Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kinetics, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Studies of the Adsorption of Reactive Red 239 Dye from Aqueous Solution by Chitosan 8B

The adsorption of reactive red 239 (RR239) dye onto chitosan 8B was studied in aqueous solution at various pHs, initial dye concentrations, ionic strengths and temperatures, respectively. The adsorption of dye onto chitosan 8B was confirmed by diffuse reflectance electronic absorption spectra. The adsorption of RR239 onto chitosan 8B was greatly influenced by solution pHs, initial dye concentrations, ionic strengths and temperatures. The kinetics and mechanism of dye adsorption process were analyzed by pseudo first-, second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models. The adsorption kinetics of RR239 dye followed a pseudo second-order model very well. The surface sorption and intraparticle diffusion mechanisms were involved in the actual sorption process. The equilibrium isotherm data were fitted well with the Langmuir model rather than the Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. The maximum dye adsorption onto chitosan 8B was estimated to be 163.93 μmol/g at 45°C. The activation energy (Ea) was obtained to be 23.30 kJ/mol. The computed thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG, ΔH, ΔS, ΔG, ΔH and ΔS confirmed that the adsorption of RR239 dye onto chitosan 8B was a spontaneous endothermic physisorption process. Desorption test was carried out in NaOH solution (pH 12.5) and the chitosan flakes could be reused.
Overconfidence Behavior and Disposition Effect of Investors in Taiwan Stock Market: Another Features to Visit

This research specifically incorporates the impact of the disposition effect of trading volume into the model construction to more accurately verify the overconfidence behavior of investors in the Taiwan stock market. Based on the theoretical framework and related literature of overconfidence and disposition behavior, we propose the hypothesis to be test and further uses Taiwan stock price index with a turnover rate and return rate after removing the weekly effect for about ten-year data, and construct a tri-variate VAR-GARCH model to examine the investor overconfidence behavior and disposition effect of Taiwan stock market. The empirical results indicate that investors in the Taiwan stock market do have a tendency to overconfidence and are easily affected by the market environment. According to the risk of market capitalization, overconfident investors are not necessarily inclined to hold higher risk stocks. In addition to overconfidence behavior, investors in the Taiwan stock market also have a significant disposition effect, indicating that investors cannot rationally judge the timing of selling or purchasing their stocks. By recognizing this relationship and analyzing the biased trends from overconfidence and disposition effect in trading volumes and returns, such knowledge can help the investors/practitioners to develop strategies and take appropriate measures.
Comparison between Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and Sodium Nitrate Flotation Microscopy in Diagnosing Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections

There is evolving interest in alternate microscopy techniques and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to evaluate soil-transmitted helminth (STH) burden. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of 540 schoolchildren across six primary schools in three municipalities of Timor-Leste, we compared the performance of microscopy using sodium nitrate flotation (SNF) and qPCR in determining STH prevalence and infection intensity. Prevalence by qPCR was higher than SNF for Ascaris lumbricoides (17.5% versus 11.2%), hookworm (8.3% versus 1.2%), and Trichuris trichiura (4.7% versus 1.6%). Agreement between SNF and qPCR was fair for hookworm (κ = 0.21) and moderate for A. lumbricoides (κ = 0.59) and T. trichiura (κ = 0.44). Nearly all infections were light intensity by SNF, whereas qPCR identified 36.1% as moderate or heavy infections using cycle threshold to eggs per gram conversion formulas. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction is a promising diagnostic technique, though further studies validating infection intensity correlates are required.
Anticancer activity of Salvia officinalis essential oil and its principal constituents against hormone-dependent tumour cells

Objective: To investigate the in vitro antiproliferative action of essential oil from Salvia officinalis L. (S. officinalis) grown in Sicily (Italy), and its main components on hormone-dependent cancer cell lines. Methods: S. officinalis essential oil was prepared by hydrodistillation. The actions of the S. officinalis essential oil and its three principal components ( α -thujone, 1,8-cineole and camphor) were evaluated in LNCaP cells (prostate carcinoma), MCF7 cells (breast carcinoma) and HeLa cells (cervical carcinoma) at various dosages and diverse time points. Cell viability and proliferation were estimated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Results: S. officinalis essential oil at doses of 100 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL induced a significant reduction of cell viability in MCF7, LNCaP and HeLa cell lines after a 48-hour incubation. The same cell lines also showed decreased cell viability when they were treated with a mixture of three major components of the essential oil, at doses of 100 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL, after a 48-hour incubation. Conclusions: These preliminary results could shed light on the formulation of new therapeutic agents with antiproliferative activity. Thus supplementary investigations are fundamental to examine the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer effects of this species of Salvia in cancer cells and to achieve confirmation of its in vivo anticancer activity.
Molecular and morphological characterisation of Diplostomum phoxini (Faust, 1918) with a revised classification and an updated nomenclature of the species-level lineages of Diplostomum (Digenea: Diplostomidae) sequenced worldwide

Abstract Abstract We characterised morphologically and molecularly Diplostomum phoxini (Faust, 1918) based on cercarial isolates from the snail Ampullaceana balthica (L.) (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) and metacercariae from the Eurasian minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.) (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae), and provided molecular evidence for the identification of the snail intermediate host. Phylogenetic analyses based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene depicted 44 molecularly characterised species and genetically distinct lineages of Diplostomum, and resulted in: (i) a re-identification/re-classification of 98 isolates plus D. baeri sampled in North America; (ii) re-definition of the composition of the D. baeri species complex which now includes nine molecularly characterised species/lineages; (iii) re-definition of the composition of the D. mergi species complex which now includes seven molecularly characterised species/lineages; and (iv) an updated nomenclature for the molecularly characterised species-level lineages of Diplostomum.
THE PREBIOTIC INULIN BENEFICIALLY MODULATES THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS BY ENHANCING METABOLISM IN AN APOE4 MOUSE MODEL

OF DISSERTATION THE PREBIOTIC INULIN BENEFICIALLY MODULATES THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS BY ENHANCING METABOLISM IN AN APOE4 MOUSE MODEL Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and a growing disease burden that has seen pharmacological interventions primarily fail. Instead, it has been suggested that preventative measures such as a healthy diet may be the best way in preventing AD. Prebiotics are one such potential measure and are fermented into metabolites by the gut microbiota and acting as gut-brain axis components, beneficially impact the brain. However, the impact of prebiotics in AD prevention is unknown. Here we show that the prebiotic inulin increased multiple gut-brain axis components such as scyllo-inositol and short chain fatty acids in the gut, periphery, and in the case of scyllo-inositol, the brain. We found in E3FAD and E4FAD mice fed either a prebiotic or control diet for 4months, that the consumption of the prebiotic inulin can beneficially alter the gut microbiota, modulate metabolic function, and dramatically increase scyllo-inositol in the brain. This suggests that the consumption of prebiotics can beneficially impact the brain by enhancing metabolism, helping to decrease AD risk factors.
Do High School Students With a Same-Race Teacher Attend Class More Often?

Teachers of color increase school success for students of color. Yet, little attention has been paid to whether school attendance behaviors also increase from same race and ethnicity matches. To address this, our study used administrative data provided by a California high school district for the school years 2014 to 2018. We explored student absenteeism at the date and class period levels. Using this rich, longitudinal data set, we employed grade, school, class period, student, and date fixed effects models to examine the association between student–teacher matches and student absenteeism. Student–teacher race and ethnicity matches were associated with fewer unexcused absences for Latinx students. The results also indicate that associations were strongest for Latinx students in 11th and 12th grades—the age group in K–12 that has the most individual agency when it comes to getting to school. Furthermore, we found no evidence of declines in excused absences, which reflect health.
MiR-552-3p promotes malignant progression of gallbladder carcinoma by reactivating the Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway due to inhibition of the tumor suppressor gene RGMA

Background Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remains a highly lethal disease worldwide. MiR-552 family members promote the malignant progression of a variety of digestive system tumors, but the role of miR-552-3p in GBC has not been elucidated. miR-552-3p was predicted to target the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of the mRNA for the tumor suppressor gene “repulsive guidance molecule BMP co-receptor a” (RGMA). The aim of the present study was to clarify the roles and mechanisms of miR-552-3p targeting RGMA in the malignant progression of GBC. Methods In vitro: expression of miR-552-3p was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) in tumor and non-tumor adjacent tissues (NATs). Lentivirus-miR-552-3p was employed to knockdown this miRNA in GBC cell lines. Stem cell-related transcription factors and markers were assessed by qRT-PCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), sphere formation and transwell assays were used to determine the malignant phenotypes of GBC cells. Targeting the 3'UTR of RGMA by miR-552-3p was verified by integrated analysis including bioinformatics prediction, luciferase assays, measures of changes of gene expression and rescue experiments. In vivo: mouse models of subcutaneous tumors and lung metastases were established to observe the effect of miR-552-3p on tumorigenesis and organ metastasis, respectively. Results MiR-552-3p was abnormally highly expressed in GBC tissues and cancer stem cells. Interference with miR-552-3p in SGC-996 and GBC-SD cells significantly inhibited GBC stem cell expansion. Reciprocally, miR-552-3p promoted GBC cell proliferation, migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo; hence, interference with this miRNA impeded the malignant progression of GBC. Furthermore, the important tumor suppressor gene RGMA was identified as a target of miR-552-3p. The effects of miR-552-3p on cell proliferation and metastasis were abrogated or enhanced by gain or loss of RGMA function, respectively. Mechanistically, miR-552-3p promoted GBC progression by reactivating the Akt/β-catenin pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT). Clinically, miR-552-3p correlated with multi-malignant characteristics of GBC and acted as a prognostic marker for GBC outcome. Conclusions MiR-552-3p promotes the malignant progression of GBC by inhibiting the mRNA of the tumor suppressor gene RGMA, resulting in reactivation of the Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Content-based fake news classification through modified voting ensemble

ABSTRACT Credibility is a crucial element for journalism. As fake news impacts credibility, it affects the general public, policymakers, decision-makers, and the journalistic environment. However, current research on fake news using content-based approaches focuses majorly on one or two dimensions of stylometrics, semantic and linguistic processes, but not on these three simultaneously. Considering that content-based detection of fake news would benefit from a multidimensional approach because of their inherent characteristics, we proposed a method that uses all of these dimensions to improve classification accuracy, using a voting ensemble designed in an ensemble classifier form. The results show that the multidimensional voting classifier has produced more accurate results than its peers while being more sensitive to distinguish between true and false news when using randomized data.
Investigating Blockchain Technology Effects on Online Platforms Transactions: Do Risk Aversion and Technophilia Matter?

Abstract Despite its immense potential for industries and services as a promising solution for trust and transparency problems, Blockchain related studies in the field of Marketing are rare. This research mobilizes the technology acceptance Model (TAM) theory to investigate the added value of blockchain technology to online platforms while taking into consideration consumers characteristics. Data from 212 users of online platforms endowed with blockchain technology were collected. Findings demonstrate that blockchain features in terms of security and privacy enhance the perceived usefulness and the perceived ease of use of the online platform, leading to stronger trust and more actual transactions. In addition, results demonstrate that risk aversion weakens only the relationship between usefulness and trust. It has indeed no significant effect on the impact of ease of use on trust. Results also show that technophilia fosters the relationship between intents and actual transactions. The research provides heuristic implications for academia and industry.
Spatial Concentration of Carbon Components in Indoor PM2.5 of School Classrooms in a Large City of Korea

On increasing the importance of indoor air quality in urban schools of Korea, a comprehensive investigation of PM2.5 was carried out focusing on carbon contents. According to the analysis results, PM2.5 of the classrooms distributed 14.5 μg/m3 to 40.2 μg/m3, which was lower than National Guidelines (35 μg/m3 for 24 h average), and it contained 45.4 ± 10.9% of carbonaceous matters including organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC). Carbons were proportionally correlated with externally occurring ion species, but OC was found more inside (9.5 μg/m3) than outside (5.9 μg/m3). This indicates that school children are exposed to a variety of polymeric chemicals in the classroom. The current data obtained in this study can be used to inform the establishment of a national school air quality management policy.
Synthesis, Characterization and Modification of Novel Food Packaging Material from Dimethyl acrylamide/Gelatin and Purple Cabbage Extract

A novel and functional Multi-Responsive Hydrogel (MRH) was synthesized form N, N dimethyl acrylamide (DMAAm), gelatin, citric acid (CA) and purple cabbage extract (PCE) to be utilized as smart food packaging material. The MRH, which was p(Gelatin-co-DMAAm)/CA-PCE, was synthesized through redox polymerization technique as film form in petri dishes. Mechanical and water resistances of the MRH was improved by addition of citric acid and N, N, methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as cross linker. PCE was added to the reaction mixture to obtain antimicrobial, antioxidant and anthocyanin properties. Dynamic and Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used for the characterizations. FT-IR revealed the existence of bonding between the functional group of PCE and Gelatin, carbonyl groups of DMAAm and carboxylic acid groups of CA. TGA result represented that MRH was stable up to 527 ° C. SEM results were proved that PCE improved the thermal stability, flexibility and durability as well as pH sensibility of the MRH. Antimicrobial activity of MRH was observed when it tested against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538). Additionally, total antioxidant and anthocyanin activities of MRH were studied at different pH values for monitoring the color change. Furthermore, MRH was applied to the real samples such as whole pasteurized milk and chicken. It exhibited good color indication and antimicrobial activity on pasteurized whole milk and chicken. It was concluded that MRH was a significant candidate to be used in food packaging.
The Use of Calcium Lactate to Enhance the Durability and Engineering Properties of Bioconcrete

This study investigated the optimization of the bioconcrete engineering properties and durability as a response of the calcium lactate (CL) content (0.22–2.18 g/L) and curing duration (7–28 days) using the response surface methodology (RSM). Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was conducted to evaluate the microstructure of calcium precipitated inside the bioconcrete. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for the engineering properties of concrete and durability were determined at 2.18 g/L of CL content after 23.4 days. The actual and predicted values of the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and water absorption were 43.51 vs. 43.43, 3.19 vs. 3.19, 6.93 vs. 5.50, and 7.55 vs. 7.55, respectively, with a level of confidence exceeding 95%. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) proved that the amount of calcium increased with the increase in CL content up to 2.81 g/L at 23.4 days, reducing the pores inside the concrete and making it a great potential option for healing of concrete structures.
Disclosure violations: does governance matter?

ABSTRACT Since 2004, the Jordanian Securities Commission (JSC) has been publishing annually a list of firms that violate disclosure requirements; however, despite these publications, the level of violations is continuing to rise. We hypothesize that ownership structure and board features can affect the level of violations of manufacturing and service firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE). The logit regression estimates assume that managerial and foreign ownership limit violation practices, while institutional ownership has no effect. It is also concluded that the characteristics of the board are not significantly related to the level of violations, apart from the audit committee and political connections, which have significant negative and positive impacts respectively.
Short term clinical outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background This study aimed to evaluate short term clinical outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (AHR T) regarding locoregional response (LRR), symptoms relief and acute toxicities in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The radical treatment for inoperable NSCLC is intolerable for some patients. An alternative RT regime should be considered for them. Materials and methods Inoperable NSCLC patients who could not tolerate radical treatment were treated with AHRT (45 Gy in 15 fractions over three weeks) by using the 3-dimensional conformal (RT) technique. The LRR was assessed by chest computed tomography (CT) performed before and 6 weeks after RT. Relief of symptoms such as cough, dyspnoea and chest pain was evaluated during RT and 6 and 12 weeks after RT, compared with the status before RT. Treatment-related acute toxicities such as dysphagia and radiation dermatitis were observed during and 6 and 12 weeks after RT. Results Total 65 patients (seven patients of stage II and fifty-eight patients of stage III) were included. Partial response was seen in 70.8% of patients, and stable disease was seen in 29.2% while there was neither complete response nor progressive disease after RT. Statistically significant associations were found between tumour response vs. pre-treatment tumour size and tumour response vs. performance status of the patients. Satisfactory symptom relief was found after RT, but severe acute dysphagia and radiation dermatitis (more than grade 3) were not observed. Conclusion Satisfactory LRR, symptom relief and acute toxicities were achieved by this regime. Long term studies are recommended to evaluate late toxicities and survival outcome further. Trial registration no TCTR20200110001
Leaf and tuber treatments with PAMPs trigger organ-specific responses in potato

Abstract Organ-specificity of plant defence is an under-represented axis of research in plant biology. However, recent publications point out the importance of this concept in plant–pathogen interactions. Indeed, assuming the resistance status of a whole plant against a given pathogen following studies conducted on a single organ might lead to erroneous conclusions. This study aims at understanding the extent of potato (Solanum tuberosum) organ-specific defence mechanisms after leaf and tuber treatments with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Our results show that potato leaves and tubers activate contrasting defence responses, in terms of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of defence-related genes, following treatments with the Phytophthora PAMP Pep-25 or the bacterial PAMP flg22. Interestingly, flg22 induced ROS production in both leaves and tubers, indicating that this peptide is recognized in these organs. By contrast, ROS production was induced in the leaf but not in the tuber after Pep-25 treatment. Analysis of changes in expression of defence-related genes showed that at least six genes exhibited organ-specific expression patterns. In addition to those early responses, inhibition of potato seedling growth was also found to affect both the aboveground and belowground organs following treatment with Pep-25 and with flg22. Taken together, these experiments will help further the investigation of potato defence against Phytophthora spp.