Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Orthodontic Open-Coil Spring Deactivation Forces Differ with Varying Activation Levels

ORTHODONTIC OPEN-COIL SPRING DEACTIVATION FORCES DIFFER WITH VARYING ACTIVATION LEVELS Ryan S. Lubinsky, DDS Marquette University, 2018 Objectives: Coil springs are used in orthodontics to deliver forces to move teeth. However, the optimal amount of activation to produce predictable, continuous deactivation forces, for the purpose of orthodontic tooth movement, is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the deactivation force characteristics of nickel-titanium open-coil springs after varying levels of activation. Methods: Four open-coil spring products were evaluated: Dentsply GAC 100 gram and 150 gram, Orthoclassic Orthodontics Medium 150 gram, and American Orthodontics nickeltitanium springs. Open-coil springs were compressed (activation) with a universal testing machine to 20, 40, 60, or 80% of original length (15 mm; n=15/product/activation level). Measurements were conducted at 37C to simulate intraoral temperatures. Deactivation force values at 3 mm were compared among the four activation levels within each product using ANOVA/Tukey. Results: For all four open-coil spring products, deactivation force values at 3 mm significantly (p<0.05) decreased with greater activation/compression level. When activated to 20% of original length, the force values at 3 mm compression upon deactivation were only 5373% of the force level when activated to 80% of original length. When activated to 40% of original length, the force values at 3 mm compression upon deactivation were 65-91% of the force level when activated to 80% of original length. Conclusions: Deactivation forces of nickel-titanium open-coil springs at a given compression level are dependent upon the extent of prior compression. Orthodontists should be aware that force values in open-coil springs depend not only on material and structural factors, but amount of activation as well.
Hydrolytic Degradation of Biopolymer Systems Based on Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate. Kinetic and Structural Aspects:

The aim of the present work is to record and compare long-term kinetic curves of the hydrolytic degradation of polymer systems: bacterial poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (POB), its copolymer with hydroxyvalerate, and also a composite mixture of POB and polylactide (PLA). To monitor the degree of hydrolytic degradation, use was made of the total weight loss of the specimen and the change in the viscosity-average molecular weight (MW). Atom force microscopy was used to assess the surface state of POB films. It was shown that the rate of hydrolytic degradation depends on the incubation medium (the nature of the buffer), temperature, the chemical composition of the biopolymer, and its molecular weight. Atom force microscopy confirmed that, along with volumetric processes of POB hydrolysis, surface hydrolysis of the polymer also occurs.
Enhancing Vocabulary Memorization and Retention through LMS and MultiEx Game Platforms among Thai Tertiary Students

Although technology has been integrated into vocabulary instruction, to date, few studies have compared whether learning management system (LMS) vocabulary exercises or vocabulary online games facilitate better vocabulary acquisition. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) vocabulary lessons plus LMS exercises and TOEIC vocabulary lessons plus MultiEx games (online games) foster short-term vocabulary memorization and long-term vocabulary retention, as well as which performed better. Participants were 72 first-year students at a university in southern Thailand. They were divided into two experimental groups, one given LMS exercises and the other MultiEx games. A word list was taken from the TOEIC word list and a pre-test was used to determine how many words students knew. The unknown words were used in the design of the vocabulary lessons. Ten lessons were provided for the students. Immediately after each lesson, a post-test was conducted to measure their vocabulary recognition. Two weeks after the final lesson, a delayed post-test was conducted to determine how many of the new words had been retained. The main finding was that both vocabulary memorization and retention were enhanced through the use of LMS exercises and the use of MultiEx games. The results showed a higher mean score for the MultiEx game group in both the immediate post-tests and the delayed post-test. Although the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant, the findings suggest integrating technology enhances vocabulary learning outcomes.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of EFL online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic

Online teaching has been massively conducted during the novel coronavirus period all over the world. How to evaluate online teaching has been increasingly researched recently. This study looked at how English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching was delivered online by university teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated university teachers and students’ perception of effective EFL online teaching and learning based on several evaluation modes in using technology in education. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews from teachers and students in a variety of provinces in Mainland China. The results showed that various methods were used to deliver online EFL courses and these approaches are found to correlate with each other. Teachers and students provided positive comments on online teaching and were satisfied with their online teaching and learning. Participants also noted effective ways in online EFL teaching. The findings indicated that when teachers have more training, more skills, and more confidence, they could deliver more effective online teaching and learning.
n‐Type Doping Effect of CVD‐Grown Multilayer MoSe2 Thin Film Transistors by Two‐Step Functionalization

Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) has attracted attention as a potential semiconductor platform. However, the as‐synthesized MoSe2 field‐effect transistors (FETs) tend to exhibit the arbitrary properties of n‐type, p‐type, or ambipolar behavior due to the uncontrolled growth condition. Here, two‐step functionalization is proposed to achieve n‐doping effect and long‐term stability in chemical vapor deposition (CVD)–grown MoSe2 FETs using oxygen plasma treatment followed by the deposition of an Al2O3 layer. After the two‐step surface functionalization procedure, three types of multilayer MoSe2 FETs are all converted to n‐type with the improvement of their electrical characteristics and stability; the n‐doped multilayer MoSe2 FETs exhibit an enhancement in field‐effect mobility from 12.23 to 31.57 cm2 V−1 s−1 and a 3 times higher Ion/Ioff, compared to pristine multilayer MoSe2 FETs. This enhancement of electric performance is attributed to the oxidation of topmost MoSe2 to interfacial MoOx with SeOx induced by the oxygen plasma treatment, as well as to the existence of fixed positive charges in deposited Al2O3. The functionalized devices exhibit excellent stability against stress, as confirmed with negative bias illumination stress tests for 7200 s. Moreover, an environmental stability test for 21 days reveals no degradation in electric performance of MoSe2 FETs.
Association of body image with physical activity, sleep, meal and smoking in obese male

Background and Study Aim. Body image is a multidimensional construct that involves mental representations of the body, feelings, cognitions, and behaviors. The objective was to compare body image among different categories of obesity, investigate the relationship between obesity and body image, and examine the association of physical activity, meal habits, sleep, and smoking with body image. Material and Methods. Fifty-five undergraduate students Mean age 19.7±0.90 were divide into three obese categories: Obese Class I (30 < 35 kg/m2), Obese Class II (35 < 40 kg/m2) and Obese Class III (≥40.00 kg/m2). Body Image measured through (MBSRQ-AS). Results. ANOVA revealed no significant difference among BMI categories on body image global score F (2,52) = 0.074, p = 0.928. Pearson product-moment correlation could not establish significant relationship between body image and BMI (r= -0.00, n=55, p= 0.998). We found a strong association of smoking with body image X(1) = 6.909, p=0.009. However, the statistical analysis of data could not establish any significant association of PA X(1) = 0.044, p=0.978; sleep X(1) = 2.403, p=0.121; and number of meals X(1) = 0.654, p=0.721; with body image among obese individuals. Conclusions. The university students exhibited low body image. Higher scores on Self-Classified Weight describe how individuals perceive their weight and how they believe others perceive it. The low scores on Appearance Evaluation determine unhappiness with their physical appearance. Interestingly, most students are getting sufficient sleep, and a high percentage of the students’ population is not smoking. The university needs to encourage physical activity and healthy eating behavior.
Simultaneous Determination of Pesticides in Fruits by Using Second-Order Fluorescence Data Resolved by Unfolded Partial Least-Squares Coupled to Residual Bilinearization

In the present work, a chemometric-assisted spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of natural fluorescent pesticides, carbaryl, carbendazim, and thiabendazole, in orange and banana. Only a simple extraction with methanol was required as sample pretreatment. Emission-excitation fluorescence matrices were obtained and resolved by using a second-order multivariate calibration method based on unfolded partial least-squares combined with residual bilinearization (U-PLS/RBL) for achieving “second-order advantage. ” In this way, pesticides were determined in fruits even in the presence of inner filter effects, background interactions, strong spectral overlapping, and unexpected components. U-PLS can cope with effects that cause trilinearity loss such as, inner filter effects, including background in the calibration set; meanwhile, RBL allows to resolve the presence of unexpected components. The extraction technique was validated against a commonly applied technique based on the use of ethyl acetate and sodium sulfate. Besides, results obtained for real samples were statistically compared with those obtained by using HPLC. LODs of 0.038, 0.054, and 0.018 mg·kg−1 and 0.044, 0.072, and 0.020 mg·kg−1 were obtained for carbaryl, carbendazim, and thiabendazole in banana and orange samples, respectively; values were in accordance with the MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits) established by different official control organizations such as National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA), Codex Alimentarius (based on Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
PURIFICATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF L-ASPARAGINASE ENZYME PRODUCED BY NEWLY ISOLATE BACILLUS SP.

A new bacterial producing L-asparaginase was successfully isolated from Sungai Klah Hot Spring, Perak, Malaysia and identified as Bacillus sp. It was the best L-asparaginase producer as compared to other isolates. Production of L-asparaginase from the microbial strain was carried out under liquid fermentation. The crude enzyme was then centrifuged and precipitated with ammonium sulfate before being further purified by chromatographic method. HiTrap DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow ion exchange chromatography followed by separation on Superose 12 gel filtration were used to obtain pure enzyme. The purified enzyme showed 10.11 U/mg of specific activity, 50.07% yield with 2.21 fold purification. The purified enzyme was found to be dimer in form, with a molecular weight of 65 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE. The maximum activity of the purified L-asparaginase was observed at pH 9 and temperature of 60 oC. Kajian penyelidikan ini telah berjaya menghasilkan enzim L-aspraginase daripada bakteria-bakteria baru yang diambil dari Kolam Air Panas, Sungai Klah, Perak, Malaysia dan ia dikenal pasti sebagai Bacillus sp. Teknik isolasi bakteria ini adalah teknik terbaik dalam menghasilkan enzim L-asparaginase berbanding teknik-teknik lain. Penghasilan enzim ini dibuat menerusi proses fermentasi. Kultur bakteria yang diperolehi diempar dan diikuti presipitasi menggunakan ammonium sulfat sebelum proses penulenan seterusnya dilakukan menggunakan kaedah kromatografi. Kolum penukaran ion jenis HiTrap DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow diikuti dengan pemisahan oleh gel Superose 12 telah digunakan untuk mendapatkan enzim L-asparaginase yang tulen. Hasil kajian mendapati enzim tulen yang diperolehi mempunyai aktiviti spesifik sebanyak 10.11 U/mg daripada 50.07% enzim yang dihasilkan dan berjaya mencapai 2.21 kali ganda tulen dari enzim tanpa proses penulenan. Enzim tulen yang diperolehi didapati dalam bentuk “dimer“ dengan berat molekular sebanyak 65 kDa yang ditentukan menerusi SDS-PAGE. Enzim ini juga menunjukkan aktiviti yang tinggi pada pH 9 dan suhu 60 oC.
Effects of Consumption of Various Fatty Acids on Serum HDL-Cholesterol Levels

Since HDL is an anti-atherogenic lipoprotein which plays a role in reversing cholesterol transport from the peripheral tissues to the liver, low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. We previously studied effects of intake of various dietary fat on serum HDL-C levels to make “Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2015”, and found that the substitution of fatty acids (FAs) for carbohydrates is beneficially associated with HDL-C, monounsaturated FA (MUFA) intake may not affect HDL-C and trans FA (TFA) is significantly associated with reduction of HDL-C. Consumption of n-3 poly-unsaturated FA (PUFA) was favorably associated with HDL-C. Here we review meta-analyses on the effects of various FA consumption on serum HDL-C levels, to make “Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2020”. Consumption of ruminant-TFA may not affect HDL; however, increased industrially produced TFA intake was associated with a significant decrease in HDL and a significant increase in LDL. An intake of n-3 PUFA and MUFA was associated with an increase of HDL. An intake of saturated FA (SFA) was associated with an increase of HDL; however, SFA was also associated with an increase of LDL. J Endocrinol Metab. 2018;8(5):94-99 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jem534
Network pharmacology combined with functional metabolomics discover bile acid metabolism as a promising target for mirabilite against colorectal cancer

In this study, a combination of network pharmacology and metabolomics was used to explore the mechanism by which mirabilite regulates bile acid metabolism in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The PharmMapper web server was applied to make preliminary predictions for the treatment targets of mirabilite and to predict the interaction between mirabilite and disease targets using Discovery Studio 2.5. Furthermore, the urine metabolic profile was analyzed by the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology. The original data were processed by Progenesis QI software and analyzed by multivariate pattern recognition, which allowed us to reveal the metabolic disturbance in colorectal cancer and explain the therapeutic effect of mirabilite. The network pharmacology results showed that mirabilite can act on the disease targets, and the sites of action include amino acid residues Arg-364 and Asp-533, as well as nucleotides TPC-11, DG-112 and DA-113. Based on metabolomics, potential biomarkers were found to lie in the relevant pathways of bile acid metabolism, such as taurine, chenodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and deoxycholic acid. The results showed that mirabilite could regulate the distribution of overall metabolic disturbance, and bile acid metabolism was the main targeted pathway. Additionally, we predicted the upstream targets by ingenuity pathway analysis and found that mirabilite played a significant role in regulating the bile acid-related biomarkers, which allowed comprehensive analysis of the effect of mirabilite on colorectal cancer. This study fully explained the role of mirabilite in inhibiting colorectal cancer, which mainly occurs through bile acid metabolism, via the approach of network pharmacology combined with functional metabolomics.
Barley responses to copper foliar spray concentrations when grown in a calcareous soil

Abstract This study was designed to determine the adequate copper (Cu) foliar spray concentration to correct Cu deficiency on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) when grown in a calcareous soil. Five Cu foliar spray solution levels were tested (0% or control; 0.03%, 0.06%, 0.13%, and 0.33%). Copper was applied in the sulfate form at the early boot stage. The results showed that Cu flag leaf concentration was increased with the highest Cu application (0.33%), while Cu concentration in the grain was increased with a spray of 0.03%. An antagonism between Cu, Zn, and Fe leaf concentration was observed. Grain yield and harvest index showed a linear positive response to Cu foliar spray concentrations. A significant increase of 19.6% on grain yield was recorded with a foliar spray 0.33% of Cu.
The role of DNA gyrase in illegitimate recombination

DNA, due to its double-helical structure, is subject to changes in topology due to the nature of transcription and replication. To overcome this, cells have processes and enzymes that ameliorate these changes. One such group of enzymes are the DNA topoisomerases, which are responsible for the maintenance of DNA topology. Despite this important role, these enzymes participate in illegitimate recombination (IR), which is genetic recombination between regions of DNA that share little or no homology. This can result in chromosomal rearrangements and is often a consequence of DNA-damaging agents. A consequence of topoisomerase-induced IR is thought to be therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia (tAML). Analogously, there is evidence that exposure to sublethal concentrations of ciprofloxacin, a topoisomerase inhibitor, can cause resistance to non-quinolone antibiotics. This may work by a similar mechanism as that proposed for t-AML. This project centres around the examination of DNA gyrase-mediated IR focussing on the proposed subunit-exchange model. Using Blue-Native PAGE, I set up an assay to examine subunit exchange in topoisomerases. I have also characterised previously identified gyrase hyper-recombination mutations, known to increase the frequency of IR. Furthermore, I have investigated quinolone-induced antibiotic resistance and what the mechanism is. Here, I show that DNA gyrase can undergo subunit exchange, and that this seems to occur within higherorder oligomers of the enzyme, which have not been investigated before. Biochemical characterisation of the hyper-recombination mutations shows that they impair DNA gyrase activity which, in vivo, may have downstream consequences that may lead to IR. Using an in vivo assay where E. coli is treated with subinhibitory levels of quinolones, I have seen resistance to other non-quinolone antibiotics. This is not seen when other antibiotics, including other topoisomerase inhibitors, are tested. Whole genome sequencing has revealed point mutations that explain the resistances seen, however other larger chromosomal modifications have been observed as well.
Pengaruh Intensitas Modal, Leverage, Likuiditas dan Profitabilitas terhadap Agresivitas Pajak

This purpose of this study was to determine the effect of independent variabels: capital intensity, leverage, liquidity and profitability on the dependent variable namely tax aggressiveness, which is proxied by using CETR in food and beverage sub sector manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2015-2019. The population in this study were 26 companies and obtained 13 companies using purposive sampling method. The data used is secondary data in the form of financial reports obtained through the website www.idx. co.id and the official website of the related company. The method in this research is panel data regression using Eviews software. The results showed that the capital intensity and profitability variabels had no positive on tax aggressiveness, while the leverage and liquidity variabels have a positive and significant effect on tax aggressiveness.
Leaching of cations in soil cultivated with sugarcane subjected to saline irrigation and leaching fractions

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentration of cations in the leachate of soil cultivated with sugarcane irrigated with brackish water. An experiment was carried out in drainage lysimeters at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, at the Recife campus. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates, corresponding to five levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (ECw) (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1) and two leaching fractions (LF1 = 0 and LF2 = 0.17) corresponding to water depths equivalent to 100 and 120% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), by which the irrigations were managed. Electrical conductivity of the drained water was daily monitored and Na, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in the drainage water were determined at 129, 214, 286 and 324 days after planting (DAP). There were higher salt concentrations in the leachates when leaching fraction LF1 = 0 was used. The use of the 0.17 leaching fraction led to greater dissolution of the salts and may have caused a higher uptake of the essential cations by the crop. Sodium was the most quantitatively leached cation at all collection dates.
Enhancement of Some Protein-Based Baits for Attracting Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) by Adding Ammonium Compounds

Citation: Egypt. Acad. J. Biolog. Sci. (A. Entomology) Vol. 10(6)pp: 153166(2017) Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences is the official English language journal of the Egyptian Society for Biological Sciences, Department of Entomology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Shams University. Entomology Journal publishes original research papers and reviews from any entomological discipline or from directly allied fields in ecology, behavioral biology, physiology, biochemistry, development, genetics, systematics, morphology, evolution, control of insects, arachnids, and general entomology. www.eajbs. eg.net Provided for non-commercial research and education use. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.
Comparative analysis of functionality of spray dried whey protein hydrolysates obtained by enzymatic and microbial hydrolysis

The aim of this study was to examine the bioactive potential of hydrolysate powders produced by enzymatic and microbial hydrolysis of whey proteins followed by spray drying, in order to reveal which one of these processes result in a product with significantly improved functional properties. Hydrolysate powders produced by the two different biotechnological processes were compared based on their antioxidant (DPPH and FTC), antibacterial as well as erythrocyte membrane stabilizing activities. The performed tests revealed that the concentration of at least 178.4 mg mL -1 of the whey protein hydrolysate powder, produced by tryptic digestion, could inhibit the process of lipid peroxidation by 50 %, suppress the microbial contamination caused by S. aureus ATCC25923, B. cereus ATCC 11778 and L. monocytogenes , and provide the antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities greater than 50 %. On the other hand, the hydrolysate powder obtained by whey fermentation at the concentration of at least 811.5 mg mL -1 achieved 50 % of all tested bioactivities, with the emphasis on the significantly more pronounced antibacterial activity against all tested strains. In that sense, tryptic hydrolysis could be highlighted as an optimal process that provides production of the whey hydrolysate with pronounced bioactive properties that could be considered as a very promising natural food supplement.