Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Refugee Subentrepreneurship: The Emergence of a Liquid Cage

This article conceptualises refugees’ endeavours for upward social mobility through subentrepreneurship. Subentrepreneurship refers to various self-employment forms that are undeclared to relevant authorities to escape superimposed historical, temporal, spatial, institutional and social contexts, which constrain actors’ entrepreneurial activities. Using a mixed theoretical underpinning combining Mixed Embeddedness (ME) with Weber’s Iron Cage of Rationality (ICR), we signify liquidity of refugee subentrepreneurship, which is neither linear nor long-term rational. A liquid cage is envisaged to allow more freedom as refugees become embedded within intersections between transformative journeys and Constrained Institutional Contexts (CICs). This new theorising signifies a pronounced emphasis on agency whereby refugees cleverly contemplate implicit skills (i.e. unrecognised or downgraded skills), opportunities and processes to escape CICs. The article adds clarity as to how contexts become part of the production of entrepreneurial actions through two-way interactions that promote liquidity, enabling a strong foundation for future research exploring subentrepreneurship.
On the in vivo kinetics of gene delivery vectors

Gene therapy is the most promising strategy for treating a number of diseases at their most fundamental, genetic level, and it has a wide range of promising clinical and emerging preclinical uses in both the clinic and the laboratory. Gene therapy systems are composed of three fundamental components, with the delivery platform being responsible for the protection and successful delivery of the incorporated therapeutic nucleic acid sequences. A successful delivery platform is critical in the achievement of a therapeutic outcome, and an effective delivery platform is essential in achieving this. A variety of different gene delivery platforms - vectors - are evaluated in this dissertation in terms of their nature, mechanism of action, potential applications, and safety. Of particular importance is the evaluation of their post-delivery pharmacokinetic and adverse drug-metabolite profiles. The different types of vectors, including viral, non-viral, and alternative vectors, are discussed separately in each chapter, while important issues related to the incorporation of these vectors into clinical practice are discussed as well, including the topics of vector development and manufacturing, as well as the current regulatory landscape and efforts to improve it, and finally their prospects for the immediate future.
Risk of severe COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases treated with immunosuppressive therapy in Scotland

Objective To investigate the association of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Method A list of 4633 patients on targeted – biological or targeted synthetic – DMARDs in March 2020 was linked to a case–control study that includes all cases of COVID-19 in Scotland. Results By 22 November 2021, 433 of the 4633 patients treated with targeted DMARDS had been diagnosed with COVID-19, of whom 58 had been hospitalized. With all those in the population not on DMARDs as the reference category, the rate ratio for hospitalized COVID-19 associated with DMARD treatment was 2.14 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02–2.26] in those on conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs, 2.01 (95% CI 1.38–2.91) in those on tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors as the only targeted agent, and 3.83 (95% CI 2.65–5.56) in those on other targeted DMARDs. Among those on csDMARDs, rate ratios for hospitalized COVID-19 were lowest at 1.66 (95% CI 1.51–1.82) in those on methotrexate and highest at 5.4 (95% CI 4.4–6.7) in those on glucocorticoids at an average dose > 10 mg/day prednisolone equivalent. Conclusion The risk of hospitalized COVID-19 is elevated in IRD patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs compared with the general population. Of these drugs, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and TNF inhibitors carry the lowest risk. The highest risk is associated with prednisolone. A larger study is needed to estimate reliably the risks associated with each class of targeted DMARD.
The Impact of a High-Carbohydrate/Low Fat vs. Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Performance and Body Composition in Physically Active Adults: A Cross-Over Controlled Trial

Background: Recently, high-carbohydrate or low-carbohydrate (HC/LC) diets have gained substantial popularity, speculated to improve physical performance in athletes; however, the effects of short-term changes of the aforementioned nutritional interventions remain largely unclear. Methods: The present study investigated the impact of a three-week period of HC/low-fat (HC) diet followed by a three-week wash-out-phase and subsequent LC diet on the parameters of physical capacity assessed via cardiopulmonary exercise testing, body composition via bioimpedance analysis and blood profiles, which were assessed after each of the respective diet periods. Twenty-four physically active adults (14 females, age 25.8 ± 3.7 years, body mass index 22.1 ± 2.2 kg/m2), of which six participants served as a control group, were enrolled in the study. Results: After three weeks of each diet, VO2peak was comparable following both interventions (46.8 ± 6.7 (HC) vs. 47.2 ± 6.7 mL/kg/min (LC; p = 0.58)) while a significantly higher peak performance (251 ± 43 W (HC) vs. 240 ± 45 W (LC); (p = 0.0001), longer time to exhaustion (14.5 ± 2.4 min (HC) vs. 14.1 ± 2.4 min (LC); p = 0.002) and greater Watt/kg performance (4.1 ± 0.5 W/kg (HC) vs. 3.9 ± 0.5 W/kg (LC); p = 0.003) was demonstrated after the HC diet. In both trial arms, a significant reduction in body mass (65.2 ± 11.2 to 63.8 ± 11.8 kg (HC) vs. 64.8 ± 11.6 to 63.5 ± 11.3 kg (LC); both p < 0.0001) and fat mass (22.7% to 21.2%; (HC) vs. 22.3% to 20.6% (LC); both p < 0.0001) but not in lean body mass or skeletal muscle mass was shown when compared to baseline. Resting metabolic rate was not different within both groups (p > 0.05). Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased after the HC diet (97.9 ± 33.6 mg/dL at baseline to 78.2 ± 23.5 mg/dL; p = 0.02) while triglycerides significantly increased (76 ± 38 mg/dL at baseline to 104 ± 44 mg/dL; p = 0.005). Conclusion: A short-term HC and LC diet showed improvements in various performance parameters in favor of the HC diet. Some parameters of body composition significantly changed during both diets. The HC diet led to a significant reduction in total and LDL-cholesterol while triglycerides significantly increased.
Lightweight Software Architecture Evaluation for Industry: A Comprehensive Review

Processes for evaluating software architecture (SA) help to investigate problems and potential risks in SA. It is derived from many studies that proposed a plethora of systematic SA evaluation methods, while industrial practitioners currently refrain from applying them since they are heavyweight. Nowadays, heterogeneous software architectures are organized based on the new infrastructure. Hardware and associated software allow different systems, such as embedded, sensor-based, modern AI, and cloud-based systems, to cooperate efficiently. It brings more complexities to SA evaluation. Alternatively, lightweight architectural evaluation methods have been proposed to satisfy the practitioner’s concerns, but practitioners still do not adopt these methods. This study employs a systematic literature review with a text analysis of SA’s definitions to propose a comparison framework for SA. It identifies lightweight features and factors to improve the architectural evaluation methods among industrial practitioners. The features are determined based on the practitioner’s concerns by analyzing the architecture’s definitions from stakeholders and reviewing architectural evaluation methods. The lightweight factors are acquired by studying the five most commonly used lightweight methods and the Architecture-based Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM), the most well-known heavyweight method. Subsequently, the research addresses these features and factors.
Laser Deposited 18Ni300 Alloy Powder on 1045 Steel: Effect of Passes and Preheating on Microstructure

The application of maraging steels such as 18Ni300 alloy is noteworthy for mould industries, applying repair purposes through direct energy deposition process. This objective requires microstructural characterizations and the evaluation of mechanical behaviour such as hardness. The state of substrate material, including the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the interface between the HAZ and deposited layer, is essential, the formation of hard phases and abrupt transitions. Thus, the influence of the number of deposited layers or the pre-heating condition appears noteworthy. In the current study, microscopy observations did not reveal the presence of any crack in the cross-sections of deposited 18Ni300 alloy powder on AISI 1045 sheet steel; however, pores were observed in deposited layers. Besides, microscopic analyses revealed the achievement of a smooth HAZ in the deposited layers composed of three-layered depositions or that received preheating, confirmed by hardness measurements as well. Dilution effect ensured a metallurgical bonding between depositions and substrate, strongly affected by preheating. The HAZ microstructure, mainly martensitic transformation, distribution of chemical composition, epitaxial growth at the interface, and the size of crystals and grains were affected by preheating or the number of layers. Moreover, the heat propagation and/or dissipation across the deposited layers influenced the dendrite morphology and the texture of grains. The preheating condition provoked the formation of cellular/equiaxed dendrites that was highlighted in the three-layered deposition, increase in dendrite interspace growth.
A Mixed-Method Study Exploring Experiences and Perceptions of Nutritionists Regarding Use of an Image-Based Dietary Assessment System in Tanzania

Due to global advances in technology, image-based food record methods have emerged as an alternative to traditional assessment methods. The use of image-based food records in low and lower-middle income countries such as Tanzania is limited, with countries still using traditional methods. The current study aimed to determine the feasibility of using a new voice and image-based dietary assessment system (VISIDA) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This mixed-method study recruited 18 nutritionists as participants who collected image-based records of food and drinks they consumed using the VISIDA smartphone app. Participants viewed an online demonstration of the VISIDA web platform and the analysis process for intake data collected using the VISIDA app. Then, participants completed an online survey and were interviewed about the VISIDA app and web platform for food and nutrient intake analysis. The method was reported as being acceptable and was found to be easy to use, although technical challenges were experienced by some participants. Most participants indicated a willingness to use the VISIDA app again for one week or longer and were interested in using the VISIDA system in their current role. Participants acknowledged that the VISIDA web platform would simplify some aspects of their current job. Image-based food records could potentially be used in Tanzania to improve the assessment of dietary intake by nutritionists in urban areas. Participants recommended adding sound-on notifications, using the VISIDA app in both Apple and Android phones, enabling installation from the app store, and improving the quality of the fiducial markers.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Response of Rising Taylor Bubbles in Slug Flow

Slug flow is one of the most common flow types encountered in surface facilities, pipelines, and wellbores. The intermittent gas phase, in the form of a Taylor bubble, followed by the liquid phase can be destructive to equipment. However, commonly used point flow sensors have significant limitations for flow analysis. Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) can turn optical fibers into an array of distributed strain rate sensors and provide substantial insights into flow characterization. We built a 10 m vertical laboratory flow loop equipped with wrapped fiber optic cables to study the DAS response of rising Taylor bubbles. Low-passed DAS data allow for velocity tracking of Taylor bubbles of different sizes and water velocities. Moreover, we measured the velocity of the wake region following the Taylor bubble and explored the process of Taylor bubbles merging. The amplitude analysis of DAS data allows for the estimation of Taylor bubble size. We conclude that DAS is a promising tool for understanding Taylor bubble properties in a laboratory environment and monitoring destructive flow in facilities across different industries to ensure operations are safe and cost-effective.
Microplastics (Polystyrene) Exposure Induces Metabolic Changes in the Liver of Rare Minnow (Gobiocypris rarus)

Microplastics are environmental contaminants and an emergent concern. Microplastics are abundant in freshwater and can cause biochemical stress in freshwater organisms. In the current study, rare minnows (Gobiocypris rarus) were exposed to 1μm polystyrene microplastics at 200 μg/L concentration. We observed various sublethal effects after four weeks of exposure but no mortality. Numerous cellular and tissue alterations were observed in the liver. Differential metabolites and differentially expressed genes between control and exposure groups were identified and mapped to pathways in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. The combination of transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed significantly varied metabolic pathways between the two groups. These pathways were involved in glucolipid, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism. Results demonstrated that MP exposure induced immune reaction, oxidative stress, and disturbed glycolipid and energy metabolism. The current study provided novel insights into the molecular and metabolic mechanisms of microplastic ecotoxicology in rare minnow.
Bone Dimensional Change Following Immediate Implant Placement in Posterior Teeth with CBCT: A 6-Month Prospective Clinical Study

This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the peri-implant hard tissue dimensional change at 6 months of immediate implant placement with bone graft materials in the posterior area using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Twelve dental implants were placed concurrently following tooth extraction in the posterior area and filled with xenograft particles. The CBCT images were taken immediately after surgical procedures and then at 6 months follow-up. To evaluate the hard tissue changes, the vertical and horizontal bone thickness were analyzed and measured using ImageJ software. Paired t-test or Wilcoxon match-pair signed-rank test was done to analyze the changes of hard tissue values at the same level between immediately and 6 months following immediate implant placement. Independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U test was used to analyze the dimensional change in the vertical and horizontal direction in buccal and lingual aspects. The level of significance was set at p value = 0.05. All implants were successfully osseointegrated. At 6 months follow-up, the vertical bone change at the buccal aspect was −0.69 mm and at the lingual aspect −0.39 mm. For horizontal bone thickness, the bone dimensional changes at 0, 1, 5, and 9 mm levels from the implant platform were −0.62 mm, −0.70 mm, −0.24 mm, and −0.22 mm, respectively. A significant bone reduction was observed in all measurement levels during the 6 months after implant placement (p value < 0.05). It was noted that even with bone grafting, a decrease in bone thickness was seen following the immediate implant placement. Therefore, this technique can be an alternative method to place the implant in the posterior area.
Ultrasonic-Assisted Synthesis of N-Doped, Multicolor Carbon Dots toward Fluorescent Inks, Fluorescence Sensors, and Logic Gate Operations

Over past decades, the multicolor carbon dots (M-CDs) have attracted enormous attentions due to their tunable photoluminescence and versatile applications. Herein, the nitrogen-doped (N-doped) M-CDs including green, chartreuse, and pink emissive CDs are successfully synthesized by ultrasonic treatment of kiwifruit juice with different additive reagents such as ethanol, ethylenediamine, and acetone. Owing to their strong fluorescence upon irradiation with 365 nm UV light, the highly water-soluble M-CDs present great potential in the anticounterfeit field as fluorescent inks. Particularly, the resulting green emission CDs (G-CDs) with excellent fluorescence and stability are applied as a label-free probe model for “on–off” detection of Fe3+. The fluorescence of G-CDs is significantly quenched by Fe3+ through static quenching. The nanoprobe demonstrates good selectivity and sensitivity toward Fe3+ with a detection limit of ~0.11 μM. Besides, the quenched fluorescence of G-CDs by Fe3+ can be recovered by the addition of PO43− or ascorbic acid (AA) into the CDs/Fe3+ system to realize the “off–on” fluorescent process. Furthermore, NOT and IMPLICATION logic gates are constructed based on the selection of Fe3+ and PO43− or AA as the inputs, which makes the G-CD-based sensors utilized as various logic gates at molecular level. Therefore, the N-doped M-CDs hold promising prospects as competitive candidates in monitoring the trace species, applications in food chemistry, anticounterfeit uses, and beyond.
Effectiveness of Organic and Inorganic Fluoridated Dentifrice on Dental Caries Progression Among Institutionalized Geriatrics: A Randomized Intervention

Purpose To assess the effects of two commercially available organic and inorganic fluoridated dentifrices on dental caries progression amongst the institutionalized geriatric population. Materials and methods A total of 80 participants were selected and randomly allocated using the coin toss method into two groups, viz. Group I with subjects receiving organic fluoridated dentifrice and Group II with subjects receiving inorganic fluoridated dentifrice. Allocation concealment was done using the Sequentially-Numbered, Opaque, Sealed Envelopes (SNOSE) method. Participants were blinded using analogous dentifrice tubes. They brushed their teeth with the dentifrices twice daily using the modified Bass technique for a period of six months. Their compliance with the intervention was monitored regularly. The outcome measure was susceptibility to dental caries assessed by a cariogram. A single, trained, and calibrated investigator assessed the cariogram at baseline and after six months. Collected data were compiled and analyzed. Results The mean age was found to be 67.75 ± 4.1 years, 70.05 ±7.4 years among Group I and Group II participants, respectively. The results showed that the efficacy of avoiding new carious lesions was higher (75.85%) in Group I participants as compared to Group II (73.4%) participants, but no significant difference in the mean cariogram sectors was observed. However, there was a statistically significant reduction in the Streptococcus (S.) mutans and Lactobacillus colony-forming unit (CFU) (p<0.05) with a considerable increase in salivary pH in Group I participants. Conclusion There is a marked increase in the possibility of avoiding new carious lesions with a reduction in S. mutans and Lactobacillus CFU and an increase in saliva buffer capacity over six months of use of organic fluoride dentifrices. Thus, organic fluoride dentifrice can be an effective agent for institutionalized geriatrics in the prevention of dental caries and oral diseases.
Sex-Specific Effects of Nutritional Supplements for Infants Born Early or Small: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis (ESSENCE IPD-MA) I—Cognitive Function and Metabolic Risk

Neonatal nutritional supplements are widely used to improve growth and development but may increase risk of later metabolic disease, and effects may differ by sex. We assessed effects of supplements on later development and metabolism. We searched databases and clinical trials registers up to April 2019. Participant-level data from randomised trials were included if the intention was to increase macronutrient intake to improve growth or development of infants born preterm or small-for-gestational-age. Co-primary outcomes were cognitive impairment and metabolic risk. Supplementation did not alter cognitive impairment in toddlers (13 trials, n = 1410; adjusted relative risk (aRR) 0.88 [95% CI 0.68, 1.13]; p = 0.31) or older ages, nor alter metabolic risk beyond 3 years (5 trials, n = 438; aRR 0.94 [0.76, 1.17]; p = 0.59). However, supplementation reduced motor impairment in toddlers (13 trials, n = 1406; aRR 0.76 [0.60, 0.97]; p = 0.03), and improved motor scores overall (13 trials, n = 1406; adjusted mean difference 1.57 [0.14, 2.99]; p = 0.03) and in girls not boys (p = 0.03 for interaction). Supplementation lowered triglyceride concentrations but did not affect other metabolic outcomes (high-density and low-density lipoproteins, cholesterol, fasting glucose, blood pressure, body mass index). Macronutrient supplementation for infants born small may not alter later cognitive function or metabolic risk, but may improve early motor function, especially for girls.
Comparison of Three Dietary Assessment Methods to Estimate Meat Intake as Part of a Meat Reduction Intervention among Adults in the UK

Food diaries are used to estimate meat intake at an individual level but it is unclear whether simpler methods would provide similar results. This study assessed the agreement between 7 day food diaries in which composite dishes were disaggregated to assess meat content (reference method), and two simpler methods: (1) frequency meal counts from 7 day food diaries; and (2) 7 day dietary recalls, each using standard estimated portion sizes. We compared data from a randomized controlled trial testing a meat reduction intervention. We used Bland-Altman plots to assess the level of agreement between methods at baseline and linear mixed-effects models to compare estimates of intervention effectiveness. At baseline, participants consumed 132 g/d (±75) of total meat; frequency meal counts and dietary recalls underestimated this by an average of 30 and 34 g/day, respectively. This was partially explained by an underestimation of the assumed portion size. The two simpler methods also underestimated the effect of the intervention, relative to control, though the significant effect of the intervention was unchanged. Simpler methods underestimated absolute meat intake but may be suitable for use in studies to measure the change in meat intake in individuals over time.