Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustaining Interstate Land Transportation in Nigeria Amidst Consumers’ Changing Tastes and Preferences: An Investigative Report

Encircled by profit centric inter-state land transporters, middle class consumers (passengers) in Nigeria have echoed their resolve to adopt any land transport company with robust value creation for passengers due to their hedonistic tendencies. This investigative report sought to ascertain the likelihood of middle class consumers adopting a modern and equipped transportation company for inter-state journeys. It specifically identified factors that optimize value creation among middle class consumers, assessed the level of adoption intention, and determined the predictive effect of adoption intention on adoption behavior/continued patronage for a perceived modern and equipped transportation company for inter-state journeys. Using a mixed method, the report identified prioritization of timely departure, free access to communication facilities (Free Wi-Fi) while aboard, efficient response to consumer enquiries and complaints, and vehicle condition which is instrumental to passengers’ safety as the core factors that determine value creation among middle class inter-state passengers in Nigeria. Results further revealed that almost 90% of the Original Research Article Chinedu; JSRR, 26(12): 30-41, 2020; Article no.JSRR. 63984 31 respondents exhibited high adoption intention level for a perceived modern and equipped transportation company. Lastly, findings showed that consumers’ adoption intention significantly predicted adoption behavior/continued patronage for a perceived modern and equipped transportation company. Implications of the findings are also discussed.
Effects of Solute Elements on Primary and Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacings in Fe‐based Alloys

There have been many experiments and theoretical studies of primary dendrites, and most of which have focused on the effects of extrinsic factors such as solidification rate and temperature gradient. However, intrinsic factors such as the kind of solute element and initial solute concentration are also considered to be important for controlling the spacing of primary dendrites.
Breeding for Early Flowering in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) – A Key Strategy to Accelerate Chickpea Productivity: A Review

Chickpea is one of the most important pulse crop cultivated across the globe which is conventionally a low-input crop that is being cultivated mostly in moisture deficient rainfed environments during post-rainy season. The crop is being severely affected with various biotic and abiotic stresses among which, drought and heat stress are considered as serious constraints limiting chickpea productivity in sub-tropical regions. Several strategies were adopted to enhance the productivity under drought and heat stress environments among which, the development of early flowering varieties is one of the key strategies gaining importance in recent past. Some of the early / super early varieties like ICCV 2, JG 11, JG 14, KAK 2, JAKI 9218, ICCV 96029 and ICCV 96030 were developed during the last three decades. One of the most significant milestones in breeding for early varieties is the identification of four genes efl-1, efl-2, efl-3 and efl-4 governing early flowering by using various lines viz., ICCV 2, ICCV 96029, ICC 5810, BGD 132 and ICC 16641. Several QTLs controlling time of flowering were also mapped on linkage groups LG1, LG2, Review Article Nunavath et al.; IJECC, 10(12): 271-285, 2020; Article no.IJECC. 64369 272 LG3, LG4, LG5, LG6 and LG8. The information on inheritance of time of flowering, correlation between early flowering with other yield attributing traits like number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed size, 100-seed weight, identified QTLs for early flowering and abiotic and biotic stresses tolerance may be useful for developing early maturing varieties that posses tolerance to various abiotic stresses by using different conventional and biotechnological
Fast Methods for Finding Multiple Effective Influencers in Real
 Networks

We present scalable first hitting time methods for finding a collection of nodes that enables the fastest time for the spread of consensus in a network. That is, given a graph G = (V;E) and a natural number k, these methods find k vertices in G that minimize the sum of hitting times (expected number of steps of random walks) from all remaining vertices. Although computationally challenging for general graphs, we exploited the characteristics of real networks and utilized Monte Carlo methods to construct fast approximation algorithms that yield near-optimal solutions.
Tratamiento Neoadyuvante en cáncer de mama HER2 positivo. La era de la terapia dirigida

Introduction: The neodyuvant treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer has evolved over time, with the implementation of new therapeutic management strategies. It is in this way that trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody continues to be the standard treatment in this subtype of cancer, the first studies in which its efficacy is evidenced are the one carried out by Dr. Buzdar and the NOAH study in which patients achieved higher rates of complete pathological response compared to chemotherapy alone, as well as a higher number of breast-conserving surgeries rather than mastectomy. Over the years, new therapeutic management strategies have been developed, thus we have the double anti-HER2 blockade with the monoclonal antibodies trastuzumab and pertuzumab that have improved the rates of complete pathological response. In addition, lapatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been included as part of targeted therapies. It has been elucidated whether anthracyclines confer an additional benefit to neoadjuvant treatment and studies show that the benefit is the same as other chemotherapy regimens. It is actually the essential chemotherapy in neoadjuvant therapy, the PHERGain study shows that there are patients who can achieve a complete pathological response only with the double anti-her2 blockade (trastuzumab and pertuzumab), which would avoid unnecessary toxicity due to chemotherapy, and strategies could be developed for the management of those patients who did not achieve a complete pathological response after double blockade. There is still a wide field to explore and with studies underway at the moment.
Visualization of Layers Within a Convolutional Neural Network Using Gradient Activation Maps

Introduction: Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are machine learning tools that have great potential in the field of medical imaging. However, it is often regarded as a “black box” as the process that is used by the machine to acquire a result is not transparent. It would be valuable to find a method to be able to understand how the machine comes to its decision. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine how effective gradient-weighted class activation mapping (grad-CAM) visualizations are for certain layers in a CNN-based dental x-ray artifact prediction model. Methods: To tackle this project, Python code using PyTorch trained a CNN to classify dental plates as unusable or usable depending on the presence of artifacts. Furthermore, Python using PyTorch was also used to overlay grad-CAM visualizations on the given input images for various layers within the model. One image with seventeen different overlays of artifacts was used in this study. Results: In earlier layers, the model appeared to focus on general features such as lines and edges of the teeth, while in later layers, the model was more interested in detailed aspects of the image. All images that contained artifacts resulted in the model focusing on more detailed areas of the image rather than the artifacts themselves. Whereas the images without artifacts resulted in the model focusing on the visualization of areas that surrounded the teeth. Discussion and Conclusion: As subsequent layers examined more detailed aspects of the image as shown by the grad-CAM visualizations, they provided better insight into how the model processes information when it is making its classifications. Since all the images with artifacts showed similar trends in the visualizations of the various layers, it provides evidence to suggest that the location and size of the artifact does not affect the model’s pattern recognition and image classification.
A novel robust finite-time tracking control of uncertain robotic manipulators with disturbances

In this article, an innovative technique to design a robust finite-time state feedback controller for a class of uncertain robotic manipulators is proposed. This controller aims to converge the state variables of the system to a small bound around the origin in a finite time. The main innovation of this article is transforming the model of an uncertain robotic manipulator into a new time-varying form to achieve the finite-time boundedness criteria using asymptotic stability methods. First, based on prior knowledge about the upper bound of uncertainties and disturbances, an innovative finite-time sliding mode controller is designed. Then, the innovative finite-time sliding mode controller is developed for finite-time tracking of time-varying reference signals by the outputs of the system. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed control laws is illustrated for serial robotic manipulators with any number of links through numerical simulations, and it is compared with the nonsingular terminal sliding mode control method as one of the most powerful finite-time techniques.
Assessment of pre-service teachers’ knowledge of the impact of livestock production on global warming: a comparative study between Portugal and Spain

In this study we assess how higher education students (pre-service teachers) value and understand the impact of livestock production on global warming. We used a questionnaire with 91 students from a Portuguese institution and 111 from a Spanish one. The students had to mention measures to fight global warming, to explain the relationship between livestock production and global warming and to rank the impact of this cause compared to others. The Portuguese students showed a better understanding of this issue. Even so, the majority of the students do not recognize the high impact of livestock on global warming and consider other causes more relevant.
Screening of Alpha Amylase Inhibitory Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants and Development of Herbal Tea

Aims: Herbal medicines are widely used because of its health benefits and minimum side effects. There are many underutilized medicinal herbs in Sri Lanka which are not subjected to any scientific study to prove their health benefits. The present study attempted to identify the health benefits and possibility to develop herbal teas from selected herbs; Solanum trilobatum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Acalypha indica and Plectranthus amboinicus. Study Design: Complete Randomized Design was employed. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory of Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka From November 2018 to March 2019. Methodology: Leaf samples of these herbs were oven dried for 12 hours at 50°C. Infusions were prepared by boiling varying amounts of leaf samples from 1g to 5g in 100 ml of distilled water and tested for antioxidant activity with DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay and α-amylase inhibition activity using Dinitrosalicylic acid method. Sensory evaluation was conducted for the same Original Research Article Alakolanga et al.; CSIJ, 29(9): 11-18, 2020; Article no.CSIJ. 64544 12 infusions with ISO-3103 specifications to select the best amounts of samples for consumption. The selected amounts were subjected to chemical analysis. Results: The best antioxidant activity and α-amylase inhibition activity were observed in C.halicacabum with 7.71 mg ml and 45.51 mg ml IC50 values respectively. Results confirmed that all leaf infusions contain Anthocyanin (4.20-0.11mg dm -3 ), Polyphenols (120.49-32.93 mg dm -3 ) and Free Sugar (262.95-24.67mg dm). Conclusion: Selected herbs show positive responses towards selected biochemical properties and there is a very good potential to develop herbal teas with interesting health benefits with high customer attraction. C. halicacabum shows the best potential among selected herbs. However, it is suggested to carry out further studies to confirm these results and find out any adverse effects of overconsumption.
XPS Studies on the Leached Surface Layer of WAK-HLW Glass

The surfaces of GP WAK1 glass specimens leached in distilled water at various pH-values were studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Characteristic changes in the composition of surface alteration products as well as in the ion-exchange zone in the glass were observed in dependence of time and pH and were compared to results of solution analyses. At low pH surface alteration products consist of O, Si, Ti, Zr, Cr, Mo, Fe and P. At pH 7 to 9 a Mg-rich silicate with additions of Ca and Al is formed at the surfaces with a ratio of Si/Mg of about 2 independent of the S/V ratios used. Leaching of elements from the ion-exchange layer follows solubility/pH relations: In addition to Na and B, Cs, Ba, Ca and Mg are leached at low pH, while Mo is leached at high pH.
Enamel Matrix Derivative and TGF-Beta 1 Target Genes in Human Tongue Carcinoma Cells

Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) can enhance proliferation and migration of different oral cell lines, including malignant oral carcinoma cells, in vitro and in vivo. The composition of EMD is not known, but part of the effects have been postulated to be caused by transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-beta 1). This study aimed to compare target genes of EMD and TGF-beta 1 on highly malignant oral carcinoma HSC-3 cells. Microarrays were used to examine differentially expressed genes in HSC-3 cells after 6h and 24h incubations with EMD (200 µg/ml) or TGF-beta 1 (10 ng/ml). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the regulated genes was also conducted. After 6h and 24h of EMD treatments 42 and 12 genes, respectively, were statistically significantly (P<0.05) up- or down-regulated. However, as many as 393 and 346 genes were statistically significantly (P<0.05) up- or down-regulated by TGF-beta 1. Among the most up-regulated genes by both of the study reagents were MMP-9 and -10. The expression of MMP-10 by EMD treated carcinoma cells was also verified in protein level. In conclusion, TGF-beta 1 regulates more and mostly different genes compared with EMD, but both regulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase genes in oral carcinoma cells.
Optimizing Cardiovascular Outcome in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Better Control of Diabetes Mellitus with Empigliflozin and Hypertension with Renin Angiotensin System Inhibitors and Manidipine Preferably of the Dihydropyridones

Aim Obesity is increasing globally by leaps and bounds and thus the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) along with it so much so that the term diabesity had to be coined. Earlier we had reviewed how to treat the both together and the role of empagliflozin to improve cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOT). Similarly T2DM and hypertension are pathophysiologically-related diseases which co-exist with a broader complex of metabolic diseases which co-exist possessing similar set of risk factors. Hence it is important to consider which antihypertensives are suitable that possess a positive effect on metabolic factors in cases of T2DM who require an antihypertensive. Method A systematic review was carried out using the PubMed search engine with the MeSH terms: “T2DM”; “essential hypertension; “cardiovascular (CV)”; “Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and antihypertensive”; “Antihypertensive preferred in T2DM subjects”; “Renin-angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors”; “Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)”; “Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)”; “Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker”; “β2 blockers”; “Diuretics”. Discussion Most diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects need a minimum of two antihypertensive drugs, combining a renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAS) inhibitor with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker seems to be the most indicated approach. But not all dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers have equivalent effects on metabolic parameters. Hence manidipine that causes positive effect on insulin resistance (IR) seems to be an effective option. We have reviewed how manidipine is superior to amlodipine with regards to improving IR, not seen with amlodipine, along with not causing excessive sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation, pulse pressure and ankle edema or to much lesser extent than amlodipine. Therefore, manidipine needs to be the first addition to RAS inhibitors in case of DM’s having hypertension of the dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers. Further good blood pressure (BP) control been correlated with good CVs outcomes. Conclusion A RAS inhibitor is the first line of choice of drugs in a subject with T2DM who needs to be treated with empagliflozin for better CVOT outcome, and when a 2nd drug has to be added it is manidipine that is preferred over amlodipine. Plant products are proving to be having a lot of beneficial effects in DM, obesity and hypertension. Thus need for developing agents from plants will prove to be more cost effective in these chronic diseases where compliance is difficult to achieve with the use of common antiDM drugs and antihypertensives with the cost factor along with their side effects.
Assessment of Balance in Individuals with and without Motion Sickness: A Comparative Study

Introduction: This vestibular malfunction leads to symptoms from dizziness, orientation problems and postural disequilibrium to the distressing visual symptoms of vertigo (an illusion of rotatory motion) and nystagmus during activities that require head movement suggesting that vestibular disorders markedly disrupt balance control. Therefore, in this study an attempt was made to assess whether individuals with motion sickness are having impaired balance compared to the healthy counterparts. Aim: To compare the balance of individuals with and without motion sickness. Materials and Methods: There were two groups in this study. Each group was having 48 participants. Group A was individuals with motion sickness (Experimental group) and group B was individuals without motion sickness, (control group). Balance of both the groups was assessed using, Neuro-Com basic balance manager i.e. Basic Balance Master (Version 9.2) from Natus balance and mobility. The test administered were unilateral stance and CTSIB. Results: There was statistically significant difference in sway velocity of both the groups in m CTSIB as well as unilateral stance. (p<0.001). Increased sway velocity was found in group with motion sickness. Conclusion: Balance was affected in individuals with motion sickness.
Game Theory-based Routing for Software-Defined Networks

: Software Defined Networking is an emerging paradigm that allows the separation of the control plane from the forwarding plane. This shift in paradigm towards plane separation provides various advantages as compared to the traditional networks. Routing is one such benefit that allows more controlled, predicted, and dynamic routing in the network due to its centralized paradigm. The global network view is available at the controller. It can take optimal decisions compared to distributed systems where a global network view is impossible to create, as many message exchanges are required. Dynamic routing is one of the notions where the decisions are made in real-time by viewing traffic in the network. Inspecting the current traffic, an optimal path is chosen. This practice of selecting an optimal route is possible in different ways. Game theory is a model for strategic decision-makers applied in another field to make the results more effective. In this paper, the game theory for traffic light control is studied in detail, and the mechanism is applied for efficient routing in the network. Simulation results show improvement over traditional methods of routing.
Yield and Yield Attributing Parameters of Toria (Brassica campestries) under Real Time Rainfall Situation in an Inceptisols of Assam, India

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20 in Dryland experimental field belong to soil order Inceptisols, Biswanath college of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Biswanath chariali, Assam to study the ‘‘Yield and yield attributing parameters of toria (Brassica campestries) under real time rainfall situation in an Inceptisols of Assam, India’’ under AICRPDA, NICRA. The treatments consisting of 4 different dates of sowing Original Research Article Borah et al.; IJECC, 10(12): 311-321, 2020; Article no.IJECC. 62121 312 i.e. S1-41 th SMW, S2-44 th SMW, S3-46 th SMW, and S448 th SMW, & three variety i.e. V1-JT-901(Jeuti), V2-Yellow sarson (Benoy) and V3TS-38. Growth, yield and yield attributing characters of toria varieties were influenced by different dates of sowing. S1 registered higher plant height (43.2 cm, 92.9 cm and 106.6 cm & 40.2 cm, 89.8 cm and 101.5 cm) and number of branch (3.8, 5.3 and 7.2 & 3.4, 5.1 and 6.9) at 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS, respectively, during 2018-19 and 2019-20. Yield attributing characters like number of siliqua, number of seed per siliqua, 1000 seed weight (g) were gradually decreased with advancement of sowing dates. Among the three varieties V1 (Jeuti) recorded highest seed yield (8.9 q ha and 8.1 q ha) and stover yield (23.4 q ha and 22.2 q ha) in 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. Highest HI (28.5% and 25.8%) was recorded in S1 and lowest was recorded in S4 (20.7% and 14.6%).
Functionalization of titanium surface for dental implants design

The objective of this thesis is to create new nanostructured surfaces with bioactive coatings and to study theirs physicochemical properties in order to develop better dental implants designs and promote their osseointegration. This functionalization was performed in two steps; starting by the nanostructuration of TiO2 surface by anodisation to create reactive sites on the edges of titanium nanotubes which acts as points of “attachment" to bioactive coatings. The second step was the surface chemical modification by coating the nanostructured surface with bioactive coatings of calcium phosphate (CaP) and strontium doped calcium phosphate (Sr.CaP). This coating was performed by pulsed electrodeposition. The physicochemical characterization by XPS, SEM and IR showed that doping with Sr promotes a non-apatitic compound similar to DCPD or DCPA (Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate or Anhydrous), while undoped CaP coating looks like an amorphous apatite-like compound ACP. The addition of strontium has the double advantage of optimizing the cellular multiplication and of giving an inorganic phase with bio-performance better than apatitic compounds. We also evaluated the adsorption proprieties of these functionalized surfaces by investigating the adsorption of proteins (BSA). This adsorption was performed onto tblank nanotubes, nanotubes coated with CaP and Sr doped CaP and evaluated according to deposition time and to the pH value of the solution that affect both protein and surface charge. The kinetic and structural evaluation reveals different adsorption geometries according to pH and adsorption time and also according to the chemical nature of surface. Such results of protein adsorption and conformation may form a database to understand and control protein activities and reactions with living body when used for dental implants system