Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Sesame Consumption on Glycemic Control in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives In recent years, diabetes has become a global health problem that creates a tremendous economic burden for many countries. Clinical trials evaluating the hypoglycemic effects of sesame consumption have produced conflicting results. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of sesame as a popular natural herb on glycemic indices in adults. Methods The search for related articles in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library was conducted through May 2021. Results were reported as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. Results A total of 605 studies were identified through online searching, and a total of eight RCTs representing 382 participants were included in this study. The meta-analyses revealed that sesame consumption significantly decreases serum fasting blood sugar (FBS): (WMD: −28.23 mg/dl; 95% CI (−39.16, −17.13), I2 = 97.6%; 95% CI (96, 98)), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): (WMD: −1.00%; 95% CI (−1.11, −0.88), I2 = 0%; 95% CI (0, 79)) as compared to the control group. Conclusion This study provides evidence of the hypoglycemic effects of sesame consumption, particularly in diabetic patients. Additional RCTs on sesame and its preparations should be conducted in different populations to increase generalizability.
Psychological Distress of Healthcare Workers in Québec (Canada) During the Second and the Third Pandemic Waves

Pandemic healthcare workers have a high prevalence of high and very high work-related psychological distress. Occupational health must focus on prevention and rehabilitation measures targeting work-life balance, value conflicts at work and high psychological demands in order to reduce work-related mental health problems among these essential workers. Abstract Objective We aimed to measure the prevalence of psychological distress among Quebec healthcare workers (HCWs) during the second and third pandemic waves and to assess the effect of psychosocial risk factors (PSRs) on work-related psychological distress among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected (cases) and non-infected (controls) HCWs. Methods A self-administered survey was used to measure validated indicators of psychological distress (K6 scale) and PSR (questions based on Karasek and Siegrist models, value conflicts, and work-life balance). Adjusted robust Poisson models were used to estimate prevalence ratios. Results Four thousand sixty eight cases and 4152 controls completed the survey. Prevalence of high work-related psychological distress was 42%; it was associated with PSRs (mainly work-life balance, value conflicts, and high psychological demands) but not with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion Primary prevention measures targeting PSRs are needed to reduce mental health risks of HCWs.
"In-vitro Effects of Chlorpyrifos and Monocrotophos on the Activity of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in Different Tissues of Apple Snail Pila globosa (Swainson, 1822)"

The impact of two organophosphorus insecticides [Chlorpyrifos (CPF) and Monocrotophos (MCP)] on non-target wild natural gastropod, Pila globosa (apple snail) from the paddy fields was studied. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was monitored on foot-muscle and hepatopancreas tissues of control and exposed snails. In the foot- muscle AChE inhibition progressed and reached 54.19% and 63.13% of the control, whereas, the AChE inhibition in the hepatopancreas reached 46.96% and 53.67% over control after 48 hours of exposure to 1.5 mL.L-1 and 2.5 mL.L-1 CPF respectively. After 48 hours of MCP exposure at 1.5 mL.L-1 and 2.5 mL.L-1 separately, the AChE inhibition of foot muscle was 49.07% and 57.59% respectively while in hepatopancreas it was 44.65% and 48.84% respectively. Our results show more inhibition of AChE activities on the foot-muscle than hepatopancreas in a concentration and time-dependent manner with greater severity by CPF in comparison to MCP. AChE inhibition increased with the increasing exposure time.
Modern clinical Mtb strains leverage the type I IFN pathway for a pro-inflammatory response in the host

Host phagocytes are adept at responding to infections by innate immune mechanisms and metabolic alterations designed to restrict the invading pathogen. However, this very plasticity of the response provides an ideal platform for pathogen mediated manipulation. Clinical lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have evolved distinct and numerous ways of achieving optimal infection. We demonstrate an early, active and prominent induction of the macrophage type I IFN response by the modern lineages (L3 and L4) in contrast to the protracted and diminished capacity of the ancient Mtb lineage L1. We also establish a unique link between this augmented IFN response and increased expression of the CH25H, a pro-inflammatory signaling molecule that regulates the early and enhanced pro-inflammatory response (IL6) in macrophages infected with modern Mtb strains. We reveal a strong correlation between the localization of modern Mtb to acidified phagosomes and the ability to induce type I IFN in macrophages highlighting yet another unique ability of Mtb to manipulate host cell physiology to foster a pro-inflammatory response from host phagocytes.
The Diet of Octopus bimaculoides in Mission Bay, California (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

A year-long survey of Octopus bimaculoides Pickford & McConnaughey (1949) dens in three different subtidal habitats was conducted in Mission Bay, California. Habitat complexity and stability were positively associated with prey species richness, species abundance, and den availability. Collectively, 38 species of bivalves and 22 species of gastropods were recorded from octopi debris fields. Two species of bivalve at each site comprised approximately 60% or greater of the bivalves in the debris fields. Bivalves species represented 85% of the take, the remainder being gastropods. With the exception of the bubble snail, most gastropods were drilled, while most bivalves were not. Crustacean remains were infrequently found in debris fields. Prey species in other phyla may have been consumed, but their remains were not found in the debris fields.
Student Retention in Quantitative STEM Majors: Science Teachers and College Students' Perceptions of Push and Pull Factors

ABSTRACT More than half of the entering college freshmen who declare STEM majors switch out of them, especially in quantitative disciplines. This study analyzed survey data from high school science teachers and interviews with college students who switched out of quantitative STEM (Q-STEM) majors to identify (a) pull factors associated with the selection of an original Q-STEM major, (b) key events that college students experienced in their original major, and (c) push factors that contributed to the college students' decision to leave STEM. Results showed that STEM interest was associated with love for the disciplines, high school teacher encouragement, and success in academic coursework. Upon entering college, students faced a number of academic, personal, and faculty-student interaction obstacles that made students feel inadequate, unprepared and overwhelmed, resulting in them switching out of Q-STEM. Implications for student success in STEM were discussed.
PUBLIC CONTRACTS IN HOLDING COMPANIES OPERATING IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY – A CASE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

This paper is produced as an exploratory study with the aim of carrying out a taxonomy of construction companies operating in the Czech Republic, taking into account the type and number of concluded public procurement contracts. In processing the multidimensional matrix describing the companies, a cluster analysis was used to identify the dependence between the set of variables. Results of the analysis suggest that the prevailing types of public procurement procedures include negotiated procedure without prior publications, open procedure and simplified below-threshold procedure, while from the point of view of the contracted value, the open procedure is of the highest importance. As for the cluster analysis conducted for the types of public procurement analysis, one can conclude that there is a relation between the number of public contracts concluded and the scope of the types. On the other hand, the extension of the conducted cluster analysis did not provide any conclusive evidence regarding the relationship between the types of public procurement contracts and the types of holding structures. Such a study has not been realised in the Czech Republic yet. Thus, the results of this study provide a background for research in the area of public procurement in the Czech Republic. Some potential research questions have been stated in the discussion part of the paper.
Propulsion Phase Characteristics of Loaded Jump Variations in Resistance-Trained Women

The purpose of this study was to compare the propulsion phase characteristics of the jump squat (JS), hexagonal barbell jump (HEXJ), and jump shrug (JShrug) performed across a spectrum of relative loads. Thirteen resistance-trained women (18–23 years old) performed JS, HEXJ, and JShrug repetitions at body mass (BM) or with 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100% BM during three separate testing sessions. Propulsion mean force (MF), duration (Dur), peak power output (PP), force at PP (FPP), and velocity at PP (VPP) were compared between exercises and loads using a series of 3 × 6 repeated measures ANOVA and Hedge’s g effect sizes. There were no significant differences in MF or Dur between exercises. While load-averaged HEXJ and JShrug PP were significantly greater than the JS, there were no significant differences between exercises at any individual load. The JShrug produced significantly greater FPP than the JS and HEXJ at loads ranging from BM–60% BM, but not at 80 or 100% BM. Load-averaged VPP produced during the JS and HEXJ was significantly greater than the JShrug; however, there were no significant differences between exercises at any individual load. Practically meaningful differences between exercises indicated that the JShrug produced greater magnitudes of force during shorter durations compared to the JS and HEXJ at light loads (BM–40%). The JS and HEXJ may be classified as more velocity-dominant exercises while the JShrug may be more force-dominant. Thus, it is important to consider the context in which each exercise is prescribed for resistance-trained women to provide an effective training stimulus.
Awareness of Plagiarism

Evaluating students by giving them assignments and projects is essential for their learning. Yet the validity of this assessment can be threatened by the serious problem of plagiarism. Researchers have found that copying another's work is very common in schools (Decoo, 2002) and is caused by several factors. Curiously, most prominent among these is lack of awareness of what plagiarism is (Pritchett, 2010). Thus, this chapter tries to measure this awareness among English students in a Foundation Program at Oman's Sultan Qaboos University and determine how their teachers deal with it. The sample included 40 English Foundation students (20 males and 20 females) and 20 instructors (10 males and 10 females). A questionnaire revealed that these students lacked awareness of plagiarism because its meaning had not been explained at school. Participants thus suggested receiving more instruction about proper citation and quotation as one solution to the problem. Instructors dealt with plagiarism in different ways, with such penalties as deducting marks the most common. Moreover, a negative relationship was found between students' academic proficiency and their willingness to plagiarize. To help these Foundation students to avoid facing difficulties in higher education, the study suggested teaching them, while still in school, how to cite, quote, and use references without plagiarizing.
Methodological Approaches for Assessing Certainty of the Evidence in Umbrella Reviews: a Systematic Review

Objective: To identify and describe the methodological approaches for assessing the certainty of the evidence in umbrella reviews (URs) of meta-analyses (MAs). Study Design and Setting: We included URs that included SR-MAs of interventions and non-interventions. We searched from 3 databases including PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library from 2010 to 2020.Results: 138 URs have been included consisting of 96 and 42 URs of interventions and non-interventions, respectively. Only 31 (32.3%) of URs of interventions assessed certainty of evidence, in which the GRADE approach was the most frequently used method (N=20, 64.5%) followed by creditability assessments (N=6, 12.9%). Conversely, thirty (71.4%) of URs of non-interventions assessed certainty of evidence, in which the criteria for credibility assessment were mainly used (N=28; 93%). URs published in journals with high journal impact factor (JIF) are more likely to assess certainty of evidence than URs published in low JIFs. Conclusions: Only one-third of URs that included MAs of experimental designs have assessed the certainty of the evidence in contrast to the majority of the URs of observational studies. Therefore, guidance and standards are required to ensure the methodological rigor and consistency of certainty of evidence assessment for URs.
Improved Thermal Conductivities of Epoxy Resins Containing Surface Functionalized BN Nanosheets

The hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (BN) were firstly treated by silane coupling agents 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) and 3-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (KH560) to introduce some amino and epoxy (EP) groups on the BN surface. These modified BN nanosheets were incorporated into an EP matrix to prepare BN@KH560/EP composites with excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties. Results showed that the thermal conductivity of BN@KH560/EP composite with 20[Formula: see text]vol% BN dosage was found to be 0.442[Formula: see text]W/(m[Formula: see text]K), which was 81% higher than that of pure EP resin. Both BN/EP composites treated by KH550 and KH560 showed rather good electrical insulation properties, although the dielectric constant of BN@KH550/EP composites were slightly higher than BN@KH560/EP composites. Moreover, BN@KH560/EP composites also showed better thermal and mechanical properties than that of BN@KH550/EP composites.
Educationalizing Instagram for Virtual Instruction in COVID-19: A Pragmatic Framework

Learning through social media platforms is a nascent pedagogy that opens up new virtual online e-instructional modalities and avenues to be explored especially in these challenging emergency times of COVID-19. This research focuses on a self-directed initiative of a math teacher who taught her students in an open virtual class via Instagram. This study explores how the main features of Instagram -inherently used as social interaction platform - were maximized for educational purposes. It also investigates the effects, be they positive or negative, on the learning-teaching process in terms of engagement and communication. For this, a mixed-method sequential exploratory design was opted for to conduct the study which surveyed 100 students across 22 different high schools who took part in the virtual open math classes. The findings highlight the different patterns of Instagram use and platform features that lend this social media website the requisite feasibility to educationalize it. Furthermore, the results reveal both the favourable and disadvantageous aspects of Instagram.
Characterization and Colloidal Stability of Surface Modified Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle

This paper mainly studies the characterization and colloidal stability of surface modified zinc oxide nanoparticle and pure zinc oxide nanoparticle. According to IUPAC definition, ultrafine particles are always in the range of within 100 nm called nano-sized particle which expressed in term of perfect spherical diameter. Nanotechnology has immersed into various sector of oil and gas industries. In recent decades, vast amount of research has been done using zinc oxide nanoparticle related products effect on disjoining pressure mechanism in porous medium, interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability. Several types of nanoparticles have been evaluated through interfacial tension and wettability. Disadvantage of poor colloidal stability of nanoparticle in fluid is aggregation and sedimentation which leads poor heat transfer. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticle was used as core to be functionalized. Surfactant was used to surface modify ZnO nanoparticle. Surface modified ZnO nanoparticle and pure ZnO nanoparticle were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Stability and hydrodynamic size of surface modified and pure zinc oxide nanofluid are examined using Zetasizer Nano ZS. Rheological behavior of nanofluids were determined through rheometer. The peak of surface modified and pure ZnO nanofluid were 62.94 nm and 386.4 nm respectively. There is a decrease of 83.71% of hydrodynamic size of nanoparticle after surface modified. ZnO nanofluid has the stability of -14.2 mV while surface modified ZnO has the zeta potential of -45.4 mV. Increase of 219.72 % more stable compared to pure ZnO nanofluid. Pure ZnO nanofluid showed viscosity increment which could because of the sedimentation of nanoparticle occurs. Lower viscosity of surface modified ZnO nanofluid might due to SDS surfactant.
Heart Failure in Patients with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a rare inherited cardiomyopathy characterized as fibro-fatty replacement, and a common cause for sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Development of heart failure (HF) has been an under-recognized complication of ACM for a long time. The current clinical management guidelines for HF in ACM progression have nowadays been updated. Thus, a comprehensive review for this great achievement in our understanding of HF in ACM is necessary. In this review, we aim to describe the research progress on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, risk stratification and therapeutics of HF in ACM.
Response of spring wheat to NPK and S fertilization. The content and uptake of macronutrients and the value of ionic ratios

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) fertilizers on the content and uptake of macronutrients by grain dry mass (DM) of spring wheat. A field experiment was conducted in southeastern Poland on Cambisols (WRB 2007), in conditions of low S content in the soil. The experiment included 2 factors: fertilization with N (0, 40, 80, 120 kg ha-1) and with S (0, 50 kg ha-1). The experiment showed a positive response of spring wheat to N and S fertilization. The highest grain yield was found after application of 80 kg N ha-1 and addition of 50 kg S ha-1 (5.43 t ha-1). The described combination resulted in beneficial content of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) (P –4.267, K–4.533, Mg–1.567, Ca–0.433 g kg-1) and uptake of macroelements by grain dry mass (DM) (P–20.48, K–21.79, Mg–7.52, Ca–2.08 kg ha-1). A generally positive correlation was found between content and uptake of macronutrients with exception of P content. Fertilization with N caused significantly narrowed mass ratios of K+: Ca2+, K+: Mg2+ and mass and mole ratio of K+:(Ca2++Mg2+) and increased mass ratio of Ca:P. While S application narrowed significantly, mass ratios of K+:Ca2+ and K+: (Ca2+ + Mg2+) and increased mass ratio of Ca:P.
Deuterium Retention and Trapping in Polycrystalline Tungsten under Simultaneous Implantation of Deuterium with Helium and with Neon

The ITER tokamak is the next step by the international fusion community towards nuclear fusion power plants. Still, some issues remain: tungsten used in the divertor may become recrystallized and melt during the deuterium-tritium phase of operations. Helium production from DT fusion reactions will influence W surface roughness, and D and T retention in the W. Neon is a candidate for radiative cooling, to prevent melting, however little research exists on its effects on D retention in W. Using specimens of polycrystalline tungsten (PCW) and recrystallized tungsten (RCW) irradiated with deuterium ions (D-only) or deuterium and helium ions simultaneously (SIM D-He) at 300-700 K, the effects of W grain size on D retention in the presence of He was studied. The effects of Ne on D retention were studied by irradiating RCW with SIM D-Ne ion beams at 300700 K. Deuterium, helium, and neon retention and concentration depth profiles were measured using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), nuclear reaction analysis (NRA), and elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA). No significant difference was found in D retention between PCW and RCW under Donly or SIM D-He irradiation at all temperatures. Modelling using the Tritium Migration Analysis Program, version 7 (TMAP7) showed that in RCW, D appears trapped in higher proportions in high energy traps (vacancy clusters or dislocation loops) than in PCW. Post-
A 403 MHz Wireless Power Transfer System With Tuned Split-Ring Loops for Implantable Medical Devices

A near-field wireless power transfer (WPT) system for implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers, is proposed. Operating at 403 MHz within the medical implants communication service (MICS) band, the WPT link constitutes a primary loop to be based outside the body as a transmitter and an implantable loop with a single-turn as a receiver. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed link offers good power transfer efficiency (PTE) performance. The maximum measured PTE of the proposed link is 57.9% at a transfer distance of 6 mm through 1 mm of air and 5 mm of body tissue. The maximum input power that can be supplied to stay within specific absorption rate safety guidelines is 159 mW. A rectifying circuit is designed to convert 403 MHz RF signals to dc for a 1.5 $\text{k}\Omega $ load with a measured conversion efficiency of 73.2%. The measured end-to-end PTE of the proposed WPT system is 42.4%.
The role of bathymetry and directional wave conditions on observed crescentic bar dynamics

Nearshore sandbars are important features in the surf zone of many beaches because they strongly influence the mean circulation and evolving morphology. Due to variations in wave conditions, sandbars can experience cross‐shore migration and vary in shape from alongshore uniform (shore‐parallel) to alongshore rhythmic (crescentic). Sandbar dynamics have been studied extensively, but existing observational studies usually do not quantify the processes leading to crescentic bar formation and straightening. This study analyses the dynamics of crescentic bar events at the fetch‐limited beach of Castelldefels (northwestern Mediterranean Sea, Spain) using 7.5 years of hourly time‐exposure video images and detailed wave conditions. The results show that, despite the generally calm wave conditions, the sandbars were very dynamic in the cross‐shore and longshore directions. They often migrated rapidly offshore during storms (up to 70 m in one day) and more slowly onshore during post‐storm conditions. Crescentic bars were often present at the study site (48% of the time), but only when the sandbar was at least 10 m from the shoreline. They displayed a large variability in wavelengths (100–700 m), alongshore migration speeds (0–50 m/day) and cross‐shore amplitudes (5–20 m). Wavelengths increased for larger bar–shoreline distances and the alongshore migration speeds were strongly correlated with the alongshore component of the radiation stresses. Crescentic patterns typically developed during low–medium energetic waves with limited obliquity ( θ≲20 ° at 10 m depth), while bar straightening occurred during medium–high energetic waves with strong oblique angles of incidence ( θ≳15 °). Overall, this study provides further proof for the important role of wave direction in crescentic bar dynamics and highlights the strong dependence of crescentic bar development on the initial bathymetric configuration.