family Medicine, Paediatrics, Internal Medicine and Surgery. During a 4-week period, each respondent completed weekly a questionnaire based survey tool. The three part questionnaire consisted of demographic data, 'seven-jumps' adapted from a 'typical' PBL tool to evaluate PBL process and 11 items 'adopted 'from the Short-Questionnaire-to-Evaluate-the-Effectiveness-of-Tutors in the PBL tool to evaluate the PBL facilitation with open ended questions at the end. Results Of the 81 eligible participants, 89% (n=72) responded. We collected back 141 (49%) forms out of the 288 expected (72 X 4 weeks). PBL first sessions took place all the time only in Family Medicine and in about 75% of the time in Pediatrics but none were conducted in the other disciplines. Overall, they evaluated the PBL process as 'good' (median= 8 /10) and the PBL facilitation as 'very good' (median=9 /10). Students appeared to have differing opinions on the preferred approach to the nature of patient problems that the PBL sessions should be structured around. Conclusion Despite students rating PBL process as 'good' and facilitation as 'very good', PBL first sessions were not consistently undertaken.