Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative and quality analyses of different tomato brands sold in major markets in Ibadan, Nigeria

Tomato paste is consumed in many homes. It is a good source of lycopene and vitamin C. These are antioxidants which fight against free radicals and oxidative stress. It had been reported that tomato pastes imported into Nigeria were often substandard and adulterated with starch, but these claims have not been supported using evidence based study. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of different tomato brands made in Nigeria and those imported into the country using biochemical parameters. Twenty eight different tomato products were identified in the market. Of these numbers, sixteen were randomly selected. Five tins and sachets each of these products were purchased respectively and used for analyses. All the products sampled were registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. There were significant differences in moisture, Lycopene, total sugar, starch, vitamin C and acidity among all products (P 0.05). However, tomato brands imported from China were significantly higher in total sugar and starch, but significantly lower in lycopene (P< 0.05). Variations in content were observed between tin and sachet of the same brand and between different batches of the same product. This study provides scientific evidence that tomato products made in Nigeria are better in biochemical quality than products imported from China. The need to patronize and support local manufacturers while tightening regulatory and registration processes of products imported into the country becomes imperative. Key words: Tomato, quality assurance, biochemical analysis, Free radicals, oxidative stress, antioxidants.
Enhancing respiratory sinus arrhythmia increases cardiac output in rats with left ventricular dysfunction

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia is physiological pacing of the heart that disappears in cardiovascular disease and is associated with poor cardiac prognosis. In heart failure, cardiac pacing has little, if any, variation in rate at rest. We proposed that reinstatement of respiratory sinus arrhythmia would improve cardiac function in rats with heart failure. Heart failure rats were paced daily for 2 weeks with either respiratory sinus arrhythmia or paced monotonically at a matched heart rate; cardiac function was measured using non‐invasive echocardiography. Cardiac output and stroke volume were increased in rats paced with respiratory sinus arrhythmia compared to monotonic pacing, via improvement in systolic function that persisted beyond the pacing treatment period. We propose that respiratory sinus arrhythmia pacing reverse‐remodels the heart in heart failure and is worth considering as a new form of cardiac pacemaking.
Utility of Urine Calcium and Phosphate as Screening Tools for Vitamin D Deficiency in Children

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is estimated to affect one billion people worldwide. In the United States, 9-12% of healthy children have vitamin D deficiency. Renal calcium and phosphate excretion in healthy people is a sensitive indicator of total body mineral balance. We explored the possibility of using urine calcium-to-creatinine (Uca/Ucr) and urine phosphate-to-creatinine (Uphos/Ucr) as noninvasive biomarkers of vitamin D deficiency in at risk children. Patients and methods: This was an observational study of children with one or more risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Anthropometric data and a physical exam were obtained in all children and skin pigmentation, sunlight exposure, dietary history, and frequency of vitamin supplementation of both mother and child were determined by parent report. We measured serum levels of calcium, phosphate, magnesium, intact PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, and creatinine. A random urine sample was collected for calcium, phosphate and creatinine. Results: A total of 60 healthy children were recruited. Mean age of the subjects was 1.4 (range 0.5 to 2.9) years. Twenty percent of the children were regularly given vitamin D supplements. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D < 50 nmol/L) was 3.4%, vitamin D insufficiency (≥ 50 and < 80 nmol/L) was 28.6% and vitamin D sufficiency (≥ 80 nmol/L) was 68%. One subject had biochemical evidence of rickets. Linear regression analysis showed no correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and random Uca/Ucr or Uphos/Ucr. Conclusion: Random urine calcium or phosphate levels offer little promise as screening tools for vitamin D deficiency in children.
Plant-Based Diets in the Reduction of Body Fat: Physiological Effects and Biochemical Insights

Obesity affects over one-third of Americans and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Interventional trials have consistently demonstrated that consumption of plant-based diets reduces body fat in overweight and obese subjects, even when controlling for energy intake. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying this effect have not been well-defined. This review discusses six major dietary mechanisms that may lead to reduced body fat. These include (1) reduced caloric density, (2) improved gut microbiota symbiosis, (3) increased insulin sensitivity, (4) reduced trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), (5) activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and (6) over-expression of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins. Collectively, these factors improve satiety and increase energy expenditure leading to reduced body weight.
Interindividual Covariations of Brain Functional and Structural Connectivities Are Decomposed Blindly to Subnetworks: A Fusion‐Based Approach

Studying brain interindividual variations has recently gained interest to understand different human behaviors. It is particularly important to investigate how a variety of functional differences can be associated with a few differences in brain structure. It would be more meaningful if such an investigation is performed jointly at the network level to connect structural building blocks to functional variations modules.
Survival outcome of tyrosine kinase inhibitors beyond progression in association to radiotherapy in oligoprogressive EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer.

Aim: The association of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and local radiotherapy in EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer patients experiencing disease progression under TKIs could be a valid an option. Patients & methods: We included 131 patients experiencing disease progression during first-line TKI. In group A, patients received TKI beyond progression and site(s) of progression were irradiated; in group B, patients remained on TKI alone beyond progression; and group C stopped TKI at first disease progression. Results: Median overall survival resulted longer in group A versus B and C (p < 0.0001). Group A had a trend toward a longer second progression-free survival (measured from the time of first progression until second progression) versus group B (p = 0.06). Conclusion: TKI beyond progression in association with local ablative treatment is a valid treatment option in oligoprogressive patients.
Developing a predictive modelling capacity for a climate change-vulnerable blanket bog habitat: Assessing 19611990 baseline relationships

Aim: Understanding the spatial distribution of high priority habitats and developing predictive models using climate and environmental variables to replicate these distributions are desirable conservation goals. The aim of this study was to model and elucidate the contributions of climate and topography to the distribution of a priority blanket bog habitat in Ireland, and to examine how this might inform the development of a climate change predictive capacity for peat-lands in Ireland. Methods: Ten climatic and two topographic variables were recorded for grid cells with a spatial resolution of 1010 km, covering � 87% of the mainland land surface of Ireland. Presence-absence data were matched to these variables and generalised linear models (GLMs) fitted to identify the main climatic and terrain predictor variables for occurrence of the habitat. Candidate predictor variables were screened for collinearity, and the accuracy of the final fitted GLM was evaluated using fourfold cross-validation based on the area under the curve (AUC) derived from a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plot. The GLM predicted habitat occurrence probability maps were mapped against the actual distributions using GIS techniques. Results: Despite the apparent parsimony of the initial GLM using only climatic variables, further testing indicated collinearity among temperature and precipitation variables for example. Subsequent elimination of the collinear variables and inclusion of elevation data produced an excellent performance based on the AUC scores of the final GLM. Mean annual temperature and total mean annual precipitation in combination with elevation range were the most powerful explanatory variable group among those explored for the presence of blanket bog habitat. Main conclusions: The results confirm that this habitat distribution in general can be modelled well using the non-collinear climatic and terrain variables tested at the grid resolution used. Mapping the GLM-predicted distribution to the observed distribution produced useful results in replicating the projected occurrence of the habitat distribution over an extensive area. The methods developed will usefully inform future climate change predictive modelling for Ireland.
Reduced Toxicity of Trichothecenes, Isotrichodermol, and Deoxynivalenol, by Transgenic Expression of the Tri101 3-O-Acetyltransferase Gene in Cultured Mammalian FM3A Cells

In trichothecene-producing fusaria, isotrichodermol (ITDol) is the first intermediate with a trichothecene skeleton. In the biosynthetic pathway of trichothecene, a 3-O-acetyltransferase, encoded by Tri101, acetylates ITDol to a less-toxic intermediate, isotrichodermin (ITD). Although trichothecene resistance has been conferred to microbes and plants transformed with Tri101, there are no reports of resistance in cultured mammalian cells. In this study, we found that a 3-O-acetyl group of trichothecenes is liable to hydrolysis by esterases in fetal bovine serum and FM3A cells. We transfected the cells with Tri101 under the control of the MMTV-LTR promoter and obtained a cell line G3 with the highest level of C-3 acetylase activity. While the wild-type FM3A cells hardly grew in the medium containing 0.40 μM ITDol, many G3 cells survived at this concentration. The IC50 values of ITDol and ITD in G3 cells were 1.0 and 9.6 μM, respectively, which were higher than the values of 0.23 and 3.0 μM in the wild-type FM3A cells. A similar, but more modest, tendency was observed in deoxynivalenol and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol. Our findings indicate that the expression of Tri101 conferred trichothecene resistance in cultured mammalian cells.
Examining the Validity of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire in the Assessment of Police Candidates

A well-validated test of normal personality functioning is necessary in preemployment evaluations of candidates for public safety positions. In this study, we evaluated the construct validity and predictive validity of one such measure, the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ), in a large sample of candidates for law enforcement positions. We examined associations between MPQ scale scores and biographical data, clinician suitability ratings on the 10 established California Commission on Peace Officer and Standards and Training (POST) psychological screening dimensions, and (for a subsample) posthire performance outcome data. MPQ scores generally demonstrated a conceptually expected pattern of associations with criterion variables, supporting their construct validity. Scores related to negative emotionality were particularly salient predictors of a range of POST-10 suitability ratings. Scales assessing aspects of positive emotionality, impulsivity, as well as absorption, emerged as the best predictors of posthire performance problems.
Enzyme activity and reserve mobilization during Macaw palm ( Acrocomia aculeata ) seed germination

Reserve mobilization in seeds occurs after visible germination, which is marked by the protrusion of the radicle or cotyledonary petiole, as in species of Arecaceae. Acrocomia aculeata (macaw palm), usually produces hard seeds whose endosperm has mannan-rich cell walls. We investigated the composition of storage compounds in macaw palm seed and the roles of two enzymes (endo-β-mannanase, α-galactosidase) during and after germination. The seeds were firstly submitted to pre-established protocol to overcome dormancy and promote germination. Enzyme activity in both embryo and endosperm were assayed from the initiation of germinative activities until leaf sheath appearance, and the status of seed structures and reserve compounds were evaluated. Protein content of the embryo decreased with the initiation of imbibition while the lipid content began decreasing six days after removal of the operculum. Increases in enzyme activity and starch content were both observed after visible germination. We suggest that endo-β-mannanase and α-galactosidase become active immediately at germination, facilitating haustorium expansion and providing carbohydrates for initial seedling development. Protein is the first storage compound mobilized during early imbibition, and the observed increase in the starch content of the haustorium was related to lipid degradation in that organ and mannan degradation in the adjacent endosperm.
On the growth of Kronecker coefficients (extended abstract)

We present a new stability phenomenon for Kronecker coefficients, that we call hook stability: the Kronecker coefficients stabilize if we add cells to the first row and first column of each of the indexing partitions, simultaneously. We also show that when we increase the sizes of the first two rows of their three indexing partitions, in some appropriate way, the Kronecker coefficients grow linearly, and we are able to give asymptotic estimates.
Meditators non-contact effect on cucumbers

We clearly show the existence of an example of non-contact effect in which the “presence” of a meditator affects bio-samples without physical contact. This is the first report in the world to show this type of effect by scientific measurements. We used edible cucumber slices as bio-sensors and measured the concentrations of gas emitted from the slices by a technique developed by our group. The concentrations of gas emitted from cucumber slices were measured for a total of 672 sample petri dishes; each dish contained four cucumber slices so that a statistically meaningful comparison could be made. We found a statistically significant difference (p=3.13×10-10, t-test, two-tails) in the concentrations of emitted gas between the “presence” and the “absence” of the meditator. Our experimental results clearly indicated that there was a scientifically measurable effect on biological objects with which the meditator had no direct physical contact. Key words: Non-contact effect, meditator, bio-sensor, cucumber, gas.
Road Traffic Noise Exposure and Depression/Anxiety: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Unlike other World Health Organization evidence reviews, the systematic review on mental disorders could not provide a quantitative estimate of the effect of environmental noise. With that in mind, we aimed to update it with additional studies published through to 18 August 2019 in order to allow for a formal meta-analysis of the association of residential road traffic noise with anxiety and depression. The quality effects and random effects estimators were used for meta-analysis and the robustness of findings was tested in several sensitivity analyses. Ten studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, from which we extracted 15 estimates for depression (n = 1,201,168) and five for anxiety (n = 372,079). Almost all studies were cross-sectional and the risk of bias in them was generally high. We found 4% (95% CI: −3%, 11%) higher odds of depression and 12% (95% CI: −4%, 30%) of anxiety associated with a 10 dB(A) increase in day–evening–night noise level (Lden). Both models suffered from moderate heterogeneity (55% and 54%), but there was evidence of publication bias only in the depression model. These findings were robust with no evidence of study-level moderators. A sensitivity analysis on an alternative set of categorically-reported estimates supported a linear relationship between Lden and depression. Taking into account an overall quality assessment for the included studies, we conclude that there is evidence of “very low” quality that increasing exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with depression and anxiety.
Incubator Temperature and Oxygen Concentrations During the Plateau Stage in Oxygen Uptake Affect Turkey Embryo Plasma T4 and T3 Concentrations

Avian embryo thyroid responses to incubator temperature and oxygen concentrations during the plateau stage in oxygen consumption were measured. It was hypothesized that turkey embryo thyroid responds in a limited way at this critical time to environmental conditions to modulate basal metabolism. Turkey embryos were exposed to one of four incubator temperatures (36, 37, 38 or 39 C) beginning on the o 25 day of incubation at the onset of the plateau, a time when plasma thyroxine (T ) and triiodothyronine (T ) th 4 3 concentrations normally increase. Blood was collected and thyroid hormone concentrations were measured at pipping (27 day) and hatching (28 day). Elevated temperatures depressed T and T concentrations and th th 3 4 increased the T to T ratios. In a second experiment four oxygen concentrations (17, 19, 21 or 23% oxygen) 3 4 were provided to the embryos using identical procedures. The 21% treatment significantly reduced T and 3 T at pipping compared to all other treatments, but 23% oxygen increased plasma T and the T to T ratio 4 3 3 4 compared to all other treatments. The 17% oxygen treatment elevated T compared to all other treatments. 3 At hatching, 23% oxygen elevated T and T to T ratios compared to all other treatments. When temperature 3 3 4 and oxygen treatments were applied together in a factorial arrangement, temperature and oxygen affected T and T hormone concentrations independently but did not interact. Therefore, we conclude that 3 4 temperature and oxygen are independent stimuli of the avian embryonic thyroid gland during the plateau stage, and that incubator temperature and oxygen concentrations can modulate development of turke y embryos by changing plasma T and T concentrations. 3 4
First Studies of Two-beam Tuning in the CLIC BDS

Beam tuning in the beam delivery system (BDS) is one of the major challenges for the future linear colliders. Up to now single beam tuning has been performed, both in simulations and experiments at the Accelerator Test Facility (ATF). However, in future linear colliders, due to fast detuning of the final focus optics both beamlines will need to be tuned simultaneously. In this paper a first two-beam tuning study for the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) BDS is presented applying the usual toolbox of beam-based alignment (BBA) and sextupole knobs.
Compressibility of protoamphibole: A high-pressure single-crystal diffraction study of protomangano-ferro-anthophyllite

Abstract The high-pressure behavior of protoamphibole (space group Pnmn) was studied by in situ singlecrystal X-ray diffraction on a sample of protomangano-ferro-anthophyllite with formula (Mn1.39Fe0.59) (Fe3.98Mg1.02)Si8O22(OH)2, from Yokone-Yama, Awano Town, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Unit-cell parameters were collected at various pressures up to 9 GPa, and structural refinements were obtained from data collected at several pressures up to 7 GPa. Fitting the P-V data to a third-order Birch- Murnaghan equation of state (EoS) gives the following parameters: KT0 = 64(1) GPa, K′ = 7.0(4), and V0 = 926.4(4) Å3. Axial moduli are: K0a = 30.7(8) GPa, K′a = 10.8(5), and a0 = 9.430(2) Å; K0b = 109(4) GPa, K′b = 2.7(8), and b0 = 18.364(4) Å; K0c = 94(5), GPa, K′c = 4(1), and c0 = 5.354(2) Å. The corresponding axial compressibilities (10-3 GPa-1) are βa = 10.9(3), βb = 3.1(1), and βc = 3.5(2), and indicate that the HP behavior of protomangano-ferro-anthophyllite is highly anisotropic, the highest compressibility being along [100]. No discontinuous behavior or polymorphic transitions were observed in the pressure range studied. Structural refinements show that M1, M2, and M3 polyhedra have similar compressibilities, owing to their similar composition. M4 (72% Mn, 28% Fe) is a highly distorted site and is slightly softer than the other octahedra. The major movements in the tetrahedral ribbon concern kinking of the double chain, bending along the [100] direction through the empty A site, and tetrahedral rotation, necessary to maintain coherence with the octahedral layer. The kinking angle of O5-O6-O5, which in air is 179.1(2)°, decreases to 174(2)° at 6.9 GPa. The T1-O7-T1 angle changes from 143.8(3)° to 134(5)° at 6.9 GPa, and the tetrahedral rotation α increases from 0.2(2)° to 4(2)°.
Observed Decadal Changes in Downward Wave Coupling between the Stratosphere and Troposphere in the Southern Hemisphere

AbstractDownward wave coupling dominates the intraseasonal dynamical coupling between the stratosphere and troposphere in the Southern Hemisphere. The coupling occurs during late winter and spring when the stratospheric basic state forms a well-defined meridional waveguide, which is bounded above by a reflecting surface. This basic-state configuration is favorable for planetary wave reflection and guides the reflected waves back down to the troposphere, where they impact wave structures. In this study decadal changes in downward wave coupling are analyzed using the Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) dataset.A cross-spectral correlation analysis, applied to geopotential height fields, and a wave geometry diagnostic, applied to zonal-mean zonal wind and temperature data, are used to understand decadal changes in planetary wave propagation. It is found that downward wave 1 coupling from September to December has increased over the last three decades, owing to significant .
Puroindoline Genotype of the U.S. National Institute of Standards & Technology Reference Material 8441, Wheat Hardness

ABSTRACT Grain hardness (kernel texture) is of central importance in the quality and utilization of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain. Two major classes, soft and hard, are delineated in commerce and in the Official U.S. Standards for Grain. However, measures of grain hardness are empirical and require reference materials for instrument standardization. For AACC Approved Methods employing near-infrared reflectance (NIR) and the Single Kernel Characterization System (39-70A and 55-31, respectively), such reference materials were prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Federal Grain Inspection Service. The material was comprised of genetically pure commercial grain lots of five soft and five hard wheat cultivars and was made available through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (SRM 8441, Wheat Hardness). However, since their establishment, the molecular-genetic basis of wheat grain hardness has been shown to result from puroindoline a and b. Consequently, we sought to define the puroindol.
Polymer Reinforced Laterite for Building Materials

This paper focuses on the potential in locally available materials to produce alternative building materials at low cost. Laterite was reinforced with plastic particulates obtained from plastic wastes, and vulcanized rubber to improve flexural and compressive strength respectively. It was found that 20% volume fraction of fine grain plastic particulates mixed with matrix (60% laterite + 20% cement) had a better flexural and compressive strength respectively compared to the other samples of various proportions. In comparison with the traditional building material (river sand), it showed a higher compressive strength and very close flexural strength, hence can be used as alternative building material.