Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of prognostic factors in multiple myeloma

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is cancer of the plasma cell characterized by interpatient heterogeneity, in most of the cases it is incurable. It is the second most common hematological malignancy. Overall survival of patients has significantly increased recently. Lot of research is going on for prognostic factors, which can predict disease and response to therapy. During the past decades, biomarkers: M protein and β2 microglobulin have shaped the knowledge about MM. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of prognostic factors in newly diagnosed and few follow up patients of MM before, during and after the treatment in Indian population.Methods: We analyzed 177 samples (90 MM patients and 87 healthy control) for creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, LDH, total protein, albumin, globulin, β2M, Immunoglobulines (Igs), IgG, IgA, IgM, Kappa light chain and Lambda light chains, serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). Results: The result of our study are significant at p<0.0001 for creatinine, β2M, LDH, albumin, globulin and immunoglobulins whereas for calcium and phosphorus results are not significant at p<0.005. We observed that the levels of β2m, creatinine, LDH and M band concentration declined during the treatment (chemotherapy). Conclusions: We conclude that these results will help the clinicians to tailor-made the chemotherapy doses for betterment of patients and improve survival rate in MM patients.
Native Defect Characterization of Single Crystal UO2 Pre- and Post-Neutron Irradiation

Synthetic single crystal uranium dioxide (UO2) samples were studied using photoluminescence (PL) to characterize the surface defects present following growth. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and gamma ray spectroscopy measurements were collected to help identify any impurities present in the sample. PL measurements were made using a Kimmon Koha Co., LTD. IK series helium-cadmium (HeCd) 325 nm laser with an energy range of 5 mW/10 mV, in a 10-6 Torr vacuum, and at 10K. Data was collected through a Products for Research Inc. PHOTOCOOLTM series photomultiplier tube (PMT) attached to a Horiba Scientific Inc. SPEX 1250 M monochromator and analyzed with SynerJYTM. Both the emission of U4+ in UO2 from 5f16d1→5f2 transitions and uranyl emission from surface oxidation was detected. Five 5f16d1→5f2 transitions were assigned to peaks at 3.41 ± 0.02, 3.17 ± 0.02, 3.00 ± 0.02, 2.82 ± 0.02, and 2.61 ± 0.01 eV. Six near band edge (NBE) defects were detected and their phonon replicas identified. The uranyl symmetric (797.6 ± 6.1 cm-1), antisymmetric (850.8 ± 7.7 cm-1), bending (171.4 ± 4.4 / 205.3 ± 0.9 / 254.6 ± 1.9 cm-1), and inherent internal defect (50.9 ± 6.6 cm-1) vibrational frequencies are identified for the first time in single crystal UO2 and in good agreement with other uranyl compounds in literature.
Comparing acoustic classification methods to estimate krill biomass in the Georges Bank region from 1999 to 2012

Krill are a critical component of northern‐latitude ecosystems, yet are poorly monitored in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions of the northeast United States continental shelf. We applied five acoustic classification methods (multifrequency single‐beam index [MFSBI], dB‐differencing, multifrequency index [MFI], and two variations of the Z‐score method) to acoustic data collected during surveys conducted annually in the Georges Bank region in order to map krill spatial distribution from 1999 to 2012. Material properties (sound speed and mass density) of krill and length data from net samples collected in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions were used in conjunction with distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA) predicted target strengths to scale acoustic data to estimates of biomass for the Georges Bank region. All methods require a priori information, ranging from training sets (i.e., empirically based classification) to validated acoustic models of target strength (i.e., theoretically based classification) for the species and acoustic frequencies of interest. Incorporating predicted backscatter from theoretical models can improve confidence in classification, especially when clean training sets are not available, but does come at the cost of a validated acoustic backscatter model. The biomass estimates from the four acoustic classification methods were comparable among each other, with the MFSBI method consistently estimating lowest biomass and the empirically based Z‐score consistently estimating highest biomass. Comparisons to net‐based estimates were inconsistent, most likely due to net inefficiency (low catchability), targeting of layers, and scaling point estimates to regions.
Progress on Noble Metal-Based Catalysts Dedicated to the Selective Catalytic Ammonia Oxidation into Nitrogen and Water Vapor (NH3-SCO)

A recent development for selective ammonia oxidation into nitrogen and water vapor (NH3-SCO) over noble metal-based catalysts is covered in the mini-review. As ammonia (NH3) can harm human health and the environment, it led to stringent regulations by environmental agencies around the world. With the enforcement of the Euro VI emission standards, in which a limitation for NH3 emissions is proposed, NH3 emissions are becoming more and more of a concern. Noble metal-based catalysts (i.e., in the metallic form, noble metals supported on metal oxides or ion-exchanged zeolites, etc.) were rapidly found to possess high catalytic activity for NH3 oxidation at low temperatures. Thus, a comprehensive discussion of property-activity correlations of the noble-based catalysts, including Pt-, Pd-, Ag- and Au-, Ru-based catalysts is given. Furthermore, due to the relatively narrow operating temperature window of full NH3 conversion, high selectivity to N2O and NOx as well as high costs of noble metal-based catalysts, recent developments are aimed at combining the advantages of noble metals and transition metals. Thus, also a brief overview is provided about the design of the bifunctional catalysts (i.e., as dual-layer catalysts, mixed form (mechanical mixture), hybrid catalysts having dual-layer and mixed catalysts, core-shell structure, etc.). Finally, the general conclusions together with a discussion of promising research directions are provided.
Nonlinear Vibration Isolation via a NiTiNOL Wire Rope

Vibration isolators with both stiffness and damping nonlinearities show promise for exhibiting compound advantages for broadband vibration isolation. A nonlinear isolator with a NiTiNOL wire rope is proposed with cubic stiffness, hysteretic damping, and pinching effects induced by geometric constraints, inner frictions, and phase transitions, respectively. A combined method of a beam constraint model and a Bouc-Wen model is presented to characterize the restoring force of the NiTiNOL wire rope. The frequency responses of the nonlinear isolator were analyzed through a harmonic balance method with an alternating frequency/time domain technique. The generalized equivalent stiffness and the generalized equivalent damping ratio were defined for a comprehensive understanding of the nonlinear characteristics. The isolator exhibited a stiffness-softening-hardening characteristic. The pinching effect, the Bouc-Wen hysteresis, and the cubic stiffness mainly influenced the equivalent stiffness at the initial value, the small displacements, and the large displacements, respectively. The rate-independent damping ratio increased and then decreased with increasing displacement, and the parameters influenced the damping ratio change in different ways. Compared to an isolator with a steel wire rope, the isolator with a NiTiNOL wire rope exhibited less initial stiffness and a stronger damping effect, and thus, better vibration isolation performance. The relationships of the peak displacement transmissibility and the resonant frequency with the excitation amplitude were both non-monotonic due to the non-monotonic changes of the stiffness and the damping ratio. The minimum peak transmissibility, the lowest resonant frequency, and their corresponding excitation amplitudes depended on the isolator parameters. The isolator demonstrated stiffness–softening and stiffness–hardening types of jump phenomena with different parameters.
Longitudinal Morphological Changes in the Adenoids and Tonsils in Japanese School Children

The adenoid (Ad) and tonsil (Ts), located in the upper airway, play an important role in immunological protection. These lymphoid tissues grow rapidly, reach a peak of growth at the age of 6–8 years, and decrease in their size thereafter. However, little information is available on the longitudinal growth patterns of Ad and Ts in the general population. This study aimed to evaluate the individual growth of Ad and Ts during childhood using lateral cephalograms taken longitudinally from the same individuals at the ages of 8–12 years. Our results showed that the cross-sectional areas of the Ad, nasopharynx (Np), and oropharynx (Op) significantly increased with age while small changes in the size of Ts were present throughout the study period. In addition, the values of Ad/Np and Ts/Op decreased significantly with age in the elementary school. Furthermore, there was a strong and significant correlation between the Ad/Np ratio and upper airway resistance, indicating the narrowest distance in the upper airway. In conclusion, the airway occupation in Np and Op increased with age due to the increase in the sizes of Np and Op but not the decrease in the sizes of Ad and Ts.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Potential of Satureja hortensis L. in Fresh Cow Cheese

This study presents data about the chemical composition and antimicrobial effect of Satureja hortensis L. used as both dry plant and essential oil, on fresh cow’s cheese, in order to extend its shelf-life. The proximate and elemental composition of dry plant of Satureja hortensis L. highlights important level of microelements. The content of microelements increases even when small amounts of Satureja hortensis in fresh cheese were added. The addition of Satureja hortensis dry plant leads to an increase in Fe (13.46–65.54%) and Mn (8.33–88.33%) content of fresh cheese, depending on the amount of plant added. The composition of essential oil isolated from Satureja hortensis L. was analyzed by GC-MS and the main compounds found were carvacrol (19.68%), o-cymene (30.86%), and p-cymene (28.07%). In order to use Satureja hortensis L. as natural preservative in food industry, in vitro effect of plant extract and essential oil against Staphylococcus aureus Gram-positive bacteria was tested. The oil of Satureja hortensis L. showed antimicrobial activity at 0.50–1.5%, while the alcoholic extract does not inhibit Staphylococcus aureus mycelial growth. The antimicrobial effect of Satureja hortensis L. dry plant in various proportions (0.5–1.5%) and essential oil (0.1%; 0.25%; 0.5%), on fresh cow’s cheese, was assessed after 3 and 7 days by counting colonies obtained at 30°C. Results have shown that the addition of Satureja hortensis L. dry plant and essential oil led to a reduction in the total number of germs, this reduction being more significant when the essential oil was used. Regarding the effect of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil against Staphylococcus aureus inoculated in fresh cow’s cheese, the results highlight that the essential oil of Satureja hortensis L. may be a natural solution to prevent the development of this bacteria, while the ethanol extract does not prove to be effective.
Exploring Rape Myth Acceptance and Psychopathy as Predictors of Sexual Coercion

ABSTRACT Evidence suggests certain psychological traits and inaccurate cognitions or beliefs are important predictors of sexual coercion. While research has demonstrated that psychopathic traits are one of the best sexual aggression predictors, research has also shown the importance of rape myth acceptance as a predictor. Although both constructs have significant evidence supporting their predictive power with sexual coercion, some recent research has found that the relationship between rape myth acceptance and sexual coercive tactics was negated with the addition of psychopathy scores. The current study seeks to extend this previous researchby using a larger sample of college males (N = 481), different measures of rape myth acceptance and psychopathy, and both retrospective and prospective methods. The results of the current study partially support previous findings, but also demonstrate differences in the predictive utility of rape myth acceptance and psychopathy constructs in the prospective prediction. Both psychopathy, particularly callousness, and rape myth acceptance were significant predictors of the sample’s intention of using both verbal and illegal sexual coercive tactics.
Effect of drying methods on physical and chemical properties of Ilex guayusa leaves

En este trabajo se discute la influencia del secado al aire (AD), el horno de convección (CO) y el secado solar (SOD) sobre las propiedades físicas y químicas de las hojas de Ilex guayusa. Seestimaron las cenizas totales (%), las cenizas insolubles en ácido (%), las cenizas solubles en agua (%), la humedad residual (%) y el contenido de cafeína (%). Además, se analizó la presencia los alcaloides, flavonoides, azúcares reductores, saponinas, esteroides, quinonas, grasas, fenoles y taninos en extractos de hojas secas. Los resultados revelaron que los parámetros del análisis físico no se vieron afectados por las técnicas de secado. La mayor cantidad de metabolitos secundarios se detectó en el extracto etanólico y acuoso. En general, las hojas secadas al horno de convección mostraron el mayor contenido de cafeína (3,71%) y el menor tiempo de secado (13 h) en comparación con los otros métodos de secado empleados. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron un método rápido para secar hojas de Ilex guayusa sin alterar el contenido de componentes bioactivos beneficiosos para la salud, estudios que no han sido reportados.
Administrative staff ratings of adequacy of office accommodation in tertiary institutions

This study determined the administrative staff rating of the adequacy of accommodation in tertiary institutions in Yobe State. Two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The design of the study was descriptive survey. Population of the study was 1,032 administrative staff of federal and state tertiary institutions in the study area. A proportionate sampling was used to select a sample size of 310 administrative staff. A structured questionnaire containing 15 items validated by three experts was used for data collection. Cronbach alpha method was used to establish the internal consistency of the instrument. Correlation coefficients of 0.83 and 0.81 for two clusters (B1 and B2) with an overall coefficient of 0.82 were obtained.Two hundred and ninety eight duly completed copies of the instrument were retrieved and used for data analysis. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions and to determine the homogeneity of the respondents’ ratings while the t-test was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that administrative staff of tertiary institutions in Yobe State rated office accommodation and conveniences in their offices lowly adequate. The findings also showed that ownership of tertiary institution was a significant factor on the mean ratings of administrative staff on the adequacy of accommodation while ownership of tertiary institution significantly did not influence their mean ratings on the adequacy of conveniences provided in their offices. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that researcher concluded that there is need to improve the provision of office accommodation and conveniences in tertiary institutions in Yobe State, Nigeria. It was recommended among others that, administrators of tertiary institutions in Yobe State should collaborate more with private sectors in the areas of office accommodation and conveniences provision. This will encourage the private sectors to support the universities by providing some of these infrastructures to the institutions.
Humus stock degradation and its impact on phosphorus forms in arable soils – a case of the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe Zone

Abstract Soil humus degradation strengthens nutrient mining, especially phosphorus. This study was carried out on the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe Zone (UFSZ). A total of 21 soil profiles have been investigated: 11 Phaeozems, 6 Luvisols, and 4 Chernozems. Soils were tested for particle size distribution, calcium carbonate (CC), pH, and organic carbon (Corg). The evaluation of humus degradation as a reason of P depletion was performed based on indicators such as Humus Stock Gap (HSG), Humus Stability Index (S), and Yield Gap/Gain (YG/G). In order to evaluate the degree of P depletion, total phosphorus (Ptot) and its five fractions: water soluble – PH2O, exchangeable – PEX, bound to Fe and Al – PFe/Al, bound to Ca – PCa, and residual P – Pres, have been determined. Data revealed that in 14 of 21 investigated soils, S indices were below the threshold its value of nine, considered as the balanced content of humus with respect to soil texture. Next, in 11 of 21 cases, the negative humus balance indicates the yield gap in Phaeozems and Chernozems. The first three P pools (PH2O, PEX and PAl/Fe) in Phaeozems were exhausted, constituting less than 10% of the Ptot. In Phaeozems, PAl/Fe, in Luvisols, PEX, and in Chernozems, PH2O fractions were basic indicators of available P status. Their pools were directly or indirectly controlled by PCa. Humus content in Phaeozems and Chernozems revealed as the key factor impacting both total P and/or its available resources. Amelioration of P depletion requires efforts oriented on restoration of soil humus stock, concomitant with P fertilization.
Chronic Oil Pollution from Vessels and Its Role in Background Pollution in the Southeastern Baltic Sea

The results of long-term satellite monitoring of oil pollution of the sea surface in the southeastern Baltic Sea (SEB) are discussed in this paper. From June 2004 to December 2020, in total, 2780 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from different satellites were received and analyzed. There were 788 oil spills detected in the study area. The oil spills were concentrated along the main shipping routes in the SEB. The volume of the detected oil spills was estimated. The average size of the spill was about 2 km2 or 0.8 m3. Seasonal variability of oil pollution shows a decrease in the number of oil detections in the autumn–winter period, which is associated with the prevalence of unfavorable wind conditions that limit the use of SAR technology for oil spill detection and navigation for small ships. In situ measurements show that seasonal variation in the concentration of oil products in seawater is characterized by a maximum in April and a minimum in July. Since 2007, a decrease in oil detections has been observed for the entire Baltic Sea, including the study area. The interannual variability also shows a decrease in the concentration of oil products in the water column. In the southeastern Baltic Sea, the volume of oil products released yearly to the sea surface from ships does not exceed 0.1% of the average instantaneous presence of oil products in the water column.
The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Coniacian Stage (Salzgitter-Salder, Germany) and its auxiliary sections (Słupia Nadbrzeżna, central Poland; Střeleč, Czech Republic; and El Rosario, NE Mexico)

(1) the high level of evolutionary parallelism between the Tethyoceramus and Cremnoceramus clades; (2) the chronostratigraphic dates of B. onilahyense and of K. ( K. ) theobaldianum , ammonites found in Onilahy and known from the Turonian–Coniacian boundary interval outside the province; (3) the record of C. deformis erectus from the T. madagascariensis assemblage in India; and (4) the appearance of Tethyoceramus within the Cremnoceramus -dominated fauna interval of the Euramerican Biogeographic Region. climate change. Her expertise broadly combines the fields of stratigraphy, sedimentology, geochemistry and palaeoclimatology. Specific topics comprise the orbital forcing of sedimentary processes on marine shelves and in continental basins, the development of Late Cretaceous carbon isotope stratigraphy on orbital timescales as a stratigraphic tool, and the history of chemical weathering, carbon cycling, and ocean circulation, chemistry and temperature on a multi-million-year time scale.
Effectiveness of Brainwave Synchronization in Alpha, Beta, and Theta Bands by Binaural Beats on Visuospatial Working Memory

Background and Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of synchronization of brain waves in alpha, beta, and theta bands by the Binaural beats on visuospatial working memory. Materials and Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted based on a pretest-posttest control group design. In this regard, 60 students were selected by the available sampling method and randomly divided into three experimental groups and one control group (n=15 each). All subjects were assessed in the pre-test and post-test stages by the Corsi blocks tapping test. Participants in the experimental groups received 15, 9, 5, and 6 Hz binaural beats for 12 min. The collected data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of covariance. Results: The findings showed that 15 Hz binaural beats (beta bands) significantly improved the subject's visuospatial working memory (P<0.05). Conclusions: Given that working memory is the basis of numerous cognitive functions, using 15 Hz binaural beats could improve the visuospatial working memory in these people
Anatomy of stem and root of Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet (Convolvulaceae) - the Lianescent Vascular Syndrome

Anatomy of stem and root of Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet (Convolvulaceae) the Lianescent Vascular Syndrome. Among the Ipomoea species of economic importance, the liana Ipomoea cairica stands out because of its great pharmacological potential. Considering that the cambial variant present in Ipomoea is not causally related to the habit, the aim of this study is to list the group of anatomical features that define the “lianescent vascular syndrome” in the species, as well as to verify if there is variation between the stem and the root anatomy. Transverse and longitudinal sections of fresh material were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Thus, it was found that the anatomy of the secondary xylem of I. cairica is similar to that of other species of Ipomoea, including indistinct growth rings, diffuse and porous vessels mainly solitary, simple perforation plate, alternate bordered pit, tyloses, heterocellular mainly uniseriate rays, and non-lignified parenchyma. The characteristics of the “lianescent vascular syndrome” is related to the high percentage of parenchyma. However, statistical analysis showed differences between stem and root in vessel diameter and vessel frequency, with higher values of vessel diameter and lower values of frequency of vessels in the root secondary xylem. These differences must be related to the environment in which the organ develops, as well as to the mechanisms involved in water conduction. Specific studies will make possible to test this hypothesis.