Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shelf Life Extension of Package’s Using Cupper/(Biopolymer nanocomposite) Produced by One-Step Process

ABSTRACT: The use of new compounds to increase the shelf life of more perishable foods based on nanoparticles and biodegradable polymers have been developed in packaging. Chitosan (Cts) is a natural biopolymer with excellent biodegradability and nontoxicity and antibacterial effect. In this research antibacterial copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were incorporated in the biodegradable chitosan matrix for applications as packaging materials. The properties of Cu/Cts bionanocomposites (BNCs) were studied as a function of the CuNPs concentration. Surface morphology and elemental composition of the film was investigated by scanning electron microscopy attached to EDXRF. Mechanical analysis and water vapor barrier properties of CuNPs/Cts composites were analyzed. It was observed that mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of the films were improved by the concentration of CuNPs. The antibacterial activity of CuNPs/Cts thin films were evaluated based on the diameter of the inhibition zone in a disk diffusion test against gram positive bacteria i.e., Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus and gram negative bacteria i.e., S.epidermidis and Streptococcus A. that are responsible in food deterioration, using Mueller Hinton agar at different concentration of CuNPs. The results revealed a greater bactericidal effectiveness for nanocomposite films containing 0.15mol/L of CuSO4 solution. Packages prepared from Cts/Cu nanocomposite films were used for meat packaging. The films were filled with meat and then stored at 4 oC. Microbial stability of the meat was evaluated after 3, 7, 10 and 15 days of storage. The results showed that microbial growth rate significantly reduced as a result of using this nanocomposite packaging material.Keywords: Active Packaging, Antibacteria
L2 Attainment in Work-Based Learning Settings: An Investigation Into the Effectiveness of Explicit Instruction and the Importance of Biological- Experiential Factors in Language Learning

In this paper I investigate the effectiveness of explicit teaching methods on L2 attainment in a context where the participants live and work in a target language-speaking environment and the learning takes place at work. Two groups–experimental and control–were set up . The experimental group received instruction which consisted of explicit teaching of the present perfect and the past simple tenses. The control group received skills training without any directed focus on grammar. A simple t-test was carried out to compare the results of pre-tests with the results of post-tests. Its results reveal that only the experimental group made significant gains on the posttest, suggesting that explicit instruction is more effective in some contexts. Correlation analyses failed to find significant relationships between biological-experiential factors (e.g. age, length of residence) and language gains on the post-test.
Outcomes Comparison of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) between GnRH Agonist Trigger and hCG for Final Oocyte Maturation

Introduction: For decades, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been used for final oocyte maturation. It is proven to have highest life birth rate, comparing to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, but unfortunately it can increases the risk of developing ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS). There is an ongoing debate over the optimal agent that can trigger final oocyte maturation in antagonist protocol, leading to higher IVF success rate without increasing the risk of OHSS. Objective: To compare IVF outcomes in patient using GnRH agonist trigger and hCG for final oocyte maturation. Method: A retrospective review of in vitro fertilization patient at Daya Medika Clinic and Yasmin Clinic. Result: 76 women were analyzed consist of 38 women using GnRH agonist and 38 women using hCG. We found no significant differences on biochemical pregnancy rate (24.00% and 20.51%) between two group, but there were significant differences on fertilization rate (67.72% and 61.32%), cleavage rate (95.04% and 88.92%) and blastocyst rate (13.90% and 7.38%). There was one patient developed OHSS in hCG group Conclusion: GnRH agonists can be considered for use as a trigger final oocyte maturation in the antagonist protocol because some IVF outcomes data showed that GnRH agonists triggering were better than hCG without increasing the risk of OHSS
Early Pregnancy/Pregnancy Recognition 136 HIGH PROTEIN DIET INHIBITS INNER CELL MASS FORMATION AND INCREASES APOPTOSIS IN MOUSE BLASTOCYSTS DEVELOPED IN VIVO BY INCREASING THE LEVELS OF AMMONIUM IN THE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT

Ammonium is known to adversely affect the development of mouse embryos in culture. Specifically, ammonium has been found to impair inner cell (ICM) mass formation, increase apoptosis, retard fetal development following embryo transfer and induce exencephaly. Significantly, high protein diets in cattle lead to reduced fecundity. This has been linked to elevated urea levels within fluid of the female tract. In this study we have determined the effects of a high protein diet for mice on the levels of ammonium within the female tract and the effects of such a diet on the development and viability of blastocysts developed in vivo. Outbred mice (CF1) were fed a diet of either 25% (high protein) or 14% (control) protein for 4 weeks. Females were superovulated and mated to males of the same strain. In 24 mice, oviduct fluid was collected at 22 h post hCG. Ammonium in the oviduct fluid was then quantitated fluorometrically. From other animals, blastocysts were flushed 92 h post hCG and analyzed. Blastocyst differentiation and apoptotic indices were determined. Values are mean ± SEM. Data were analysed using Student’s t-test. The levels of ammonium in the oviduct were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in females fed the high protein diet (356 ± 43 μM) compared to the control (68 ± 13 μM) (n = 12 in each group). Blastocysts (n = 139) from females fed the high protein diet had significantly lower total (43.4 ± 1.1; P < 0.05) and ICM cell numbers (12.7 ± 0.4; P < 0.01), compared to the control group (46.8 ± 0.9 and 15.4 ± 0.4 respectively; n = 124). Furthermore, blastocysts from animals fed a high protein diet had a significantly higher apoptotic index (8.7 ± 1.4; P < 0.01) compared to the control group (2.0 ± 0.5). These data show that consumption of a high protein diet results in the excess accumulation of ammonium in the fluid of the female reproductive tract of mice. These high levels of ammonium subsequently impair the formation of the fetal progenitor cells and increase cell death at the blastocyst stage. These data from in vivo-developed mouse blastocysts are similar to those for blastocysts developed in culture in the presence of 300 μM ammonium. Therefore, it is not advisable to maintain mice on a high protein diet. These data have significant implications for animal breeding, and for patients attempting IVF treatment.
Heterogeneous expression and functional evaluation of in silico characterized recombinant OmpC of Salmonella Typhimurium as a functional poultry vaccine to eradicate zoonotic transmission

Salmonellosis is one of the major global health concerns leading to millions of deaths annually. The present vaccines not being up to the mark necessitate the need for the development of new generation vaccines. Outer membrane proteins (Omps) of several Gram negative bacteria have been investigated and found to be immunogenic and protective. The present study explores the potential of a major porin protein (OmpC) of Salmonella Typhimurium, as a vaccine candidate. The OmpC 3D structure and its potential to bind effectively with antibodies and generate humoral response was investigated using in silico docking, and expressed in a heterogeneous Escherichia coli M15 host strain. The rOmpC was purified and its immunopotential was evaluated in vitro by western blotting and in vivo in three weeks old chicks. The recombinant OmpC produced a significant humoral response and in vaccinated birds 100% survival rate was observed along with delay in the shedding of organism in droppings. These findings indicate that the rOmpC vaccination prevents mortality in chicken and lowers fecal shedding in droppings. Key words: Outer membrane protein (Omp), Salmonellosis, Salmonella Typhimurium , subunit vaccines, porins,rigid-body docking.
THE MOSDEF SURVEY: DYNAMICAL AND BARYONIC MASSES AND KINEMATIC STRUCTURES OF STAR-FORMING GALAXIES AT 1.4 ≤ z ≤ 2.6

We present H &agr; ? > gas kinematics for 178 star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2 ? > from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field survey. We have developed models to interpret the kinematic measurements from fixed-angle multi-object spectroscopy, using structural parameters derived from Cosmic Assembly Near-Infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey Hubble Space Telescope/F160W imaging. For 35 galaxies, we measure resolved rotation with a median of ( V / &sgr; V , 0 ) R E = 2.1 ? > . We derive dynamical masses from the kinematics and sizes and compare them to baryonic masses, with gas masses estimated from dust-corrected H &agr; ? > star formation rates (SFRs) and the Kennicutt–Schmidt relation. When assuming that galaxies with and without observed rotation have the same median ( V / &sgr; V , 0 ) R E ? > , we find good agreement between the dynamical and baryonic masses, with a scatter of &sgr; rms = 0.34 dex ? > and a median offset of Δ log 10 M = 0.04 dex ? > . This comparison implies a low dark matter fraction (8% within an effective radius) for a Chabrier initial mass function (IMF), and disfavors a Salpeter IMF. Moreover, the requirement that M dyn ? > / M baryon ? > should be independent of inclination yields a median value of ( V / &sgr; V , 0 ) R E = 2.1 ? > for galaxies without observed rotation. If, instead, we treat the galaxies without detected rotation as early-type galaxies, the masses are also in reasonable agreement ( Δ log 10 M = − 0.07 dex ? > , &sgr; rms = 0.37 dex ? > ). The inclusion of gas masses is critical in this comparison; if gas masses are excluded, there is an increasing trend of M dyn ? > / M * ? > with higher specific SFR (SSFR). Furthermore, we find indications that V / &sgr; ? > decreases with increasing H &agr; ? > SSFR for our full sample, which may reflect disk settling. We also study the Tully–Fisher relation and find that at fixed stellar mass S 0.5 = ( 0.5 V 2.2 2 + &sgr; V , 0 2 ) 1 / 2 ? > was higher at earlier times. At fixed baryonic mass, we observe the opposite trend. Finally, the baryonic and dynamical masses of the active galactic nuclei in our sample are also in excellent agreement, suggesting that the kinematics trace the host galaxies.
Emergingand persistent issueswitharti ¢ cial food colours : natural colouradditives as alternatives to synthetic colours in foodand drink

doi:10.1111/j.1757-837X.2010. 00087.x Abstract Introduction Natural colour additives are increasingly used as alternatives to synthetic colours in food and drink. This is partly a reaction to concerns on the safety of certain synthetic food colours by consumers and as a result of safety evaluations and industry requirements. Objectives This article provides an overview of the key scientific, technical, regulatory and socio-economic aspects of replacing synthetic food colorants with natural alternatives. Methods The different types of food colour additives are discussed with respect to their derivation, source materials and stability as well as the range of formulations designed to meet the technical demands of food manufacturer’s applications, regulatory compliance and safety evaluation. The socioeconomic impact of replacing synthetic colours with natural alternatives is discussed with reference to four case studies. An overview on available methods of analysis is also given. Conclusions Natural does not necessarily mean good or safe; hence natural colours have purity specifications, usage restrictions and maximum permitted levels in line with other food additives. Direct replacement of synthetic colours with natural alternatives is not always straightforward and requires development of technologies to cover the full range of colour/foodstuff combinations. As a result, a range of suitable extraction and analytical methods for determining added natural colours in food and drink are requisite. However, while methods are available for certain colours in source materials and specific foodstuffs, they are by no means comprehensive and further research is required to develop and validate suitable methods to cover the entire range of colour additives permitted in the EU.
Moisture Wound Healing Characteristics of Alginate Sponge and Hydrogel

Alginate sponge and hydrogel were prepared by a drying/crosslinking method and their wound healing characteristics were investigated comparatively. The alginate hydrogel had a higher equilibrium water content than the sponge, providing a moist wound healing condition without absorbing exudate from a wound. The amounts of proinflammatory cytokines released by macrophages were lowered due to the cytokine-binding effects of the alginate sponge and hydrogel. The hydrogel lowered the cytokine level more dominantly than the sponge, suggesting that the affinity of alginate molecules to cytokines increases at a more swollen state. The hydrogel allowed superior wound healing and contraction at the early stage of application. However, epithelialization was conspicuous when the sponge was applied. It was confirmed through histological examination and RNA expression analysis that angiogenesis, formation of collagen fibers, regeneration of epithelium, and production of protein were promoted using the alginate sponge and hydrogel as wound dressing materials.
Neuroscience and leadership : awareness, relevance and applications of neuroscience principles within leadership development in Germany

Tiivistelmä This bachelor’s thesis aimed to elaborate the current importance-level of neuroscience within leadership development as well as its future potential. Thereby awareness of leaders and human resource executives, general relevance for organisational success, and current applications of neuroscience principles within development programmes were identified. Additionally, existent and emergent triggers and forces that impede leadership or organisational success were investigated, in order to examine their potential for the valuable application of neuroscience principles.
Effect of lithium nitrate on the reaction between opal aggregate and sodium and potassium hydroxides in concrete over a long period of time

Manuscript submitted 2017-09-06, revised 2017-10-16, initially accepted for publication 2017-10-30, published in December 2017. Abstract. Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is a reaction between amorphous or poorly crystallized siliceous phase, present in aggregates, and sodium and potassium hydroxides in the pore solution of concrete. Chemical admixtures such as lithium compounds are known to have high potential of inhibiting ASR. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lithium nitrate on ASR in mortars containing high reactive opal aggregate over a long period of time. Mortar bar expansion tests were performed and microstructures of mortar bars were observed by scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalyser. Results from this study showed that effectiveness of lithium nitrate in mitigating ASR was limited over a long period of time. A larger amount of ASR gel which was formed in the presence of lithium nitrate indicated that the deterioration processes intensify within longer periods of time, which so far has not been observed in literature. Microscopic observation confirmed the presence of alkali-silica gel and delayed ettringite in mortars with lithium nitrate.
Future progress in drought tolerance in maize needs new secondary traits and cross combinations

SUMMARY The use of secondary traits such as number of ears per plant, grains per ear, the interval from anthesis to silking, leaf senescence and leaf rolling, together with management of water stress and recurrent selection, have permitted a considerable increase in drought tolerance in the CIMMYT maize source germplasm populations Drought Tolerant Population (DTP) and La Posta Sequía (LPS). Inbred lines were extracted from DTP C9 and LPS C7 cycles and then used for generating single and three-ways hybrids. These were evaluated under normal irrigation and managed drought conditions. A weak, and in some cases no longer significant, correlation was found between grain yield and the traits initially used for selection. Most prominently, the relationship between anthesis-silking interval and grain yield became much weaker in these hybrids. Conversely, significant negative correlations were found between tassel dry weight and grain yield. Three-way hybrids involving two DTP lines yielded more than those involving one only, indicating the feasibility of gene pyramiding for drought tolerance. Overall, the results suggested that the relationship between grain yield and secondary traits has been modified due to continuous selection in the LPS and DTP populations. Some long-established secondary traits have become less important, while others have become more relevant. Mean grain weight, previously not used within a drought selection index, was strongly correlated with yield in the present study. The importance of traits related to the availability in C products for the development of ears and grains are discussed. The results indicate that the traits of source organs contribute marginally to drought tolerance; variation of leaf or root traits seems to be less important than variation in tassel parameters for increasing drought tolerance. For ensuring further progress in drought tolerance in maize, the solution might reside in the manipulation of sink organs. It is therefore suggested that selection for even greater number of ears, bigger grains and smaller tassels may help to increase grain yield under water limited environments in the near future. A short discussion on the optimal choice of parental lines for developing hybrids with maximum expression of drought tolerance concludes the paper.
Notes on the Reproduction of the Streamside Salamander, Ambystoma barbouri, from Rutherford County, Tennessee

Abstract Populations of Ambystoma barbouri (Streamside Salamander) have recently been identified in the Central Basin of middle Tennessee. Little is known regarding the distribution, natural history, and health of populations in Tennessee, resulting in the salamander being “deemed in need of management” by state agencies. Here we provide information regarding reproduction for the only known extant populations in Rutherford County, TN. In February 2005, fifty-one egg masses from three first-order streams were digitally photographed and analyzed to determine size of egg mass, stage of development, ovum diameter, and embryo length. Number of eggs per mass, size of ova, and size of embryos were comparable to that reported in the literature. Egg masses varied noticeably in stage of embryonic development; we estimate that oviposition in 2005 occurred between early December and early February. Eurycea cirrigera (Southern Two-lined Salamanders) oviposited in the same first-order streams and during the same time period as Streamside Salamander. Continued deforestation and land development associated with urban sprawl from the city of Murfreesboro threaten existing populations of Streamside Salamander. The information in this study can be used to provide a basis for developing conservation plans for the Streamside Salamander in middle Tennessee and for scheduling construction activities such that they least affect breeding activities.
LARGE STRUCTURES: WHICH SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTH MONITORING?

Whatever the age of a large structure (dam, viaduct, cooling tower, nuclear containment, tunnel, …) It has to be periodically monitored. It is a challenge to realise these services when the access is limited and difficult for Man. This paper introduces a global approach, developed by SITES, through examples of application on different concrete dams or cooling towers, and their results. This global method involves three techniques: the SCANSITES ® (a visual inspection system), the LIDAR (3D laser scanning) and high resolution photogrammetry.
Chaotic Systems Synchronization Via High Order Observer Design

In this paper, we consider the synchronization problem via a nonlinear observer design. A new exponential polynomial observer for a class of nonlinear oscillators is proposed, which is robust against output noises. A sufficient condition for synchronization is derived analytically with the help of the Lyapunov stability theory. The proposed technique has been applied to synchronize chaotic systems (Rikitake and Rossler systems) by numerical simulation.
Plant density and mixture ratio effects on the competition between common vetch and wheat.

Mixtures of annual forage legumes with winter small grains for forage are practiced traditionally in the Mediterranean countries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of variable seed mixture rates and different plant densities on the forage yield. The study also investigated the competition effects among mixture partners in the mixture of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivium L.). Field trials were conducted at two locations (L1, Hatay and L2, Adana) during the 2008-09 and 200910 growing seasons. Three plant densities (200, 400, 600 plants m -2 ) and five seed mixture ratios (100 % V, 75% V + 25% W, 50% V + 50% W, 25% V + 75% W, 100 % W) of common vetch (V) and wheat (W) were used. The results of the study showed that increased plant density in the mixture resulted in increased dry matter yield per unit area. In addition, increased seed ratio of wheat in the mixture caused increased dry matter yield per unit area. Also, elevated dry matter yield resulted in increased crude protein yield. Land equivalent ratio (LER), aggressivity (A) and competitive ratio (CR) indexes showed that common vetch was the dominant species in all common vetch-wheat mixtures.
UNDERWATER ROBOT SWARMS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Research on autonomous vehicles has been a key area of concern especially in the last two-three decades. Underwater vehicles took their share in such studies. In addition to single remotely-controlled and autonomous underwater vehicles, ongoing research deals with construction of coordinated missions to be performed by groups of such vehicles. In this study, which can be considered as a condensed review of the underwater robot swarms, we try to summarize the challenges and practical issues in this area. In addition, we try to illustrate the advantages of a swarm formation with a basic case study. In this study, we will try to discuss the challenges of constructing autonomous underwater robot swarms; and give a simple example illustrating the benefits of the swarm by means of our simulator, which is still under development.
THE EFFECTS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL AND FIRM CHARACTERISTICS ON PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN PRETORIA

The primary aim of this study was to analyze the effects of entrepreneur and firm characteristics on performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pretoria. Based on simple random sampling procedures, a total of one hundred and fifty students were selected and participated in the survey. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on entrepreneur and firm characteristics affecting performance of SMEs. The data were sought and analysed using SPSS statistical package. The Cronbach’s alpha of 0.885 and the Keiser-Meyer-Olkin of 0.872were obtained from the data used for the analysis. Based on the findings derived from multiple regression analysis using the ordinary least squares regression; managerial competence, educational qualifications, work experience, location, size of the firm, period the enterprise has operated and business sector all have significant positive effects on performance of SMEs.