Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Diarrheal Disease among Under-Five Children and Associated Sociodemographic and Household Environmental Factors: An Investigation Based on National Family Health Survey-4 in Rural India

Diarrheal disease is a significant public health problem leading to mortality and morbidity among children aged 0–59 months in rural India. Therefore, the rationale of this study was to identify the sociodemographic and environmental predictors associated with diarrhea among under-five children in rural India. A total of 188,521 living children (0–59 months) were studied from the National Family Health Survey-4, (NFHS-4) 2015–2016. Bivariate and binary logistic regression models were carried out from the available NFHS-4 data for selected sociodemographic and environmental predictors to identify the relationship of occurrence of diarrhea using STATA 13.1. In rural India, children aged 12–23 months, 24–35 months, 36–47 months, and 48–59 months were significantly improbable to suffer diarrheal disease. Children of the female sex, as well as children of scheduled tribes (ST) and other backward classes (OBC), were less likely to experience diarrhea. The disease was more likely to occur among children of scheduled castes (SC); Muslim or other religions; children belonging to central, eastern, and western regions; children with low birth weight; as well as children with improper stool disposal and rudimentary roof materials. In the rural parts of India, sociodemographic and household environmental factors were most influential. Effective community education; improved handwashing practices; pure water supply; and proper waste disposal, including building and utilizing latrines, would help reduce the burden of diarrheal disease in children.
The development of trait greed during young adulthood: A simultaneous investigation of environmental effects and negative core beliefs

Recent models of personality development have emphasized the role of the environment in terms of selection and socialization effects and their interaction. Our study provides partial evidence for these models and, crucially, extends these models by adding a person variable: Core beliefs, which are defined as mental representations of experiences that individuals have while pursuing need-fulfilling goals. Specifically, we report results from a longitudinal investigation of the development of trait greed across time. Based on data from the German Personality Panel, we analyzed data on 1,965 young adults on up to 4 occasions, spanning a period of more than 3 years. According to our results, negative core beliefs that have so far been proposed only in the clinical literature (e.g., being unloved or being insecure) contributed to the development of trait greed, indicating that striving for material goals might be a substitute for unmet needs in the past. Additionally, greedy individuals more often self-selected themselves into business-related environments, which presumably allow them to fulfill their greed-related need to earn a lot of money. Our results expose important mechanisms for trait greed development. Regarding personality development in general, core beliefs were identified as an important variable for future theory building.
Evaluation of the Quality of Composite Maize-Wheat Chinchin Enriched with Rhynchophorous phoenicis

The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a snack product (chin-chin) from composite maize-wheat flour blends enriched with edible palm weevil ( Rhyhnchophorus phoenicis ) paste. The maize-wheat chin-chin enriched with R. phoenicis were subjected to acceptability test using twenty member semi-trained panelist. The moisture, fat, protein and carbohydrate compositions of the snack samples had significant differences in their values. Sample 5M5R90W (containing 5% maize flour and Rhyhnchophorus phoenicis paste and 90% wheat flour) had the highest protein value of 19.05% while the least value 9.39% was obtained by sample 100M0R0W (100% maize flour alone). Sample 100M0R0W containing 100% maize flour also had the highest carbohydrate value of 75.24%. There was no significant difference in the ash and crude fiber contents of the chin-chin samples enriched with edible palm weevil paste. There were significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the functional properties of maize-wheat composite flour blends. Their wettability values ranged from 46.67 – 200 while the swelling index, bulk density and oil absorption capacity showed no significant difference in their values. The result of the mineral analysis showed phosphorus, magnesium and sodium had significant differences in their values in the range of 317.55 – 376.75mg/100g; 5.60 -13.60mg/100g;59.0 – 70.3mg/100g, respectively. There were no significant differences in the sensory attributes of the chin-chin samples. The result showed that an acceptable chin-chin product can be processed with the inclusion of the larva of edible palm weevil with maize-wheat composite flour to enhance the nutritional quality of the product.
Acute Stress in Lesser-Spotted Catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula Linnaeus, 1758) Promotes Amino Acid Catabolism and Osmoregulatory Imbalances

Simple Summary In catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula), air exposure induces amino acid catabolism altogether with osmoregulatory imbalances. This study describes a novel NHE isoform being expressed in gills that may be involved in ammonium excretion. Abstract Acute-stress situations in vertebrates induce a series of physiological responses to cope with the event. While common secondary stress responses include increased catabolism and osmoregulatory imbalances, specific processes depend on the taxa. In this sense, these processes are still largely unknown in ancient vertebrates such as marine elasmobranchs. Thus, we challenged the lesser spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) to 18 min of air exposure, and monitored their recovery after 0, 5, and 24 h. This study describes amino acid turnover in the liver, white muscle, gills, and rectal gland, and plasma parameters related to energy metabolism and osmoregulatory imbalances. Catsharks rely on white muscle amino acid catabolism to face the energy demand imposed by the stressor, producing NH4+. While some plasma ions (K+, Cl− and Ca2+) increased in concentration after 18 min of air exposure, returning to basal values after 5 h of recovery, Na+ increased after just 5 h of recovery, coinciding with a decrease in plasma NH4+. These changes were accompanied by increased activity of a branchial amiloride-sensitive ATPase. Therefore, we hypothesize that this enzyme may be a Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) related to NH4+ excretion. The action of an omeprazole-sensitive ATPase, putatively associated to a H+/K+-ATPase (HKA), is also affected by these allostatic processes. Some complementary experiments were carried out to delve a little deeper into the possible branchial enzymes sensitive to amiloride, including in vivo and ex vivo approaches, and partial sequencing of a nhe1 in the gills. This study describes the possible presence of an HKA enzyme in the rectal gland, as well as a NHE in the gills, highlighting the importance of understanding the relationship between acute stress and osmoregulation in elasmobranchs.
Evaluation of Approach to a Conspecific and Blood Biochemical Parameters in TAAR1 Knockout Mice

It is known that the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) receptor is involved in limbic brain functions by regulating dopamine transmission and putative reward circuitry. Moreover, other TAARs are expressed in the olfactory system of all studied vertebrate species, sensing innate socially-relevant odors, including pheromones. Therefore, one can assume that TAARs may play a role in rodent social and sexual behavior. A comparative behavioral and biochemical analysis of TAAR1 knockout (TAAR1-KO) and wild-type mice is also important for the preliminary evaluation of the potential side effects of future TAAR1-based therapies. In our studies, we adapted a sexual incentive motivation test for mice to evaluate the sexual behavior of TAAR1-KO and wild-type mice. Previously, similar methods were primarily applied to rats. Furthermore, we measured testosterone and other biochemical parameters in the blood. As a result, we found only minimal alterations in all of the studied parameters. Thus, the lack of TAAR1 does not significantly affect sexual motivation and routine lipid and metabolic blood biochemical parameters, suggesting that future TAAR1-based therapies should have a favorable safety profile.
Angiodrastic Chemokines Production by Colonic Cancer Cell Lines

Purpose: To study the production of angiodrastic chemokines by colonic cancer cell lines. Methods: A pro-angiogenic factor (VEGF), two angiogenic chemokines (CXCL8, CXCL6), and one angiostatic (CXCL4) chemokine were measured by ELISA in the supernatants of the colon cancer cell lines HT-29 and Caco-2. Cells were cultured for 24 h in the presence of serum from cancer patients or healthy individuals. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and the General Linear Model for repeated measures. Results: Colonic epithelial cells are potent producers of angiodrastic chemokines. HT-29 and Caco-2 cells produce all four chemokines under basal conditions and 24 h after incubation with human serum. The secretion response, however, was completely different. HT-29 cells produce more CXCL8 and VEGF irrespective of culture conditions, while Caco-2 cells seem unresponsive with respect to CXCL6 and CXCL4. Moreover, HT-29 cells produce more CXCL8 and VEGF when incubated with cancer serum, contrary to Caco-2 cells which produce more CXCL4 under the same conditions. Conclusions: The two colon cancer cell lines were producers of all chemokines studied, but their responses were not uniform under similar culture conditions. CXCL8 and VEGF are differently regulated compared to CXCL4 and CXCL6 in these two cell lines
A Study on Social Interaction among University Students During MCO

Since the emergence of Covid-19 at the end of 2019, our government had proposed few movements control orders (MCO) with certain standard operational procedures (SOP) to be followed. Due to these MCOs, online distance learning (ODL) has become a new norm among the university students. However, there are numerous issues and challenges which have arisen during the ODL period that have affected all levels of study. One of the issues arose was the implications of ODL on students’ social interaction. Thus, this preliminary survey is carried out to look at some consequences of ODL on social interaction among the 191 students. These students were given online questionnaires through Google form, and were analyzed accordingly using SPSS-ANOVA. The results indicate that there is a strong positive relationship between ODL and the social interaction among students with R=0.818, and R2=0.669.
Comparison of harvesting productivity, cost, and residual stand damages between single-tree selection thinning and mechanized line thinning using a small-scale grapple-saw

Abstract Considerable amounts of noncommercial materials generated from thinning treatments remain unattended on the site because the value of small-sized timber is lower than overall thinning operation costs in South Korea. In addition, thinning operations with conventional and mechanized harvesting systems often cause severe physical damage to residual trees. In this study, therefore, we compared and analyzed the harvesting productivity, cost, and residual stand damage between single-tree selection thinning (SST) and mechanized line thinning (MLT) systems on conifer plantation forests. For conventional SST, ground skidding (uphill/downhill) was performed using a tractor winch after manual felling and bucking. The MLT consisted of mechanized felling, downhill shovel logging, and processing with a small-scale grapple-saw for the fourth double row (MLT1) and the third row (MLT2) thinning section. The MLT system was more productive and cost-effective in performing thinning treatment and collecting thinning materials than SST. The MLT1 and MLT2 costs were 81.4% and 70.6% lower than the SST cost ($77.6/m3), respectively. The residual stand damages of the SST (3.4%) were lower than those of MLT1 (4.8%) and MLT2 (21.2%); however, there was no significant difference in residual stand damages between two thinning systems (p > 0.05). Therefore, forest managers should consider the use of MLT system to reduce thinning costs and efficiently produce thinning materials for their thinning operations. However, operators still need to be careful felling and extracting operations to reduce the residual stand damages for thinning treatments.
Enhanced mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes decorated with barium titanate

This study presents functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated with functionalized barium titanate (BT) (denoted as BT@CNTs) via hydrothermal and self-assembly methods to improve dispersion in polypropylene (PP) matrix with enhanced thermal, mechanical, and thermomechanical properties. The CNTs, BT, and BT@CNTs with the addition of polypropylene maleic anhydride (PPMA) compatibilizer were used in the fabrication of the PP based nanocomposites for this study via solution mixing and melt compounding. FTIR, TEM, and SEM analyses, respectively revealed that the nanoparticles were successfully functionalized, CNTs decorated with BT, and well dispersion in the PP matrix. PP/BT@CNTs-based nanocomposite showed optimal tensile strength, modulus, heat deflection, and thermal stability of about 16.8%, 26.5%, 20.1%, and 30oC higher than that obtained for the pure PP. These properties were also respectively 10.6%, 17.6%, 19.0%, and 5.0oC higher than PP/3CNTs nanocomposite when compared to PP/3BT@CNTs. The PP/BT@CNTs based nanocomposites also revealed enhanced dynamic mechanical properties. The better performance in the measured properties of PP/BT@CNTs compared to pure PP and PP/CNTs were attributed to their uniform microstructures, effective interlocking of the PP matrix due to the presence of BT on CNTs surfaces.
Internal audit in the COVID-19 environment: Key aspects and perspectives of remote auditing

It was very difficult to predict the global pandemic caused by the new coronavirus COVID-19 disease that spread around the world. There is no doubt that the pandemic will have a serious impact on worldwide economy because besides causing a health crisis, the pandemic threatens to generate an economic and financial crisis. Therefore, the management of service providing entities were faced with a challenge of finding a model to perform their business activities and take care of the employees' health at the same time. This paper discusses possible solutions related to internal audit as a service providing profession. The research findings in the field have led to the conclusion that auditors can take advantage of this business environment to undergo complete digital transformation and make extensive use of remote auditing, since the function of internal audit can be further improved by using new information and communication technologies. The results of the research, which was focused on the opinions of certified internal auditors from the Republic of Serbia, showed that the advantages of remote auditing in internal audit outweighed the disadvantages. During the pandemic, the quality level of performed audits either increased or stayed the same, as well as the level of trust of audit client management, whereas savings in time and a decrease of travel-related costs were substantial.
Grain-Priming with L-Arginine Improves the Growth Performance of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plants under Drought Stress

Drought is the main limiting abiotic environmental stress worldwide. Water scarcity restricts the growth, development, and productivity of crops. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a fundamentally cultivated cereal crop. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of grain-priming with arginine (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mM) on growth performance and some physiological aspects of wheat plants under normal or drought-stressed conditions. Morphological growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, free amino acids, proline, total phenols, flavonoids, and proteins profiles were determined. Drought stress lowered plant growth parameters and chlorophyll a and b contents while increasing carotenoids, soluble sugars, free amino acids, proline, total phenols, and flavonoids. Soaking wheat grains with arginine (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mM) improves plant growth and mitigates the harmful effects of drought stress. The most effective treatment to alleviate the effects of drought stress on wheat plants was (1 mM) arginine, that increased root length (48.3%), leaves number (136%), shoot fresh weight (110.5%), root fresh weight (110.8%), root dry weight (107.7%), chlorophyll a (11.4%), chlorophyll b (38.7%), and carotenoids content (41.9%) compared to the corresponding control values. Arginine enhanced the synthesis of soluble sugars, proline, free amino acids, phenols, and flavonoids in wheat plants under normal or stressed conditions. Furthermore, the protein profile varies in response to drought stress and arginine pretreatments. Ultimately, pretreatment with arginine had a powerful potential to face the impacts of drought stress on wheat plants by promoting physiological and metabolic aspects.
Effects of Environmental Features in Small Public Urban Green Spaces on Older Adults’ Mental Restoration: Evidence from Tokyo

Exposure to small public urban green spaces (SPUGS) has been demonstrated to have mental benefits for older adults. However, studies on identifying the objective environmental features of SPUGS and their effects on mental restoration for older adults remain limited. This study employed a multilevel regression model to investigate the restorative and vitalizing effects of the environmental features of 11 SPUGS in Tokyo. Onsite measurements were conducted in Kita-Ku, and 202 older adults were surveyed. The results showed that: (1) The fitting curve of the green view index and Restoration Outcome Scale (ROS) score showed an inverted U shape—both green view index and boundary enclosure had a strong impact on the mental restoration of older adults; (2) The colorfulness index showed the strongest relationship with the vitalizing effect. (3) The sky view factor and number of seats only influenced the ROS score, while the results of revitalization suggest that large areas of water should be avoided. (4) Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) was also confirmed to have negative effects on the mental restoration of older adults in autumn. These empirical findings can be used as a resource to promote the mental health of older adults in the design of SPUGS in high-density Asian countries.
study of the correlation between vitamin B12, folic acid and ferritin with thyroid hormones in hypothyroidism

Background: Thyroid hormones are required for normal development as well as regulating metabolism in the adult. Thyroid gland disorders are the second most abundant endocrinal disorders after diabetes. A decreased thyroid hormone adversely affects erythropoietic system causes anaemia. Aim: The Aim and objective of the study was to compare the vitamin B12, Folate and Ferritin with thyroid hormones in hypothyroidism. Methods: In the present study, total 350 samples were included in which 175 were hypothyroid patients and 175 were normal individuals of age group between 15-65 years. Measurements of serum concentrations of Total T3, Total T4, TSH, Vitamin B12, Folate and Ferritin were done using Chemiluminiscence Immunosorbant Assay. Results: Serum TSH levels were significantly increased in Hypothyroidism as compared to normal individual (7.42±1.75 vs 2.72±1.28, p<0.0001*). The total T3 level was significantly decreased in Hypothyroidism in comparison to normal individual (0.43±0.41 vs 1.30±0.29, p<0.0001*). Similarly, total T4 level was significantly decrease in Hypothyroidism in comparison to normal individual (3.60±1.38 vs. 6.62±1.11, p<0.0001*). Level of Vitamin B12 was significantly decreased in Hypothyroidism in comparison to normal individual (210.45±129.30 vs 483.93±264.74, p<0.0001*). Folate was significantly decreased in Hypothyroidism as compared to normal (2.51±0.99 vs 6.67±0.83, p<0.0001*).
Binary Mixtures of ZnO/TiO2 for Solar Heterogeneous Photocatalysis of Non-Purgeable Organic Carbon in Landfill Leachate

Landfill leachate is a global problem that has attracted considerable attention from researchers in different areas. It is crucial to develop optimized treatment strategies for landfill leachate, given the need to minimize or eliminate negative environmental impacts resulting from the inadequate disposal of solid waste, as determined by legislation. Landfill leachate is primarily composed of humic substances, which may associate with other toxic molecules and are recalcitrant to the conventional treatments used in Brazil. This study assessed the photocatalytic degradation of carbonaceous materials in leachate collected from the Cachoeira Paulista municipal landfill, São Paulo State, Brazil. Sunlight was used as energy source without additional light inputs. Experiments were carried out in a thin-film fixed-bed reactor, using metal plates coated with paints formulated for this purpose. Paints had a low additives loading, including that of photocatalysts. We investigated the photocatalytic behavior of the binary system ZnO/TiO2 incorporated into acrylic varnish in the degradation of non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC) in samples of humic acids and fulvic acids + humins. Reactions were conducted under acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions. NPOC degradation was low in fulvic acid + humin samples, regardless of photocatalyst concentration or pH. The proposed process resulted in high degradation of humic acids, especially under conditions of low chemical stability, which facilitated oxidation. A maximum humic acid degradation of 65% was achieved using high concentrations of TiO2 in acidic medium.
Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on circulating immune cells in breast cancer patients: A pilot study

Likewise, immune cell subsets may have a promising approach in prognosis and treatment strategies. Aim: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the neoadjuvant paclitaxel’s effect on the relative and absolute numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes and CD11b and its maturation markers and their role in breast cancer patients’ clinical response . Patients and Methods: Breast cancer patients (n=10) and healthy donors (n=4) were recruited from Tanta Cancer Center, Egypt. Peripheral blood samples (2ml) were collected in EDTA tubes from breast cancer patients during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (prior to each cycle of paclitaxel) as well as healthy volunteers. The relative and absolute numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes were obtained using gating strategy after acquisition with Flow-cytometer. The absolute numbers of CD11b + and its maturation markers (HLADR + and CD83 + ) were also evaluated by flowcytometry after staining with specific antibodies. The absolute number was calculated using total peripheral blood leucocytes of each subject. Results: Comparing between the absolute number of monocytes prior to each cycle, significant difference was found between the 1 st cycle vs the 3 rd cycle and the 4 th cycle. Significant difference was also found in CD11b expressing cells and its maturation markers (HLADR) between responder and non-responder patients. Conclusion: Our study concluded the importance of CD11b and its maturation marker in clinical response in neoadjuvant BC patients as a prognostic tool. Immunological parameters should be considered during application of treatment strategies as a prognostic tool and promising approach in immunotherapy.