Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial Assay of the Whole Plant Ethanolic Extract of Amaranthus viridis, Aerva sanguinolenta and Cynodon dactylon against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophillus – An in vitro Microbiological Study

Background: Dental caries, a multifactorial, microbial disease of calcified portion of tooth, can be controlled by controlling the microbial factor either by synthetically derived or naturally derived antibacterial components. Aim: Antibacterial assay of three whole plant ethanolic extracts against two cariogenic bacteria to find out a plant extract which could be used as therapeutically effective method of controlling dental caries by controlling its microbial factor. Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial activity of 1000 µg/ml, 750 µg/ml, 500 µg/ml and 250 µg /ml concentration of Amaranthus viridis (A1), Aerva sanguinolanta (A2), Cynodon dac-tylon (A3) ethanolic whole plant extracts were measured by agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution method against Streptococcus mutans , and Lactobacillus acidophilus , 5% DMSO (negative control) and 30% Vancomycin (positive control). Result: The 1000 µg/ml (100%), ethanolic extracts of (A2) showed greatest inhibition zone (mean-11.860 mm) against Streptococcus mutans and (mean= 9.730 mm) against Lactobacillus acidophillus which were more than negative control but less than positive control. (A2) exhibited the lowest MIC of 0.02050 µg/ml and 0.02050 µg/ml against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophillus respectively. Conclusion: Aerva sanguinolenta whole plant ethanolic extract can be used to inhibit growth of cariogenic bacteria, thereby can be used for controlling microbial factor of dental caries in human being.
Antimicrobial Materials via Thiol-ene Chemistry

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iv DEDICATION . v LIST OF TABLES . xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . xiii LIST OF SCHEMES. xviii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xix CHAPTER I – ESSENTIAL OILS AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS: CHALLENGES AND DESIGN STRATEGIES . 1 1.1 Antimicrobial Resistance . 1 1.2 Essential oils as antimicrobials . 1 1.3 Essential oil challenges . 2 1.4 Encapsulation and release of phytochemicals via the “polyactive” approach. 3 1.5 Our approach . 4 CHAPTER II UTILIZATION OF THIOL-ENE CHEMISTRY IN DRUG DELIVERY APPLICATIONS . 5 2.1 Thiol-ene “click” coupling/polymerization reactions . 5 2.1.1 Radical-mediated thiol-ene photopolymerization . 5 2.1.2 Base and nucleophile-catalyzed thiol-ene polymerization . 7
Stress Echocardiography Protocol for Deciding Type of Surgery in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Predictors of Mitral Regurgitation Recurrence following CABG Alone

Purpose: Although coronary artery bypass grafting alone (CABGa), or, with mitral annuloplasty (CABGmp), is considered the best therapeutic strategy for patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), some recurrences are still reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the mitral deformation indices (MDI) as a predictor of recurrence of mitral regurgitation in a 12-month follow-up after CABG alone. Methods: A total of 145 patients after myocardial infarction with significant IMR, eligible for CABG, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Mitral valve morphology, left ventricle function, IMR degree as assessed by effective regurgitation orifice area (ERO), myocardial viability, and MDI were assessed prior to surgery. Patients were referred for CABGa (gr.1; n = 90) or CABGmp (gr.2; n = 55) based on clinical assessment, and the results of rest and stress echocardiography (exercise echocardiography and low dose dobutamine echocardiography-DBX). One year after surgery, each patient underwent the evaluation of cardiovascular events. Univariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors of recurrence of IMR in 1 year follow-up. Serial echo examinations were performed in all patients at discharge, and at 1 and 12 months after surgery. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that in CABGa, group preoperative changes of tenting area (TA) and coaptation high (CH) during DBX remained the predictors of the recurrence of IMR in 12 months follow-up. TAdbx > 1 cm2 provided a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 29%, (AUC 0.6436). The best cut-off value for CHdbx was 0.4 cm (sensitivity 90%, specificity 34%; AUC 0.6432). In both groups (CABGa vs. CABGmp) no significant differences were observed in 12-month mortality (1.2% vs. 0%; p = 1.0), hospitalizations due to the heart failure (HF) exacerbation (5.9% vs. 8.5%; p = 0.72), and in the incidence of the composite endpoint (deaths/CV hosp/stroke) (7% vs. 8.5%; p = 0.742). Conclusions: The preoperative assessment of MDI changes during dbx can be used to identify patients with IMR qualified to CABG alone at increased risk of recurrence of IMR in 1 year follow-up. Mitral deformation analysis should be used for a better qualification of patients with IMR to the exact surgical approach.
Reactive Particles for Efficient Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen is very important and useful for chemical products, ammonia production, and as a transportation fuel. Future production will need to be done renewably and carbon-free to avoid further damage from climate change. Production of hydrogen directly from solar energy has the potential to be highly efficient. Some metal oxides can be thermally reduced in one reaction and then re-oxidized with steam to produce hydrogen in a two-step reduction/oxidation cycle. A comprehensive solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency model is developed for two-step solar thermochemical redox water splitting. Two redox materials are considered and compared in order to assess the impact of the rate of oxidation and the hydrogen productivity per cycle on STH efficiency. Near-isothermal redox processing is beneficial for materials with slower kinetics, especially with moderate to high gas heat recuperation. Gas heat recuperation is critical for high efficiency cycles, especially at conditions that lead to high steam and inert gas flowrates. Three methods for achieving low oxygen partial pressures for reduction are compared, and the effect of vacuum pump efficiency and inert gas/oxygen separation efficiency are quantified. Currently available vacuum pump technologies have very low thermodynamic efficiencies at low pressures and are unlikely to provide efficient hydrogen production relative to other oxygen partial pressure lowering technologies. A novel recycled inert gas sweep with high temperature separation is proposed and STH efficiency values are shown to vary significantly epending on the inert gas flowrate required. A high separation temperature for the recycled inert gas is beneficial, especially for cases of lower gas heat recuperation and increased inert gas flowrates. Particles are an important aspect of many proposed solar thermochemical water splitting reactor concepts. These particles must maintain physical integrity and chemical performance at very high temperatures while moving around a system, which has the potential for highly efficiency continuous operation. Spray drying is used to produce iron aluminate (hercynite) particles using a pH-modified charge-stabilized sol. Nanoparticle suspensions are mixed and the pH is modified in order to induce partial flocculation. This procedure gives larger particles that are more spherical and structurally robust. Manganese oxide-based mixed metal oxide particles have been designed and tested for thermochemical energy storage. Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , and ZrO 2 are tested in Mn 2 O 3 -based spray-dried particles, and results are compared with thermodynamic predictions. A mixture of 2:1 Fe 2 O 3 :Mn 2 O 3 formed iron manganese oxide spinel (FeMn 2 O 4 ) on calcination, and demonstrated the highest thermochemical activity despite particle agglomeration and deformation. Conversely, zirconia was an inert support that does not react with manganese oxide. Differences…
Amino acid composition and proximate analysis in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) fish from dams and rivers in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Twelve pieces of Tilapia mossambicus fish samples of 28 cm average length and 52 g average weight, two from each of the six sampling locations were analyzed for Amino Acid composition using Applied Biosystems PTH Amino Acid Analyzer as described by standard methods. A proximate analysis of the fish samples was also carried out. Result showed that Glutamic acid and Aspartic acid are the most concentrated amino acid present in the fish which ranged between 11.96 to 15.14 g/100g protein and 7.69 to 9.42 g/100g protein respectively. The essential amino acid and protein composition of the fish were higher in the dams than in the rivers. The composition of the amino acid analyzed were within standard regulatory agency limits. For the proximate composition, moisture content varied between 71.05% - 77.71% while ash composition was 10.20%. The crude fat composition ranged between 8.59 – 11.67% during the dry season. The values obtained for the proximate composition where within the reported ranges with higher percentage in the case of ash. The concentration of the proximate components in the fish samples are within the reference value of FAO/WHO for Humans. Special attention is needed in monitoring gold mining activities which largely contribute to the reduction and pollution of the nutritional qualities of the fishes from the rivers. Keywords: amino acid, proximate composition, tilapia fish, water bodies
Clinical evaluation of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis in tibial and metatarsal fracture repair in goats

In this study Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique using Locking Compression Plates (LCP) was employed in the stabilization of 2 tibial and 4 metatarsal fractures in goats. Immediate postoperative radiographs revealed good alignment and apposition of the fracture fragments in all the goats. All the goats showed partial weight bearing from the 1st post-operative day. Full weight bearing was observed between 7 to 30 post-operative days with a mean of 13.6 ±4.11 days. Postoperative radiographs on 60day revealed complete radiological union in five out of six goats. The MIPO techniue using LCPs in tibial and metatarsal fracture repair, showed remarkable improvement with normal limb function and maintaining good implant stability throughout the treatment period without any
Volatile Constituents, Radical Scavenging and Cytotoxic Activities of Mexican allspice (Pimenta dioica L. Merrill) Berries Essential Oil

Abstract In this study, the chemical composition, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Mexican allspice (Pimenta dioica) berries essential oil were evaluated. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and its components were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. Twenty eight compounds representing 99.69% of the total oil were characterized. The antioxidant activities of the Mexican allspice essential oil were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of allspice essential oil was tested on breast (MCF-7), hepatocellular (HepG-2), colon (HCT-116), prostate (PC-3) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. The essential oil displayed cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines, with IC50 (half-maximal effective concentration) values in the range of 3.9 ± 0.15 to 14.8 ± 0.15 μg/mL.
Socioeconomic acceptance of aquaculture measured through structural equations modeling. Are there discrepancies between men and women in Spain?

Abstract At present, aquaculture is still subject to social debate. This paper analyzes its social acceptance compared to traditional fishing, mainly by applying the structural equations methodology. This technique has been widely used in recent times in social sciences but is minor in this field. We propose a model in which we break down its acceptance in two dimensions: Product and company. We also try to see if there are differences in the perception of men and women. To this end, we have carried out 803 personal surveys in several Spanish coastal provinces. Among the results, we can highlight the good level of acceptance of its products, positively influencing their companies' perception. We can recommend the development of synergies between the different agents involved to improve their acceptance. By gender, general acceptance is higher in men than in women; however, we have not detected significant differences in both groups' perceptions when analyzed using structural equations.
Conservative Vs operative management of displaced midshaft clavicle fracture: A comparative study

Background: Clavicle fracture is one of the common fractures accounting for 2.6-12% of all fractures and 44-66% of shoulder fractures. Mid-clavicle fractures account for almost 80% of clavicle fractures. Most of the these fractures were treated conservatively in past but recently there has been an increasing tendency for operative management. Though many studies have been conducted to assess the benefit of primary surgical management against conservative management, no consistent results have been obtained to show which one is better. So, this study was carried out to compare the radiological and functional outcome following conservative management to that of operative management with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plating for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. Methods: In a single centre, prospective clinical trial, 60 patients with displaced midshaft fracture of the clavicle were systematically randomized (alternate patient) into either operative treatment with plate fixation or non-operative treatment with clavicle brace and arm sling. Outcome was analysed in terms of functional outcome and radiological union by standard follow-up, Constant and Murley shoulder score and plain radiographs. All sixty patients completed six month follow up and there was no difference between two groups with respect to patient demographics, mechanism of injury and fracture pattern. Result: There was no significant difference in Constant shoulder score between the two groups. The mean time of union was 14.57 weeks in operative group compared to 16.04 weeks in nonoperative group (p value=0.191). There were two non-union in nonoperative group compared to none in operative group. The complications in operative group were mainly hardware related (four had loosening of screw, two had implant failure and one had infection). At six months after surgery patient were more likely to be satisfied with the results in operative group compared to nonoperative group (p=0.02). Conclusion: Six months after a displaced midshaft clavicular fracture, nonoperative treatment resulted in higher malunion and non-union rate but similar functional outcome and union time compared to operative management. However, patients were more likely to be satisfied in operative group compared to nonoperative group.
Two-dimensional plasma-wave interaction in an helicon plasma thruster with magnetic nozzle

An axisymmetric, finite difference frequency domain model is used to study the wave propagation and power absorption in a helicon plasma thruster operating inside a laboratory vacuum chamber. The magnetic field is not purely axial and the plasma beam is cylindrical in the source and divergent in the magnetic nozzle. The influence of the magnetic field strength, plasma density, electron collision frequency and geometry on the wavefields and the power absorption maps is investigated, showing different power deposition patterns. The electromagnetic radiation is not confined to the source region but propagates into the nozzle divergent region, and indeed the power absorption there is not negligible. For the impedance at the antenna, the reactance is rather constant but the resistance is very dependent on operation parameters; optimal parameter values maximizing the resistance are found.
Clinico-pathological characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis in Jordanian children

Introduction Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder manifested by symptoms of impaired esophageal function and hypereosinophilic esophageal inflammation. It is believed that the number of patients being diagnosed globally is increasing. Aim To describe the frequency and clinicopathological features of EoE in Jordanian children. Material and methods A retrospective review of all paediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis diagnosed and followed up at our paediatric gastroenterology service at King Abdullah University Hospital between January 2015 and January 2020. Results During the study period, 21 patients were diagnosed with EoE out of 700 diagnostic endoscopic procedures. Only 1 (4.8%) female was diagnosed. The average age at presentation was 9.5 years (age range: 1–16 years). The most common manifestation was solid food dysphagia (15, 71.4%), followed by food impaction and vomiting (11, 52.4% and 6, 28.6%, respectively). Atopy was diagnosed in 10 (47.6%) patients. Four (19.0%) had food allergy, 3 (14.3%) had respiratory allergy, and 3 (14.3%) had combined. Linear furrows and circular rings were the most common endoscopic features – 17 (81.0%) and 10 (47.6%), respectively, while papillary elongation, basal zone hyperplasia, and eosinophilic infiltrate were the most common reported histopathological features. Almost all patients received proton pump inhibitors (19, 90.5%). Steroids were used in 18 (85.7%) patients; local steroids in 11 (52.4%), and oral steroids in 7 (33.3%). Out of the 4 (19%) patients with esophageal strictures, 2 (9.5%) required pneumatic dilatation. Conclusions Eosinophilic esophagitis is not uncommon in our community. Clinical and histological parameters point to delayed referral and diagnosis. Increasing awareness of this problem will lead to early diagnosis and will decrease complications.
Retrospective diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with Long COVID by measuring specific T cell mediated IL-2 release.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines define Long COVID as signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, that continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. Long COVID is as yet poorly understood and difficult to diagnose. The diagnostic complexity of Long COVID is compounded in many patients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 but not tested at acute presentation and are antibody negative. Given the diagnostic conundrum of Long COVID, we set out to design a SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell assay, to follow up a cohort of undifferentiated mostly non-hospitalised patients with Long COVID for up to 13 months. Here, we show that IL-2 release from SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells shows >75% sensitivity and >88% specificity in identifying individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection >6 months after a positive PCR test.
Evaluation of the Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Sensory Qualities of Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Smoked with Fruit Peels and Rice Husk Residues in Benin

ABSTRACT Smoked fish quality depends on the fuel used for smoking. This study aimed to improve smoked fish quality using fruit peels, rice husks, and palm kernel charcoal (PCH) as fuels. Thirty fish (15 Atlantic mackerel and 15 horse mackerel) were smoked traditionally, while 75 horse mackerel and 75 Atlantic mackerel were smoked with experimental fuels. Physico-chemical characteristics and sensory quality of the smoked fish were assessed. The highest weight loss after smoking was found for the fish smoked with pineapple skin (32.79%), peanut shells (30.06%), and orange peel (29.84). The skin color of the fish smoked with rice husks was less white, redder, and more yellowish than the other fish. Those smoked traditionally had darker skin. The sensory quality of the fish smoked with rice husks, pineapple skin, and peanut shells was more acceptable. In summary, these fuels can be used to improve the appearance and quality of smoked products.
Piezoelectric Sensor for the Monitoring of Arterial Pulse Wave: Detection of Arrhythmia Occurring in PAC/PVC Patients

Previous studies have found that the non-invasive blood pressure measurement method based on the oscillometric method is inaccurate when an arrhythmia occurs. Therefore, we propose a high-sensitivity pulse sensor that can measure the hemodynamic characteristics of the pulse wave and then estimate the blood pressure. When an arrhythmia occurs, the hemodynamics of the pulse wave are abnormal and change the morphology of the pulse wave. Our proposed sensor can measure the occurrence of ectopic beats from the radial artery, and the detection algorithm can reduce the error of blood pressure estimation caused by the distortion of ectopic beats that occurs when the pulse wave is measured. In this study, we tested patients with premature atrial contraction (PAC) or premature ventricular contraction (PVC) and analyzed the morphology of the pulse waves when the sensor detected the ectopic beats. We discuss the advantages of using the Moens–Korteweg equation to estimate the blood pressure of patients with arrhythmia, which is different from the oscillometric method. Our research provides a possible arrhythmia detection method for wearable devices and can accurately estimate blood pressure in a non-invasive way during an arrhythmia.
STUDYING LONG TERM LI-ION ELECTROLYTE DEGREDATION USING LITHIUM ION DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL ANALYSIS

xii List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used . xiii Acknowledgements . xv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Experimental Techniques . 4 2.1 Li-ion Differential Thermal Analysis . 4 2.1. 1 Theoretical Background . 4 2.1. 2 Description of Apparatus . 10 2.1. 3 Measurement Protocol. 13 2.1. 4 Positive Peak Behaviour. 16 2.1. 5 Curve Interpretation . 20 2.1. 6 Measurement Sensitivity . 22 2.1. 7 Replicability . 25 2.2 Other Experimental Techniques . 26
Bioactivities of organic riceberry broken rice and crude riceberry rice oil

Objectives: Riceberry broken rice (RBR) and crude riceberry rice oil (CRO) are inevitable by-products generated from organic rice process in Thailand for several tons per year with low value. The aims of this work were to determine gamma-oryzanol content, fatty acid content, antioxidant activity and tyrosinase-stimulating activities of the extract from RBR and CRO by-products. Materials and Methods: Different organic solvents were used to extract bioactives from RBR and ethanol was used for CRO. Extracts were analysed for gamma-oryzanol content by HPLC and fatty acid content by GC-MS. Their bioactivities were tested using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS assays and tyrosinase-stimulating activities. Results: Gamma-oryzanol content in ethanolic CRO (234 mg/100 g) extract was much higher than that in aqueous RBR extract (52.5 mg/100 g). The four isomers of gamma-oryzanol including 24-methylene campesteryl ferulate (51.3%) > campesteryl ferulate (26.0%) > cycloartanyl ferulate (13.1%) > β-sitosteryl ferulate (9.6%) were found in CRO as well as RBR however in lesser content. Seven fatty acids in the descending order 41% oleic acid > 30% linoleic acid > 19% hexadecanoic acid > 8% 10-octadecenoic acid > 1% 9-octadecenoic acid > 0.6% pentadecanoic acid > 0.4% stearic acid were found in CRO and similarly in RBR. Interestingly, aqueous RBR extract and ethanolic CRO exhibited 45% and 26% tyrosinase-stimulating activity, respectively. Moreover, RBR extract also exhibited antioxidant activities at 6.36 mg TEAC/g (DPPH), 1.33 mg FeSO 4 /g (FRAP), 5.82 mg TEAC/g (ABTS) with total phenolic compound of 9.94 mg GAE /g and total flavonoid content of 67.2 mg CE/g. Conclusion: These bioactive compounds and bioactivities in CRO and RBR have a potential to promote hair growth and hair melanogenesis and thus proved useful as cosmetic ingredients in hair product development.