Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of Metal Contamination in Seafood from the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Sea Metal Contamination in Seafood

Seafood is one of the most important components of a healthy diet due to its composition. With the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Sea, Turkey has substantial sources of seafood. Seas are highly impacted by environmental pollution. Among these, heavy metal pollution has long been recognized as a serious problem for seafood. As heavy metals cannot be degraded, they are deposited, assimilated or incorporated in water, sediment and aquatic animals. By these properties, they can be transferred to humans through the food chain especially by the consumption of fish and shellfish. The aim of this study is to determine the concentrations of Cd, As, Pb and Hg levels in selected fish species and marine animals from all of the 4 seas of Turkey by using the ICP-MS technique, and to compare the results with the legislations safe limits. For this purpose, 13 different fish species, mussels and shrimps have been obtained from the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. According to the results, metal concentrations decrease in the order As>Pb>Hg>Cd. In all the seas, the same order was found. Statistically significant differences were observed in the metal levels between fish species and the shellfish in all regions. Except for the two samples, all the results was found compatible with the Turkish Food Codex and European Commission Regulation limits. Arsenic levels were detected between 0,076-4,230 mg/kg within the samples. Cadmium levels were detected as higher than the limits in two samples obtained from the Mediterranean Sea, Scophthalmus maximus and Mullus barbatus species as 0,076 mg/kg and 0,064 mg/kg, respectively. The highest and the lowest levels of mercury and lead were measured as 0,005-0,405 and 0,015-0,405 mg/kg, respectively. The results obtained from this study revealed that, except for a few cases, the selected heavy metal concentrations in most samples were below the limits. Also, besides the mussels and the shrimps, there was no single type of fish that was consistently high in all metals. The examined seas and the seafood were found to be safe for human consumption.
Moving hospitals toward e‐learning adoption: an empirical investigation

Purpose – Medical errors cause a significant number of deaths. Providing training to medical staff can improve the quality of medical care. Hospitals have traditionally used face‐to‐face modality to train staff but they are beginning to adopt e‐learning systems that can easily deliver training at work or to other convenient locations. The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors leading to e‐learning adoption in hospitals.Design/methodology/approach – A framework of factors leading to the adoption decision of e‐learning systems is first proposed. Survey data are collected to empirically test the proposed framework. The samples consist of senior executives and managers in hospitals.Findings – It is found that three factors including managerial, organizational, and technological exhibit significant influences on the adoption decision. One novel result is that the organizational variable of hospital specialization significantly influences the decision to adopt e‐learning systems.Research limitations/i.
Transcatheter arterial embolization combined with hypoxia-replicative oncolytic adenovirus perfusion enhances the therapeutic effect of hepatic carcinoma

Purpose Transcatheter arterial embolization or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization has become a critical therapy for unresectable hepatocarcinoma. Although hypoxia caused by embolization can induce apoptosis and necrosis of the majority of tumor cells, a small proportion of cells can survive with hypoxia and chemotherapy resistance. HIF-1α induced by hypoxia is the key factor rendering surviving tumor cells invasive and metastatic properties. Thus, we generated a synthetic hypoxia-replicative oncolytic adenovirus (HYAD) expecting to further eliminate the surviving tumor cells, which expressed HIF-1α. Materials and methods In our study, we detected protein expression, proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis of hepatic tumor cell line when infected with HYAD under hypoxia and normoxia. And we constructed VX2 hepatic cancer rabbit models to explore the therapeutic effect of transcatheter arterial embolization combined with HYAD perfusion under digital subtraction angiography. Inhibition of tumor growth and invasion was detected by histopathological examination and contrast-enhanced CT scan. Results Experiments in vitro verified that HYAD expressed and replicated along with HIF-1α expression or hypoxia. Compared with wild adenovirus type 5 (WT), HYAD expressed much more under hypoxia, which was the main principle of HYAD killing surviving tumor cells posttransarterial embolization. In vivo experiment of VX2 models, HYAD perfusion combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) embolization achieved the highest expression quantity and the longest expression duration compared with simple HYAD perfusion, WT perfusion combined with PVA embolization, and simple WT perfusion. Because adenovirus expression protein E1A had the properties of promoting apoptosis, inhibiting invasion, and inhibiting metastasis, HYAD perfusion combined with PVA embolization group efficiently repressed tumor growth and intrahepatic metastases compared to other processing groups. Conclusion HYAD can overcome the hypoxic tumor microenvironment postembolization and target the surviving tumor cells with specificity. In turn, HYAD perfusion combined with PVA embolization can bring out the best effect in each other.
Comparison of cigarette and hookah smoking between physical education and non-physical education students

Introduction: Physical activity has many advantages such as cardio-respiratory health promotion, prevention of some diseases and improvement of quality of life. In contrast, smoking tobacco products is one of the most important risk factors of non-infectious diseases, especially cardiovascular and cancers and may be influenced by physical activity of people. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare cigarette and hookah smoking between physical education and non-physical education students. Materials and Methods: The target population of this study was all male and female students of Guilan University. The instrument used was the PDUQ questionnaire (Alpha value of 0.81(. According to Odineski table, the questionnaire was randomly distributed among 144 students of P.E and 386 students of non-P.E. The collected data was analyzed using Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation coefficient (P<0.05). Results: The results of data analyses indicated that there was no significant relationship between the course and championship history with cigarette and hookah smoking. Also, cigarette and hookah smoking was observed more in males than females and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The most important reason of tendency toward and prevalence of cigarette and hookah smoking in males was their intimate relationship with smoking friends, and in female it was mostly done for
Relationship between Managerial Competence and Growth of Top 100 Enterprises in Kenya 1 *

The growth trends of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) raised many questions that why and how these SMEs were able to transform themselves into big business giants. The objective of the study was to investigate on the Relationship between Managerial Competence and Growth of Top 100 Enterprises in Kenya. In this study, descriptive approach was achieved by describing the data and characteristics about the population of phenomenon being studied. In the study, the target population, comprised of the Top 100 KPMG feted enterprises in Kenya in the year 2010 2015. This will yield 287 mid-sized companies. The sample size was 164 top managers in the Top 100 mid-sized companies. The study used the stratified random sampling technique as it ensured that all listed companies were represented according to the various sectors. The target population will be stratified into the 2 strata (service sector SMEs and nonservice sector SMEs). Further, random sampling was used to select 164 top managers in the Top 100 mid-sized companies. Random sampling ensured that the study eliminated bias in its choice of respondents. The study used primary data collected through questionnaire. To enhance the response rate, the study put into consideration the research ethical issues. After data collection, the filled-in and returned questionnaires were edited for completeness, coded and entries made into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). A multivariate regression was also used to test the combined effect of all independent variables. The findings were presented in forms of tables and charts. The study found out that managerial competence had a positive and significant effect on growth. Therefore the study concluded that managerial competence leads to completeness of tasks. Therefore, the study recommends for top 100 enterprises to consider managerial competence since they are very crucial in the growth of the enterprises.
The Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev invariants of finite order mapping tori II

We identify the leading order term of the asymptotic expansion of the Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev invariants for finite order mapping tori with classical invariants for all simple and simply-connected compact Lie groups. The square root of the Reidemeister torsion is used as a density on the moduli space of flat connections and the leading order term is identified with the integral over this moduli space of this density weighted by a certain phase for each component of the moduli space. We also identify this phase in terms of classical invariants such as Chern-Simons invariants, eta invariants, spectral flow and the rho invariant. As a result, we show agreement with the semiclassical approximation as predicted by the method of stationary phase.
The role of cognitive bias distortions in pathological gambling

Several factors are related to the onset and the maintenance of pathological gambling. An important role is carried out by cognitive bias distortions, which represent real “errors” in the reasoning processes. The aim of this study is to analyze these cognitive errors in two groups of gamblers. A total of 323 gamblers (131 males and 192 females), average age 25.31 (SD = 10.55), was recruited in various gambling rooms, and at the University of Florence. All participants completed the Italian version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and were divided in two groups on the basis of their questionnaire score: a clinical sample composed of 62 pathological gamblers (SOGS score above 5); and a non-clinical sample composed of 261 non-problematic gamblers (SOGS score below 3). All participants completed the Italian version of the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS), which assesses 5 dimensions related to cognitive distortions: Illusion of control, Predictive control, Interpretative bias, Gambling expectancies, and Perceived inability to stop/control gambling. Results. Our findings support the results of previous investigations on gambling-related cognitive biases. Specifically, pathological gamblers showed higher levels in all cognitive bias distortions considered when compared to non-problematic gamblers.
Validation of a simple sample preparation method for multielement analysis of bovine serum

Here we propose a single acid digestion (SAD) sample preparation method for ICP-MS analysis of animal serum samples to determine trace element contents. The method was evaluated in comparison with a commonly used procedure involving dilution of samples in an alkaline solution (AKD). In the SAD procedure, aliquots (1 mL) of bovine serum samples were treated at low temperature with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Trace elements (As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, U, and Zn) were directly determined by ICP-MS analysis of diluted solutions of samples. Both methods were sufficiently sensitive to enable quantification of most trace elements, with the exception of the AKD method for Cd, Hg and Pb. The quality of the data was verified by using certified reference material. Good results were obtained for the SAD procedure and all elements, but recoveries were unacceptable with the AKD procedure for Se (recovery: 57%), Cd (154%) and Fe (139%). Strong associations (R2>0.90, P = 0.000) between the data obtained by both methods were demonstrated for the elements considered. The proposed SAD sample preparation method produced satisfactory results for determining most toxic and essential trace elements targeted in monitoring studies.
Noradrenaline Acting on Alpha1 Adrenoceptor as well as by Chelating Iron Reduces Oxidative Burden on the Brain: Implications With Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

The noradrenaline (NA) level in the brain is reduced during rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). However, upon REMS deprivation (REMSD) its level is elevated, which induces apoptosis and the degeneration of neurons in the brain. In contrast, isolated studies have reported that NA possesses an anti-oxidant property, while REMSD reduces lipid peroxidation (LP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). We argued that an optimum level of NA is likely to play a physiologically beneficial role. To resolve the contradiction and for a better understanding of the role of NA in the brain, we estimated LP and ROS levels in synaptosomes prepared from the brains of control and REMS deprived rats with or without in vivo treatment with either α1-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonist, prazosin (PRZ) or α2-AR agonist, clonidine (CLN). REMSD significantly reduced LP and ROS in synaptosomes; while the effect on LP was ameliorated by both PRZ and CLN; ROS was prevented by CLN only. Thereafter, we evaluated in vitro the effects of NA, vitamin E (Vit E), vitamin C (Vit C), and desferrioxamine (DFX, iron chelator) in modulating hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced LP and ROS in rat brain synaptosomes, Neuro2a, and C6 cells. We observed that NA prevented ROS generation by chelating iron (inhibiting a Fenton reaction). Also, interestingly, a lower dose of NA protected the neurons and glia, while a higher dose damaged the neurons and glia. These in vitro and in vivo results are complementary and support our contention. Based on the findings, we propose that REMS maintains an optimum level of NA in the brain (an antioxidant compromised organ) to protect the latter from continuous oxidative onslaught.
The association of preoperative cardiac stress testing with 30-day death and myocardial infarction among patients undergoing kidney transplantation

Background Although periodic cardiac stress testing is commonly used to screen patients on the waiting list for kidney transplantation for ischemic heart disease, there is little evidence to support this practice. We hypothesized that cardiac stress testing in the 18 months prior to kidney transplantation would not reduce postoperative death, total myocardial infarction (MI) or fatal MI. Methods Using the United States Renal Data System, we identified ESRD patients ≥40 years old with primary Medicare insurance who received their first kidney transplant between 7/1/2006 and 11/31/2013. Propensity matching created a 1:1 matched sample of patients with and without stress testing in the 18 months prior to kidney transplantation. The outcomes of interest were death, total (fatal and nonfatal) MI or fatal MI within 30 days of kidney transplantation. Results In the propensity-matched cohort of 17,304 patients, death within 30 days occurred in 72 of 8,652 (0.83%) patients who underwent stress testing and in 65 of 8,652 (0.75%) patients who did not (OR 1.07; 95% CI: 0.79–1.45; P = 0.66). MI within 30 days occurred in 339 (3.9%) patients who had a stress test and in 333 (3.8%) patients who did not (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 0.89–1.21; P = 0.68). Fatal MI occurred in 17 (0.20%) patients who underwent stress testing and 15 (0.17%) patients who did not (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.71–1.32; P = 0.84). Conclusion Stress testing in the 18 months prior to kidney transplantation is not associated with a reduction in death, total MI or fatal MI within 30 days of kidney transplantation.
Re-boost immunizations with the peptide-based therapeutic HIV vaccine, Vacc-4x, restores geometric mean viral load set-point during treatment interruption

Background Vacc-4x, a therapeutic HIV vaccine candidate has previously induced a significant reduction in viral load (VL) set-point compared to placebo upon interruption of combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART) (2007/1 study). This study, (2012/1), explored the potential to maintain Vacc-4x effect by re-boosting eligible 2007/1 study participants. Methods Participant inclusion required 2007/1 participants to have completed all Vacc-4x immunizations and interrupted ART for up to 26 weeks. At weeks (wk)0 and 2, participants received intradermal (i.d.) Vacc-4x booster immunizations (1.2mg) on ART with GM-CSF (60μg) i.d. as a local adjuvant. ART was interrupted for up to 16 weeks (wk12-wk28). Participants were then followed on ART until wk36. VL set-point, total proviral DNA (pvDNA) and immunogenicity assessed by IFN-γ ELISPOT, T-cell proliferation and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions were compared to participants’ values in the 2007/1 study where available. Results This open, multicenter, clinical study enrolled 33 participants from 9 clinical trial sites in the US and Europe. In the per-protocol (PP) population, the VL set-point geometric mean (GM) 18162 copies/mL was not significantly changed compared to the 2007/1 study (GM VL 22035 copies/mL), (p = 0.453, n = 18). For participants with available preART VL values, the VL set-point (GM 26279 copies/mL) remained significantly lower than the preART VL set-point (GM 74048 copies/mL, p = 0.021, n = 13). A statistically significant reduction in pvDNA (49%) from baseline to wk4 was observed (p = 0.03, n = 26). DTH responses (wk4) increased significantly from baseline (p = 0.006, n = 30) and compared to the 2007/1 study (p = 0.022, n = 29) whilst the proportion of participants with ELISPOT and T-cell proliferation responses was similar between the two studies. Conclusions Vacc-4x booster immunizations safely maintained the mean VL set-point at that established following primary Vacc-4x therapeutic immunization. The reduction in pvDNA during ART supports the potential for Vacc-4x immunization to reduce HIV reservoirs and thereby contribute to combination HIV cure strategies.
Threonine in broiler diets: an updated review

Abstract Threonine (Thr) is the third limiting essential amino acid after methionine and lysine in cornsoybean based diets of broilers. Dietary imbalance of Thr, therefore, results in a poor growth performance in broilers. This review summarizes literature data on the known effects of dietary levels of Thr on growth performance, gut morphology, immunity and carcass characteristics in broilers. Due to continuous improvement in genetic potential and management practices for poultry production, dietary Thr requirements are changing. A number of studies have shown that supplementation of Thr in broiler diet at a higher level than the current NRC recommendation (0.74-0.81%), increases body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and improves gut morphology, carcass quality and immune status, mainly by enhancing the functional capability of digestive system and immune organs (spleen, bursa, and thymus). According to the literature data discussed in this review, the minimal and maximal total dietary Thr levels for healthy birds reared in normal conditions were 0.67 and 0.90% for growth performance, 0.77 and 1.1% for a better gut health, 0.60 and 1.02% for immunity and 0.62 and 0.97% for better carcass characteristics. This background provides impetus to further investigate the exact level of Thr and its effects on growth performance, gut morphology, immunity and carcass characteristics in broilers.
Empirical Tidal Dissipation in Exoplanet Hosts From Tidal Spin-up

Stars with hot Jupiters (HJs) tend to rotate faster than other stars of the same age and mass. This trend has been attributed to tidal interactions between the star and planet. A constraint on the dissipation parameter follows from the assumption that tides have managed to spin up the star to the observed rate within the age of the system. This technique was applied previously to HATS-18 and WASP-19. Here, we analyze the sample of all 188 known HJs with an orbital period <3.5 days and a “cool” host star (Teff < 6100 K). We find evidence that the tidal dissipation parameter ( ) increases sharply with forcing frequency, from 105 at 0.5 day−1 to 107 at 2 day−1. This helps to resolve a number of apparent discrepancies between studies of tidal dissipation in binary stars, HJs, and warm Jupiters. It may also allow for a HJ to damp the obliquity of its host star prior to being destroyed by tidal decay.
NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS FROM CITRUS MANDARIN PEELS. EXTRACTION OF POLYPHENOLS; EFFECT OF OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS ON TOTAL POLYPHENOLS CONTENTS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

The main waste of the citrus fruits after processing is the citrus peel. The extraction of valuable components from mandarin peels with ethanol-in-water solutions was investigated. The effect of the operational conditions on the total extracted amount, the total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity was studied. The conditions varied were: the ethanol concentration, the particle size and the temperature. Taking into account the thermolability of the polyphenols, vitamin C, etc., the influence of the drying temperature on the properties of extracts after re-dissolution was studied. It was found that the increase in drying temperature leads to decrease in TPPC in the extracts after re-dissolution. The worst results were obtained for drying temperature of 60 o C – total polyphenols contents after drying and re-dissolution decreased almost twice (2.22 times). The comparison in TPPC and AOA of the mandarin peels’ extracts with other citrus peels shows that the source studied is a perspective for possible use in food and cosmetic industries due to the valuable components in it.
Effectiveness of Encouragement Training in Alleviating Depression among Mothers of Children with Hearing Impairment

Mothers of children with hearing impairment are highly vulnerable to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. This study was done to assess depression in mothers of hearing impaired children and the effectiveness of encouragement training in alleviating depression in them. This study is an experimental, pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The population of this research consists of mothers of children with hearing impairment in Tehran city. Using random sampling, 40 mothers of children with hearing loss who were enrolled in the Centre, and scored 19 to 29 points (moderate depression to severe depression) in the Beck Depression Inventory, were selected randomly from Tehran rehabilitation centers and assigned randomly into two groups: 20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. The experimental group was given 10 sessions of group encouragement training (two sessions of 90 minutes a week). Symptoms of depression in both groups were evaluated before (pre-test) and after (post-test) of the intervention program. Research data were analyzed using covariance analysis method. Findings of the study indicated that group encouragement training program reduced the symptoms of depression in the experimental group more significantly (p > .01) than in the control group. Effectiveness of group encouragement training program in alleviating mother's depression needs more theoretical and practical implications. Therefore, it is necessary that in rehabilitation programs for children with hearing impairment, attention needs to be given to address the emotional dimensions of the family and the maternal psychological status, besides the usual services provided.