Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation of High-Quality Protein-Based Extruded Pellets Expanded by Microwave Oven

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to study the effects of extrusion barrel temperature (75–140°C) and feed moisture (16–30%) on the production of third-generation snacks expanded by microwave heating. A blend of potato starch (50%), quality protein maize (QPM) (35%), and soybean meal (SM) (15%) was used in the preparation of the snacks. A laboratory single extruder with a 1.5 × 20.0 × 100 mm die-nozzle and a central composite routable experimental design were used. Expansion index (EI) and bulk density (BD) were measured in expanded pellets, viscosity at 83°C (V83), thermal properties, and relative crystallinity were measured in extruded pellets. EI increased and BD decreased when the barrel temperature was increased, while the feed moisture effect was not significant. V83 increased when feed moisture increased. Extrusion modified the crystalline structures of the pellets and the X-ray data suggests the formation of new structures, probably due to the development of amylose-lipid complexes. The maximum ex.
The Recombination Potential between SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV from Cross-Species Spill-over Infections

Countries in the Middle-East (ME) are tackling two corona virus outbreaks simultaneously, Middle-Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the current Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Both viruses infect the same host (humans) and the same cell (type-II alveolar cells) causing lower respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia. Molecularly, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 enter alveolar cells via spike proteins recognizing dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and angiotensin converting enzyme-II, respectively. Intracellularly, both viruses hide in organelles to generate negative RNA strands and initiate replication using very similar mechanisms. At the transcription level, both viruses utilise identical Transcription Regulatory Sequences (TRSs), which are known recombination cross-over points during replication, to transcribe genes. Using whole genome alignments of both viruses, we identify clusters of high sequence homology at ORF1a and ORF1b. Given the high recombination rates detected in SARS-CoV-2, we speculate that in co-infections recombination is feasible via TRS and/or clusters of homologies. Accordingly, here we recommend mitigation measure and testing for both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in ME countries.
Henry's Law Constant Determinations for Hydrogen Peroxide, Methyl Hydroperoxide, Hydroxymethyl Hydroperoxide, Ethyl Hydroperoxide, and Peroxyacetic Acid

The temperature-dependent solubilities of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HOCH2O2H), methyl hydroperoxide (CH3O2H), peroxyacetic acid (CH3C(O)O2H), and ethyl hydroperoxide (C2H5O2H) were determined under conditions used in the aqueous collection and analysis of atmospheric hydroperoxides. Henry's law was obeyed over the source concentration range employed, nominally 10-6−10-2 M. Measurements were made using either pH = 3 or pH = 6 source and collection solutions. The temperatures investigated ranged from 4 to 28 °C. A solution pH 3 was used for experiments with H2O2, HOCH2O2H, and CH3C(O)O2H since these compounds decompose in less acidic solution. The solubility of HOC2H4O2H could not be accurately determined because of its rapid decomposition in solutions with pH > 3. The Henry's law solubility of H2O2, HOCH2O2H, CH3O2H, and CH3C(O)O2H are in agreement with prior determinations. The solubility measurement of C2H5O2H is the first of its kind. Dimensional Henry's law constants (M/atm.
Occurrence of Phthalates in Sewage Sludge from Three Wastewater Treatment Plants in Istanbul, Turkey

Phthalates are considered priority pollutants because of their potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. The objectives of this study were to determine the occurrence of five phthalates (DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP) in sewage sludge and to determine the seasonal variability of these contaminants at three (Bahcesehir, Pasakoy, and Tuzla) full-scale municipal and domestic wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Istanbul, Turkey. Mass balance was also calculated for DEHP at Tuzla WWTP sludge treatment units. DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP concentrations in sewage sludge ranged from 1.4 to 2.7 mg/kg dry weight (dw), 1.1 to 2.8, 0.6 to 4.6, 2.8 to 6.2, 18 to 490 mg/kg dw, respectively. Phthalate concentrations from the Bahcesehir and Pasakoy WWTPs met the limit (100 mg/kg dw) of Turkey national sludge regulation and the Europe Union draft of sludge directive for land application, whereas phthalate concentrations from Tuzla WWTP exceeded the maximum permissible concentration. Phthalate concentrations did not show seasonal variations for Bahcesehir and Pasakoy WWTPs, which receive mainly household wastewater while some fluctuations were observed DEP, DBP, and DEHP at Tuzla WWTP which has a lot of industrial wastewater contribution. The mass balance showed that approximately 17% of DEHP in the primary and secondary sludge was removed by anaerobic digestion, while 43% returned back to the beginning of the WWTP and 40% remained in the dewatered sludge. This study suggests that phthalates in sludge from WWTPs with industrial wastewater contribution may limit the use of sludge for land application.
Characterization and properties of purple yam (Dioscorea trifida) powder obtained by refractance window drying

Abstract Purple yam, Dioscorea trifida (DT), is characterized by its valuable nutritional properties and as powder it could be used as an ingredient in various foods. In this research, the DT paste was dried by refractance window (RW) at 70, 80, and 90 °C for 40 min, a technique for obtaining powders with microbiological stability (aw < 0.35), good fluidity and low cohesiveness. In the powders obtained from DT, carbohydrate was the major constituent (85.66 to 86.47%) with starch content higher than 69.0%. Among the technological properties, the oil absorption index of the powder was strongly dependent on the RW drying temperature. The highest retention rates of bioactive compounds (>50%) in powders occurred at temperatures of 70 and 80 °C. The drying by RW was promising and presented industrial potential to produce DT powder with technological and nutritional quality to be applied in food.
Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation Drives Enhanced Greenland Surface Temperature Variability During the Last Glacial Maximum

Stable oxygen isotope records from central Greenland suggest disproportionally large long‐term surface air temperature (SAT) variability during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) relative to preindustrial times. Large perturbations in mean atmospheric circulation and its variability forced by extensive Northern Hemisphere ice sheet coverage have been suggested as cause for the enhanced Greenland SAT variability. Here, we assess the factors driving Greenland SAT variability during the LGM by means of dedicated climate model simulations and find remote forcing from the Pacific of critical importance. Atmospheric teleconnections from the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO), a multidecadal oscillation of sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean, strongly intensify under LGM conditions, driving enhanced surface wind variability over Greenland, which in turn amplifies SAT variability by anomalous atmospheric heat transport. A major role of the IPO in forcing Greenland SAT variability also is supported by a number of models from the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project Phase III.
INVESTIGATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF KETOSIS IN COWS IN ARDAHAN REGION IN TURKEY

Postpartum donemde, yuksek verimli sut ineklerinde enerji gereksinimi artmaktadir. Bu donemde olusabilen negatif enerji dengesinin (NED) derecesine gore, klinik veya subklinik ketozis meydana gelebilmektedir. Bu calismada; Ardahan yoresinde sut ineklerindeki ketozis yayginliginin arastirilmasi amaclanmistir. Calismada kullanilacak hayvan materyali sayisi TUIK verilerine gore yapilan istatiksel analizler sonucunda 200 olarak belirlendi. Hayvan materyali, Ardahan Merkez, Gole, Cildir, Hanak ve Damal ilcelerinden secildi. Calisma yapilan isletmeler; sut verimi, yonetim, bakim ve beslenme faktorleri acisindan birbirine benzer olarak secildi. Ketozisin prevelansini belirlemek amaciyla kan numuneleri dogumdan sonra 7 ve 14. gunlerde toplandi ve elde edilen orneklerden Beta Hidroksibutirat (BHB), NEFA ve glukoz seviyeleri belirlendi. BHB konsantrasyonu, 1.0-1.4 mmol/L arasinda olanlar subklinik ketozisli olarak kabul edildi. BHB konsantrasyonu ≥1.4 mmol/L olanlar ise klinik ketozisli olarak kabul edildi. Calisma sonucunda Ardahan yoresinde postpartum donemde klinik ketozis yayginligi %1 (2/200) ve subklinik ketozis yayginligi ise %10 (20/200) olarak tespit edildi. Ketozisli hayvanlarin kan glukoz seviyesi saglikli hayvanlara gore onemli derecede dusuk tespit edildi.
Access to Health Care and Treatment Among Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses Paroled to Urban and Rural Communities

Returning from prison to the community is rife with challenges. For individuals with health care, mental health, or substance abuse treatment needs, the reentry period can be especially vulnerable. Furthermore, these services are not evenly distributed across communities. This study explores barriers to health care and treatment among individuals convicted of sexual offenses who are returning from prison to urban and rural communities. Using data from in-depth interviews and geographic data, our analysis highlights the needs of this population that is often mandated to treatment. Access to treatment and health care is a challenge for many participants and is exacerbated in rural areas because of a dearth of providers and the long distance to treatment offices. The results highlight the deficiency of treatment services across the urban–rural continuum and support new innovations in service provisions.
The negative effect of incivility on job satisfaction through emotional exhaustion moderated by resonant leadership

Job dissatisfaction challenge among nurses has a remarkable impact on patient safety and quality of any healthcare system. The study examines the negative effect of workplace incivility on job satisfaction among nurses through the mediation of emotional exhaustion and helps understand the moderating role of resonant leadership between emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction. The study adopts a cross-sectional self-administered survey design to collect 129 responses of registered nurses based on a stratified random sampling technique in Pakistan. Smart-PLS analyzed data revealed the statistically direct insignificant effect of workplace incivility and significant indirect effect on job satisfaction through emotional exhaustion. The results affirmed the emotional exhaustion mediation where resonant leadership had a significant positive moderating role that buffered the negative effect of emotional exhaustion on job satisfaction. Though potentially useful for HR managers, this study is exposed to sample and generalizability limitations. Therefore, opens consideration for solutions in further explorations.
Determination of Fumonisins in Rodent Feed Using HPLC with Electrospray Mass Spectrometric Detection

A method based on liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was validated for analysis of low-level contamination of rodent feed by fumonisins B1 (10−200 ppb) and also applied to the analysis of fumonisin B2 and B3. The quantitation limit for a fumonisin B1 standard was 1.1 ppb using the protonated molecule signal (m/z 722), and similar sensitivity was observed for protonated molecules for fumonisins B2 and B3 in feed. To increase specificity of the mass spectrometric analysis, two fragment ions for fumonisin B1 (m/z 352 and 334) were also acquired by using rapid sampling cone-skimmer potential switching in concert with acquisition of the respective ion. This permitted the use of ion intensity ratios for structural confirmation of fumonisin B1 at levels >10 ppb. Intra-assay precision for fumonisin B1 determination in feed (6−16% relative standard deviation) was comparable to inter-assay precision (7.7−16.0%) and appeared to be affected most by the variability in recovery of anal.
Searching for a role of procalcitonin determination in COVID-19: a study on a selected cohort of hospitalized patients

Abstract Objectives Procalcitonin (PCT) has been proposed for differentiating viral vs. bacterial infections. In COVID-19, some preliminary results have shown that PCT testing could act as a predictor of bacterial co-infection and be a useful marker for assessment of disease severity. Methods We studied 83 COVID-19 hospitalized patients in whom PCT was specifically ordered by attending physicians. PCT results were evaluated according to the ability to accurately predict bacterial co-infections and death in comparison with other known biomarkers of infection and with major laboratory predictors of COVID-19 severity. Results Thirty-three (39.8%) patients suffered an in-hospital bacterial co-infection and 44 (53.0%) patients died. In predicting bacterial co-infection, PCT showed a relatively low accuracy (area under receiver-operating characteristic [ROC] curve [AUC]: 0.757; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.651–0.845), with a strength for detecting the outcome not significantly different from that of white blood cell count and C-reactive protein (CRP). In predicting patient death, PCT showed an AUC of 0.815 (CI: 0.714–0.892), not better than those of other more common laboratory tests, such as blood lymphocyte percentage (AUC: 0.874, p=0.19), serum lactate dehydrogenase (AUC: 0.860, p=0.47), blood neutrophil count (AUC: 0.845, p=0.59), and serum albumin (AUC: 0.839, p=0.73). Conclusions Procalcitonin (PCT) testing, even when appropriately ordered, did not provide a significant added value in COVID-19 patients when compared with more consolidated biomarkers of infection and poor clinical outcome. The major application of PCT in COVID-19 is its ability, associated with a negative predictive value >90%, to exclude a bacterial co-infection when a rule-out cut-off (<0.25 μg/L) is applied.
Integrated Evaluation of Indoor Particulate Exposure: The VIEPI Project

Despite the progress made in recent years, reliable modeling of indoor air quality is still far from being obtained. This requires better chemical characterization of the pollutants and airflow physics included in forecasting tools, for which field observations conducted simultaneously indoors and outdoors are essential. The project “Integrated Evaluation of Indoor Particulate Exposure” (VIEPI) aimed at evaluating indoor air quality and exposure to particulate matter (PM) of humans in workplaces. VIEPI ran from February 2016 to December 2019 and included both numerical simulations and field campaigns carried out in universities and research environments located in urban and non-urban sites in the metropolitan area of Rome (Italy). VIEPI focused on the role played by micrometeorology and indoor airflow characteristics in determining indoor PM concentration. Short- and long-term study periods captured diurnal, weekly, and seasonal variability of airflow and PM concentration. Chemical characterization of PM10, including the determination of elements, ions, elemental carbon, organic carbon, and bioaerosol, was also carried out. Large differences in the composition of PM10 were detected between inside and outside as well as between different periods of the day and year. Indoor PM composition was related to the presence of people, to the season, and to the ventilation regime.
Board secretary’s financial experience, overconfidence, and SMEs’ financing preference: Evidence from China’s NEEQ market

ABSTRACT This article explains the impact of the board secretary’s financial experience on the financing preference from the perspectives of executive behavior and psychology. We use small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) listed on China’s National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ) market as an empirical research sample and confirm that SMEs who have board secretaries with financial experience prefer external financing, thus lowering the investment-cash flow sensitivity. Additionally, the empirical conclusions are robust after changing the measurement of financing, expanding the scope of financial experience definition, and removing state-owned SMEs from the sample for robustness testing. We also control for the endogeneity using a placebo test, PSM-DID, and instrumental variables. In further research, we find that overconfident secretaries prefer external financing; secretaries with financial experience can reduce information asymmetry to promote external financing, albeit mostly short-term loans.
IDDF2020-ABS-0206 Predictors of response to therapy with terlipressin and albumin in patients with cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome – acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI) according to new International club of ascites (ICA) criteria

Background HRS-AKI or HRS -1 carries high short-term mortality in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Recently ICA has proposed new definition criteria for HRS, and at present, we lack literature on the response rate and predictors of response of terlipressin according to this new definition. So, we aimed to evaluate the response rate of terlipressin and factors affecting the response rate according to this new HRS-AKI definition Methods We performed a prospective study on 114 cirrhotic patients with HRS- AKI diagnosed according to ICA definition 2015 from August 2018 to April 2020 using terlipressin and albumin. Baseline clinical and biochemical details were noted. Response was defined as improvement in serum creatinine within 0.3 mg/dl of baseline (if baseline s.cr 1.5 mg/dl). Further responder and non-responder were followed up to 90 days or death. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was applied to detect predictors of response. Survival analysis was used to determine 90 days of survival. Results Among 114 HRS-AKI patients, the median age was 52.5 years, and 83.3% were male. Response to terlipressin was seen in 70 (61.4%) patients. On subgroup analysis, the response rate in acute decompensation (AD) was seen in 37 (78.7%) patients and in acute on chronic failure (ACLF) was seen in 32 (47.7%) patients. Independent predictive factors of response to therapy were serum creatinine before start of terlipressin therapy (odds ratio, 0.390; 95% confidence interval, 0.195–0.780; P = 0.008) and baseline child-pugh score (CTP) (odds ratio, 0.584; 95% confidence interval, 0.382–0.894; P = 0.013). Response to therapy was associated with improved 90 days of survival compared to patients with non-response (69.56% vs 10%, P Conclusions Serum creatinine before the start of terlipressin and CTP predicts response to terlipressin in HRS-AKI. The response rate was better with the new definition of HRS. The subset of the population with higher grades of ACLF showed poor response. Therefore early transplantation should be considered in patients of HRS with a low likelihood of response (figure 1).
Evolutionary Aspects of Scarcity Information with Regard to Travel Options: The Role of Childhood Socioeconomic Status

This research used three experimental studies to examine the effect of scarcity information on choosing a hotel room online. The studies also investigated the moderating role of the buyer’s childhood socioeconomic status (SES), using evolutionary perspectives and the life history theory. Our findings revealed that travelers showed a preference for a hotel room option if they were given information that the room was scarce. This preference was stronger for travelers who had low childhood SES and who were low in materialistic traits. The findings of this empirical research add academic value by adopting the roles of heretofore novel concepts, childhood SES and materialism, in understanding the effects of consumer information messaging. The findings also add to the understanding of how context in online websites substantially affects potential travelers’ decision making. Therefore, this research will provide helpful guidance for making online websites more user-friendly and effective in their promotions to potential customers.
State and Local Taxes and Employment by Wage Level

Economists have devoted much attention to understanding the effects of state–local fiscal policies, particularly taxes, on the growth of state-level employment. However, no one has investigated whether the effects differ by wage level. Using a state-level panel data set, the authors investigate the link between state–local taxes and the growth of employment for three wage-level categories. The authors find relatively consistent evidence supporting the proposition that the response of employment growth to changes in taxes differs by wage level.
Enhanced Humification as an In-Situ Bioremediation Technique for 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Contaminated Soils

The microbial remediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) contaminated soils is difficult because it is not possible to achieve mineralization of this substance. TNT can only be transformed via the sequence TNT → 4-aminodinitrotoluene (4-ADNT) → 2,4-diaminonitrotoluene (2,4-DANT) → 2,4,6-triaminotoluene (TAT). TAT is formed when redox potentials are below - 250 mV, otherwise 2,4-DANT is accumulated. If under in-situ conditions TNT or its metabolites are irreversibly incorporated into the humic matrix (humification) instead of being sorbed, the humification might be used as a remediation technology. Equilibrium dialysis showed that TNT, 4-ADNT and 2,4-DANT did not adsorb on humic substances. However, in TNT-degradation studies under nitrogen limitation, the more humic substances were added the less metabolites were recovered proposing an efficient microorganism-mediated incorporation (humification), probably based on stress-induced radical enzyme reactions. This assumption was supported by the observation t.
Transport diffusivity of methane in silicalite from equilibrium and nonequilibrium simulations

The results of equilibrium and nonequilibrium simulations designed to predict the transport diffusivity of methane in silicalite are presented. The results are compared with equilibrium molecular dynamics calculations of the self-diffusivity for the same system, as well as with the Darken model, which is often invoked to relate self-diffusivities and transport diffusivities in zeolites. Good agreement is found between simulation results and the Darken model. Systems that are expected to deviate from the Darken model are discussed. 47 refs., 9 figs.
Implementation of dimensional management methodology and optimisation algorithms for pre-drilled hinge line interfaces of critical aero assemblies – A case study

A dimensional management procedure is developed and implemented in this work to deal with the identification of the optimum hole diameter that needs to be pre-drilled in order to successfully join two subassemblies in a common hinge line interface when most of the degrees of freedom of each subassembly have already been constrained. Therefore, an appropriate measure is suggested that considers the assembly process and permits the application of optimisation algorithms for the identification of the optimum hole diameter. The complexity of the mechanical subassemblies requires advanced 3D tolerance analysis techniques to be implemented and the matrix method was adopted. The methodology was demonstrated for an industrial, aerospace engineering problem, that is, the assembly of the joined wing configuration of the RACER compound rotorcraft of AIRBUS Helicopter and the necessary tooling needed to build the assembly. The results indicated that hinge line interfaces can be pre-opened at a sufficiently large size and thus, accelerate the assembly process whilst the suggested methodology can be used as a decision-making tool at the design stage of this type of mechanical assembly.