Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Television Watching Practices of Mothers on Overweight and Obesity of Their Under-5 Offspring in Urban Bangladesh

Childhood overweight and obesity, is an emerging public health concern in developing countries like Bangladesh. However, regular television watching by child’s mother and its impact on excess weight gain or overweight and obesity to their offspring is not reported elsewhere. The aim of the present analysis was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics among overweight and obese children based on those mothers who watch television regularly and compare this finding with malnourished and well-nourished under-5 children. A total of 20,800 under-5 children were enrolled during 1996 to 2012 in the Diarrheal Disease Surveillance System (DDSS) of Dhaka Hospital of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). Mean weight-for-age z-score (–1.61 vs. –2.30; mean difference: ? 0.69; p < 0.001), height-for-age z-score (–1.42 vs. –1.99; –0.57; <0.001), weight-for-height z-score (–1.59 vs. –1.07; –0.53; <0.001), BMI-for-age z-score (–1.09 vs. –1.61, –0.52; <0.001) differed significantly between the children whose mother did and did not watch television regularly. Under-5 children whose mother watched television regularly (2%) compared to those who did not (1%), had 2.28 [(95% CI-1.61 - 3.24) p < 0.001] times increased odds of being overweight and obese. Television watching of mothers is associated with childhood overweight and obesity and is one of the most public health concerns in Bangladesh. These changes may be in part of better socio-economic condition, changes in life style behaviour and dietary pattern.
Languages of instruction in Tanzania: contradictions between ideology, policy and implementation

contradictions exist among ideologies, language policy statements, and practice regarding the language of instruction (LoI) in primary education in tanzania. In 96 , independent tanzania inherited colonial education, using swahili and english. when socialism was introduced in 967, swahili was declared the only LoI. the government legalized private and english-medium schools in the 990s but maintained swahili as the LoI. there is an english syllabus for english-medium schools, while the Primary school Leaving examination is administered in swahili and english. However, only the elite can afford englishmedium education. the majority of children attend swahili-medium government schools. The government needs to firmly establish that both Swahili and English are LoI of primary education, because english is the LoI of secondary and post-secondary education. the government must enable all children to master both languages in order for them to acquire an education that allows them to compete favourably for employment.
3D printing of hydrogel composite systems: Recent advances in technology for tissue engineering

Three-dimensional (3D) printing of hydrogels is now an attractive area of research due to its capability to fabricate intricate, complex and highly customizable scaffold structures that can support cell adhesion and promote cell infiltration for tissue engineering. However, pure hydrogels alone lack the necessary mechanical stability and are too easily degraded to be used as printing ink. To overcome this problem, significant progress has been made in the 3D printing of hydrogel composites with improved mechanical performance and biofunctionality. Herein, we provide a brief overview of existing hydrogel composite 3D printing techniques including laser based-3D printing, nozzle based-3D printing, and inkjet printer based-3D printing systems. Based on the type of additives, we will discuss four main hydrogel composite systems in this review: polymer- or hydrogel-hydrogel composites, particle-reinforced hydrogel composites, fiber-reinforced hydrogel composites, and anisotropic filler-reinforced hydrogel composites. Additionally, several emerging potential applications of hydrogel composites in the field of tissue engineering and their accompanying challenges are discussed in parallel.
Production of alkaline protease by Bacillus subtilis using solid state fermentation

The present study describes the optimization of nutritional and cultural parameters for the production of alkaline protease by Bacillus subtilis under solid state conditions. Among cultural conditions, incubation temperature, incubation period and moisture level of the substrate were optimized and it was found that maximum production of alkaline protease was observed at 37°C and moisture to substrate ratio of 1:1 after 48 h of incubation period. Among different nutritional parameters, the effects of different diluents, carbon and nitrogen sources on the enzyme production were studied. Maximum enzyme production (101.23 U/g) was observed when D2 {(% w/v) CaCO3, 0.05; peptone, 0.1; glucose, 0.1 and yeast extract, 0.1} was used to moisten the substrate. The best carbon source for the production of alkaline protease by B. subtilis was found to be sucrose at a concentration of 1%. Similarly, nutrient broth (1.5%) and diammonium hydrogen phosphate (0.1%) were found to be best organic and inorganic nitrogen sources, respectively. It was also found that the maximum protease (126.8 U/g) was produced when 25% (v/w) inoculum was used to inoculate the fermentation flasks. Key words: Fermentation, carbon, nitrogen, inoculum, incubation temperature.
The complex chemistry of outflow cavity walls exposed: the case of low-mass protostars

Complex organic molecules are ubiquitous companions of young low-mass protostars. Recent observations suggest that their emission stems, not only from the traditional hot corino, but also from offset positions. In this work, 2D physicochemical modelling of an envelope-cavity system is carried out. Wavelength-dependent radiative transfer calculations are performed and a comprehensive gas-grain chemical network is used to simulate the physical and chemical structure. The morphology of the system delineates three distinct regions: the cavity wall layer with time-dependent and species-variant enhancements; a torus rich in complex organic ices, but not reflected in gas-phase abundances and the remaining outer envelope abundant in simpler solid and gaseous molecules. Strongly irradiated regions, such as the cavity wall layer, are subject to frequent photodissociation in the solid phase. Subsequent recombination of the photoproducts leads to frequent reactive desorption, causing gas-phase enhancements of several orders of magnitude. This mechanism remains to be quantified with laboratory experiments. Direct photodesorption is found to be relatively inefficient. If radicals are not produced directly in the icy mantle, the formation of complex organics is impeded. For efficiency, a sufficient number of FUV photons needs to penetrate the envelope, and elevated cool dust temperatures need to enable grain-surface radical mobility. As a result, a high stellar luminosity and a sufficiently wide cavity favour chemical complexity. Furthermore within this paradigm, complex organics are demonstrated to have unique lifetimes and be grouped into early (formaldehyde, ketene, methanol, formic acid, methyl formate, acetic acid and glycolaldehyde) and late (acetaldehyde, dimethyl ether and ethanol) species.
LEVERAGING CLOUD-BASED SERVICES AND TOOLS FOR CURRICULUM AND ENGINEERING ATTRIBUTES MANAGEMENT

Canadian engineering schools must make the transition to outcome-based programming, assessment, and accreditation. The task can be daunting, especially for small schools or programs that cannot rely on extensive information technology support. Cloud-based services are a quick, low-cost option for facilitating many data-management and collaborative tasks required by the process. Cloud services have evolved from mere on-line storage to the "software as a service" paradigm. We report our experience with two services that facilitate collaborative work. Using on-line, specially crafted questionnaires, information may be automatically collected and formatted into spreadsheets, providing a powerful, general purpose data collection engine. This approach was used at various stages in the transition to graduate attributes processing: curriculum mapping, assessment, etc. On-line services have also been used to create a distributed repository of relevant literature for supporting the work of the “attributes”team.
Title Entrainment of chaotic activities in brain and heart during MBSR

The activities of the brain and the heart are dynamic, chaotic, and possibly intrinsically coordinated. This study aims to investigate the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on the chaoticity of electronic activities of the brain and the heart, and to explore their potential correlation. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded at the beginning of an 8-week standard MBSR training course and after the course. EEG spectrum analysis was carried out, wavelet entropies (WE) of EEG (together with reconstructed cortical sources) and heart rate were calculated, and their correlation was investigated. We found enhancement of EEG power of alpha and beta waves and lowering of delta waves power during MBSR training state as compared to normal resting state. Wavelet entropy analysis indicated that MBSR mindfulness meditation could reduce the chaotic activities of both avelet entropy ource analysis rain–heart coordination EEG and heart rate as a change of state. However, longitudinal change of trait may need more long-term training. For the first time, our data demonstrated that the chaotic activities of the brain and the heart became more coordinated during MBSR training, suggesting that mindfulness training may increase the entrainment between mind and body. The 3D brain regions involved in the change in mental states were identified. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC
Protective Effects of Preactivated and Disaggregated Shape-Changed Platelets and Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Improve Neurological Function and Attenuate Brain Infarct after Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract Background: This investigation tested the hypothesis that preactivated and disaggregated shape-changed platelets (PreD-SCP) and human embryonic stem cell-derived exosomes (hESC-Exo) treatments can reduce brain-infarct area (BIA) in rat with preservation of neurological function following acute ischemic stroke (AIS) induced by left middle-cerebral artery occlusion. Materials and Methods: Adult-male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) were randomly divided into group 1 (sham-control), 2 (AIS), 3 [AIS + PreD-SCP (3.0x108 cells)] and 4 (AIS + hESC-Exo, 100 μg). PreD-SCP and hESC-Exo were administered intravenously at 2/6/24 hours after the AIS procedure for animals in group 3 and 4, respectively. All animals were euthanized by day-28 post-AIS. Results: Brain infarct area (BIA) measured by histopathology was significantly larger in group 2 than that in other groups, and significantly larger in group 3 and 4 than that in group 1 (p<0.01), but it showed no difference between group 3 and 4. The improvement in neurological function displayed a pattern opposite to that of BIA by days 3/7/14/28 after AIS in the four groups (all p<0.01). The protein expressions of inflammation (MMP-9/TNF-α/Cox-2/iNOS), oxidative stress (oxidized protein/NOX-1/NOX-2) and apoptosis (cleaved-caspase-3/PARP/mitochondrial-Bax) exhibited a pattern identical to that of BIA among the four groups (all p<0.01). The cellular levels of inflammatory (CD14+/CD68+/GFAP+), DNA-damage/apoptotic (γ-H2AX+/apoptotic nuclei) biomarkers exhibited an identical pattern, whereas the neuron/myelin-sheath integrity markers (NeuN+/BMP+ cells) expressed an opposite pattern compared to that of BIA in the four groups (all p<0.05). The expressions of endothelial cell markers at cellular (CD31+/vWF+) and protein (CD31/eNOS/vWF) levels and the number of small vessels showed an opposite pattern compared to that of BIA in all groups, whereas the endothelial progenitor cell markers at cellular/protein (CXCR4/SDF-1α) levels progressively increased from groups 1 to 4 (all p<0.001). Conclusion: PreD-SCP and hESC-Exo treatments significantly protected the brain from AIS damage andimproved neurological outcome.
Designing Social Robots for Interaction at Work: Socio-Cognitive Factors Underlying Intention to Work with Social Robots

This paper discusses the effects of robot design (machine-like, humanoid, android) and users’ gender on the intention to work with social robots in the near future. For that purpose, the theoretical framework afforded by the theory of planned behavior (TPB) is used. Results showed effects for robot design and users’ gender. As the robot got more human-like the lower the intention to work with it. Female participants showed lower intention to work with social robots. These effects are mediated by the variables of the TPB. Perceived behavioral control and subjective norm are the main predictors of the intention to work with social robots in the near future.
Samsung - Apple Patent War Case Analysis: Focus on the Strategy to Deal with Patent Litigation

In case that they do not have counterstrategies ready for patent disputes in advance, they would not be able to survive competitions or would fall behind in the market. Most of domestic companies are not equipped with appropriate counterstrategies, and there are only few studies on the countermeasures for patent disputes. Thus, this study examined counterstrategies for patent disputes drawn from cases of smartphone patent disputes and preceding researches, and conducted interviews and surveys with patent experts and company executives to grasp their opinions about the effectiveness of countermeasures for patent disputes related to the smartphone field. As for analysis tool, the Delphi method is selected that is usually used for analyzing relatively a small number of expert opinions. As a result of interviewing patent experts, effective countermeasures turned out to be cross licensing, counter-suit, and patent invalidation suit, in order, and as a result of surveys with company executives, they turned out to be patent invalidation suit, counter-suit, cross licensing, suit through solidarity, and loyalty agreement, in order. It is anticipated that the study results could be used for smartphone manufacturing companies and ICT companies to establish counterstrategies for patent disputes.
Guanosine 3’:5’-cyclic monophosphate and contraction in vascular smooth muscle

Presently, the literature regarding vascular smooth muscle contraction is coloured with many contradictory observations and conclusions. However, like many physiological systems, the biochemical pathways and functional events of vascular smooth muscle contraction vary between individual species and/or tissues. Therefore, determination of a ubiquitous excitation-contraction coupling mechanism is unlikely; variations between receptor classes, receptor density, excitation-contraction coupling pathways and the efficiency of the receptor-pathway interaction contribute to the various observations and conclusions. The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) second messenger cascade regulates the mobilization of intracellular Ca 2 + , and subsequently contraction, in vascular smooth muscle. However, phospholipase G-mediated production of IP3 appears to be controlled by tissue-specific regulatory factors. This study examines the effects of three such factors, the presence of extracellular Ca 2 + , the sensitivity of the associated G-protein and inhibition by 8-bromoguanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-brombcGMP), in isolated rat caudal artery. Concentration-response curves were constructed for phenylephrine and isometric contractions measured in isolated tissues. In addition, phosphatidylinositol turnover was assessed using anion exchange chromatography. The effects of 8-bromo-cGMP on phenylephrine-induced contractions and phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis were compared to those of felodipine, a dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel antagonist, and ryanodine, a putative depletor of intracellular Ca 2* stores in rat caudal artery. Pertussis toxin was used to determine the identity of the G-protein
Developing an Evaluation Instrument for e-Commerce Web Sites from the First-Time Buyer’s Viewpoint

This paper presents the process of developing an evaluation instrument specifically for the evaluation of e-Commerce Web sites from the first-time buyer’s viewpoint. The development process is based on theoretical discussions of the Web evaluation and Web user satisfaction literature. A draft evaluation instrument was developed. To enhance its reliability and validity, several iterative trials on e-Commerce Web sites were conducted. Some modifications were made to the instrument. The final version is capable of evaluating eCommerce Web sites effectively. The instrument provides implications to both Web evaluation practitioners and
The Charge on Precipitation Elements and Surface Electric Potential Gradient

The electric charge on individual precipitation elements was simultaneously measured together with the surface potential gradient in Northen Japan, using respectively a vacuum electrometer and a Wulf type electrometer. The size and shape of the elements were also observed by the filter paper and microphotographic method. The charge on precipitation elements measured was represented simultaneously with the time variation of potential gradient. The following results were obtained. i) In rain falls, "the reversal relation" between the signs of charge and potential gradient is observed except during the short period when the sign of the potential gradient is changing. ii) The reversal relation is also observed in general snowfall; however, when graupel or sleet falls, the relation between the charge and potential gradient is very irregular. iii) The charge on snow flakes is extremely large when the potential gradient was rapidly changing. Considering those results, it is supposed that the precipitation elements are electrified partially by WILSON's mechanism under fairly intense field, and on that mechanism are superposed certain other effects. If an element is influenced by both positive and negative field during its fall, the effect of the fields will be canceled and the element will carry its original charge to the earth surface without any charge deformation.
On Boundedness of Entropy of Photon Gas in Noncommutative Spacetime

Entropy bound for the photon gas in a noncommutative (NC) spacetime where phase space is with compact spatial momentum space, previously studied by Nozari et al., has been reexamined with the correct distribution function. While Nozari et al. have employed Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution function to investigate thermodynamic properties of photon gas, we have employed the correct distribution function, that is, Bose-Einstein distribution function. No such entropy bound is observed if Bose-Einstein distribution is employed to solve the partition function. As a result, the reported analogy between thermodynamics of photon gas in such NC spacetime and Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of black holes should be disregarded.
Neural networks as a tool for modelling the decision to bid process

Neural networks and regression models are employed to model the decision to bid process. The approach demonstrates the feasibility, and usability of the neural networks as a valid tool for modelling non-linear relationships. Moreover, neural networks provide a model with the desired accuracy for the decision to bid process. The paper recommends involving the end users throughout the system development process, and creating an environment within which direct and indirect learning can be achieved by practitioners.
Measuring and Training Creativity Competencies: Validation of a New Test

In 2 studies with a total of over 300 participants, the Epstein Creativity Competencies Inventory for Individuals (ECCI-i) was shown to be a reliable measuring instrument. In the first of these studies, the test was also shown to be a valid predictor of 2 measures of creative expression. The test is derived from empirical research on the creative process in individuals, which suggests that creative expression can be accelerated through the strengthening of any of 4 measurable, trainable competencies: capturing (preserving new ideas as they occur), challenging (taking on difficult tasks), broadening (seeking knowledge and skills outside one's current areas of expertise), and surrounding (seeking out new stimuli or combinations of stimuli). In the second study, training such competencies improved test scores and led to a significant increase in creative output.
New Objective Measures of Listener Envelopment

The late-lateral sound level has been previously proposed as an objective means of predicting listener envelopment (LEV). While the perceptual transition point between early and late energy has traditionally been set to 80 ms when predicting LEV, this matter has not been rigorously investigated. In the present study a series of formal subjective tests were conducted wherein the level, as well as the temporal and spatial distributions of the late energy were systematically varied. The results of the subjective tests were used to investigate suitable objective measures for predicting LEV. A new frequency-dependent objective measure (GSperc) was derived and it was shown to significantly outperform other objective measures. GSperc divides LEV into level and spatial-distribution components, and weights them according to their perceptual relevance. GSperc also incorporates aspects of the temporal masking properties of the human auditory system. Formulations of GSperc based on both the Lateral Energy Fraction (LF) and a normalized Inter-Aural Cross-Correlation (IACC) measure are derived.
Voltage Control of standalone photovoltaic system

This paper presents a simple control of a stand-alone photovoltaic system with lead-acid batteries storage. The objective of this system is to supply prescribed active power to stand-alone loads with correctly wave signals (current and voltage) in different atmospheric conditions. This presented work focuses on the strategy, which makes it possible to ensure the necessary power for the loads. Simulation and experimental results illustrate the performances obtained.
Rancang Bangun dan Pengujian Sistem Reaktor Plasma Lucutan Pijar Korona guna Mempercepat Pertumbuhan Tanaman Mangrove

Plasma glow discharge corona reactor system has been made and tested to stimulate mangrove growth. Plasma glow discharge corona reactor consists of DC high voltage system and point to plate electode system. Reactor performance test has done on Rhizophora apiculata mangrove species. High voltage system mainly develop using TV fly back that been triggered by pulsed frequency using oscillator circuit. Point to plane electrode system was designed to maintain two electrode range remains 3 cm with number of point electrode plugged parallel with plane electrode are 63 pieces. Plasma glow discharge corona reactor tested was done on radiation process of mangrove seed by divided sample groups into 6 sample which have different time radiation and 1 sample that not been radiated as a control data. Mangrove growth was analyzed by measure the growth of mangrove plumulae after 17 days of cultivation. Research results shows that in developing plasma glow discharge corona to radiate mangrove, plasma reactor system works in 8 kV DC plasma voltage development. Mangrove growth after 6 time variation of plasma radiation shows a good effect of growth stimulation along with longer radiation time duration. The increase of mangrove growth was hypothetically caused by an increase of nitrogen concentration in mangrove seeds because of ion nitrogen fixation in the seeds during plasma radiation process