Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probiotic characterization and in vitro  functional properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated in Thailand

Fourteen lactic acid bacteria from fermented foods and feces of healthy animals in Thailand were characterized for their potential as probiotics. All isolates could survive in simulated gastrointestinal fluid (pH 2) and bile salt solution (pH 8) more than 70% and 63%, when compare with initial cell concentration, respectively. Adhesion test showed more than 70% adhesive property an in vitro experiment. The susceptibility assay showed that all isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, imipenem, kanamycin, norfloxacin, penicillin, tetracycline and vancomycin. Based on phenotypic and genetic characteristics, they belonged to the genera Lactiplantibacillus, Levilactobacillus, Capanilactobacillus, Pediococcus, Enterococcus, Limosilactobacillus and Lacticaseibacillus. The isolates exhibited antimicrobial ability against pathogenic bacteria; Gram positive strains (Staphylococcus aureus TISTR 1466 and Listeria monocytogenes TISTR 2196) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli TISTR 780, Salmonella enteritidis TISTR 2202 and Salmonella typhimurium TISTR 292). Limosilactobacillus reuteri MF67.1 and Companilactobacillus farciminis R7-1 showed bile salt hydrolase activity. Cell-free culture supernatants of all 14 isolates were screened for immunomodulating effects on Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) production. Twelve isolates were able to decrease TNF-α production at different levels, especially Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum R26-3 and Lacticaseibacillus zeae M2/5 could high inhibit TNF-α production, showing 34 and 29% reduction, respectively. These results suggested that all 14 strains met the general criteria of probiotics and four strains, including Lacticaseibacillus zeae M2/5, Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum R26-3, Limosilactobacillus reuteri MF67.1 and Companilactobacillus farciminis R7-1, represent interesting candidates for further studies as anti-inflammatory (M2/5, R26-3) or cholesterol reducing agents (MF67.1, R7-1) in vivo animal models.
Unpacking the Nordic Gender Equality Paradox in ICT Research and Innovation

Most fields of technology-driven research and innovation are highly male-dominated across the Western world. However, in the Nordic countries, recognised as the most gender equal in the world, this gender segregation appears as a paradox. With Norway as an example, the present article explores the paradox that appears to be entangled with the yet unsolved question of why women are still a minority in information and communication technology (ICT) disciplines. The analysis draws examples from five studies of girls and women in contexts of ICT training, education, and work to analyse the fabric of the paradox through the ‘free choice’ argument, ‘affluent nations’ argument, and ‘nation vs. individual women’ argument. The analysis suggests that the paradox, by putting the nation’s gender equality ideal against atomized individuals’ choices, contributes to obscuring the situation regarding the underrepresentation of women in ICT.
Role of Servitization, Digitalization, and Innovation Performance in Manufacturing Enterprises

The structure of the manufacturing industry has forced manufacturing companies to understand the importance of digitalization and servitization transformation, in terms of production and R&D. In this study, we examine the relationship between servitization, digitization, and enterprise innovation performance through the lens of dynamic capabilities within enterprises. We also discuss the impact of the transformation servitization strategy on business innovation, and the mechanisms by which it impacts business innovation performance. The study’s findings indicate that servitization significantly contributes to innovation performance, and digitalization acts as a mediating mechanism between the proposed relationships. Thus, this article argues for the integration and growth of servitization and digitization.
Eleusine Indica for Food and Medicine

Eleusine indica, a perennial herb that belongs to the Poaceae family, is locally known as “rumput sambau”. The species can be found in the tropical regions and it is the only species of Eleusine in Malaysia. In India, some parts of the plant such as the roots and the seeds are used as food and can be eaten raw or cooked. The young seedling is also used as a side dish with rice, while the seeds are sometimes used as a famine food. Although this grass is not considered as food in Malaysia, the local people utilise it to treat various ailments such as hastening the placenta delivery after childbirth, pain relieve for vaginal bleeding, asthma, fever, urinary infection, haemorrhoids, and tonic for flu related symptoms. Due to wide spectrum of traditional usage, a complete review of E. indica which focusing on food and medicinal perspectives is necessary to organize and evaluate its potential for further studies and commercial exploitation. The information on the species was collected from scientific journals, books, and reports searched through available databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals, Science Direct, Bioline International, and Reaxys. Contextually, the present review reveals that apart from the roots, the plant is relatively safe to ingest. It represents a rich source of nutrients and contains therapeutic phytochemicals such as flavonoids, steroids, essential oils, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, fatty acids, anthraquinones, anthrones, triterpenes, tannins, and alkaloids. Thus, E. indica can be considered as a natural reservoir for both food and medicine.
Dried Blood Spot in Toxicology: Current Knowledge

Dried Blood Spot (DBS) is becoming very popular in various medical fields, especially in toxicology. Nowadays it is commonly used in newborn screening for inherited or congenital diseases. This paperwork is based on a review of available literature. DBS is simple and rapid, it does not require trained medical staff to collect the samples. Specimens can be easily and safely transported to the laboratory. DBS provides an opportunity for roadside testing and rather quick results. Venous blood spot, collected from a finger or a heel, is put on the special paper card, which can result in a different distribution of blood and concentration of detecting substances. Marking multiple substances from one spot is extremely challenging, but due to further advancements in this area, it is only a matter of time until it becomes possible and all the disadvantages vanish. DBS is certain to develop and become even more worldwide used.
Synthesis and liquid crystal properties of new cyclic carbonate monomers functionalised with cholesteryl moiety

ABSTRACT Four new liquid crystal cyclic carbonate monomers M1–M4, with cholesteryl moiety and flexible spacer of different lengths, were synthesised through coupling reaction. The chemical structures, mesophase properties and thermal behaviour of the monomers were characterised with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Based on these results, the relationship between the number of methylene groups into flexible chain and the mesomorphism of the monomers was investigated. It was found that all the monomers showed a focal conic texture of a smectic A phase and exhibited an interdigitated molecular arrangement. Moreover, the glass transition temperature and the isotropisation temperature of the monomers except M1 decreased, and the mesophase range narrowed as the number of methylene units into the flexible chain increased. Graphical Abstract
A Learning Assistance System for the Ergonomic Behavioural Prevention in Production

Musculoskeletal disorders are the major cause for incapacity for work in the Ger-man production industry. Accordingly, ergonomic work processes are particularly important in order to protect the health of employees and to reduce the high follow-up costs for companies and society. Therefore, on the one hand, it is necessary to make workplaces more ergonomic (so-called organisational prevention). On the other hand, employees need to be trained how to carry out work processes as ergonomically as possible and thus optimise their individual behav-iour at the workplace (so-called behavioural prevention). The article presents a learning assistance system for ergonomic be-havioural prevention in production that uses modern motion capture systems to record and analyse the movements of employees. With the help of digital human models, it is possible to visualise overload on the body comprehensively. The learning assistance system ena-bles the employee to perform two primary analyses: A capability analysis allows to measure and assess a worker’s individ-ual mobility with 14 standardised movement exercises and to esti-mate his or her strength with a grip strength measurement. The as-sessment of the results strengthens health literacy in the way that the worker becomes aware of possible physical limitations and can initiate general countermeasures, such as strength or mobility train-ing. An analysis of the specific work processes at the workplace makes it possible to record the workplace-induced stress of a worker and compare it with the worker’s capabilities. This comparison leads to the workplace-specific strain and shows which movements are par-ticularly critical for the health of the individual worker. It enables the worker to recognise the critical work processes and postures of his or her work spectrum, to initiate work-specific measures to in-crease the capabilities and to ergonomically improve the working posture. The latter is the main purpose of the learning assistance system. The use of a motion capture system permits to repeat critical work steps effortlessly in order to show the effect of a more ergo-nomic working posture. These short learning cycles can be repeated until the strain is not critical anymore.
Aging-In-Place Preference and Institutionalization Among Japanese Older Adults: A 7-Year Longitudinal Study

Background In Asia, where autonomous decision-making is not well accepted, little is known about whether and how individuals’ preferences are considered when deciding where they receive care. This study examined the longitudinal association of aging-in-place preference when bedridden with institutionalization among Japanese older adults. Methods We analyzed nationally representative data of 1,290 community-dwelling older adults aged 70 and above, applying the multiple imputation method. Baseline data were collected in 1999, shortly before the long-term care insurance system was introduced. The outcome was measured as self- or proxy-reported years of institutionalization over seven years. The explanatory variable was the aging-in-place preference. Participants were asked about their desired place of care (facility, home, or other) when bedridden. Covariates were sociodemographic and health-related factors. We used Cox proportional hazards models and calculated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the association of aging-in-place preference when bedridden with institutionalization. Results Seventy-eight respondents (6.0%) were institutionalized during the follow-up period. Compared to individuals preferring to reside in long-term care facilities when bedridden (48.7%), those preferring to stay in their homes (39.6%) were less likely to be institutionalized, even after adjusting for relevant covariates (HR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.27–0.79 for model 1 including residential status; HR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.27–0.76 for model 2 including marital status and co-resident children). Conclusions Our findings suggest that individuals’ aging-in-place preferences are considered under the long-term care insurance system. Individuals’ preferences should be shared by families and clinicians when deciding the place of care.
Copula methods for evaluating relative tail forecasting performance

PurposeThe authors apply their method to analyze which portfolios are capable of providing superior performance to those based on the Sharpe ratio (SR). Design/methodology/approachIn this paper the authors illustrate the use of conditional copulas for identifying differences in alternative portfolio performance strategies. The authors analyze which portfolios are capable of providing superior performance to those based on the SR.FindingsThe results show that under the Gaussian copula, both expected tail ratio (ETR) and skewness-kurtosis ratio portfolios exhibit remarkably low correlations respecting the SR portfolio. This means that these two portfolios are different respecting the SR one. The authors also find that copulas which focus on either the upper tail (Gumbel) or the lower tail (Clayton) render significant differences. In short, the copula analysis is useful to understand what kind of equity-screening strategy based on its corresponding performance measure (PM) performs better in relation to the SR portfolio.Practical implicationsCopula methods for evaluating relative tail forecasting performance provide an alternative tool when forecast differences are very small or found non statistically significant through standard tests.Originality/valueOur copula methods to evaluate models' performance differences are significant because when models' performance is rather similar, conclusions on statistical differences, can be defective as they may hinge on the subsample type or size used, leading to inefficient investment decisions. Our method based in copula is novel in this research topic.
Enhanced problem solving through redefined 8D step completion criteria

Abstract This research aims to review the fundamentals of problem solving by evaluating alternative processes and proposing an enhanced process model named Defined 8D. The enhanced model guides the problem solver through a defined step completion process to enable complex problems to be broken down into manageable and defined segments. Existing processes present challenges in defining the problem and can lead to continuously testing preconceived theories in a revolving loop without eventually confirming the root cause. The defined step completion criteria support product specialists to quickly acquire problem solving skills and reduce the cost and duration of resolving product related issues.
Do SMEs benefit from the corporate sector purchase program? evidence from the eurozone

In this paper, we study the impact of the European Central Bank Corporate Sector Purchase Program on small and medium sized firms' financing using restricted data from the Survey of Access to Finance of Enterprises. We find that following the announcement, credit access improved through the reduction of both formal and informal credit constraints. Loans terms also improved as manifested by a reduction on loan application costs. The unconventional monetary policy intervention is also transmitted through trade credit in production networks as unconstrained borrowers extend more trade credit following the announcement of the program.
THE IMPACT OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHARACTERISTICS ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN MANUFACTURING COMPANIES ON IDX

This study aims to determine the impact of the demographic characteristics of the director on the companys financial performance. The demographic characteristics used are age of the director, proportion of female directors, educational background of directors, and tenure of directors. This research begins with data collection. Collected data is in the form of secondary data obtained by downloading from the IDX, the downloaded data is the annual report of manufacturing companies 2017-2019 period. After that, the data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Age of directors, proportion of female directors, educational background of directors, and tenure of directors were measured using proportions. The companys financial performance is measured using return on assets.
Partial directed coherence of cardiotocographic signals for analysis of preterm birth risk

Traditional methods of fetal monitoring are used mainly during labor, leaving the only course of action . the caesarean intervention . in cases with high risk of fetal distress. We used another approach and set up a database that consists of cardiotocographic (CTG) recordings acquired ante partum during the 25th-28th week of pregnancy, by means of a Monica Healthcare AN24 fetal monitoring system. The analyzed signals are the maternal heart rate (MHR), the fetal heart rate (FHR) and the maternal uterine contractions (UC). The database is divided into two groups based on the risk of preterm labor: the control group that consists of 64 normal recordings and the study group that has 48 pathological or suspicious recordings. The analyzing method implemented is the Partial Directed Coherence (PDC) that determines the degree of correlation and the dynamic of couplings between corresponding signals. The purpose of the analysis is to identify the differences between the two groups and correlation degree for the specified signals in pathological or suspicious cases.
Aula invertida a distancia vs. aula invertida convencional: un estudio comparativo

Introduction: In this study were compared the effects of the Conventional Flipped Classroom (virtual component for independent study + face-to-face component for the interactive discussion of clinical cases) and the Remote Flipped Classroom (FRFC) (virtual component for independent study + “online” component for the interactive discussion of clinical cases), as a teaching / learning strategy in the face of the COVID-19 pande-mic, on the self-directed learning of surgical students. Methods: Self-directed learning levels, as a result indicator of the change in methodological strategy, were compared in a group of undergraduate students participating in a conventional flipped classroom in 2017 to those of a group of students participating in a remote flipped classroom in 2020, during the surgery course at the Universidad de La Sabana, in Chia-Co-lombia. For this purpose, the Preparedness Scale for Self-Directed Learning (EPAD), validated to the Spa-nish language, was used. Results: In both groups, the levels of self-directed learning were acceptable. No significant effect (posi-tive or negative) of either of the two models of flipped classroom was identified on the self-directed learning (d Cohen =-0.08;IC95%-0.42 – 0.24). Conclusions: The remote flipped classroom is an alternative to the conventional inverted classroom that does not compromise the self-directed learning of surgery students.
Confronting the Foreigner: Common Policies of Rashid al-Din and Liu Bingzhong on Mongol Rule in Iran and China

Abstract This article discusses the career of three historical figures who had a position of authority in the courts of the Ilkhans and the Great Khans of the Mongol Empire in China: Rashid al-Din Tabib (d. 1318), the Persian statesman and historian; Liu Bingzhong (d. 1274), Qubilai Khan's (r. 1260-94) Chinese counsellor; and Bolad Aqa (d. 1313), the famed Mongol tribesman. This study raises the question of whether Rashid al-Din's policies, when he was in office as the vizier of Ghazan Khan (r. 1295-1304), were modelled in some respects on the approach of the Chinese nobles—Liu in particular—to the Mongols during the early stages of the Mongol rule over China. In addition, taking into account Bolad's noticeable presence in the courts of the Mongols in Ilkhanid Iran and Yuan China, it seeks to shed light on his role as an intermediary and a possible conduit for Chinese political thoughts to reach Rashid al-Din.
Augmented reality in online retailing: a systematic review and research agenda

PurposeAugmented reality (AR) has received massive attention in online retail. Therefore, the paper aims to review the state-of-the-art literature on AR in online retailing, by identifying the antecedents, drives, outcomes, theoretical lenses, typology and methodological approaches. The study further aims to identify the critical avenues for future research.Design/methodology/approachTo advance the conceptual and managerial understanding of AR, the study synthesizes the literature through a systematic literature review approach by reviewing 53 articles.FindingsSeveral AR characteristics significantly influence utilitarian, hedonic, perceived risk and experiential value, ultimately resulting in a positive attitude, decision-making assistance and behavioural intentions, wherein customer experience (flow, spatial presence, mental imagery and immersion) plays a mediating role in the process. The study also lists the top authors, articles, journals, countries, theories and methodology used.Originality/valueThe study provides a comprehensive framework on consumer behaviour towards AR in online retailing. Further, the study proposes the future research agenda in the social side of AR, the dark side of AR, customer engagement, use of AR for experiential value and AR marketing domain.
Can Ecotourism Succeed a Sustainable Livelihood: The Importance of Fishermen’s Involvement in Ciletuh Geopark

Ciletuh in Sukabumi area was inaugurated as a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2017, and has many potential natural resources such as Palangpang Beach as a leading tourism area of Ciletuh Geopark. Palangpang Beach in Ciletuh Bay is also an estuary area used by fishermen to collect fish in Fish Auction (TPI). Fishermen on Palangpang Beach are categorized as small fishermen according to the size of the capture fishery units, which results in the fishermen on Palangpang Beach prefer to take part in tourist activities by chartering boats for tourists to increase their income. The objectives of the study were to investigate the impact of Geopark establishment on fishermen’s livelihood and to establish ecotourism development strategies in supporting the sustainable livelihood. The method used for sustainable livelihood analysis was descriptive analysis. The results showed that increased sustainable livelihood assets of fishermen were found in human capital, social capital, physical capital, and economic and financial capital, while natural capital assets declined. The Geopark Ciletuh development strategy to improve the sustainable livelihood can be performed through the fishermen involvement in capture fishery and Geopark tourism management such as by becoming a tour guide, a fishing trainer, an educator who educates on fishing weather in fisheries, a mangrove planter, and a coral reef educator. Keywords: capital asset, geopark, descriptive analysis, ecotourism, fish auction