Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritional and anti-nutrient profiles of some Ghanaian spices

Abstract Spices are generally consumed because of the taste and flavor they add to food. Some are also consumed because of their medicinal properties. We herein report on the nutrient and antinutrient compositions of five Ghanaian spices namely Xylopia aethiopica, Piper guineense, Monodora myristica, Aframomum melegueta and Parkia biglobosa. Nutritional composition was assessed by proximate analysis, minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry while titrimetric methods were utilized in vitamin C and antinutrients analysis. P. biglobosa was rich in proteins (38.60%) and had highest moisture content (32.79%). The highest levels of ash, fiber, fat and carbohydrates were observed P. guineense (11.90%), A. melegueta (31.12%), M. myristica (31.01%) and X. aethiopica (50.1%) respectively. Calorific values for all spices were between 243 and 402 kcal. Calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron were the most abundant minerals with levels ranging from 2.67 to 5,381.88 mg/kg. Zinc, copper and manganese were present in trace amounts. Vitamin C levels ranged from 3.3 to 18.4 mg/100 g. Phytates were present at generally higher levels than oxalates. P. biglobosa and X. aethiopica contained the highest concentration of oxalates and phytates respectively. The results indicate that these spices are good sources of valuable nutrients. However, the high levels of antinutrients implies consumption in moderation and good processing before eating is important.
Prevalence and the associated risk factors of bovine trypanosomiasis in nyangatom pastoral woreda, Southern Nation and Nationalities People Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Nyangatom wereda of South Omo zone, Southern Nation and Nationalities People Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia with the general objectives to find out the prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis and the risk factors associated with its prevalence from January to June 2015. To identify the protozoa blood samples (n =384) collected from the marginal ear vein of indigenous zebu cattle of more than one year age and both the sexes from three kebeles were examined by buffy coat technique, direct blood smear, thick blood smear and thin blood smear after staining. The overall prevalence of bovine trypanosomaisis was 26.3%. On peasant associations (PA’S) basis Lebere kebele has the highest prevalence 39(30.5%) followed by Shenkora kebele 34 (26.6%) and Ayipa kebele 28 (21.9%). Trypanosoma congolense is the most prevalent species (14.3%) followed by Trypanosoma vivax (5.70%) and Trypanosoma brucei (5.50%). A significant association was observed (P<0.05) between the disease positivity and age, sex and body condition score. The prevalence of trypanosomiasis was 16.20 and 31.50% in young and adult respectively. The prevalence 42.80 and 16.30 % in poor and good body condition score respectively. There was significant association between the risk factors and the species of trypanosomiasis (P<0.05). The result of the present study revealed that trypanosomiasis is the most important problem for animal production in the study area. Strategic control of bovine trypanosomiasis should be strengthened to improve livestock production and agricultural development in the area. Key words: Bovine, buffy coat, Nyangatom, prevalence, trypanosomiasis.
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE DENSE HYDROUS MAGNESIUM SILICATE, PHASE D

Liu (1986, 1987) reported the diffraction pattern of a hydrous magnesium silicate resulting from the breakdown of serpentine at 22 GPa and 1000 8C and named this material ‘‘phase D. ’’ Since that time there have been several reports of the synthesis of phase D, but its confirmed composition and crystal structure have not yet been reported. We synthesized a new dense hydrous magnesium silicate at 20 GPa and 1200 8C and solved its crystal structure (Rw 5 0.015 and R 5 0.014). The single crystal has composition Mg1.11Si1. 89H2.22O6 (ideal formula: MgSi2H2O6), cell parameters a 5 4.7453(4), c 5 4.3450(5) A ˚, and V 5 84.74(2) A ˚ 3 , and space group P31m. The crystal structure is relatively simple with all the Si occupying octahedral sites in a layer similar to that of brucite, but with one of every three octahedra vacant. The MgO6 octahedra are located above and below each vacant octahedral site. All O-H bonding occurs between SiO6 octahedral layers. This is the only high-pressure hydrous magnesium silicate structure reported to date that contains all octahedrally coordinated Si. The calculated density of phase D ( dcal 5 3.50 g/cm 3 ) is substantially greater than any other high-pressure hydrous magnesium silicate phase.
Effect of weak disorder on the density of states in graphene

The effect of weak potential and bond disorder on the density of states of graphene is studied. By comparing the self-consistent non-crossing approximation on the honeycomb lattice with perturbation theory on the Dirac fermions, we conclude, that the linear density of states of pure graphene changes to a non-universal power-law, whose exponent depends on the strength of disorder like 1-4g/sqrt{3}t^2\pi, with g the variance of the Gaussian disorder, t the hopping integral. This can result in a significant suppression of the exponent of the density of states in the weak-disorder limit. We argue, that even a non-linear density of states can result in a conductivity being proportional to the number of charge carriers, in accordance with experimental findings.
Synthesis and Characterization of Microbial Metabolites of Abiraterone Acetate and an Evaluation of Their Anticancer Activity against Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7

Active drug metabolites, rather than the parent drug, are considered commercial drugs because of their potential pharmacological activity. In this study, higher quantities of new microbial metabolites of the anticancer drug, Abiraterone acetate (1), were synthesized using fungi and then purified by column chromatography. The resulting metabolites showed >99% purity on HPLC and were identified as cis-6-hydroxy Δ-abiraterone (M2), trans-6-hydroxy Δ-abiraterone (M3), cis-6-hydroxy Δ-abiraterone N-oxide (M4) by mass, infrared spectroscopy and both H and C nuclear magnetic resonance. The microbial metabolites were compared in order to evaluate the highest potential anticancer activities with Abiraterone acetate (1) in the breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Trans-6-hydroxy Δ-abiraterone (M3) exhibited good cytotoxicity compared to the parent drug, Abiraterone acetate (1). However, further studies are required to utilize this anticancer agent for new drug discovery and development against breast cancer.
Biological Risks Associated with Fermented Diary Products, Fruits, Vegetables and Meat: A Critical Review

Fermented foods are food substrates that are invaded or overgrown by edible microorganisms whose enzymes, particularly amylases, proteases; lipases hydrolyze the polysaccharides, proteins and lipids to nontoxic products with flavors, aromas and textures pleasant and attractive to the human consumer [1]. If the products of enzyme activities have unpleasant odors or undesirable, unattractive flavors or the products are toxic or disease producing, the foods are described as spoiled [1]. Fermentation has been in use for centuries as a method through which food stuff are improved so as to increase palatability and improve the healthy factors from otherwise non healthy forms of raw foods. Westby et al. [2] explained that lesser developed countries require food processing technologies that are technologically appropriate, suitable for tropical regions and that are affordable in rural and urban economies.
Taxing Home Ownership: Distributional Effects of Including Net Imputed Rent in Taxable Income

Imputed rental income of homeowners is tax exempt in most countries, despite the longstanding arguments recommending its inclusion in the tax base, on both equity and efficiency grounds. The current fiscal crisis revived interest towards this form of taxation. The paper investigates the fiscal and distributional consequences of including homeowners’ imputed rent, net of mortgage interest and maintenance costs, in taxable income as any cash income source that extends consumption opportunities. Three scenarios are analysed in six European countries: in the first imputed rent is included in the taxable income of homeowners, while at the same time existing mortgage interest tax relief schemes and taxation of cadastral incomes are abolished. In two further revenue-neutral scenarios, the additional tax revenue raised through the taxation of imputed rent is redistributed to taxpayers, either through a proportional rebate or a lump-sum tax credit. Results show how including net imputed rent in the tax base might affect inequality in each of the countries considered. Housing taxation appears to be a promising avenue for raising additional revenues, or lightening taxation of labour, with no inequality-increasing side-effects.
Mechanism of formation of two-dimensional crystals from latex particles on substrates

The dynamics of two-dimensional ordering of micrometer-size polystyrene latex spheres on a horizontal glass substrate has been directly observed by means of optical microscopy. It turns out that the ordering starts when the thickness of the water layer containing particles becomes approximately equal to the particle diameter. By variation of the electrolyte concentration, the charge of the particles, and their volume fraction, it is proven that neither the electrostatic repulsion nor the van der Waals attraction between the particles is responsible for the formation of two-dimensional crystals. The direct observations revealed the main factors governing the ordering-the attractive capillary forces (due to the menisci formed around the particles) and the convective transport of particles toward the ordered region. The control of the water evaporation rate turns out to allow obtaining either well-ordered monolayers or well-ordered domains consisting of multilayers (bilayers, trilayers, etc.).
Interaural bimodal pitch matching with two-formant vowels

For bimodal patients, with a hearing aid (HA) in one ear and a cochlear implant (CI) in the opposite ear, usually a default frequency-to-electrode map is used in the CI. This assumes that the human brain can adapt to interaural place-pitch mismatches. This ‘one-size-fits-all’ method might be partly responsible for the large variability of individual bimodal benefit. Therefore, knowledge about the location of the electrode array is an important prerequisite for optimum fitting. Theoretically, the electrode location can be determined from CT scans. However, these are often not available in audiological practice. Behavioral pitch matching between the two ears has also been suggested, but has been shown to be tedious and unreliable. Here, an alternative method using two-formant vowels was developed and tested with a vocoder system simulating different CI insertion depths. The hypothesis was that patients may more easily identify vowels than perform a classical pitch-matching task. A spectral shift is inferred by comparing vowel spaces, measured by presenting the first formant in the HA and the second either in the HA or the CI. Results suggest that pitch mismatches can be derived from such vowel spaces. In order to take auditory adaptation in individual patients into account, the method is tested with CI patients with contralateral residual hearing.
The effectiveness of different insecticide programmes for kiwifruit

The levels of leafroller and armoured scale control achieved using six different spray programmes were compared against an unsprayed control. Test programmes included post-blossom applications of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) only, diazinon only, and a combination of the two. The effect of a pre-blossom diazinon spray or spring oil application on subsequent armoured scale populations was also measured. Three sprays of Bt in December-January provided excellent control of leafrollers for the entire season. Using diazinon instead of Bt resulted in high levels of leafroller damaged fruit, and live caterpillars in the crop at harvest. The risk of late-season armoured scale infestations on leaves or fruit was greater when no diazinon sprays were applied post-blossom. An additional pre-blossom diazinon spray had no effect on subsequent pest levels.
Numerical linear algebra in data mining

Ideas and algorithms from numerical linear algebra are important in several areas of data mining. We give an overview of linear algebra methods in text mining (information retrieval), pattern recognition (classification of handwritten digits), and PageRank computations for web search engines. The emphasis is on rank reduction as a method of extracting information from a data matrix, low-rank approximation of matrices using the singular value decomposition and clustering, and on eigenvalue methods for network analysis.
Visualising project management dimensions

It is easier to decide upon which projects to include in a portfolio if a comprehensive human–computer interface is provided. Two alternative displays were designed according to best practice from the literature and tested according to a simple mathematical optimisation model and the average error from testing subjects and the “optimal” solution to decide which one performs better.
The Effect of Three Months of Resistance Training on TCF7L2 Expression in Pancreas Tissues of Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Background: Resistance exercise is recommended as a useful therapeutic tool for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, the frequency of studies is inadequate to establish the precise mechanisms of any association between them. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of three months of resistance training on TCF7L2 expression in pancreatic tissues, serum insulin and glucose. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin-nicotinamide in eighteen male Wistar rats aged 10 weeks (22030 g). Then, the rats were randomly divided into exercise and control groups. The exercise rats completed a three-month resistance training intervention that included climbingona stepladder for 5 days weekly. The control group did not participate in exercise intervention. Fasting glucose and insulin were measured before and after injection (7 days) and after intervention. TCF7L2 gene expression of pancreatic tissues was measured in both groups after the exercise treatment, and the ratio between the two groups was calculated. Results: Fasting glucose increased and serum insulin decreased significantly by T2D induction in the two groups at baseline. Resistance training resulted in a decrease in fasting glucose and an increase in insulin in exercise rats. Data also showed that TCF7L2 gene expression decreased after resistance training compared with the control group. Conclusions: Based on these data, increased serum insulin can be attributed to a decrease in TCF7L2 gene expression of pancreatic cells by resistance training in T2D rats.
An efficient finite difference time domain algorithm for band structure calculations of Phononic crystal

In this paper, a new algorithm for studying elastic wave propagation in the phononic crystals is presented. At first, the displacement-based forms of elastic wave equations are derived and then the forms are discretized using finite difference method. So the new algorithm is called the displacement-based finite difference time domain (DBFDTD). Three numerical examples are computed with this method and the results are compared with experimental measurements and the conventional FDTD method. Also, the computational cost of the new approach is compared with the conventional FDTD method. The comparison showed that the calculation time of the DBFDTD method is 37.5 percent less than that of the FDTD method.
Prevalence of Trachoma in Ethiopia

Background: Trachoma is known to be one of the major causes of blindness in Ethiopia. However recent data that indicate the disease burden were lacking. Objective: To determine the prevalence of active trachoma and trachomatous trichiasis at national and regional levels. Methods: A population based cross sectional design with multistage sampling strategy was used. All nine regional states and two city administrations of the country were involved in the survey. Survey subjects were drawn from permanent households. Trachoma grading was done by standardized ophthalmic nurses following the WHO grading system. Results: The national prevalence of active trachoma (either TF or TI) for children in the age group 1-9 year is 40.14%. Considerable regional variations are observed in the occurrence of active trachoma; the highest prevalence is in Amhara (62.6%), Oromia (41.3%), SNNP (33.2%), Tigray (26.5%), Somali (22.6%) and Gambella (19.1%). The rural prevalence of active trachoma is almost fourfold compared to the urban (42.5% rural Vs 10.7% urban). The national prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) is 3.1% with the highest prevalence in Amhara regional state (5.2%). Trachomatous trichiasis is higher in females compared to males (4.1% Vs 1.6%). Over 9 million 1-9 year old children live with active trachoma, and 1.3 million people 15 years and older have trachomatous trichiasis. Conclusion: Active Trachoma and trachomatous trichiasis are concentrated in the regions of the country with high population density, namely the Amhara, Oromia, and SNNP regional states. The prevalence of trachoma is three to fourfold in rural residents and among females. The demand for trachoma mass treatment with Azithromycin, provision of lid surgery to correct trachomatous trichiasis, and the need to improving hygienic conditions is enormous. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 21 (3) 2007: pp. 211-215
Discrete monitoring correction of American options exercise

A convenient two-step Monte Carlo simulation procedure enables to deepen the study of the exercise of American options. In particular, it is possible to analyze the optimal exercise time and the probability that the option is exercised at or before maturity. Nevertheless, the results obtained with a simulation method are affected by a bias due to discrete monitoring. In this contribution we first study how the discrete monitoring affects the estimation of the exercise features of American options. In particular, the optimal exercise times turn out to be heavily affected by the width of the monitoring interval. Furthermore, we propose some extrapolation method that applies the Richardson extrapolation technique in order to accelerate the convergence and reduce the effects of this monitoring bias. A wide simulation analysis is carried out to test the accuracy of the extrapolation procedures proposed.
Molecular markers in thyroid cancers

Thyroid cancer is the most common of all endocrine tumors. In most countries, a steady increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer (mainly papillary carcinomas) was observed in both sexes, whereas mortality has declined. Thyroid nodule is the most common presentation of thyroid cancer and according to Bethesda reporting system is categorized into six different disease categories based on histopathological pattern. The indeterminate categories require further investigation which is generally in the form of a surgical or invasive procedure for confirmation of nature of disease. Our article is describing the various molecular markers that are linked with different subtypes of thyroid cancer and their usage in guiding diagnosis, investigative approach and prognostication in thyroid cancer especially the indeterminate categories. We discuss the various tests available for us currently for detecting the genetic alterations and thus help us frame further approach algorithms for detection of thyroid cancers.
The Power of Human-Technology Interaction:When New Technology Shifts the Political Landscape

The reliance on Information Technology (IT) within contemporary organizations has increased conspicuously within the past few decades, and this has changed the way in which work is conducted. In this article, attention is dedicated a case study of a company that recently went through a major technological change where several new IT solutions were implemented. The article investigates how tasks and formal roles of employees may change when new IT solutions are implemented, and how this in turn affects the employees’ social roles and work politics. We illustrate, by applying concepts from Science and Technology Studies (STS), how administrative non-core business tasks can be replaced by IT-related non-core business tasks. We also demonstrate that the entrance of new technology is able to force a competence shift, in which some of the administrative formal roles are replaced by new positions obtained by individuals with high knowledge in IT. The competence shift generates in turn a shift in the workplace politics, since the organizational power structure is altered.
Diet of Scartella cristata: An artificial habitat-associated blenny (Pisces : Blenniidae)

Les changements alimentaires ontogenetiques, la nutrition de jour et de nuit et la nutrition differentielle entre les sexes chez Scartella cristata (Blenniidae) sont caracterises par l'analyse du regime alimentaire. Une analyse du contenu stomacal a ete effectuee sur des individus juveniles et adultes (n = 62) a partir d'un echantillonnage sur une periode de 24 h, pres de deux jetees rocheuses au nord-ouest de la Floride. Nos observations suggerent que les deux sexes ont une activite alimentaire differente; les mâles se rencontrent plus frequemment au cours des recoltes de jour, les femelles au cours des recoltes de nuit. Scartella cristata a ete observe broutant sur la couche algale, et le regime alimentaire se compose d'algues et d'invertebres associes a ce milieu, avec une legere contribution des invertebres demersaux et benthiques. Un changement ontogenetique a aussi ete observe, les juveniles passant de la predation sur les invertebres demersaux et benthiques a l'exploitation de la couche algale lorsqu'ils deviennent adultes. Une ANOVA est utilisee pour etudier l'influence du site, du sexe, et de l'heure de recolte sur la biomasse totale des contenus stomacaux (incluant les algues) et la biomasse totale en invertebres. Si aucun effet du site n'est observe a partir des comparaisons des biomasses totales, les differences entre les sites ont contribue significativement a la variation en biomasse totale en invertebres des mâles et des femelles, suggerant que l'abondance locale d'invertebres pourrait influencer l'alimentation opportuniste de S. cristata. Bien qu'aucune difference dans la biomasse totale des contenus stomacaux ne soit detectee entre les femelles recueillies le jour et la nuit, celles-ci contiennent une biomasse en invertebres significativement plus elevee durant la nuit, liee a une nutrition sur les invertebres demersaux. Durant le jour, les mâles et les femelles ingerent des taxons d'invertebres similaires, et la biomasse totale estimee des contenus stomacaux et des invertebres ne differe pas entre mâles et femelles. Les mâles ont ete observes en train de garder activement les couvees d'œufs, et ce comportement peut avoir conduit a une reduction de leur activite alimentaire, diminuant ainsi leur predation sur les invertebres demersaux.