Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Celiac Disease and Targeting the Molecular Mechanisms of Autoimmunity in COVID Pandemic

Celiac disease (CD) comprises over 1% of the world’s population and is a chronic multisystem immune-mediated condition manifested by digestive and/or extradigestive symptoms caused by food intake of gluten. This review looked at the risk of children diagnosed with CD developing SARS-CoV-2 infection and possible severe forms of COVID-19. A better understanding of the interaction and effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in CD is very important, as is the role of environmental and genetic factors, but especially the molecular mechanisms involved in modulating intestinal permeability with impact on autoimmunity. CD inspired the testing of a zonulin antagonist for the fulminant form of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and paved the way for the discovery of new molecules to regulate the small intestine barrier function and immune responses. Original published works on COVID-19 and CD, new data and points of view have been analyzed because this dangerous virus SARS-CoV-2 is still here and yet influencing our lives. Medical science continues to focus on all uncertainties triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection and its consequences, including in CD. Although the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be gradually extinguishing, there is a wealth of information and knowledge gained over the last two years and important life lessons to analyze, as well as relevant conclusions to be drawn to deal with future pandemics. Zonulin is being studied extensively in immunoengineering as an adjuvant to improving the absorption of new drugs and oral vaccines.
The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on audit fees and audit delay: international evidence

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown on the audit fees and audit delay of audit client firms located in 52 countries and audit firm offices located in 40 countries. Design/methodology/approach Using archival audit data from Audit Analytics in the fiscal year 2020, this study examines the impact of the length of COVID-19 lockdown and other public health restrictions, measured by the stringency index (Hale et al., 2021), on audit fees and audit delay using a multivariate regression analysis. Findings Based on a sample of 2,726 US firms and 718 non-US firms from 51 different countries outside the USA and audit firm offices in 40 countries during the fiscal year 2020, the authors find that the COVID-19 lockdown and public health restrictions increase audit fees and audit delay. However, non-US firms experience longer audit delay because of the lockdown than their US counterparts. In addition, longer lockdown and greater restrictions increase the audit fees and audit delay of non-US firms with high audit risk at a greater rate than those of US firms with high audit risk. Practical implications The results of this study suggest that auditors increase audit fees and have longer audit delay when facing more COVID-19 restrictions. Increased audit fees and audit delay are likely to result from higher perceived audit risk and, consequently, additional audit effort to design new procedures, train staff to use the new procedures and implement them amid the pandemic restrictions. The impact of COVID lockdown and restrictions on audit fees and audit delay are more pronounced for non-US firms with greater audit risk. The results of this study suggest that audit firms should quickly adapt to the evolving audit, risk and financial landscape created by the pandemic. Originality/value Using archival audit data and large sample size, this study provides the first empirical evidence of the impact of lockdown and public health restrictions during the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on audit processes as measured with audit fees and audit delay.
Coronary artery calcium score scan at 100 kVp with tin filtration (Sn100 kVp) prior to coronary computed tomography angiography for overall radiation dose reduction: a prospective cohort study

Background Reducing radiation dose is a global concern in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We aimed to investigate whether a coronary artery calcium score (CACS) scan would lead to an overall reduction of radiation dose in CCTA examination and determine its necessity in routine CCTA imaging. Methods A total of 297 patients with suspected coronary heart disease were consecutively enrolled in this prospective cohort study between March 1, 2021, and September 1, 2021. All patients were scanned using a prospective electrocardiogram-triggered sequence acquisition mode on a dual-source computed tomography (CT) scanner. The first 1–150 patients (group A, n=150) were scanned with CACS using tin filtration with low voltage (Sn100 kVp) to guide the CCTA scanning range, whereas the subsequent 151–297 patients (group B, n=147) were scanned using a scout view for the CCTA range. Participant characteristics, number of scans, scan length, actual heart length, CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product (DLP), effective dose (ED), and qualitative analysis were statistically analyzed between the groups. Results There was no significant difference in sex, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), or heart rate between the 2 groups. The number of scans and scan length (149 of 3 scans at 10.35 cm, 1 of 4 scans at 13.80 cm; P<0.001), CTDIvol of CCTA (16.13 mGy; P<0.04), DLP of CCTA (166.90 mGy*cm; P<0.001), ED of CCTA (4.34 mSv; P<0.001), and overall ED (4.57 mSv; P<0.001) of group A showed significant differences compared with group B (36 of 3 scans at 10.35 cm, 109 of 4 scans at 13.80 cm, 2 of 5 scans at 17.25 cm; CTDIvol of CCTA at 18.30 mGy; DLP of CCTA at 235.60 mGy*cm; ED of CCTA at 6.13 mSv; overall ED at 6.13 mSv); meanwhile, actual heart length, qualitative analysis, and diagnostic CT reports were similar between the groups. Conclusions The CACS scan with Sn100 kVp prior to CCTA imaging on dual-source CT could reduce overall radiation dose.
Decentralized Public Key Infrastructure with Identity Management using Hyperledger Fabric

Public key infrastructure (PKI) is one of the most effective ways to protect confidential electronic data on the internet. In centralized PKIs, the identity is defined by trusted third parties, specifically the Certificate Authority (CA). However, the security of the end-users becomes jeopardized if the CA gets compromised. To tackle this problem, the decentralized nature of the system can be used to eliminate a single point of failure. However, the lack of real-time support, the block complexity, and strict implementation are drawbacks that burden the practicality of these approaches. This study tries to evaluate the Decentralized Public Key Infrastructure (DPKI) framework based on a permission-less model. The model itself is constructed over the decentralized identifier to manage the identity of users. We use the Hyperledger Fabric based blockchain network to create a hierarchy Certificate Authority, where each CA is a peer in a decentralized distributed network. Hence, each peer owns a separate database validated by the blockchain. We have evaluated the model efficacy in terms of the network latency and throughput, which were all found to be acceptable.
The Direct Leaching of Nickel Sulfide Flotation Concentrates – A Historic and State-of-the-Art Review Part III: Laboratory Investigations into Atmospheric Leach Processes

ABSTRACT The following review is Part III of a series concerned with the direct hydrometallurgical processing of nickel sulfide flotation concentrates. In the first part of this series, piloted leaching processes and commercial nickel sulfide operations that employed direct hydrometallurgical processing were comprehensively reviewed. In the second part of this series, laboratory investigations into pressure leaching of nickel sulfide concentrates were critically analyzed. In Part III of this series, laboratory investigations into the leaching of nickeliferous sulfide concentrates at ambient pressure are reviewed, and the challenges and research opportunities in the direct leaching of nickel sulfide flotation concentrates are summarized. The majority of the published studies on atmospheric leaching of nickel sulfide flotation concentrates have focused on leaching in chloride media due to the faster leaching kinetics in chloride lixiviants relative to sulfate media; bioleaching due to the perceived environmental advantages over other leaching systems; and pyrometallurgical pre-treatments to render refractory sulfide minerals more amenable to subsequent leaching.
Linguistic performance during monologues and correlates of neuropsychological function for adults with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Background Cognitive-linguistic deficits are a concern in multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, clinical management requires knowledge of how impaired cognition associated with MS impacts language performance during everyday communication tasks. Aims This study investigated language performance in narrative monologues produced by individuals with MS compared to healthy controls and the correlations between language performance and cognitive function for the individuals with MS. Method and Procedure Thirteen individuals with MS and 13 controls were studied. Four neuropsychological tests from the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS confirmed that individuals with MS had impaired cognition and an auditory-perceptual evaluation confirmed that they did not have dysarthria. Narratives were analyzed using the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT). Primary linguistic variables included inter-sentence cohesion adequacy, subordination index, moving average type-token ratio (MATTR), and mean length of utterances (MLU). Secondary linguistic measures included the total number of words, mazes, utterances, and abandoned utterances. Measures of disease severity, depression, and fatigue were also obtained. Outcome and Results When controlling for age and fatigue, the total number of words was the only linguistic measure that significantly differed between groups. Participants with MS produced more words than controls. Significant correlations indicated strong associations between MATTR, MLU, abandoned utterances, and subordination index and the cognitive domains of processing speed and/or executive function. Conclusion Results suggest that communicative competence during everyday speaking tasks may be undermined by off-topic verbose speech, reduced detail, and unfinished thoughts for individuals with MS with impaired processing speed and/or executive function.
Genotype environment interaction and yield stability of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) genotypes

Lack of suitable varieties that exhibit stable yield performances across wide ranges of environments is the major factor among several production constraints contributing to low productivity of Arabica coffee in Ethiopia. Eleven advanced Limmu coffee genotypes were evaluated in eight environments (four locations over two years) to determine the existence of GEI and yield stability performances. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design of two replications under all locations. Combined analysis of variance showed a highly significant effect of genotype by environment interaction indicating the differential yield response of genotypes across different environments. The major proportion of the variation explained by environments was 42.74% of the total variation. Nevertheless, the contribution of the genotypes to the total variance was much smaller than the environments, and the genotype by environment interaction. Different stability models such as additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), AMMI stability value, cultivar superiority index and yield stability index were used for stability analysis. The first two Interaction Principal Component Axis (IPCAs) of AMMI exhibited a highly significant effect and cumulatively contributed about 63.21% of the total interaction sum of squares. Two high yielding genotypes, namely (L52/2001) and (L55/2001), on average, showed stable performance across environments. On the other hand, the study also illustrated the presence of location specific high yielding coffee genotype such as L56/2001. Regarding the test environments, Gera 2015/16 (E5) is considered as a more stable site over the rest environments, while Agaro 2015/16 (E7) was considered to be the most interactive environment. Based on the result of the study, coffee breeders or farmers would be recommended for wise selecting either for location specific or wider adaptable coffee genotypes leading to substantial yield increase under Limmu coffee growing areas. Key words: Arabica coffee, environment, G x E interaction, stability.
Effect of zinc source (zinc sulfate or zinc hydroxychloride) on relative abundance of fecal Treponema spp. in lactating dairy cows

Graphical Abstract Summary: The present study describes the difference in fecal microbiome between cows fed supplemental zinc either in a sulfate or hydroxychloride form. Supplemental zinc hydroxychloride under ad libitum feeding conditions decreased Treponema spp. , particularly those sequences within Treponema 2, by 67% compared with a similar diet with zinc sulfate, whereas other changes in the fecal microbiome were minimal. The shift in Treponema spp. from zinc source could reflect a fecal microbiome response to zinc availability, but it is unknown if that shift reflects a pathogenic risk to the ruminant.
A Comprehensive Review on Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging System

Abstract Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in many countries of the world. EVs are proving more energy efficient and environmental friendly than ICEVs. But the lack of charging stations restricts the wide adoption of EVs in the world. As EV usage grows, more public spaces are installing EV charging stations. On the other hand, if EVs are charged via existing utility grid powered by fossil fuel-based generation system, then it affects the distribution system and could not be environmentally friendly. As solar has great potential to generate the electricity from PV panel, the charging of EVs from PV panels would be a great solution and also a sustainable step toward the environment. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of solar PV-EV charging systems and deployment in the world. Analytical methods were proposed to obtain information about EV charging behavior, modes of charging station operation, and geolocation of charging station users. The methodology presented here was time- and cost-effective, and very helpful to the researchers and students in this field.
Direct Detection Constraints on Dark Matter Event Rates in Neutrino Telescopes, and Collider Implications

Neutrino telescopes are looking to detect neutrinos produced by the annihilation of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter in the sun. The event rate depends on the dark matter density in the sun, which in turn is dictated by the cross section of WIMPs with nucleons. This however is bounded by direct detection experiments. We use the constraints from these experiments to place model-independent upper bounds on the event rates in neutrino telescopes that apply to any elastic dark matter model. Since the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section is much more tightly constrained than the corresponding spin-dependent cross section, the bounds are much stronger in the former case and are competitive with the current limits from IceCube. If the number of events observed in neutrino telescopes exceeds the upper bound corresponding to spin-independent interactions, the implication is that the cross section of dark matter with nucleons is dominated by spin- dependent interactions. In such a scenario the natural dark matter candidates are Majorana fermions and real vector bosons, so that dark matter particles are their own anti-particles. We show that any such theory that leads to observable event rates at current generation neutrino telescopes will in general contain new particles charged under the Standard Model gauge groups that naturally lie in a mass range that is kinematically accessible to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
The dark side of the bun: endo and exogenous class exclusions in Polish alternative food network

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to analyze class divisions and exclusions limiting the potential of Polish Alternative Food Networks (AFNs). The authors discuss the tensions arising from the continuing class division in Polish society. Elements determining class stratification – such as values, motivations, capitals, space of relations, and imaginaries are considered. This paper is based on a qualitative research conducted in 2019 in six various types of AFNs in Poland. The authors conclude that alternative networks operating in Poland are currently separating and polarizing. Given their increasing diversification in terms of the economic capital and other resources, their class-related cultural practices and specific imaginary, a clear distinction emerges between what can be recognized as élite (exclusive) initiatives and mass-scale (albeit less evident) alternative food practices. The well-embedded and largely invisible networks based on seemingly trivial daily practices are revealed as a distinctive category of AFNs marked by the lowest potential to generate class exclusions.
Multistakeholder Benefits: A Meta-Analysis of Different Theories

We predict multistakeholder benefits as a measure of organizational performance from the perspective of important organizational stakeholders. Specifically, we identify the relative importance of theoretical antecedents that affect the different dimensions of stakeholder benefits. Offering the first empirical synthesis of multistakeholder benefits to date, we assess the statistical explanatory power of different theories in the literature, focusing on the extent to which their suggested antecedents of organizational performance may lead to improvements in multiple dimensions of stakeholder benefits. Based on 110 empirical studies since 1990 to date concerning any two of four stakeholder groups (investors, customers, employees, and community /environment), we find no evidence for any single theory to have sufficient explanatory power in predicting benefits concerning all four stakeholder groups. Thus, we cannot reduce different mechanisms leading to multistakeholder benefits to a grand model or theory but need to resort to a multi-theoretical synthesis. Taking stock of the meta-analysis, we suggest future studies should fill three gaps: multiple dimensions within a stakeholder benefit, causal complexity, and inequality of stakeholder benefit creation.
Impact of different marketing conditions on the bacteriological quality of meat products

Animal foods, such as meat and meat products, are among the main sources of infection and spread of Foodborne Diseases, where marketing conditions are an important factor to be evaluated. Forty-eight samples of meat products sold under outdoor fairs, butcher shops and supermarkets were collected. The presence of microorganisms indicating hygienic and sanitary quality (fecal coliforms and Clostridium perfringens) was investigated, as well as the species Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed a high presence of C. perfringens in 83.33% of the samples, fecal coliforms in 73% and P. aeruginosa in 100% of meat products, in all commercial points. As for marketing conditions, the difference in the food contamination index was significant (p ≤ 0.05) only for C. perfringens (X2 (2) = 8.5; p= 0.0143), where meat sold in fairs were more susceptible to contamination by C. perfringens than meats sold in supermarkets. The meat products analyzed did not show quality from a bacteriological point of view, given the high presence of fecal coliforms, P. aeruginosa and C. perfringens, leading to question mainly the form of trade that can generate unsafe products for consumption.
Semantics of logic programs with explicit negation

After a historical introduction, the bulk of the thesis concerns the study of a declarative semantics for logic programs. The main original contributions are: • WFSX (Well–Founded Semantics with eXplicit negation), a new semantics for logic programs with explicit negation (i.e. extended logic programs), which compares favourably in its properties with other extant semantics. • A generic characterization schema that facilitates comparisons among a diversity of semantics of extended logic programs, including WFSX. • An autoepistemic and a default logic corresponding to WFSX, which solve existing problems of the classical approaches to autoepistemic and default logics, and clarify the meaning of explicit negation in logic programs. • A framework for defining a spectrum of semantics of extended logic programs based on the abduction of negative hypotheses. This framework allows for the characterization of different levels of scepticism/credulity, consensuality, and argumentation. One of the semantics of abduction coincides with WFSX. • O–semantics, a semantics that uniquely adds more CWA hypotheses to WFSX. The techniques used for doing so are applicable as well to the well–founded semantics of normal logic programs. • By introducing explicit negation into logic programs contradiction may appear. I present two approaches for dealing with contradiction, and show their equivalence. One of the approaches consists in avoiding contradiction, and is based on restrictions in the adoption of abductive hypotheses. The other approach consists in removing contradiction, and is based in a transformation of contradictory programs into noncontradictory ones, guided by the reasons for contradiction.
The nature of Itinerant Ferromagnetism of SrRuO3 : A DFT+DMFT Study

We have investigated the temperature (T)-dependent evolution of electronic structures and magnetic properties of an itinerant ferromagnet SrRuO3, employing the combined scheme of the density functional theory and the dynamical mean-field theory (DFT+DMFT). The inclusion of finite dynamical correlation effects beyond the DFT well describes not only the incoherent hump structure observed in the photoemission experiment but also the T-dependent magnetic properties in accordance with experiments. We have shown that the magnetization of SrRuO3 evolves with the Stoner behavior below the Curie temperature (Tc), reflecting the weak itinerant ferromagnetic behavior, but the local residual magnetic moment persists even above Tc, indicating the local magnetic moment behavior. We suggest that the ferromagnetism of SrRuO3 has dual nature of both weak and local moment limits, even though the magnetism of SrRuO3 is more itinerant than that of Fe.