Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Construction, Physical Properties and Foaming Behavior of High-Content Lignin Reinforced Low-Density Polyethylene Biocomposites

Lignin was chemically modified with oligomeric polyethylene (oPE) to form oPE-grafted lignin (oPE-g-lignin) via lignin surface acylation and a radical coupling reaction with oPE. Then, pristine lignin and oPE-g-lignin were successfully compounded with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) through a typical compounding technique. Due to the oligomeric polyethylene chains grafted to the lignin’s surface, the interfacial adhesion between the lignin particles and the LDPE matrix was considerably better in the oPE-g-lignin/LDPE biocomposite than in the pristine-lignin/LDPE one. This demonstrated that oPE-g-lignin can serve as both a biodegradable reinforcing filler, which can be loaded with a higher lignin content at 50 wt-%, and a nucleating agent to increase the crystallization temperature and improve the tensile characteristics of its LDPE biocomposites. Moreover, the foamability of the lignin-reinforced LDPE biocomposites was studied in the presence of a chemical blowing agent (azodicarbonamide) with dicumyl peroxide; for an oPE-g-lignin content up to 20 wt-%, the cell size distribution was quite uniform, and the foam expansion ratios (17.69 ± 0.92) were similar to those of the neat LDPE foam (17.04 ± 0.44).
Cholesterol Biosynthesis Modulates CSFV Replication

Classical swine fever (CSF) caused by the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) has resulted in severe losses to the pig industry worldwide. It has been proposed that lipid synthesis is essential for viral replication, and lipids are involved in viral protein maturation and envelope production. However, the specific crosstalk between CSFV and host cell lipid metabolism is still unknown. In this study, we found that CSFV infection increased intracellular cholesterol levels in PK-15 cells. Further analysis demonstrated that CSFV infection upregulated PCSK9 expression to block the uptake of exogenous cholesterol by LDLR and enhanced the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, which disrupted the type I IFN response in PK-15 cells. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanisms underpinning the pathogenesis of CSFV and hint at methods for controlling the disease.
Relationship between Head Nurses’ perception of their Emotional Intelligence and their Staff Nurses’ Job Satisfaction

Background : Nurses are the corner stone of the health care systems and their satisfaction is a must. Emotional intelligence of head nurses may help in increasing staff nurses job satisfaction. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between Head Nurses’ perception of their emotional intelligence and Staff Nurses’ job satisfaction . Setting: The study was carried out at Om El Masryeen general hospital, in Giza Subjects : All available Head Nurses at the time of data collection were included in the study (N=30). Also, all available staff nurses at the time of data collection were included in the study (N=113). Design: Descriptive correlational research design was utilized to carry this study. Data collection tools: Tool 1: Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment questionnaire. Tool 2: The Index of Work Satisfaction Questionnaire. Results: Half of head nurses had moderate level of perception regarding their emotional intelligence and more than half of staff nurses who had moderate level of job satisfaction. Conclusion : A statistically significant positive correlation between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction. Recommendations : The study recommended that design training programs for head nurses to improve their emotional intelligence competencies. Further studies to investigate the effect of strategies to improve emotional intelligence of head nurses.
Novel nanosized Diacerein proliposomes for oral delivery: Development and in vitro/in vivo evaluation

This study aimed to enhance Diacerein (DCN) solubility and bioavailability via proliposomes (PLS) prepared by the film deposition method. DCN/PLS were characterized for micromeritics, size, entrapment efficiency (EE), and in vitro study. The highest EE (91.13% ± 2.25%) and delayed DCN release (46.7%) at 12 hours were exhibited by positively charged liposomes (PLS-F16) containing one molar ratio of stearylamine with a particle size of 128.12 ± 17.90 nm. Fourier transform infra-red results revealed no drug-excipient interaction. Scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, and powder X-ray diffractometry investigations confirm the amorphous phase of DCN in the prepared PLS. Stability studies showed that PLS was more stable than liposomes over a wide range of storage conditions variation. PLS formulations containing sorbitol (with ideal size, EE, and adequate in vitro release) were selected for fabrication of DCN controlled-release tablets by the direct compression technique using various concentrations of Eudragit RS100 and ethyl cellulose. PT-F10 (containing 225 mg EC) with minimum drug release (38.2%) at 12 hours showed significantly higher values of C max (7,455 ± 262.69 ng/ml), T max (8 ± 0.4 hours), and area under the plasma concentration curve –24 (913,013.7 ± 553.48 ng.hour/ml) when compared to marketed DCN capsules. The obtained results showed the potential of PLS as a carrier for DCN enhanced and prolonged oral bioavailability.
Job Characteristics and Burnout among Intensive Care Nurses

: -Background: Nursing is recognized as a high-stress occupation. It is essential to improve job characteristics to achieve nurses ’goals as well as organizational interests to reduce burnout which consider a major problem for nurses. Aim : Determine relationships between job characteristics and nurses’ burnout in intensive care units, at both selected studied hospitals Design : A descriptive comparative co-relational design were used. Setting : Medical Specialty Hospital and Gastroenterology Surgery Center which are of centers at Mansoura University Hospitals. Subjects : All nurses working at different I.C. U at medical Specialty Hospital (36) and in Gastroenterology Surgery Center (45). Tools: Two structured questionnaires were used: Job characteristics Questionnaire and Maslash Burnout Inventory (MBI) Result: Total mean score of job characteristics at Gastroenterology Surgery Center was higher than total mean score of Medical Specialty Hospital . Level of burnout were low in all items of burnout at both setting except in relation to emotional exhaustion which was high among nurses at Medical Specialty Hospital. Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between job characteristics and level of burnout among studied nurses at Medical Specialty Hospital and Gastroenterology Surgery Center. Recommendation: The current findings suggest that intervention programs should be implemented to prevent or reduce burnout and focus on improving job characteristics among nurses working in different Intensive Care Units.
The Clinical Noteworthiness of Plasma NT-ProBNP Standard in Sufferers with Cardiogenic Cerebral Embolism and Its Diagnostic Value for Such Sufferers

In order to explore the clinical noteworthiness of plasma NT-proBNP standards in sufferers with cardiogenic cerebral embolism and its diagnostic value for such sufferers, a retrospective study is conducted by the clinical data of sufferers with cerebral embolism. 100 sufferers with cerebral embolism admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 are selected. According to the heparin-like drug therapy of acute ischemic stroke test (TOAST) classification criteria, they are divided into cardiac sufferers with cerebral embolism set (43 cases) and noncardiac cerebral embolism set (57 cases). The analysis results show the correlation between serum NT-proBNP standard and neurological impairment score. The detection of-proBNP standard can be used as a diagnostic indicator of disease severity and prognosis for sufferers with cardiogenic cerebral embolism.
STAFF TRAINING AND MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT AS PARAMETERS FOR PERSONAL EFFICIENCY IN THE CIVIL SERVICES: A CASE STUDY OF MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Despite the recognition of the importance of training by management experts and government as expressed in white papers on various reforms in Nigeria, the experience of manpower training and development in the Nigeria public service has been more of ruse and waste which informed this study which examined the perception and relevance of influence of training and manpower development on employee performance, using civil servants in Oyo State, Nigeria as reference. Descriptive research design was adopted and data was gathered from 50 respondents. Simple frequencies and percentages were utilized to analyze the gathered data. Findings revealed that 49.8% of those that had training and those exposed to manpower development had high job performance as against 21.2% for their counterparts with no training and manpower development. Also, it was discovered that the primary aim of training and manpower development was rather to meet statutory requirements (60%), as against improvement on the job (31.2%) and has policy implications for training and manpower development relevant to organizational need or goal to be provided to employees. Based on the findings, policy implications suggest that, training and manpower development relevant to organizational goals should be provided to employees and recipients provided with an enabling environment to perform tasks (the enabling environment includes opportunity to put into practice the new skill and competence they acquired; commensurate monetary reward to, perhaps, compensate them for the rigors experienced in acquiring the new skill and competence. In conclusion, this report has underscored that the aim of training and manpower development might not directly gear towards job performance. Further study is required to ascertain the conditions within which training and manpower development could improve job performance amongst civil servant
Comparative study between effect of Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids on cognitive functions

Background: Synthetic cannabinoid usage is on the rise around the world, and it has become a huge global health issue. Previous studies showed a relationship between synthetic cannabinoids and cognitive function decline either after acute or chronic usage. Aim of the work: The present study aims at comparing between natural and synthetic cannabinoids effect on cognitive functions in a sample of Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients using synthetic cannabinoids with or without cannabis and 30 patients using cannabis were included in the study. Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to test cognitive functions. Result: Impairments in attention, language, orientation, abstract thinking, visuospatial and executive functions were observed in patients using synthetic cannabinoids with or without cannabis and were significantly higher than in patients using cannabis alone. Conclusion: Synthetic cannabinoids and cannabis both cause cognitive dysfunction and when cannabis abusers add synthetic cannabinoids to cannabis, it causes more cognitive dysfunction. According to the findings of this study, future research should focus on evaluating each cognitive domain with more extensive test batteries and supporting these assessments with brain imaging studies.
A Search for Diastatic Enzymes Endogenous to Humulus lupulus and Produced by Microbes Associated with Pellet Hops Driving “Hop Creep” of Dry Hopped Beer

Abstract A search was conducted for the sources of diastatic enzymes driving the over attenuation and continued fermentation of dry hopped beer known as “hop creep”. Microbial cultivation using starch containing media and assays of amylase enzyme activity were used to isolate and identify microbes from pellet hops that are potential sources of amylases associated with but exogenous to hops (Humulus lupulus). Bacteria and fungi associated with pellet hops produced amylases but did not produce hop creep in assays using finished beer and fermenting wort with added microbes. Cannabis sativa flower produced over attenuation of fermenting wort equivalent to that seen with hops. Comparative bioinformatic analysis of the Cannabis sativa proteome and H. lupulus genome revealed the genetic potential of H. lupulus to produce endogenous amylase enzymes. Sequence similarity of amylases annotated in the C. sativa proteome to previously unidentified genes in H. lupulus revealed 13 genes likely encoding amylases. PCR and sequencing confirmed the occurrence of genes that appear to encode α-amylase and β-amylase in the Citra® hop cultivar. Identifying a genetic basis for hop creep contributes knowledge that may lead to new approaches for controlling hop creep produced by endogenous amylases of H. lupulus.
Current Understanding of the Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Wood Formation in Plants

Unlike herbaceous plants, woody plants undergo volumetric growth (a.k.a. secondary growth) through wood formation, during which the secondary xylem (i.e., wood) differentiates from the vascular cambium. Wood is the most abundant biomass on Earth and, by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide, functions as one of the largest carbon sinks. As a sustainable and eco-friendly energy source, lignocellulosic biomass can help address environmental pollution and the global climate crisis. Studies of Arabidopsis and poplar as model plants using various emerging research tools show that the formation and proliferation of the vascular cambium and the differentiation of xylem cells require the modulation of multiple signals, including plant hormones, transcription factors, and signaling peptides. In this review, we summarize the latest knowledge on the molecular mechanism of wood formation, one of the most important biological processes on Earth.
The Effect of Thinning Management on the Carbon Density of the Tree Layers in Larch–Birch Mixed Natural Secondary Forests of the Greater Khingan Range, Northeastern China

Natural secondary forests not only contribute to the total balance of terrestrial carbon, but they also play a major role in the future mitigation of climate change. In China, secondary forests have low productivity and carbon sequestration, which seriously restricts the sustainable development of the forest. Thinning is a core measure of scientific management of forest ecosystems and is a primary natural forest management technique. The carbon density of the tree layer is most affected by thinning. Taking larch–birch mixed natural secondary forests in the Greater Khingan Range, Northeast China, as the research object, we analyzed the changes in tree layer carbon density of secondary forests under different thinning intensities. The results showed that in five thinned groups, when intensity was 49.6%, the diameter at breast height (DBH) and individual tree biomass significantly increased. Thinning had no significant effect on the carbon content of the tree stem, branches and bark, but had significant effects on the carbon content of leaves. Our result showed that the carbon content of birch leaves increased and that of larch decreased. As the thinning intensity increases, the proportion of broad-leaved tree species (birch) increased, yet larch decreased. In the short term, thinning will reduce the total biomass and carbon density of tree layers. However, when the thinning intensity was 49.6%, the carbon accumulation was higher than that of the blank control group (CK group) after thinning for 12 years. This shows that after a long period of time, the carbon density of tree layers will exceed that of the CK group. Reasonable thinning intensity management (49.6% thinning intensity) of natural secondary forests can make trees grow better, and the proportion of broad-leaved trees increases significantly. It can also increase the carbon sequestration rate and lead to more accumulation of biomass and carbon density. This can not only promote the growth of secondary forests, but also shows great potential for creating carbon sinks and coping with climate change.
Integrative Analysis of miRNAs and Their Targets Involved in Ray Floret Growth in Gerbera hybrida

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in regulating many aspects of plant growth and development at the post-transcriptional level. Gerbera (Gerbera hybrida) is an important ornamental crop. However, the role of miRNAs in the growth and development of gerbera is still unclear. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to analyze the expression profiles of miRNAs in ray floret during inflorescence opening. A total of 164 miRNAs were obtained, comprising 24 conserved miRNAs and 140 novel miRNAs. Ten conserved and 15 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed during ray floret growth, and 607 differentially expressed target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs were identified using psRNATarget. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the expression profiles of the miRNAs and their targets. The changes in expression of five miRNAs (ghy-miR156, ghy-miR164, ghy-miRn24, ghy-miRn75 and ghy-miRn133) were inversely correlated with the changes in expression of their eight target genes. The miRNA cleavage sites in candidate target gene mRNAs were determined using 5′-RLM-RACE. Several miRNA-mRNA pairs were predicted to regulate ray floret growth and anthocyanin biosynthesis. In conclusion, the results of small RNA sequencing provide valuable information to reveal the mechanisms of miRNA-mediated ray floret growth and anthocyanin accumulation in gerbera.
A TWO-STAGE APPROACH FOR FREQUENCY RESPONSE MODELING AND METAMATERIAL RAPID DESIGN

We introduce a novel two-stage approach for rapid design of massive metamaterials (MTMs), where performances of thousands of microstructures require evaluation. In Stage I, an equivalent circuit model is synthesized via rational function modeling to represent the frequency response of MTMs microstructures. In Stage II, Gaussian process (GP) regression models are unitized to build the relation between the physical setting of the microstructure, including geometric design variables and incident angles of electromagnetic (EM) waves, and the representing parameters of the equivalent circuit model. As a consequence, the mapping from the microstructure physical parameters to the frequency response is easy to achieve and with high accuracy. We offer two metamaterial prototypes to illustrate that the proposed approach allows high efficiency in facilitating the design of massive MTMs. The experimental results demonstrate that our method is no longer limited by the complexity of microstructures and the spatial dispersion, induced by the variation of incident angle. We compare the accuracy of predicted responses against the reference data, and both examples yield average RMSE less than 0.05, which meets the requirements for many MTMs engineering applications.
EVALUATING YONA LANGUAGE

The paper evaluates a new concurrent, functional programming language Yona. Specific focus is placed on the asynchronous IO aspects of this language and its current implementation. The evaluation in the later chapter serves as the demonstration of Yona’s capabilities, and it helps to set the direction of further research and development in this language by identifying significant bottlenecks.
Asymmetric Reflection of Shocks in Baltic Dry Index to Istanbul Freight Index

Since the maritime freight markets have inelastic supply structures in the short run, freight is considered an indicator of trade volume. Freight rates can rise rapidly when fleet utilization is high, as supply, which does not increase in the short run due to time of ship building, cannot respond to increases in demand. In this sense, the relationships between the relevant freight indices can be examined in order to determine the regional reflections of global commercial developments. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of the shocks in Baltic Dry Index (BDI), which is an indicator of dry bulk trade in the global sense and considered as a leading indicator of the world economy by many researchers, on Istanbul Freight Index (ISTFIX), which is an indicator of trade in the Mediterranean and Aegean in the regional sense. The dataset covers the period between 31.12. 2007 and 19.02. 2018, and consists of 524 weekly observations. Asymmetric causality test is used in order to reveal relationship between variables. According to the findings, a significant causality relationship was determined only from negative shocks in BDI to negative shocks in ISTFIX. This situation shows that the contraction in global trade is immediately reflected in the ISTFIX region, while the expansion in trade is not immediately reflected.
The Predictive Power of Turkish Middle School Students’ Entrepreneurial Competencies on STEM Attitudes

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlational and causal relationship between middle school students’ entrepreneurial competencies and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) attitudes. A total of 648 middle school students (seventh and eighth grade) participated in this study. STEM attitude scale and two entrepreneurial competency scales that were developed in different studies in the literature were used as data collection tools. In addition, a simple regression, a multiple regression and a stepwise multiple regression analysis were executed to analyse the data. The correlational analysis showed that there was a moderate level, positive correlation between the STEM attitudes of students and their overall entrepreneurial competencies. Also, the multiple regression analysis showed that entrepreneurial competencies consisting of professionalism, risk-taking, creativity and tenacity explained 41% of the change in STEM attitude. The stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that professionalism predicted the most the STEM attitude statistically more.
Temel Beceriler Odağında Orta Öğretimde Gastronomi Eğitimi (Gastronomy Education in Secondary Education with a Focus on Basic Skills)

Çalışma orta öğretim düzeyinde verilen gastronomi eğitiminin güncel gelişmeler doğrultusunda incelenmesini amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma nitel yöntemlerden doküman incelemesi yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu bağlamda çalışma mesleki ve teknik orta öğretim kurumlarında yiyecek içecek hizmetleri alanı eğitimini konu edinmektedir. Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı mesleki eğitimde kullanılan öğretim programlarını 2020 yılında temel beceriler odağında güncellemiştir. Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı’na bağlı Mesleki Teknik Anadolu Liseleri ve Çok Programlı Anadolu Liselerinde gastronomi eğitiminin yiyecek içecek hizmetleri alan ve dalı içerisinde bütüncül bir yaklaşımla ele alındığı dikkat çekmektedir. Örgün eğitim kapsamına alınan mesleki eğitim merkezlerinde ise yiyecek içecek hizmetleri eğitimi altı farklı dalda gerçekleşmektedir. Tüm bunlar ışığında temel becerilerin uygulamalı olarak aktarılmasını hedefleyen mesleki eğitime kaynaklık eden öğretim programları ile orta öğretim düzeyinde verilen gastronomi eğitiminde değişiklikler olduğu söylenebilir.
Literacy histories as opportunities for learning: reflecting, connecting, and learning from Margaret Meek Spencer

ABSTRACT This paper, drawing on Margaret Meek Spencer’s work, considers the value of reflecting on literacy histories, whether of children, teachers, authors or academics. Margaret argued that teachers need to be open to literacy as lived, and to look, listen and learn about literacies that develop without direct instruction and stretch beyond “schooled” expectations. She foregrounded the power of story and narrative play for children’s literacy development, the importance of the texts themselves and the particular value of author-artists. We revisit these contributions and link to related national and international research studies which develop her work, registering nonetheless that many of her insights are not yet fully reflected in policy, curricula, or classroom practice. We close by reiterating Margaret’s invitation to take a mirror to our literacy histories to enable us to reflect, to connect and to understand in order to support young literacy learners more effectively.