Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plant Sterol Ester of α-Linolenic Acid Attenuates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Rescuing the Adaption to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Enhancing Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming more common in the world and is presenting a great challenge concerning prevention and treatment. Plant sterol ester of α-linolenic acid (PS-ALA) has a potential benefit to NAFLD. To examine the effect of PS-ALA on NAFLD, C57BL/6J mice were given a control diet, high fat and high cholesterol diet (HFD), and HFD plus 2% PS, 1.3% ALA, or 3.3% PS-ALA for 16 weeks. Our results showed that PS-ALA treatment suppressed hepatic steatosis, ameliorated lipid disorder, attenuated inflammatory response, and inhibited oxidative stress. In the molecular level, PS-ALA downregulated high transcriptional and translational levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (Grp78 and Chop) leading to decreased protein expression of transcription factor and key enzymes involved in de novo lipogenesis (Srebp-1c and Fas) and cholesterol synthesis (Srebp-2 and Hmgcr). In parallel, PS-ALA blocked Nlrp3 activation and reduced release of IL-1β and IL-18 via inhibiting ER stress-induced sensitization of unfolded protein response sensors (Ire1α and Xbp1s). Finally, PS-ALA improved HFD-induced mitochondrial damage and fatty acid accumulation as exhibited by higher protein and mRNA expression of key genes administering mitochondrial biogenesis (Pgc-1α, Nrf1, and Tfam) and fatty acid β-oxidation (Pparα and Cpt1a). In conclusion, our study originally demonstrated that PS-ALA rescued ER stress, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, and thus ameliorated NAFLD.
Calculation of Intervertebral Disc Pressure in the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine in Elderly Women with Kyphosis Using a Novel Musculoskeletal Model with Isolated Thoracic Vertebrae and Rib Cage

Background: Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is one of the causes of kyphosis. Several biomechanical studies have investigated the mechanisms of development of spinal deformity using simulation models. Realistic musculoskeletal models are helpful for investigating the pathophysiology and changes in internal forces in patients with kyphosis. However, the association between intervertebral disc pressure and kyphosis has not been fully elucidated to date. Purpose: To calculate intervertebral disc pressure in elderly women with kyphosis using a novel and precise thoracolumbar three-dimensional musculoskeletal model. Materials and Method: Ten female patients with a mean age of 80.0 ± 6.5 years who visited our hospital for medical examination of osteoporosis were included. The subjects were divided into the normal and kyphosis groups depending on their sagittal vertical axis. Intervertebral disc pressures in the thoracic and lumbar spines of subjects were analyzed by inverse dynamics analysis using a novel three-dimensional musculoskeletal model, and were compared between the groups. Result: Significant differences in lumbar lordosis (LL) were observed between the two groups. Furthermore, the kyphosis group was older and shorter. In the kyphosis group, the upper thoracic vertebrae (T1 - T6) showed significantly higher intervertebral pressure than the normal group. Conclusion: Intervertebral disc pressure in the thoracic and lumbar spines of patients with spinal deformities was evaluated using a novel thoracolumbar three-dimensional musculoskeletal model. Using this novel model with separated thoracic spine and modified muscle path reflecting actual physiological curvature, disc pressure closer to the realistic condition was obtained. Intervertebral disc pressure in the upper thoracic spine in the kyphosis group was significantly increased compared with that in the normal group. Moreover, intervertebral disc pressures in the upper thoracic spine correlated negatively with LL.
A multiphase CMAQ version 5.0 adjoint.

We present the development of a multiphase adjoint for the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, a widely used chemical transport model. The adjoint model provides location- and time-specific gradients that can be used in various applications such as backward sensitivity analysis, source attribution, optimal pollution control, data assimilation, and inverse modeling. The science processes of the CMAQ model include gas-phase chemistry, aerosol dynamics and thermodynamics, cloud chemistry and dynamics, diffusion, and advection. Discrete adjoints are implemented for all the science processes, with an additional continuous adjoint for advection. The development of discrete adjoints is assisted with algorithmic differentiation (AD) tools. Particularly, the Kinetic PreProcessor (KPP) is implemented for gas-phase and aqueous chemistry, and two different automatic differentiation tools are used for other processes such as clouds, aerosols, diffusion, and advection. The continuous adjoint of advection is developed manually. For adjoint validation, the brute-force or finite-difference method (FDM) is implemented process by process with box- or column-model simulations. Due to the inherent limitations of the FDM caused by numerical round-off errors, the complex variable method (CVM) is adopted where necessary. The adjoint model often shows better agreement with the CVM than with the FDM. The adjoints of all science processes compare favorably with the FDM and CVM. In an example application of the full multiphase adjoint model, we provide the first estimates of how emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5) affect public health across the US.
Nutraceutical and Food Preserving Importance of Laetiporus sulphureus

Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Murr. is popularly known as “sulphur polypore” or “chicken of the woods” due to its characteristic sulphur yellow coloured polypore’s and chicken-like taste and texture. This edible wild mushroom has been traditionally consumed as a source of nutrition and folk medicine in Asia and Europe for a long time. The numerous studies have shown that L. sulphureus nutritionally provides various key components such as carbohydrate, essential amino acids and fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Besides, the extracts prepared from fruiting bodies or mycelia of this mushroom have exhibited a number of medicinal properties such as immunomodulation, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihyperglysemic activities because of their biologically active components such as phenolics, triterpenes, and polysaccharides. L. sulphureus is also a suitable candidate to be used as a natural food preserving source.
Optimization of Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate (PHB) Production by an Egyption strain of Rhizobium fabae F44 using Response Surface Methodology

The present work is aimed to isolate, purify, identify a newly isolate Rhizobium fabae from different regions in Egypt then, produce and optimize Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate polymer (PHB) production by the selected isolate Rhizobium fabae F44 using a statistical approach of response surface methodology (RSM). Rhizobium fabae F44 isolate was picked up from Sharkia Governorate in Egypt and then identified by the 16SrRNA gene as Rhizobium fabae. Eleven different variables which affect the production of PHB polymer were screened by Plackett–Burman statistical design approach. Maximization of PHB production was adjusted by the terms of The Face Central Composite Design (FCCD) of RSM and assessed at three coded levels (–1, 0, +1). One way Anova was used to statistically analyze all obtained results in relation to post hoc multiple comparison analysis performed by Tukey’s HSD. Appulses of nutritional and physical factors (two carbon sources, two nitrogen sources, mineral salts, pH, temperature, incubation time, inoculum size and agitation rate) were studied using Plackett-Burman design method. 58 isolates were obtained from the different 9 governorates with 100 % infection plant technique. The 16SrRNA showed a similarity of 99.56 (%) to Rhizobium fabae F44. Out of all tested significant media components, sucrose, yeast extract, agitation rate had the highest significant effects on the response as for PHB production, with confidence level > 98% and were further optimized using FCCD. Predicted Maximum PHB production was observed as (78.51%) which in near the mid-point (0) values (concentrations) of sucrose which reached (25 g/l) and yeast extract of (0.5 g/l) for 48 hrs. at 150 rpm agitation rate. The observed experimental value reached 87.5u/ml was very close result to the predicted one validating the model. So, Response Surface Methodology is an effective statistical approach which can substitute the use of one variable at a time approach due to its adequacy and efficiency to optimize PHB production by Rhizobium fabae F44.
Growth and yield attributes of wheat crop in response to application of micronutrients: A review

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crop and staple foods in the world. Increase in productivity of wheat by balance nutrient management is one of the most crucial factors. The main objective this study is to assessing the role of micronutrients in improving different components of wheat yield. There are different methods of application such as seed priming, soil application and fortification but foliar application is more beneficial. This is due to response of foliar application has positive and quadrate in nature i.e. the optimum dose of foliar application of zinc for grain yield of wheat was observed as 0.04%. Among treatments of micronutrient alone or combined forms give better results over control. Results have show that micronutrient application substantially improved leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration, CGR (Crop growth rate), RGR (Relative growth rate), NAR (Net assimilation rate), plant height, spike length, spikelets/spike, grains/spike, test weight, tillers m, grain yield, chlorophyll content and biological yield as well as harvest index of wheat. The yield and quality of wheat products improved and boosted by micronutrient applications. Therefore, human and animal health will be protected with the feed of enriched and balanced nutrition of produce as well as it will help in facing the severe global food security.
Patent Protection and the Industrial Composition of Multinational Activity: Evidence from U.S. Multinational Firms

Using data on U.S. firms’ technology licensing to local agents in developing countries, this paper examines the impact of patent protection on internal and arms-length technology transfer and local innovation. The effects of protection are allowed to vary across industries according to their product complexity. Consistent with theories of internalization, we find that stronger patent protection shifts the composition of licensing towards unaffiliated parties, especially in less complex industries whose products are relatively easy to imitate. Patent reforms enable local firms to attract more arms-length technology transfer—an impact that is not captured if the composition of licensing is omitted.
Comparison of abdominal computerized tomography interpretation levels of emergency physicians and radiologists

Aim: Computerized tomography (CT) is a frequently used diagnostic tool in the emergency department. In order to provide early and appropriate intervention for the patients, emergency physicians should be able to accurately interpret CT images at least to a certain degree. In this study, we aimed to determine the accuracy of emergency physicians in evaluating an abdominal CT. Methods: In 2018, the images of 234 patients who underwent an abdominal CT due to trauma were interpreted by emergency physicians(EP). The level of agreement between emergency physicians and radiologists on these abdominal CT was determined by comparing their evaluations.This comparison was made using the kappa statistics. Results: The rate of concordance in CT interpretations between the EPs and radiologists was 52.1%. The accuracy rate of EP on interpretation CT images was 59.22% (95% CI: 52.18-66) and the kappa value was 0.24. For the CT interpretation of emergency physicians, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated as 40.98%(95% CI: 32.17-50.25), 85.71%(95% CI: 76.38-92.39), 80.65%(95% CI: 70.30-88.00) and 50%(95% CI: 45.72-54.28), respectively. Conclusion: Emergency physicians’ accuracy in interpreting CT images is not at an adequate level. The institutions in emergency medicine should organize educative programs to increase this level.
Expansion planning of the Iranian gas and electricity energy systems: An integrated approach

Following increases in interdependencies of gas and electricity energy systems (G&ES) in parallel with the incremental growth of demands for the relevant energy carriers, the need for a more optimal capacity expansion planning approach, in particular in developing countries, is felt more than before. By considering the most important factors that can affect expansion strategies of the Iranian G&ES, the present paper proposes a comprehensive planning model for the expansion of the G&ES using an integrated approach. The interactions between the energy systems (ESs), environmental issues, renewables penetration rate under the implementation of supportive energy policies in a semi-deregulated environment, and the possibility of employing the salt caverns and/or depleted fields for storing natural gas, are included the aforementioned factors. Formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming problem in the GAMS software environment, the model aims to identify the least-cost planning schedule of candidate infrastructures, while applied techno-economic constraints are satisfied. Two different scenarios are conducted to investigate the superiority of employed planning methodology. The simulation results demonstrate that in order to cope with the challenges, co-expansion planning of the G&ES in a coordinated framework can reach more optimal and realistic strategies compared with the traditional separate expansion planning models. In addition, analysis shows that the integrated expansion planning of the ESs gives the opportunity of exploring the impact of different aspects on each other and better perception of the interactions with planners. © 2019 Journal of Energy Management and Technology
Quasi-Analytical Multi-Factor Valuation of Treasury Bond Futures with an Embedded Quality Option

An approximate and quasi closed-form pricing solution is proposed for the quality option embedded in Treasury bond futures contracts, under a multi-factor Gaussian Heath, Jarrow and Morton (1992) framework. Using a rank 1 approximation, in the sense of Brace and Musiela (1994, page 275), it is possible to write the price of a Treasury bond future (with an embedded quality option) as a univariate and deterministic integral, no matter the diversity of the underlying delivery basket or the dimension of the term structure model under analysis. Based on a Monte Carlo study, such pricing solution is shown to be extremely accurate and expedite. The proposed pricing model is then applied to test the magnitude of the quality option for the EUREX’ Treasury bond futures contracts, during the period between May 1999 and September 2001. For that purpose, the term structure of risk-free interest rates was estimated in accordance to the consistent parametrization suggested by Bjork and Christensen (1999), and using all the German Treasury bonds traded during the sample period. Then, and for each cross-section, the model’ volatility function was calibrated to the market prices of all (traded) Euro-Schatz, EuroBobl, and Euro-Bund futures contracts, through the proposed approximate pricing solution. A remarkable fit to the EUREX market of Treasury bond futures is obtained through a simple threefactor and time-homogeneous interest rate model’ specification. The empirical analysis suggests that the quality option possesses an insignificant impact on EUREX’ futures prices: on average, this delivery option only accounts for 5 basis points of the futures prices. Such finding can be explained by the exiguity and homogeneity of the EUREX’ delivery baskets, when compared, for instance, with the diversity and number of deliverable bonds underlying the CBOT’ T-bond futures contracts. Moreover, the fact that the large majority of the Treasury bond futures contracts is off-set (just) before the last trading day tends to attenuate the buyers’ need to bid-down the futures prices.
DDDT_A_217936 3963..3975

Fan Yang Xu Xia Wang Dan Ma Qun Cui De Hua Zheng Xiao Can Liu Jun Zhang 1Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of triptolide on the tooth movement and root resorption in rats during orthodontic treatment. Material and methods: A total of 48 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of 16 each. The right maxillary first molars of rats were drawn mesially by closed coil nickel– titanium spring with a force of 50 g. The two experimental groups received intraperitoneal injections of triptolide for 14 days at a dose of 15 μg/kg/day and 30 μg/kg/day, respectively. The control group received vehicle injections. After 14 days, the rats were humanely killed. The amount of tooth movement was measured. Eight rats from each group were randomly chosen for analysis of the percentage of root resorption area by scanning electron microscopy. For the remaining eight rats in each group, the H&E staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and immunohistochemistry analysis were performed. Results: The amount of tooth movement and the ratio of root resorption area were significantly decreased in the triptolide-treated rats. The number of TRAP-positive cells was significantly lower in triptolide-treated groups. Moreover, the expression of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) was reduced. In contrast, the expression of osteoprotegerin was significantly up-regulated. In the tension side, the expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteocalcin were significantly enhanced by triptolide injection. Conclusion: Triptolide injection could arrest orthodontic tooth movement and reduce root resorption in rats via inhibition of osteoclastogenesis. In addition, triptolide may exert a positive effect on osteoblastogenesis.
Flood Damage Assessment: A Preliminary Studies

The importance of flood damage assessment has been highlighted by the government as well as by many researchers. Nevertheless, the effort in performing the damage studies is less to be found due to the lack of awareness and some other limitations related to the data and its methodologies. The flood damage data in fact is part of an essential ingredient in developing the flood mitigation policy as well as in evaluating the effectiveness of the current flood reduction measures. However, unlike other kinds flood risk quantification study, damage assessment is the one that less concerned by the researchers. This paper has mainly provides a brief introduction towards the flood damage assessment and certain essential element need to be taken into consideration have been highlighted. An analysis of previous flood damage assessment studies and discussion towards some critical issues are presented in this paper other than proposing granular fuzzy system for enhancement in flood assessment for quality risk analysis.
Masculinity and men’s health-seeking behaviour in Nigerian academia

Abstract The nexus between masculinity and men’s health-seeking behaviour is a multifaceted global discourse which has been quite enlightening when viewed from varying perspectives. Remarkably, cultural and patriarchal norms continually impact the chauvinistic character of men with regards to their health. It is in line with this that the study investigates men’s health-seeking behaviour in the Nigerian academia by identifying factors that impede their acceptability of and accessibility to available healthcare facilities. More specifically, the study examined the extent to which gender/masculinity influences the health-seeking behaviour amongst men and how this invariably affects their rights to health enshrined in goal 3 of the SDGs. The Courtenay’s relational theory of gender and men’s health is the most suitable theory that puts the discourse in proper perspective. Data was obtained via in-depth interviews conducted with male staff of Covenant University. A convenient sample of 8 respondents were purposively and randomly selected from across the various ranks of the population of the study. The interview results identified and outlined themes on the health-seeking behaviour amongst men in the academia. The paper argues that despite high educational attainments, masculinity and cultural norms remain major influencers of men's health-seeking behaviour. This study concludes that there is a need for health education, sensitization and campaigns in other to enhance health-seeking behaviour amongst men in the academia.
Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Sales Performance

Purpose: The aim behind selecting this topic for study is to find out the Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Sales Performance. Almost all businesses in the world need salespeople to grow their businesses.Emotional intelligence is the strongest determinant for success in the sales field. Understanding the relationship between EI and sales performance may help reduce the gap between successful and average sales performance. Research Methodology: Both primary and secondary data will be to present for comprehensive study. Managerial Implications: The major groups of interest (i.e. management students, academicians, researchers, practicing managers) will be able to understand the Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Sales Performance in a better way. Findings: As per the current study,Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Sales Performance is prevalent in Indian Industries. Scope for Further Research: The similar kind of framework can be applied to any industry.
Prevalence and Predictors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Women Attending Fanara Family Center, in Egypt

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder during pregnancy. It is associated with maternal and fetal complications. Screening for GDM and its risk factors is essential for the early diagnosis and management. Aim: This study aimed to improve pregnancy outcomes through assessing the prevalence and predictors of GDM among pregnant females attending Fanara family practice center between the 24th and the 28th weeks of gestation. Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 pregnant women. Non-probability consecutive sampling was applied to all patients who attended the antenatal care clinic in Fanara family practice center. The participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire including socio-demographic scale and risk factors assessment. They were also subjected to physical examination and investigations. Results: The prevalence of GDM among included participants was estimated to be 6%. Participants with GDM had a significantly higher mean maternal age compared to participants without GDM. The most common risk factors for GDM in the current study were family history of diabetes and prior history of abortion. Conclusion: Early detection of GDM and controlling of its risk factors are necessary for better maternal and fetal outcome.