Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Prevalence of Asymptomatic Malaria Parasite Carriage in Southern Ghana: Utility of Molecular and Serological Diagnostic Tools

Background. Asymptomatic malaria infections can serve as potential reservoirs for malaria transmission. These infections range from microscopic to submicroscopic densities, making an accurate estimation of asymptomatic parasite carriage highly dependent on the sensitivity of the tool used for the diagnosis. This study sought to evaluate the sensitivities of a variety of molecular and serological diagnostic tool at determining the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasite infections in two communities of varying malaria parasite prevalence.Methods. Whole blood from 194 afebrile participants aged between 6- and 70-years old living in a high (Obom) and a low (Asutsuare) malaria transmission setting of Ghana was used in this study. Thick and thin blood smears, an HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and filter paper dried blood spots (DBS) were prepared from each blood sample. Genomic DNA was extracted from the remaining blood and used in Plasmodium specific photo-induced electron transfer polymerase chain reaction (PET-PCR) and Nested PCR, whilst the HRP2 antigen content of the DBS was estimated using a bead immunoassay. Comparison of prevalence as determined by each method was performed.Results. Parasite prevalence in the high transmission site of Obom was estimated at 71.4%, 61.9%, 60%, 37.8% and 19.1% by Nested PCR, the HRP2 bead assay, PET-PCR, HRP2-RDT and microscopy respectively. Parasite prevalence in the low transmission site of Asutsuare was estimated at 50.1%, 11.2%, 5.6%, 0% and 2.2% by Nested PCR, the HRP2 bead assay, PET-PCR, RDT and microscopy respectively.Conclusions: Nested PCR exhibited the highest sensitivity by identifying the highest prevalence of asymptomatic P. falciparum in both the high and low parasite prevalence setting. However, parasite prevalence estimated by the HRP2 bead assay and PET-PCR had the highest level of inter-rater agreement relative to all the other tools tested and have the advantage of requiring fewer processing steps and producing quantitative results relative Nested PCR. These advantages make PET-PCR and the HRP2 bead assay very useful tools for estimating malaria parasite prevalence in community surveys in these settings.
Survey on Ethnoveterinary Practices around Junagadh, Gujarat, India

This study was conducted between January to July 2015 in Junagadh and surrounding villages to document the use of medicinal plants for veterinary practices by people living in this area. A total 121 farmers, cowshed owners or livestock owners were contacted personally in the survey with a semi-structured questionnaire. Out of 121, 82 male informants of age 40 to 70 yeras have responded well and were included in this study. Sixty-seven medicinal plants from 40 different families have been reported to be effective in 13 different animal ailments. A total of 13 medicinal plants were cited 47 times for gastrointestinal problems, which were the highest. Leaves were used prominently (27.59 %) whereas, epicarp was the least used (0.86 %). Large number of medicinal plants reported were from the Fabaceae family (15.38 %). Junagadh area is important due to a large plant biodiversity.
Analyzing the Charging Flexibility Potential of Different Electric Vehicle Fleets Using Real-World Charging Data

A successful transformation of the energy and transportation sector is one of the main targets for our society today. Battery electric vehicles can play a key role in future renewable-based energy supply systems because of their ability to store electrical power. Additionally, they provide significant charging flexibility due to the long parking durations. In this paper, we provide insights into the temporal and power-specific flexibility behavior of three different vehicle fleets. These fleets are pool vehicles of office employees, a public authority, and a logistics company. Several parameters, such as the average charging power per charging event or the average plug-in duration per charging event, are discussed. Additionally, we investigate different charging rates and their impact on the temporal flexibility of the charging events. The data analysis shows that the logistics site has the most homogeneous charging profile as well as high charging flexibility, in contrast to the office and public agency site. The results are of significant importance for future applications in the field of smart charging and ancillary services provision.
Decoration of Cotton Fiber with Biosynthesized Ag/ZnO Nanocomposite for Durable Antibacterial Textile

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to develop a green synthesis method for the fabrication of Ag NPs, ZnO NPs, and Ag/ZnO nanocomposite using Achillea milfolium plant extract with antibacterial activities. Both growth inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration assays were used to assess the antibacterial activity of nanostructures against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus pathogens. According to the obtained data, Ag/ZnO nanocomposite in 2 mM concentration showed the most antibacterial activity against E. coli with an inhibition zone of 24 ± 0.58 mm. It was also revealed that the Ag/ZnO nanocomposite showed better antibacterial activity in comparison with pure Ag and ZnO nanoparticles. Ag/ZnO nanocomposite-loaded cotton fiber showed great antibacterial activity (more than 95% reduction in S. aureus population) even after 20 cycles of standard washing, proving the stability durability of the nanostructures on the textile. The fabricated textile loaded with Ag/ZnO nanocomposite has potential applications in the production of antibacterial textiles.
Thermodynamics of K-Ca exchange in soils

SUMMARY Surface soils from six ADAS long-term experiments, including two on Andover series, were examined for K-Ca exchange by exchange isotherm and calorimetric methods. Preference for K decreased in the order Worcester > Clwyd > Newport. The latter two acid soils showed ‘no preference’ and Ca preference respectively. Preference for K decreased with decreasing surface area and increasing surface charge density. The enthalpic factor favoured K preference in every soil, but the entropic factor favoured Ca preference in all but one soil. The magnitude of the enthalpic factor was greater than that of the entropic factor, resulting in K preference, in the Andover, Hanslope and Worcester soils, while the reverse was the case in the Newport soil. In the Clwyd soil, enthalpic and entropic forces were counterbalanced. These relative contributions were related to the interactions between clay mineralogy, pH and manurial history. Differential heat measurements, -d (ΔHx)/dx revealed exchange site heterogeneity in five of the soils. Five regions of constant -d (ΔHx)/dx were found, ranging from 6 to 12 kJ eq−1, a maximum of three occurring in any one soil. These were assigned to montmorillonite (two regions), mica, hydrous mica and vermiculitic mica surfaces. The 2: 1 phyllosilicate contents of the clay fractions of the whole soils calculated thus differed from those determined by XRD analysis of the clay fractions. Residual K decreased the cation exchange capacity of some of the soils but did not alter their surface areas. Its effect on K preference, K binding strength and the arrangement of the components of the system (the entropic factor) was complex.
Influence of organic matter on soil hydrothermal processes in the Tibetan Plateau: Observation and parameterization

In the central-eastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) there is abundant organic matter in topsoils, which plays a crucial role in determining soil hydraulic properties that need to be properly described in land surface models. Limited soil parameterizations consider the impacts of soil organic matter (SOM), but they still show poor performance in the TP. A dedicated field campaign is therefore conducted by taking undisturbed soil samples in the central TP to obtain in-situ soil hydraulic parameters and to advance SOM parameterizations. The observed findings are twofold. 1) The SOM pore-size distribution parameter, derived from measured soil water retention curves, has been demonstrated to be much underestimated in previous studies. 2) SOM saturated hydraulic conductivity is overestimated. Accordingly, a new soil hydraulic parameterization is established by modifying a commonly used one based on observations, which is then evaluated by incorporating it into Noah-MP. Compared with the original ones, the new parameterization significantly improves surface soil liquid water simulations at stations with high surface SOM content, especially in the warm season. A further application with the revised Noah-MP indicates that SOM can enhance sensible heat flux but decrease evaporation and subsurface soil temperature in the warm season, and tends to have a much weak effect in the cold season. This study provides insights into the role of SOM in modulating soil state and surface energy budget. Note that, however, there are many other factors at play and the new parameterization is not necessarily applicable beyond the TP.
DNA binding and cleavage activity of three new copper (II) complexes of chiral N-salicyl-β-amino alcohol Schiff bases

Abstract. Three new copper(II) complexes (1-3) with general formula [Cu(HL)CH3COO] of N-salicyl-β-amino alcohol Schiff bases containing, (S)-(+)-phenyl glycinol, (1S, 2R)-2-amino-1, 2-diphenylethanol and 1, 1, 3-triphenyl-(R)-(+)-2-amino propanol, were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by FTIR, LCMS, magnetic moment, molar conductance and elemental analysis data. DFT calculations proposed distorted square planar geometries for the complexes. The calculated IR spectra are in good agreement with the experimental IR spectra, confirming the proposed structures. Their interactions with calf thymus DNA were investigated and their binding constants Kb were found. Gel electrophoresis reveals that all complexes display significant nuclease activity against supercoiled pentry/d-topo plasmid DNA. Resumen. Tres nuevos complejos de cobre (II) (1-3) con la fórmula general [Cu (HL) CH3COO] de N-salicil-β-amino alcohol Schiff bases que contienen, (S) - (+) - fenilglicinol, (1S, 2R). Se sintetizaron -2-amino-1, 2-difeniletanol y 1, 1, 3-trifenil- (R) - (+) - 2-amino propanol. Sus estructuras se caracterizaron por FTIR, LCMS, momento magnético, conductancia molar y datos de análisis elemental. Los cálculos de DFT propusieron geometrías planas cuadradas distorsionadas para los complejos. Los espectros de IR calculados están en buena concordancia con los espectros de IR experimentales, confirmando las estructuras propuestas. Se investigaron sus interacciones con el ADN del timo de ternera y se encontraron sus constantes de unión Kb. La electroforesis en gel revela que todos los complejos muestran una actividad nucleasa significativa contra el ADN plasmídico pentry / d-topo superenrollado.
Phosphorus fractions in biochar-amended soil — chemical sequential fractionation, 31P NMR, and phosphatase activity

ABSTRACT In this study, we assessed the effects of biochar application for five years on soil phosphorus (P) factions by chemical sequential P fractionation, phosphatase activity, and 31P NMR. Four treatments were included in this research: two biochar (0 and 2.63 t ha−1) levels blended with two P fertilizer levels (0 and 26 kg P ha−1), respectively. We found elevated levels of soil pH, total carbon (C), and total P in soil exposed to biochar. The inorganic (Ca8 – P, Al – P, Fe – P, and Ca10 – P) and organic (LOP and HROP) P fractions were all enhanced by biochar regardless of the application of P fertiliser. 31P NMR spectra further showed that ortho – P, monoester – P, and diester – P levels in the soil with added biochar combined with P fertiliser were 464.5 mg kg−1, 74.3 mg kg−1, and 13.9 mg kg−1, respectively, which were the highest among all treatments. Biochar application increased alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity by 24.4–32.7% and decreased phosphodiesterase activity by 10.2–11.0%. In conclusion, biochar application significantly improves soil P fractions and regulates phosphatase activity.
Anxiety level in context of chosen pro-health attitudes of male students during COVID-19 pandemic

Background and objective: Assessing the impact of different factors on anxiety level is a complex and challenging problem, especially during pandemic or similar life threatening situations. Stress can affect dietary and eating behaviors. The aim of this study is to extend knowledge concerning the relation between increased anxiety level during pandemic and attitude towards dietary and eating behaviors in the context of social situation and support of relatives and friends. This study was conducted in 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory alongside auxiliary questions about social relations and eating habits were asked to the male students from different universities and courses in Eastern Europe. To assess differences and dynamics of anxiety level, multiple regression models were used. Results: Multiple regression models between state anxiety level with context to the following factors: paying particular attention to one's diet, namely, the way of nutrition during severe anxiety felt during the pandemic and factors such as strong social support and type of university course was R = 0.41 (p = 0.00). For trait-anxiety the same model returned R = 0.39 (p = 0.00). Analysis of variance revealed that support of relatives is significant factor for state anxiety level, whereas this factor is insignificant for trait anxiety level. Conclusions: Models obtained from this study indicated that there are significant relations between anxiety level of male students and social support, which is expressed in the form of proper eating, therefore pro-health habits are revealed during elevated prolonged stress state such as COVID-19 pandemic.
Soybean yield and quality relative to Mollisols fertility with 7‐year consecutive cattle manure application under maize‐soybean rotation

Improving soil productivity is the best way to increase grain production by 1% annually for feeding the rising population within the next 20 years in China. Nevertheless, how soybean yield and seed quality are affected by improving soil quality via consecutive manure addition are still unclear. A 7‐year consecutive cattle manure addition experiment was conducted under a soybean [Glycine max (Merrill.) L. ] and maize (Zea mays L.) rotation in Mollisols. Treatments were as follows: CK: the non‐fertilizer control; CF: chemical fertilizer (NPK); CFM1: CF + 15 Mg ha−1 cattle manure; CFM2: CF + 30 Mg ha−1 cattle manure. The results showed CFM1 significantly increased soybean yield by 22%–105% and 21%–86% compared to CK and CF during 2014–2018. The consecutive cattle manure addition significantly increased the proportion of macro‐aggregates (1–0.25 mm) but decreased the proportion of micro‐aggregates (0.25–0.053 mm) and slit (<0.053 mm). The SOC storage in the large (>1 mm) and small macro‐aggregates (1–0.25 mm) was higher (by 24%–156%) under cattle manure addition than that under CK and CF. The soil productivity was enhanced by cattle manure addition because of the increase in soil available nutrients, that is, NH4+ ‐N and NO3− ‐N, and Olsen‐P, all of which had positive correlations with the yield increase. At least 36% of soybean yield variation under CFM1 could be attributed to the indirect effect of pH value on increasing soil available nutrients concentrations. The cattle manure addition increased soybean seed oil concentration but decreased protein concentration. However, there were no differences in yield and quality between CFM1 and CFM2 after 7‐year of the treatment. It suggests that cattle manure addition at 15 Mg ha−1 is a practical approach to improve Mollisols' productivity and SOC stability.
Diversity and consumer dispositions towards foreign countries in an emerging market

PurposeThe current study builds on social identity theory and realistic conflict theory aims to identify the relationships amongst consumers' ethnocentrism, animosity, discomfort with differences – a factor of universal-diverse orientation (UDO) – and reluctance to purchase German (RELG) and French automobiles (RELF) in the Turkish automobile market which is dominated by foreign brands.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data were collected via face-to-face surveys from 400 respondents in the emerging market Turkey. Structural equation modelling was employed to examine the direct and indirect effects between the variables.FindingsThe main predictors of the RELG are consumer ethnocentrism, discomfort with differences and economic animosity towards Germany, respectively. Furthermore, RELF in the Turkish market is positively affected by consumer ethnocentrism, war animosity towards France and discomfort with differences, respectively. Discomfort with differences mediates the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and RELG and RELF.Practical implicationsInternational collaborations with local manufacturers have huge strategic impacts when establishing reliable relationships with Turkish consumers. Foreign companies can initiate socially responsible projects that will relay the message of similarities between cultures to decrease perceived cultural differences. Highlighting the similarities of Turkish consumers with a foreign company in promotional campaigns will be much beneficial.Originality/valueDespite there are many studies regarding antecedents and consequences of consumer ethnocentrism, extant research overlooks the effect of animosity on this concept. Additionally, studies examining UDO in the marketing literature are scarce. This paper integrates UDO, consumer ethnocentrism, animosity and reluctance to purchase foreign products in one study.
The relationship between employee motivation and service quality: Case study of a selected municipality in the Western Cape province, South Africa

Background: In South Africa, municipal service delivery is characterised by a low level of motivation amongst employees, poor service quality and a high level of citizen dissatisfaction, often resulting in violent protests. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between municipal employees’ motivation and quality of services delivered. Setting: The study was conducted at a selected municipality in the Western Cape province, which is unnamed for ethical reasons. Methods: In this quantitative study, two main hypotheses were advanced to examine the relationship between employee motivation and service quality, and six hypotheses tested the relationship between leadership, job satisfaction, career growth, organisational culture, physical work environment, work group teams and service quality. The sample consisted of 121 employees selected from a target population of 219 using simple random sampling technique. A five-point Likert-scale survey questionnaire was administered. Data were captured on an Excel sheet and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The analysis was done descriptively and correlationally. Results: Whilst analysis of descriptive statistics showed low mean scores for motivation and five of its six constructs, indicating low motivation amongst municipal employees, correlational analysis confirmed the six hypotheses for the constructs, with different degrees of positive correlation between them and service quality. This means motivated employees are highly likely to deliver high-quality services. Conclusion: A transformational leadership style, job rotation and enlargement, provision of training, career growth and development opportunities, change in organisational culture, improved work environment and enhanced teamwork could assist in addressing the employee motivation–service quality conundrum.
VERIFICATION OF TRISO FUEL BURNUP USING MACHINE LEARNING ALGORITHMS

Pebble Bed Reactors are fueled with fuel pebbles that are circulated multiple times through the reactor vessel before discharge. During the normal operation of a PBR, ejected pebbles are either returned to the reactor or discharged as spent or damaged fuel depending on the fuel burnup and physical condition of the pebbles. The burnup measurement is usually based on detected radiation signatures of fission products accumulated in the pebble fuel over irradiation in the core. Previous research has shown that height of photopeaks of fission products, such as 134 Cs, 137 Cs, 154 Eu, etc., can be used independently or in combination to infer or predict the level of burnup in the fuel. However, it remains challenging to measure such complex sources due to self-shielding effects, strong radiation background and intervening materials. Another operational challenge is the required high throughput of pebbles undergoing burnup measurement, which necessitates limited measurement time and thus impacts quality of measured gamma-ray spectra. Hence, advanced spectral analysis methods are needed to analyze the noisy gamma spectra and predict the burnup values. This paper proposes to use machine learning (ML) method to interpret gamma-ray spectra and predict the burnup values of the pebbles. ML has achieved widespread success and adoption across a few domains that require pattern recognition and analysis in varied data types. In this work, three proven ML approaches – multilayer perceptron’s (MLPs), convolutional neural networks, and transformers – are applied to the task of predicting fuel burnup from measured gamma spectra, and a dataset of simulated spectra is compiled for training and validation of the ML models. This paper discusses the network architecture of these three ML approaches and compare the performance of the simplest of these (MLPs) to a standard linear regression.
An Efficient E2E Crowd Verifiable E-Voting System

Electronic voting (e-voting), compared with article voting, has advantages in several aspects. Among those benefits, the ability to audit the electoral process at every stage is one of the most desired features of an e-voting system. In Eurocrypt 2015, Kiayias, Zacharias, and Zhang proposed a new E2E verifiable e-voting system that for the first time provides E2E verifiability without relying on external sources of randomness or the random oracle model; the main advantage of such system is in the fact that election auditors need only the election transcript and the feedback from the voters to pronounce the election process unequivocally valid. Unfortunately, their system comes with a huge performance and storage penalty for the election authority (EA) compared to other e-voting systems such as Helios. The main reason is that due to the way the EA forms the proof of the tally result, it is required to precompute a number of ciphertexts for each voter and each possible choice of the voter. The performance penalty on the EA appears to be intrinsic to the approach: voters cannot compute an enciphered ballot themselves because there seems to be no way for them to prove that it is a valid ciphertext. In this work, we construct a new e-voting system that retains similar strong E2E characteristics (but against computational adversaries) while completely eliminating the performance and storage penalty of the EA. Our construction has similar performance to Helios and is practical. The privacy of our construction relies on the SXDH assumption over bilinear groups via complexity leveraging.