Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Green Approaches, Potentials, and Applications of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Surface Coatings and Films

Interest in the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in surface coatings and films has increased as its incorporation can significantly improve the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of coatings and film solutions. In an effort to produce green or eco-friendly products, the potential use of ZnO NPs biosynthesized from natural resources to replace conventional petroleum-derived polymers has been investigated. This review provides an insight into the growing trend of incorporating ZnO NPs into synthetic or semi-synthetic or bio-based polymeric materials via different synthesis methods as well as its characteristics and potential applications in surface coatings and films. The antimicrobial potential of ZnO NPs to inhibit the growth of various types of microorganisms as well as its use in surface coatings or films to impart antimicrobial activities that prevent the spread of microorganisms, especially the COVID-19 virus, was also discussed.
Morphometric and Genetic Description of Trophic Adaptations in Cichlid Fishes

Simple Summary Skull and jaw shape are critical to how an animal eats. The goal of this work was to examine how facial variation evolves and the genetic basis of these changes. We used two species of Lake Malawi cichlids with different facial shapes, one which has evolved to eat prey by suction feeding, a second that bites algae from rocks, as well as hybrid individuals generated by artificial mating of the two species. We found a series of changes in craniofacial structure including the shape of the lower jaw and throat region that impact how animals perform at suction feeding and biting. We then identified genetic regions that regulate these facial shapes. These genetic regions suggested that evolution of the senses, among other traits, may play an important role in facial evolution. Also, evolution of different parts of the face are controlled by distinct genetic regions. Despite this, cichlids that eat similar ways have similar facial shapes, suggesting that the function of jaw movement places certain limits on facial evolution in cichlid fishes. Overall, this work provides insights into how the face evolves, how these changes relate to feeding, and the genes and molecules that regulate craniofacial variation. Abstract Since Darwin, biologists have sought to understand the evolution and origins of phenotypic adaptations. The skull is particularly diverse due to intense natural selection on feeding biomechanics. We investigated the genetic and molecular origins of trophic adaptation using Lake Malawi cichlids, which have undergone an exemplary evolutionary radiation. We analyzed morphological differences in the lateral and ventral head shape among an insectivore that eats by suction feeding, an obligate biting herbivore, and their F2 hybrids. We identified variation in a series of morphological traits—including mandible width, mandible length, and buccal length—that directly affect feeding kinematics and function. Using quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, we found that many genes of small effects influence these craniofacial adaptations. Intervals for some traits were enriched in genes related to potassium transport and sensory systems, the latter suggesting co-evolution of feeding structures and sensory adaptations for foraging. Despite these indications of co-evolution of structures, morphological traits did not show covariation. Furthermore, phenotypes largely mapped to distinct genetic intervals, suggesting that a common genetic basis does not generate coordinated changes in shape. Together, these suggest that craniofacial traits are mostly inherited as separate modules, which confers a high potential for the evolution of morphological diversity. Though these traits are not restricted by genetic pleiotropy, functional demands of feeding and sensory structures likely introduce constraints on variation. In all, we provide insights into the quantitative genetic basis of trophic adaptation, identify mechanisms that influence the direction of morphological evolution, and provide molecular inroads to craniofacial variation.
Genome-Wide Identification, Evolutionary Analysis, and Expression Patterns of Cathepsin Superfamily in Black Rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) following Aeromonas salmonicida Infection

Cathepsins are lysosomal cysteine proteases belonging to the papain family and play crucial roles in intracellular protein degradation/turnover, hormone maturation, antigen processing, and immune responses. In the present study, 18 cathepsins were systematically identified from the fish S. schlegelii genome. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that cathepsin superfamilies are categorized into eleven major clusters. Synteny and genome organization analysis revealed that whole-genome duplication led to the expansion of S. schlegelii cathepsins. Evolutionary rate analyses indicated that the lowest Ka/Ks ratios were observed in CTSBa (0.13) and CTSBb (0.14), and the highest Ka/Ks ratios were observed in CTSZa (1.97) and CTSZb (1.75). In addition, cathepsins were ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues, with high expression levels observed in the gill, intestine, head kidney, and spleen. Additionally, most cathepsins were differentially expressed in the head kidney, gill, spleen, and liver following Aeromonas salmonicida infection, and their expression signatures showed tissue-specific and time-dependent patterns. Finally, protein–protein interaction network (PPI) analyses revealed that cathepsins are closely related to a few immune-related genes, such as interleukins, chemokines, and TLR genes. These results are expected to be valuable for comparative immunological studies and provide insights for further functional characterization of cathepsins in fish species.
The prevalence of back pain among male teachers in Makkah region, Saudi Arabia: An analytic cross-sectional study

Background: In primary care settings, back pain is the most prevalent complaint. Schoolteachers are at a higher risk of musculoskeletal issues. Several studies in Saudi Arabia have been looking into work-related musculoskeletal disorders, but the actual frequency and risks are unknown. Thus, this study's goal was to establish the incidence of back pain and its determinants among male schoolteachers in the Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, male schools in Makkah were divided into seven categories using cluster sampling, and a validated back pain questionnaire was used. Results: A total of 380 participants responded, with a mean age of 44.23 and ±7.70 SD. A positive history of past back issues was found in 48.2 % of the participants. The majority of the participants reported working for 11 to 24 years, working fewer than 30 hours per week, standing for more than 30 minutes, sitting for less than 15 minutes, less than a 20-minute break, and sleeping for less than 6 hours. Except for sleep duration, none had a significant association with the back pain likelihood ratio. Having a master's degree, not having depression or sleep issues, number of classes, and job satisfaction were revealed a significant association. Conclusion: Overall, compared to prevalence rates recorded in other countries, this study demonstrates a high prevalence of back disability among male teachers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Practical preventives are recommended, and increased knowledge of occupational hazards. Teachers need to get health education to prevent back disability.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Ganoderma resinaceum (Boud) fruiting bodies extracts

Introduction: Ganoderma resinaceum is used to treat oxidative and inflammatory-related diseases such as cardiovascular and liver diseases. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of different extracts from G. resinaceum fruiting bodies. Methods: Aqueous crude (GRT), mycelial (MYC), exopolysaccharide (EPS I, EPS II), and water-soluble polysaccharide-rich (GRP I and GRP II) extracts of G. resinaceum were assessed for their free radical scavenging and metal chelating ions assays. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by stabilization of erythrocytes’ membranes and protein denaturation assays. For the in vivo study, paw oedema was induced by administration of κ-carrageenan (0.1 mL; 1%) to male Wistar rats aged 4 to 6 weeks. Animals were pre-treated with G. resinaceum extracts (125 mg/kg) and diclofenac sodium (20 mg/kg). Inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels were determined, and histological analysis of paw tissue was performed. Results: G. resinaceum polysaccharide-rich extracts (GRP I and GRP II) showed the best bioactivities. They scavenged DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ABTS (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzylthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, and NO (nitric oxide) radicals, and chelated ferrous ions, stabilized murine erythrocyte membranes, and inhibited protein denaturation. At 125 mg/kg, GRP I and GRP II restored the microarchitecture with a weak infiltration of immune cells in the subcutaneous tissues. Moreover, they decreased the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines growth colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon gamma (IFNγ), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), chemokines (eotaxin, fractalkine), and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-12p70). Conclusion: G. resinaceum polysaccharide extracts could be potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.
The practicality of forensic auditing techniques to detect non-government orgnaisations’ financial statement fraud in South Africa using a proactive approach

This article empirically investigated proactive financial statement fraud detection techniques 30 among nongovernment organisations in the eThekwini region, South Africa. The data for this thesis was gathered from 87 staff via the use of a mixed research method with knowledgeable individuals in the field of fraud risk management. SPSS used descriptive statistics analysis while all the interview questions were analysed using conventional thematic analysis via NVivo. Robustness analysis was entirely performed using AMOS for CFA was used to estimate statistical models. SEM simultaneously estimated the link between detective financial statement fraud practices. The study’s results and findings of both the questionnaire and interviews reflected statistically significant agreement that NGOs should use proactive forensic auditing techniques in order to detect financial statement fraud among NGOs in the eThekwini region of South Africa.
Outcomes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Hospitalized Patients With Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Background The development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is multifactorial. Stress from anxiety is a risk factor for IBD. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is twice as likely in IBD patients. This study explores the outcomes of patients hospitalized for IBD with comorbid GAD. Methods A retrospective analysis utilizing the 2014 USA National Inpatient Sample database was performed to assess the outcomes of hospitalized IBD patients with and without GAD. The outcomes analyzed were sepsis, acute hepatic failure, hypotension/shock, acute respiratory failure, acute deep vein thrombosis, acute renal failure, intestinal obstruction, myocardial infarction, ileus, inpatient mortality, colectomy, intestinal abscess, intestinal perforation, and megacolon. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to explore whether GAD is a risk factor for these outcomes. Results Among 28,173 IBD hospitalized patients in the study, GAD was a comorbid diagnosis in 3,400 of those patients. IBD patients with coexisting GAD were found to be at increased risk for acute hepatic failure (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.80, p = 0.006), sepsis (aOR 1.33, p < 0.001), acute respiratory failure (aOR 1.24, p = 0.018), inpatient mortality (aOR 1.87, p < 0.001), intestinal abscess (aOR 2.35, p = 0.013), and intestinal perforation (aOR 1.44, p = 0.019). The aORs for the remaining outcomes were not statistically significant. Conclusions In hospitalized IBD patients, GAD is a risk factor for sepsis, acute hepatic failure, acute respiratory failure, intestinal abscess, intestinal perforation, and inpatient mortality. IBD and GAD are becoming increasingly common, which will likely lead to a larger number of complications among inpatients with these comorbidities.
Fabrication and optimization of a new polyethersulfone membrane integrated with powder activated carbon for landfill leachate treatment

A wide range of highly concentrated non-biodegradable organics have existed in stabilized land- fill leachate, which is highly dangerous to the environment. Although various purification processes have been invented for leachate treatment, yet advanced membrane filtration is still one of the most environmentally friendly processes for stabilized leachate treatment. Herein, a new polymeric membrane was fabricated through the integration of powder activated carbon (PAC) on the surface of polyethersulfone (PES) using the phase inversion technique. The newly fabricated membrane was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The synthesized membrane was successfully applied as a cross-flow ring towards the filtration of stabilized leachate. The results proposed that the filtration efficiency of the membrane was highly boosted after the incorpora- tion of PAC. The optimal removal efficiencies of the proposed membrane (1.0 wt.% PAC, 14.9 wt.% PES) was 22%, 48.71% and 35.34% for NH 3 –N, colour and chemical oxygen demand, respectively. Transmembrane pressure and water flux values were 0.67 bar and 61 L m –2 , respectively, using optimized conditions, which were again improved after the PAC incorporation. Besides, the membrane performances in terms of contaminant elimination, water permeation and numerous morphological characterizations were systematically investigated. Regardless of the partial accomplishments, which could further be enhanced through the utilization of hydrophilic additives, the current report offers a novel roadmap to fabricate PES- PAC membranes and their optimization using the RSM tool.
Decentralized Cooperative Active Power Control for Small-Scale Grids with High Renewable Penetration through VSC-HVDC

Rising renewable penetration has accelerated the volatility and instability of the power grid. A small-scale grid is especially vulnerable. Therefore, flexibility and stability enhancement are required for small-scale grids. The interconnection with the large-scale grid through the voltage sourced converter-high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) can be a solution to the aforementioned problems. VSC-HVDC can deliver power bidirectionally and change the direction in a short time. Hereby, the cooperative operation of distributed generations (DG) and a large-scale grid through the VSC-HVDC system is proposed in this paper. The VSC-HVDC will take the role of the main source of the small-scale grid. It determines the grid frequency based on its output power. DGs adjust their output power according to the grid frequency, and then the balance between the demand and the supply is maintained. To verify it, a PSCAD/EMTDC simulation was conducted using actual data from Jeju Island, including transmission lines, loads, and climate. Consequently, by the proposed method, the RE share was improved and the grid was operated stably even though the fault situations.
Creating Continents: Archean Cratons Tell the Story

The record of the first two billion years of Earth’s history (the Archean) is notoriously incomplete, yet crust of this age is present on every continent. Here we examine the Archean record of the Wyoming craton in the northern Rocky Mountains, USA, which is both well-exposed and readily accessible. We identify three stages of Archean continental crust formation that are also recorded in other cratons. The youngest stage is characterized by a variety of Neoarchean rock assemblages that are indistinguishable from those produced by modern plate-tectonic processes. The middle stage is typified by the trondhjemite-tonalite-granodiorite (TTG) association, which involved partial melting of older, mafic crust. This older mafic crust is not preserved but can be inferred from information in igneous and detrital zircon grains and isotopic
Successful Treatment of Mixed Amblyopia with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) in an Adult Indonesian Patient

Introduction: Amblyopia significantly contributes to low vision and blindness in adults in an Indonesian rural setting. The treatment of amblyopia, particularly anisometropic and/or strabismic amblyopia, has long been challenging for many clinicians. This study aims to report a promising result of refractive correction, occlusion therapy, and oral citicoline on mixed amblyopia with optic nerve hypoplasia in adult Indonesian patients. Case Presentation: A 20-year-old male with a chief complaint of blurry right eye since one year ago, becoming more severe lately. The patient had been strabismic since his childhood. History of using a -5 concave spherical lens on his RE, with the normal eye on his LE. Visual acuity (VA) of his RE was 3/60 and his LE was 6/30. The RE was deviated, with 30° of exotropia. Nystagmus was also found. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination found maculopathy and optic nerve hypoplasia in both eyes. We treated the patient with spectacles to correct the refractive error, occluded his fixing eye, and gave an oral citicoline. Conclusions: Refractive correction and occlusion therapy are still meaningful choices of therapy and have shown to be effective in treating amblyopia, combined with oral citicoline to prevent nerve cell damage. Our case of refractive correction, combined with occlusion therapy and oral citicoline on mixed amblyopia in an adult Indonesian patient, showed good results and a promising post-treatment prognosis with a decrease of exotropia degree and disappearance of nystagmus in just two months.
Rock Phosphate as a Source of Phosphorus for Vesicular-arbuscular Mycorrhizal Development and Growth of Citrus in a Soilless Medium

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) development of Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith and growth response of Carrizo citrange [Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. × Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] and sour orange (C. aurantium L.) seedlings were examined in peat-perlite medium fertilized with 4 levels of superphosphate (SP) and rock phosphate (RP). Loss of P from SP-amended medium was exponential, whereas release of P was linear from RP-amended medium. With SP, root colonization by G. intraradices and growth response of both citrus rootstocks were reduced compared to RP-amended medium. VAM colonization and growth response were less with SP-amended medium than RP, probably because of the initially high available P from SP which inhibited VAM development, and because P later declined to levels insufficient to support maximum growth. When RP was used as a controlled-release source of P, VAM colonization was comparable to that observed in mineral soils. Growth of VAM plants exceeded that of uninoculated plants fertilized with increased levels of soluble P because of P-induced Cu deficiency in absence of VAM. An additional advantage of RP was long-term availability of P, compared to SP which leached within weeks after application to peat-perlite. No further P fertilization may be necessary if RP and VAM inoculum are incorporated into soilless media before planting, whereas repeated application of soluble P would be required for slow-growing woody plants like citrus.
The Numerical Solution of the American Option Pricing Problem:Finite Difference and Transform Approaches

The early exercise opportunity of an American option makes it challenging to price and an array of approaches have been proposed in the vast literature on this topic. In The Numerical Solution of the American Option Pricing Problem , Carl Chiarella, Boda Kang and Gunter Meyer focus on two numerical approaches that have proved useful for finding all prices, hedge ratios and early exercise boundaries of an American option. One is a finite difference approach which is based on the numerical solution of the partial differential equations with the free boundary problem arising in American option pricing, including the method of lines, the component wise splitting and the finite difference with PSOR. The other approach is the integral transform approach which includes Fourier or Fourier Cosine transforms. Written in a concise and systematic manner, Chiarella, Kang and Meyer explain and demonstrate the advantages and limitations of each of them based on their and their co-workers' experiences with these approaches over the years.
Comparative Study of Measurement Methods for Embedded Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Systems

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is an advanced measurement method for providing information on impedance changes at several frequencies by injecting a low current into a device under test and analyzing the response voltage. Several methods have been elaborated for BIS measurement, calculating impedance with a gain phase detector (GPD), IQ demodulation, and fast Fourier transform (FFT). Although the measurement method has a big influence on the measurement system performance, a systematical comparative study has not been performed yet. In this paper, we compare them based on simulations and experimental studies. To maintain similar conditions in the implementation of all methods, we use the same signal generator followed by a voltage-controlled current source (VCCS) as a signal generator. For performance analysis, three DUTs have been designed to imitate the typical behavior of biological tissues. A laboratory impedance analyzer is used as a reference. The comparison addresses magnitude measurement accuracy, phase measurement accuracy, signal processing, hardware complexity, and power consumption. The result shows that the FFT-based system excels with high accuracy for amplitude and phase measurement while providing the lowest hardware complexity, and power consumption, but it needs a much higher software complexity.