Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food Preservative Potential of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Essential Oil

The economic charges and health implications of food spoilage and food waste handling are increasing. Contamination of food sources by different sources of contaminants remains a major public health concern. In the last decades, researches have focused on developing safer natural products and innovations to meet consumers' acceptance as alternatives to synthetic food preservatives. Many recent novel preservative techniques and applications of both natural and synthetic origin continue to proliferate in food and chemical industries. In particular, some essential oils of plant origin are potent food preservatives and are thus attractive alternatives to synthetic preservatives. For the reasons mentioned above, this studied aimed evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties of the essential oil obtained from the Cymbopogon citratus of Angolan origin. Its major constituents analyzed by GC-MS were α-citral (40.55%), β-citral (28.26%), myrcene (10.50%) and geraniol (3.37%). The essential oil antioxidant capacity was statistically identical to that of synthetic antioxidants (DPPH IC50 of 41.7 μg/ml) and superior to that of extracts obtained from fresh leaves of the plant (DPPH IC50 of 55.7 μg/ml). The oil also demonstrated high antibacterial activity even against multidrug resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Non-Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis. Prime Archives in Agricultural Research 3 www.videleaf. com
A Theoretical Framework for Understanding Financial Distortions: With Special Application to China

We attempt to explore the political roots of financially distorting policies ("FDP") by building a simple demand-supply framework in this study. On the demand side, in many countries, including non-democratic ones but particularly in democratic ones, interest groups are attracted by rents associated with FDP and therefore devote resources to distort financial policies to their advantage. On the supply side, governments, particularly governments in non-democratic regimes, are inclined to adopt FDP to channel financial resources to the key constituents of their regimes in exchange for their loyalty and support. The framework is shown to be useful in understanding financial situations in certain countries, such as China, where a highly distorted financial environment has been maintained for decades.
Nitric oxide radicals are emitted by wasp eggs to kill mold fungi

Detrimental microbes caused the evolution of a great diversity of antimicrobial defenses in plants and animals. Here we show that the eggs of a solitary digger wasp, the European beewolf Philanthus triangulum, emit large amounts of the gaseous free radical nitric oxide (NO˙) to protect themselves and their provisions, paralyzed honeybees, against mold fungi. Despite the extraordinary concentrations of nitrogen radicals (NO˙ and its oxidation product NO2˙) in the brood cells (~1500ppm), NO˙ is synthesized from L-arginine by an NO-synthase (NOS) as in other animals. The beewolf NOS gene revealed no conspicuous differences to related species. However, due to alternative splicing, the NOS-mRNA in beewolf eggs lacks a 144bp exon near the regulatory domain. This preventive external application of high doses of NO˙ by seemingly defenseless wasp eggs represents an evolutionary key innovation that adds a remarkable novel facet to the array of functions of the important biological effector NO˙.
Teachers’ Beliefs as Facilitators in Effective English Language Teaching and Learning

Teachers’ beliefs have a greater role than the teachers’ knowledge of planning lessons. Despite their significant role in teaching and learning, studies of teachers’ beliefs in Indonesian EFL setting are still rare that this paper is to reveal teachers’ beliefs as facilitators in effective English language teaching and learning. The participants in this qualitative study, two teachers and five students were interviewed. The data were then transcribed, interpreted, and coded, and categorized by applying thematic data analysis. Regarding the questions of what beliefs teachers hold, the finding shows that the teachers have very well beliefs that they want to become good facilitators for their students in learning English. In relation with the extent of facilitating the students in gaining knowledge, the finding shows that the teachers use mix and match, collaboration between teacher and teacher, team games tournament, three-phase technique, scientific approach and discovery learning. To conclude, the formation of teacher beliefs will have a substantial effect on language teaching and learning process and will bring about an upgrade in students' language abilities. This research is expected to provide information to teachers regarding their beliefs as
Finite-Order Source and Relay Filtering Design for Wideband Full-Duplex Amplify-and-Forward Relaying Networks

Compared with half-duplex relaying, the full-duplex relay (FDR) system provides higher spectral efficiency due to the concurrent transmission and reception at the relay node. As known, the full-duplex operation will introduce the self-interference (SI) that significantly degrades the system performance. Conventionally, SI is treated as a harmful signal that needs to be removed from the system as completely as possible. The conventional design concept, however, may not be efficient since SI is in fact a delayed version of the desired signal. Specifically, it is possible to have further performance improvement if SI can be exploited appropriately. In this paper, we will investigate the source/relay filter design problem where the source and relay are considered as finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) filters, respectively. The design goal is to optimize the end-to-end performance for the linear minimum mean-square error (MMSE) and nonlinear MMSE decision-feedback equalizers. To reduce the implementation cost, we further propose a finite-order filter design for the source and relay precoders. Simulations demonstrate that our designs outperform the conventional ones.
Some African Bees

CROCISA Crocisa brachyaspis, new species FEMALE. -Length about 9 mm. (abdomen contracted), anterior wing 9 mm. ; black, without metallic tints; pubescent markings white; hind femora unarmed. Exceedingly like C. valvata Brauns, but smaller, with the scutellum smaller and shorter, and with a median groove; the shape of the margin of the scutellum is as in C. valvata, the angle being very wide, the margins between the incision and the lateral points are quite straight, the points are practically rectangular. The markings of the thorax are reduced, but their hair is long; median stripe rather narrow, about half length of mesothorax; a pair of white spots on anterior border of mesothorax, remote from median stripe and from lateral bands; lateral bands confine(d to the vicinity of tegulac, broad in front, linear behind; posterior spots rather large, far from the other markings; mesothorax well punctured. Axillae and scutellum wholly without white hair, but long white hair beneath scutellar incision. Upper part of mesopleura with long white hair, but a barc space in middle, the surface of which is dull; lower half coarsely punctured and shining, with much white hair on its lower portion. The abdominal markings are like those of C. valvata, except that the marks on first tergite have no basal extensions mesad, and the very broad bands at sides of second have merely an angular extension at each side; the second and third sternites have white hair at sides; the fifth sternite is keeled in mid(lle, and has soine thin whitish hair. The legs, as in C. valvata, have white hair on basitarsi; the white hair on hind tibiae occupies about half of the outer side, the division being very oblique. The tegulae and wings resemble those of C. valvata, but there is no patch of white hair at base of wings, next to tegulae. Orange Free State: Ficksburg, altitude 5347 ft., Feb.-March, 1932 (J. Ogilvie). This is so like C. valvata that I at first took it for a variety, but it has numerous characters which indicate its specific rank. There is some resemblance to C. oxyaspis Cockerell, which has similar marks on first tergite, but is larger, with sharp points on scutellum.
Cognitive distortions in epilepsy patients: metacognitive functions, automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes

Correspondence: Filiz Ozsoy, Yeni District, Tokat State Hospital, 60100 Center, Tokat Turkey E-mail: flzkoseoglu82@gmail.com Received: January 10, 2020; Revised: March 27, 2020; Accepted: June 20, 2020 ABSTRACT Objective: The association of psychiatric disorders with epilepsy was shown in many publications, but there have been very few studies dealing with cognitive distortions in epilepsy patients. In our study, we aimed to investigate the metacognitive systems, dysfunctional attitudes, and automatic thoughts of epilepsy patients. Method: Sixty patients diagnosed with epilepsy based on anamnesis and electroencephalographic examination and 50 healthy controls were included in the study. The sociodemographic data form, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS), and Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ) were administered to all participants. Results: BAI and BDI scores were significantly higher in the epilepsy group compared to the control group (p=0.001, p<0.05, respectively). The “uncontrollability-danger” and “cognitive awareness” subscale scores and the total score of MCQ in the epilepsy group were also higher than in the control group (p=0.001, p<0.05, p=0.001, respectively). The ATQ total score was found to be significantly higher in the epilepsy group compared to the control group (p=0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings from the present study, in order to understand and support epilepsy patients better and provide diagnosis/treatment for psychiatric diseases that may be overlooked, it is recommended that clinical neurologists and psychiatrists evaluate patients in cooperation.
A Combined Broadband Model for GaN HEMTs in Admittance Domain Based on Canonical Piecewise Linear Functions

In this article, a new large-signal transistor model is proposed. The model combines the advantage of both compact modeling and behavioral modeling techniques, resulting in a new modeling methodology. The intrinsic part of the model is based on the black-box poly-harmonic distortion (PHD) framework, which is implemented using the canonical piecewise linear (CPL) functions. Thus, the new intrinsic model can cover a broad operating frequency band, across a wide range of input powers, using a compact set of model parameters. While at each fixed operating frequency and input power, the model can also accurately predict device behavior over the complete Smith chart. For the extrinsic model, the traditional extrinsic parasitic network is used, enabling access to the intrinsic device plane, as required for waveform engineering. This work examines intrinsic admittance domain models implemented using both the linear and quadratic poly-harmonic expansions. An $8 \times 125\,\,\mu \text{m}$ GaN HEMT device with a 0.25- $\mu \text{m}$ gate feature size and a commercial 10-W GaN HEMT is used during the simulation and experimental model validation. Model implementations show excellent interpolation and extrapolation capability over the frequency band across a range of input power levels in both the frequency domain and the time domain.
PlotsOfDifferences – a web app for the quantitative comparison of unpaired data

The quantitative comparison of data acquired under different conditions is an important aspect of experimental science. The most widely used statistic for quantitative comparisons is the p-value. However, p-values suffer from several shortcomings. The most prominent shortcoming that is relevant for quantitative comparisons is that p-values fail to convey the magnitude of differences. The differences between conditions are best quantified by the determination of effect size. To democratize the calculation of effect size, we have developed a web-based tool. The tool uses bootstrapping to resample mean or median values for each of the conditions and these values are used to calculate the effect size and their compatibility interval. The web tool generates a graphical output, showing the bootstrap distribution of the difference next to the actual data for optimal interpretation. A tabular output with statistics and effect sizes is also generated and the table can be supplemented with p-values that are calculated with a randomization test. The app that we report here is dubbed PlotsOfDifferences and is available at: https://huygens.science. uva.nl/PlotsOfDifferences
THE EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN E ON NITROSO-OXIDATIVE PROCESSES IN MUCOUS MEMBRANES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF CYCLOOXYGENASE BLOCKAGE ON THE BACKGROUND OF THE LOW INTENSITY X-RAY IRRADIATION

Introduction. The simultaneous effect of several ulcerogenic factors, different due to their mechanism of action on the mucous membranes of the digestive organs needs deep elucidation. The studies were focused on the combined effect of the low intensity X-ray irradiation and cyclooxygenase blockage. It is important to evaluate the antioxidant effect of vitamin E under the conditions of simultaneous effect of different pro-inflammatory factors, acting on the nitroso-oxidative processes. The aim of the study – to investigate the effect of vitamin E on nitroso-oxidative processes in the mucous membranes of the digestive organs under the action of the low intensity X-ray irradiation and COX blockage. Research Methods. In the homogenates of the mucous membranes of stomach, small and large intestine in rats (n=64) the activity of NO-synthase, arginase, myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, TBA-active products,nitrite-anioncontent and sum of nitrites and nitrates were determined. Results and Discussion. It was established that the effect of vitamin E on the background of the low intensity X-ray irradiation resulted in the decrease of iNOSactivity level (р<0.05) and nitrite-anion content (р<0.05) and increase of catalase and MPO activity in the mucous membranes of the digestive organs compared to indices obtained under the conditions of X-ray irradiation. Blockage of COX activity by indometacin on the background of the introduction of vitamin E and simultaneous effect of the low intensity X-ray irradiation revealed the peculiarities of antioxidant action of vitamin E in the mucous membranes of the digestive organs. Conclusions.Under the conditions of COX blockage on the background of the low intensity X-ray irradiation the level of lipid peroxidation processes increased, iNOSand сNOS activity decreased compared to indices under the independent effect of irradiation, whereas compared to data under the effect of indometacin lipid peroxidation processes and iNOS activity decreased. Vitamin E exerts antioxidant effect under the conditions of ulcerative action of indometacin on the background of the X-ray irradiation.
Acute and Subacute Oral Toxicity of Periodate in Rats

Abstract : Subacute administration of sodium periodate via oral gavage resulted in a cascade of effects that were secondary to kidney toxicity. Decreased mass of ovaries and epididymides and testicular degeneration were observed in sodium periodate groups with signs of kidney toxicity. These groups also exhibited decreased T3 and T4 in the presence of decreased TSH, a pattern associated with uremia. Sodium periodate exposed rats exhibited both activation of the innate immune system and lymphocyte depletion; however, the pattern of effects was more indicative of a stress leukogram. Effects on the thymus and spleen in the absence of adrenal hyperplasia suggest more direct effects on the immune system. Decreased body mass observed in high dose groups was associated with gross and histopathologic findings in the gastrointestinal tract and may be related to effects on absorption. Increased cholesterol was identified as the critical endpoint and was used to derive the BMDL10s of 17.2 and 33.7 mg/kg-day for females and males, respectively.
Estudio de la interacción de patógenos piscícolas y potenciales bacterias probióticas con las superficies mucosas de dorada (sparus aurata, l.)

La interaccion de patogenos bacterianos con las superficies mucosas de las doradas cultivadas es uno de los procesos que puede determinar el establecimiento de enfermedades como la vibriosis y la pasteurelosis. Entre los patogenos bacterianos que afectan a las doradas cultivadas destacan por su virulencia L. Anguillarum, V. Alginolyticus y P. Damselae subsp. Piscicida. Se han constatado diferencias entre las cineticas de crecimiento, siendo Vibrio alginolyticus el patogeno que prolifera mas rapidamente con bajas concentraciones de mucus. Photobacterium damselae subsp. Piscicida no prolifera en el mucus intestinal de dorada, aunque si se ha constatado su crecimiento en el mucus de piel de branquias, para lo que requiere concentraciones de mucus mayores que las descritas para L. Anguillarum y V. Alginolyticus. La capacidad de proliferacion en el mucus de dorada no es un factor determinante en la virulencia de los patogenos estudiados. El crecimiento de L.anguillarum, V. Alginolyticus y P. Damselae subsp. Piscicida en el mucus de dorada, provoco un icremento cualitativo y cuantitativo de actividades enzimaticas extracelulares, asi como de proteinas de membrana externa. La adhesion de los patogenos estudiados al mucus de dorada esta mediada por componentes superficiales de naturaleza glicoproteica. Ademas, el calcio interviene de forma sifnificativa en el proceso de adhesion al mucus de L. Anguillarum y V. Alginolyticus, pero no de P. Damselae subsp. Piscicida. La adhesion al mucus de dorada, se ha demostrado que es un criterio a considerar en la seleccion de bacterias potencialmente probioticas, obtenidas de la microbiota de dorada y de lenguado. Se ha constatado que los probioticos empleados rutinariamente para humanos y animales inhiben el crecimiento de patogenos piscicolas y se adhieren al mucus de peces cultivados. La adhesion de bacterias potencialmente probioticas al mucus de dorada y de lenguado no es una cara
A 0.9 pJ/b, Reference Clock Free, Delay-Based, All-Digital Coherent BPSK Demodulator

This letter proposes a novel reference clock free, delay-based coherent binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) demodulator suitable for biomedical devices which receive power and data through the same wireless link. The proposed BPSK demodulator mixes the BPSK input signal and its copy delayed by a half of the carrier period to generate a data flipping signal whose rising edges indicate when the phases of the BPSK signal flip. The data are then recovered by sampling the BPSK input signal using the derived data flipping signal. A phase selector recovers the coherent clock with a 50% duty cycle by selecting either the delayed BPSK input or its complement according to the recovered data. The open-loop operation of the proposed BPSK demodulator enables it to achieve a data rate as high as the carrier frequency. The all-digital implementation makes the demodulator compact, low power, and able to operate at 0.5 V. A test chip running with a 13.56-MHz carrier has been designed and fabricated. Measurement results show that at 0.9 V and a data rate of 13.56 Mb/s, the proposed demodulator only consumes 12.2 $\mu \text{W}$ , corresponding to an FoM of 0.90 pJ/b. This FoM is at least 61 times better than those of the state-of-the-art designs.
DENTAL ANOMALIES: HYPOPLASIA AND TOOTH AGENESIS - A CASE REPORT

ABSTRACT Background & Aims: A research shows that lower right second premolar was among the most frequently missing teeth (3.7%). Only (0.08%) of the research subjects had six or more missing tooth (Oligodontia). The purpose of this study is: Diagnosis of developmental defects of the dental hard tissues and their treatment. Case summary: In order to conduct the study, we received pre-declared informed consent from the parents of a patient who is 10 (ten) years old. The study was conducted in 2019-2020. Caries status was evaluated using both clinical and radiographic data and assessed as D1/D2  enamel lesion and D3/D4 as dentin lesion. Dental status and treatment. We defined the diagnoses: Caries medioocclussalys d3b on tooth 65; Caries distoocclussalys d3b on tooth 64. Caries was treated by fillings of the cavities with a Direct compomer. Deep non-mineralized fissure of tooth 36 with subsequent application of sealant. Orthopantomography also shows Hypodontia premolar dentis teeth (35, 44, 45); Hypodontia dentis (18, 28, 38, 48 D: Oligodontia). Diagnosis: 10-year-old boy with hypoplasia of the upper permanent incisors and Oligodontia. The patient was treated with non-invasive and invasive methods of treatment. The study was conducted at the University Medical and Dental Center, Varna, Bulgaria. Conclusion: 1. Developmental anomalies associated with tooth agenesis include delayed tooth formation, prolonged primary tooth exfoliation, retained primary teeth, interdental spacing. 2. Enamel hypoplasia increases the risk of developing dental caries. 3. Early diagnosis allows optimal patient management and treatment planning and can reduce complications of the planned treatment.
Changes in Placental Morphology and their Association with Embryonic Skin Development

Abstract Histogenesis and organogenesis in mammals normally transpires in a hypoxic environment. Oxygen diffusing capacity is dependent on diffusion distance, which may vary with the thickness of placental barrier and with the level of tissue vascularity. Since the epidermis is avascular, its development fully depends on dermal blood vessels. Despite the large number of studies focusing on uteroplacental circulation and embryogenesis, it is clear that the current knowledge of how placental changes in pregnancy contribute to skin development is incomplete. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between structural changes in the placental barrier and development of the integumentary system, with special reference to dermal angiogenesis. The study included specimens of six embryos and ten foetuses from 5 to 24 developmental weeks, and 21 specimens of placental tissue 6–40 weeks gestational age. The panel of antibodies used was S- 100, SMA, CD31, CD34, AE1/AE3 (PCKT), CKRT7, CD 56 and hCG. During the first trimester, maternal blood flow to the placenta appears to be initially restricted by trophoblast plugs. Natural killer cells appear in great abundance in subendothelium of decidual blood vessels, potentially stimulating extensive angiogenesis. By the end of the first trimester, new capillary beds organise to supply the developing epidermal derivatives. During the second trimester, the placental barrier becomes progressively thinner, and uteroplacental circulation is established due to dissolution of endovascular trophoblast plugs. Progression of the formation of skin appendages, hypodermal adipose tissue, demarcation of papillary and reticular dermis, and keratinisation of interfollicular epidermis in the second trimester strongly accompanies the dermal angiogenesis and placental maturation.
Bats and COVID-19: villains or victims?

Abstract Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, bats are being pointed as responsible for its origin, even without solid scientific evidence. In this opinion piece, we discuss the most updated information on bats and COVID-19 and argue that bats should not be blamed for a disease they are not responsible for. Bats should be seen not as dangerous animals but, instead, as sources of several scientific insights useful for human health.