Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of essential oils from local plants as potential bio-herbicides to deplete Striga hermonthica seedbank

The parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth, is a major biotic constraint to the production of cereal crops, particularly sorghum in Africa. The research was aimed to evaluate the allelopathic properties of local plants to inhibit Striga hermonthica weed from Burkina Faso. In this respect, the bio-herbicidal effect of essential oils from 10 local aromatic plants on the germination of S. hermonthica seeds, was evaluated. The research was conducted in 2017 at the phytopathology and weed science laboratory of INERA (Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles) located at Kamboinse, Burkina Faso.The research using essential oils with 10% dilutions from 10 local aromatic plants were evaluated to inhibition of S. hermonthica germination. Dilutions of 0.2% and 0.4% were applied on conditioned Striga seeds to test their ability to induce Striga germination. Parameters were analyzed using the ANOVA, and the means were compared using DMRT at level of 5%. Germination data of Striga seeds were analyzed using the GenStat Release 12.1 software. The results showed that oils from Cymbopogon citratus (10%)inhibited completely the germination. The ones from Cymbopogon nardus L. and Lippia multiflora Moldenke also inhibited significantly the germination rate compared to the untreated control. Dilutions of 0.2% from four plants essential oils significantly stimulated germination by 5.26% to 60.64% (C. citratus). As we can observe from the above, the oil some essential oils contain metabolites that can be used as bio-herbicides to control S. hermonthica and improve cereal yield. Their use in field conditions can limit environmental pollution and contribute to fight against climate change.
The development applied aspects of Ukraine’s tourist industry in the globalization conditions

Purpose – to assess the tourism industry development and its impact on Ukraine’s economy, to identify a set of problems hindering the significant development of the tourism industry, and to justify ways to increase competitiveness in the world market. Design/Method/Approach of the research. System approach, synthesis, analysis and comparison to assess the tourism development dynamics in Ukraine, correlation and regression analysis to determine the impact level of increasing the number of hotels and tourist-recreational enterprises on GDP growth in Ukraine, logical generalization to identify a set of problems holding back the significant development of local tourism and ways justification of increasing its competitiveness on the world market. Findings. This article presents the results of assessing the tourism dynamics, particularly the tourist flows, the number of resorts, the number of tourists served by tour operators and travel agents. The authors substantiated the ways of increasing the local tourism sector's competitiveness. Practical implications. The work results can make the basis for the development of fundamental and scientific-applied provisions contributing to the significant system formation of increasing the competitiveness of Ukraine's tourism industry by state and local authorities, establishing cooperation among market participants and forming optimal logistics flows, developing business models to optimize the flows of health and recreational facilities. Originality/Value. The research value is that its applied scientific provisions can be implemented in the strategy of economic development of local tourism in analytical and mathematical justifications of the relationship between economic growth and tourism development, which ultimately increases Ukraine regions’ competitiveness for sustainable development of the country’s economy. Research limitations/Future research. Future research should focus on identifying mechanisms to improve the procedure for increasing tourism enterprises' competitiveness and improving provided service quality. Paper type –empirical.
The role of the Gerontologist in the fight against Ageism

The progressive aging of societies is an unavoidable phenomenon that tends to be accentuated due to the scientific advances and the improvement of living conditions that allow people to live longer. But if the achievements in terms of years of life are, themselves, positive, they are accompanied by a set of prejudices associated with age. Thus, ageism has become a present reality, both in speeches and in practices. Gerontologists, as professionals with theoretical and practical knowledge on aging have an ethical and moral duty to fight ageism. This is intended to be accounted for in this article.
Association between ambient fine particulate matter with blood pressure levels among Iranian individuals admitted for cardiac and respiratory diseases: Data from CAPACITY study

BACKGROUND The relation between air pollution and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors, especially blood pressure (BP) levels, has been less frequently assessed. The aim of this study was evaluating the association between air pollutants of less than 2.5 µm [particulate matter (PM2.5)] and BP indices among individuals admitted with CVDs and pulmonary diseases. METHODS This cross-sectional study was in context of air pollution associated with hospitalization and mortality of CVDs and respiratory diseases (CAPACITY) study. Data of 792 Iranian patients referring to two hospitals in Isfahan, Iran, for cardiovascular or respiratory problems from March 2011 to March 2012 were used for analysis. BP indices including systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were obtained from patients’ medical forms and mean PM2.5 concentrations during 24 hours prior to admission of each patient were obtained from Isfahan Department of Environment (DOE). RESULTS Mean ± standard deviation (SD) of participants’ age were 62.5 ± 15.9 years. All BP indices on admission were significantly higher in women compared with men. Adjustment of all potential confounders including age, sex, temperature, wind speed, and dew point revealed that increasing one quartile in PM2.5 concentrations had been associated with 1.98 mmHg raising in SBP at the time of admission [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.41-3.54, P = 0.010]. Women with cardiac diseases had higher all BP indices with increased PM2.5 concentration [SBP: β: 4.30, 95% CI = 0.90-7.70, P = 0.010; DBP: β: 1.89, 95% CI = 0.09-3.69, P = 0.040; MAP: β: 3.09, 95% CI = 0.68-5.51, P= 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that increasing PM2.5 concentration has been positively associated with raising SBP in total population and all BP indices among women with cardiac problems at admission time. Several comprehensive studies are required for confirming these relations.
Constituents of the Spondias mombin Linn and the Comparison between its Fruit and Leaf essential oils

Abstract Essential oil from the leaves of S. mombin has been studied using GC and GC-MS. The essential oil from leaf has been found to be a mixture of more than 54 components, which constitute (82.9%) of it. ß-Caryophyllene (19.99%) is the most abundant compound, which was earlier reported to also dominate the fruit (hogplum) essential oil. Other major compounds in the leaf essential oil are δ-cadinene (9.07%) α-humulene (6.67%); ℘-muurolene (5.45%); α-gurjunene (4.27%); α-muurolene (3.38%) 5-isocedranol (3.03%); and ℘-cadinene (3.03%). 46 other compounds are reported in the S.mombin leaf essential oil which were not properly studied earlier. The relative concentrations of 15 volatile compounds present in both fruit (hogplum) and leaf essential oils are also presented.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with additives to 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid

Selected benzoic acid derivatives and related substances were used as additives to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5 DHB) and the performance of the mixtures in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was investigated. Using benzoic acid derivatives substituted at position 2 and /or 5 or related substances as a co-matrix in the 1-10% range with 2,5 DHB results in improved ion yields and signal-to-noise ratio of analyte molecules, especially for the high-mass range. The enhanced performance is prominent for 2-hydroxy-5 methoxybenzoic acid and exists for both proteins and oligosaccharides. It is suggested that the improvement is caused by a disorder in the 2,5 DHB crystal lattice allowing «softer» desorption. Charge transfer from matrix ions to additive molecules at the expense of analyte ionization gives a simple explanation for the deteriorating effects of some tested additives
A possible mechanism for the emergence of an additional band gap due to a Ti–O–C bond in the TiO2–graphene hybrid system for enhanced photodegradation of methylene blue under visible light

Here we report the experimental and theoretical study of two TiO2–graphene oxide (TG) and TiO2–reduced graphene oxide (TR) composites synthesized by a facile and ecological route, for enhanced visible light (∼470 nm) photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) (99% efficiency), with high rate constant values (1800% over bare TiO2). TG couples TiO2 nanopowder with Graphene Oxide (GO) while TR couples it with reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The present study, unlike previous reports, discusses never-before-reported double absorption edges obtained for both TG (3.51 eV and 2.51 eV) and TR (3.42 eV and 2.39 eV) composites, which represents the reason behind feasible visible light (2.56 eV) induced photocatalysis. TiO2 domains in the composites dominate the higher band edge, while GO/RGO domains explain the lower band edge. Formation of Ti–O–C bonds in both TG and TR drives the shifting upwards of the valence band edge and reduction in band gap. Further, these bonds provide a conductive pathway for charge carriers from TiO2 nanopowder to the degraded species via the GO/RGO matrix, resulting in decreased charge carrier recombination in TiO2 and enhanced efficiency. To attest that the developed theory is correct, density function theory (DFT) calculations were performed. DFT obtained energetics and electronic structures support experimental findings by demonstrating the role of the Ti–O–C bond, which results in double band edge phenomenon in composites. Finally, the mechanism behind MB degradation is discussed comprehensively and the effect of the weight percent of GO/RGO in the composite on the rate constant and photodegradation efficiency has been studied experimentally and explained by developing analytical equations.
Interaction of salinity, nitrogen, and phosphorus fertilization on wheat

Abstract This study determined whether the application of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) could ameliorate salt‐induced reduction in wheat production. Saline irrigation water (0.5, 4.0, 8.2, and 12.5 dS/m) and N and P fertilizers (150 kg N/ha and 37.5 kg P2O5/ha) were applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Saka 92') grown on a calcareous soil in a greenhouse experiment. Plants received equal amounts of each fertilizer, but the time and frequency of application differed. All salinity levels reduced straw and grain yields, leaf soluble proteins, nitrate (NO3) content, actual and potential nitrate reductase activity (NRA), and grain protein content. The delay in pollen meiotic cell division increased with salinity. Under saline conditions, applying N and P fertilizers at the end of the grain filling stage improved yield and metabolic performance of the plants compared to other fertilizer treatments.
HOW OIL PRICES DRIVE INFLATION IN TURKISH ECONOMY: TWO DIFFERENT CHANNELS

This study analyzes the impact of changes in oil prices on consumer inflation in Turkey. We compare the effects of the changes in crude oil and gasoline prices on the consumer prices. These effects differ symmetrically and asymmetrically for the period 2009:01-2020:04. For this purpose, inflationary effects are estimated using linear and non-linear ARDL models. According to the findings, changes in both oil and fuel prices have asymmetric effects on inflation in the short run. Both models explain the changes in consumer inflation with the increases in oil prices in the long run. The result indicates that the decreases in oil prices are not taken into account in pricing decisions.
Investigation of the Lean Stable Limit of a Barrier Discharge Igniter and of a Streamer-Type Corona Igniter at Different Engine Loads in a Single-Cylinder Research Engine

Currently, the Radio-Frequency Corona Ignition systems represent an important solution for reducing pollutant emissions and fuel consumption related to Internal Combustion Engines, while at the same time ensuring high performance. These igniters are able to extend the lean stable limit by increasing the early flame growth speed. Kinetic, thermal, and ionic effects, together with the peculiar configuration of the devices, allow the combustion process to start in a wider region than the one involved with the traditional spark. In this work two corona igniters, namely a Barrier Discharge Igniter and a Corona Streamer Igniter, were tested in a single-cylinder research engine fueled with gasoline at different engine loads in order to investigate the igniters’ performance through indicated analysis and pollutant emissions analysis. For each operating point, the devices’ control parameters were set to ensure maximum energy releasement into the medium with the aim of investigating, at the extreme operating conditions, the capability of the devices to extend the lean stable limit of the engine. The corona igniters were tested on a constant volume calorimeter as well, reproducing the engine pressure conditions at the corresponding ignition timing. The target was to give an estimation of the thermal energy released during the discharge and then to compare their capability to provide high-stability energy.
Telemedizin in der Raumfahrt

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Medizinische Maßnahmen während Raumfahrtmissionen erfordern ein hohes Maß an Planung in Bezug auf die Durchführbarkeit von auf der Erde bekannten Maßnahmen. Variationen in Bezug auf Gravitation, Strahlung und einer veränderten menschlichen Physiologie bedingen, dass etablierte Verfahren auf die Gegebenheiten des Weltalls wissenschaftlich evaluiert werden. Gerade in Bezug auf kommende Langzeitmissionen zum Mars oder einem ständigen Aufenthalt von Menschen auf dem Mond, bei dem nicht in kürzester Zeit Kontakt zur Erde, zu Experten oder einer möglichen Evakuierung zurück zur Erde gewährleistet werden kann, erfordern eine gute, präventive Planung. Dabei stellt die Telemedizin einen wesentlichen Faktor für die Versorgung dar.
Converting Oil Shale to Liquid Fuels with the Alberta Taciuk Processor: Energy Inputs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

We calculate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from producing liquid fuels from Green River oil shale with the Alberta Taciuk Processor (ATP). Kerogen contained in oil shale can be retorted to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons. The ATP is an above-ground oil shale retort that combusts the coke or “char” deposited on the shale during retorting to fuel the retorting process. Using life cycle assessment (LCA), we calculate the energy inputs and outputs of each process stage. We then calculate the resulting full-fuel-cycle GHG emissions from producing reformulated gasoline using the ATP. Full-fuel-cycle GHG emissions are conservatively calculated at ≈130−150 g CO2 equiv/MJ of gasoline produced. These emissions are 1.5 to 1.75 times larger than emissions from conventionally produced gasoline. The results depend most sensitively on the grade of shale used and the rate of carbonate mineral decomposition, which causes inorganic carbon dioxide (CO2) release.
Some Remarks on Colloid Stability: Selected Examples Taken from the Milk Chain for Food Prepares

Different forces play key roles in the stability of food colloid dispersions. The focus here is on those controlling attraction and/or repulsion, which concur to stabilization, phase separation, coagulation and are quite evident in water-based systems. The combination of attractive and repulsive forces favors or hinders the association of colloid entities; such processes are often met in food technology. The above processes depend on the forces at work and colloid concentration in the medium (i.e., on interparticle distance). Worked examples deal with milk manipulation procedures, ending in cheese formation. The whole milk sequence is controlled by the combination of forces leading to aggregation and phase separation of casein and other milk components. Thereafter, one gets either fresh, for prompt consumption, or aged cheeses. The combination of attractive (van der Waals, vdW, and depletion) with repulsive (double layer, DL, but also steric) forces results in the dominance of aggregation versus dispersion modes in the milk transformation chain, which depends on the distance among colloid particles, on the amplitude of the mentioned forces, and on their decay. The combined role of double layer and van der Waals (vdW) forces is at the basis of the DLVO theory on colloid stability, which is properly modified when these forces overlap with steric stabilization and, eventually, with depletion. Steric effects are dispersive, and depletion ones favor colloid nucleation in a single phase. The milk manipulation chain is a worked example of the intriguing association features controlled by the mentioned forces (and of ancillary ones, as well), and indicates which forces favor the formation of products such as parmesan or mozzarella cheese but are not alien to the preparation of many other dairy products.
Machine Learning for 100 Gb/s/λ Passive Optical Network

Responding to the growing bandwidth demand by emerging applications, such as fixed-mobile convergence for fifth generation (5G) and beyond 5G, 100 Gb/s/λ access network becomes the next research focus of passive optical network (PON) roadmap. Intensity modulation and direct detection (IMDD) technology is still considered as a promising candidate for 100 Gb/s/λ PON attributed to its low cost, low power consumption, and small footprint. In this paper, we achieve 100 Gb/s/λ IMDD PON by using 20G-class optical and electrical devices due to its commercial availability. To mitigate the system linear and nonlinear distortions, neural network (NN) based equalizer is used and the performance is compared with feedforward equalizer (FFE) and Volterra nonlinear equalizer (VNE). We introduce the rules to train and test the data while using NN-based equalizer to guarantee a fair comparison with FFE and VNE. Random data have to be used for training, but for test, both random data and pseudorandom bit sequence are applicable. We found that the NN-based equalizer has the same performance with FFE and VNE in the case of linear distortion, but outperforms them in a strong nonlinearity case. In the experiment, to improve the loss budget, we increase the launch power to 18 dBm, achieving a 30-dB loss budget for 33 GBd/s PAM8 signal at the system frequency response of 16.2 GHz, attributed to the strong nonlinear equalization capability of NN.
A COMPARISON OF FLUORESCENCE AND ULTRAVIOLET DETECTORS USING THE RP–HPLC TECHNIQUE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE (TRM-HCl): A CASE STUDY OF AL-BAYDA CITY, LIBYA

A fast and sensitive chromatographic RP–HPLC technique for examining tramadol hydrochloride (TRM-HCl) in tablets through using fluorescence detection (FL-D) and ultraviolet detection (UV-D) is reported in this paper. The separation was carried out using the reverse phase method on a Brownlee BIO C18 analytical column with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% acetic acid and acetonitrile (2.5:7.5 v/v), which was pumped with an isocratic elution at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The LOD and LQD values obtained in the current study indicate that FL-D is more sensitive, and hence preferable to UV detectors in the quantification of TRM-HCl tablets over the entire concentration range used (5-125 μg/ml). The study showed that the mean percentage recoveries from five samples were 99.93100. 023% (FL-D), which is somewhat similar to that of the UV-D (99.93-100.028). In conclusion, although Fl-D is acceptable for the quantification of tramadol tablets, UV-D offers higher detection sensitivity and reproducibility, particularly within concentrations that are low in the deposit collectors.
Customized Neural Machine Translation Systems for the Swiss Legal Domain

This paper describes Tilde’s work on the development of a Neural Machine Translation (NMT) platform for Hieronymus, a Switzerland-based boutique legal and ﬁnancial translation provider, giving particular attention to the increase in efﬁciency as regards internal translation processes, as well as NMT’s impact on the customer experience of their partners. The NMT tool was developed by combining a set of domain-adapted NMT systems with a customized translation platform, both of which were built and developed by Tilde. The central aim of the solution is to assist Hieronymus translators and to create LexMachina, a secure, do-it-yourself NMT solution for Swiss lawyers. The current paper outlines the workﬂow used to collect, ﬁlter, clean, normalize, and pre-process data for the NMT systems, as well as the methods utilized to train and adapt the NMT systems for Hieronymus. The current paper also sheds light on the needs of Tilde’s partner, from approaches to resolving the challenges they faced to the implementation process itself.
MIA-QSAR, PCA-ranking and least-squares support-vector machines in the accurate prediction of the activities of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) is a key enzyme involved in the erection process. PDE-5 inhibitors, such as Sildenafil (ViagraTM), Vardenafil (LevitraTM) and Tadalafil (CialisTM), are used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Computer-assisted modelling of biological activities of PDE-5 inhibitors may make quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models useful for the development of safer (low side effects) and more potent drugs. The multivariate image analysis applied to QSAR (MIA-QSAR) method, coupled to partial least-squares (PLS) regression, has provided highly predictive QSAR models. Nevertheless, regression methods which take into account nonlinearity, such as least-squares support-vector machines (LS-SVMs), are supposed to predict biological activities more accurately than the usual linear methods. Thus, together with prior variable selection using principal component analysis ranking, MIA-QSAR and LS-SVM regression were applied to model the bioactivities of a series of cyclic guanine derivatives (PDE-5 inhibitors), and the results were compared with those based on linear methodologies. MIA-QSAR/LS-SVM was found to improve greatly the prediction performance when compared with MIA-QSAR/PLS, MIA-QSAR/N-PLS, CoMFA/PLS and CoMSIA/PLS models.
Lessons from the Terra Preta de Índios of the Amazon region for the utilisation of charcoal for soil amendment

Neste trabalho faz-se a divulgacao do potencial de carvoes e residuos orgânicos parcialmente carbonizados visando obter materiais que mimetizam a materia orgânica do solo das Terras Pretas de Indio da Amazonia, e que sirvam como condicionadores de solo e sequestrem carbono de forma recalcitrante e reativa. Pesquisas desenvolvidas por grupos brasileiros e estrangeiros tem contribuido para o entendimento do surgimento e utilizacao das Terras Pretas de Indio da Amazonia. Aqui sao divulgados resultados de estudos quimicos no sentido do desenvolvimento do conhecimento cientifico e tecnologico e de inovacao no aproveitamento de subprodutos orgânicos, principalmente de industrias de biocombustiveis, carvao vegetal metalurgico e outros, buscando imitar a excelente performance da chamada Terras Pretas de Indio da Amazonia.