Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19 – Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the ﬁ rst COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19 – free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no de ﬁ ned pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were de ﬁ ned as having a COVID-19 – free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no de ﬁ ned pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19 – free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19 – free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no de ﬁ ned pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19 – free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score – matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19 – free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19 – free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks.
Anomalous discharge in copolymers of vinylidene fluoride

An anomalous discharge has been found for poly(vinylidene fluoride) of form II and vinylidene fluoride copolymers in the paraelectric phase. The anomaly consists of a current peak during isothermal discharge. The peak time, i.e., the time at which the maximum current occurs in the discharge transient, depends not only on temperature and the electric field on charging, but also on the amount of ions in polymer samples and the thickness of the specimen. The amount of charge associated with the current peak is almost independent of the applied field, but depends on temperature. Study of the charge process revealed that poly(vinylidene fluoride) and vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene copolymers exhibit polarization reversal or dielectric hysteresis at high temperatures and a low electric field. Thus, the anomalous discharge process is related to retarded discharge of the ionic charge bound or trapped in the crystalline regions of these copolymers. Polarization reversal at low electric field may be responsible for the anomalous behavior in homopolymer and copolymers of vinylidene fluoride. >
Temperature Influence on the Morphology and the Magnetic Properties of Vertically Aligned Fe‐filled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract Arrays of vertically aligned Fe‐filled multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on oxidized silicon substrates were prepared by pyrolysis of ferrocene in a dual furnace system and characterized by electron microscopy and magnetometry measurement. The effect of the growth temperature on both the filled nanotube morphology and their magnetic behavior was studied. Increasing the growth temperature in the range of 845–1035°C the nanotube alignment becomes worse and the diameter of the encapsulated Fe nanowires increases from 10 to 40 nm. Both the coercivity and the remanence ratio of the arrays of Fe‐filled MWNTs decrease with the increase of the growth temperature. Factors causing the observed magnetic behavior are discussed.
Contributions of Pinus Ponderosa Charcoal to Soil Chemical and Physical Properties

Charcoal results from the incomplete burning of plant material and is found in most soil surface horizons, but little is known about its effects on soil properties. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the chemical and physical properties of ponderosa pine charcoal produced under controlled conditions, (2) to compare the properties of the laboratory-produced charcoal to those of wildfire-produced charcoal after it had resided in the soil for a number of years, and (3) to determine how charcoal additions to soil affect soil properties. We collected our samples from a pine forest in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California. We found that laboratory-produced ponderosa pine charcoal has a cation exchange capacity on the order of 20-30 cmol kg -1 and field-collected samples accumulate native cations on their exchange sites. Field-collected charcoal samples from immediately below the litter layer were much less water repellent (water drop penetration time 2 h). The laboratory-produced charcoal C/N ratio (644) was about three times larger than the field-collected charcoal ratio (196-263). Addition of finely divided charcoal to mineral soil significantly increased the available water capacity and darkened the soil. We conclude that charcoal is not simply an inert compound in soils. It may play an important role in determining the properties and behavior of some surface soil horizons.
Hydrodynamic Theory of the Angular Velocity Autocorrelation Function

The angular velocity correlation function is computed using a frequency dependent version of Stokes' Law. The drag torque on a sphere rotating nonuniformly about one of its diagonals is used to compute the relaxation of the angular velocity. It is shown that the asymptotic time dependence of this function goes as t−5/2. Consequences of this persistence in the orientational relaxation of molecules is discussed.
Optimization of Activated Carbon Sulfurization to Reach Adsorbent with the Highest Capacity for Mercury Adsorption

This work deals with the use of elemental sulfur immobilized on the activated carbon surface, as an active phase to enhance the sorbent's mercury adsorption capacity. The sulfurization procedure was optimized, and the influence of two factors (temperature and initial ratio of sulfur to carbon), on the final properties and mercury adsorption capacities of the adsorbents was investigated. The sulfurized adsorbents were characterized using CHNS/O elemental analysis, surface area and porosimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM-EDS, and pHpzc measurement. A series of batch studies were also conducted to delineate the effect of contact time, initial pH, solution temperature, and initial mercury concentration on the adsorption capacity of the adsorbents. Furthermore, attempts were made to desorb mercury from the metal loaded adsorbents using various concentrations of KCl, KBr and KI solutions.
Physicochemical properties and digestibility of emulsified lipids in simulated intestinal fluids: influence of interfacial characteristics

An improved understanding of the behaviour of lipids within the gastrointestinal tract will facilitate the structural design of foods that provide specific physiological responses. In this work, we studied the influence of interfacial characteristics (emulsifier type and surface area) on the behaviour of emulsified lipids within a simulated small intestine (duodenum). Pluronic F68-stabilized emulsions were more resistant to lipid digestion than lecithin-stabilized emulsions. Interfacial tension, droplet charge (ζ-potential), and microstructure measurements were used to identify the physicochemical origin of this effect. Pluronic F68 was shown to be more difficult than lecithin to displace from lipid droplet surfaces by bile salts and lipase arising from the duodenal juice. Specifically, duodenal components decreased the interfacial tension of a Pluronic-covered interface to a lesser extent, as compared to the interface covered by lecithin. These results demonstrate that the properties of the interfacial layer surrounding lipid droplets can be designed to modulate the lipid digestion process. This knowledge is critical for the rational development of delivery systems for food and pharmaceutical applications that can control the uptake of lipids and lipid-soluble components under physiological conditions.
Surface- Induced Stirring Effects In the Mn-Catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinskii Reaction with a Mixed Hypophosphite/Acetone Substrate in a Batch Reactor

A manganese-catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinskii (BZ) reaction with a mixed hypophosphite/acetone substrate was found to be remarkably sensitive to stirring in a batch reactor. The reaction oscillated in a container with a gas/liquid interface (either air or nitrogen). However, when the reaction was stirred in a sealed flask with no interface, the system remained in the reduced state. When the slow stirring (about 100 rpm) was stopped, a pink color from Mn(III) was observed to ascend from the Teflon-coated stir bar
Simultaneous Treatment of Cancer Cells Lines with the Anticancer Drug Cisplatin and the Antioxidant Fucoxanthin

The anti-oxidative properties and the other health benefits of fucoxanthin (Fx) make it a good candidate for a health food supplement. However, the use of antioxidant supplements in patients undergoing chemotherapy has been widely debated because of concerns that the antioxidants may interfere with the mechanisms of the anticancer drugs. To investigate this concern, we studied the effect of Fx on the anticancer drug cisplatin. Fucoxanthinol (Fxol), which is a deacetylated product produced during intestinal absorption, and other antioxidants (fucoxanthin acetate, astaxanthin, and "-tocopherol) were also included in the experiments. Both Fx and Fxol suppressed the proliferation of cultured cancer cells (Caco-2, Hep G2, and Neuro2a) in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the other antioxidants showed no evident effect on their growth. Moreover, when added to a medium containing cisplatin, none of the studied antioxidants mitigated the inhibitory growth effects of cisplatin. Our results suggested that intake of Fx may help to prevent cancer and that it may not interfere with the mechanisms of anticancer drugs during chemotherapy. However, further studies, using animal models in particular, are required to elucidate these interactions.
New advances in decision making theory under uncertainty and its application in mega projects of hydropower

Hydropower constitutes the main generation apparatus in Colombia, producing 64.2% of all power, so that the country is currently developing three mega projects with an installed capacity above 400 MW and two more hydroelectric construction projects are being considered. In spite of the need to expand electricity service coverage, the social consciousness about necessity of new hydropower generation developments and the expertise teams behind their execution, uncertainty over environmental impact is rarely totally estimated. This study uses the cumulative prospect theory by Kahneman and Tversky, to determine the scenarios in which large organisations tend towards losses among the uncertain environmental impact situations. It also will set prospect theory in an original and practical update arena to modelling the decision-making process and propose a policy, which manages to turn losses, linked to uncertainty, into income opportunities by enforcing the uses of external data.
Toxicity of auto-detoxified Jatropha curcas Linnaeus, 1753 kernel cake mixtures with bovine blood (ADMJKC/bb) using brine shrimp Artemia salina Linnaeus, 1758. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 11(1): 01-07. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2021.1;

In present study, brine shrimp (Artemia salina L.) was used to determine the toxicity of autodetoxified Jatropha kernel cake (JKC) mixed with bovine blood (ADMJKC/bb). The powdered-JKC was mixed with bovine blood (bb) at three ratios (1:1=X, 2:1=Y and 3:1=Z of JKC: bb) and the resultant mixtures processed using four protocols: Heated, Spread Dry = 1, Unheated Spread Dry = 2, Heated Spread Remoisten to 66% dry matter (DM) = 3 and Unheated Spread Remoistened to 66% DM = 4). The resultant 12 treatment combinations (X1, X2, X3, X4, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4) were placed in a Solar J. curcas auto-detoxification apparatus from where samples were retrieved periodically and evaluated for detoxification using the brine shrimp lethality test. There were no significant differences within the same ratio of mixes among the four protocols. However, there was a tendency for mean LC50 values to increase between the ratios. Specifically, Protocol 2 recorded a significant difference between X2 and Z2 treatments, having 1:1 and 3:1 JKC: bb mixes respectively. Upon ranking the level of auto-detoxification, the most detoxified treatments (Z2 with LC50=4674 and Z4 with LC50 =3692) differed significantly from the least two (X1 with LC50=1383 and X2 with LC50=1459). Addition of bovine blood to JKC increased the dynamics of JKC auto-detoxification, probably due to the presence of some innate auto-detoxifying microbial inoculum and bovine blood which boost the rapid growth, development and succession of these microbes. Thus combining JKC with bovine blood is complementary for JKC auto-detoxification, with the most detoxified ingredients (Z2, Z4 and Y3) appearing most suitable for further development and testing as feed ingredient for farm animals.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Forest Biomass Burning in India

Biomass burning is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions, most importantly carbon dioxide (CO2). In this study, we used burnt area estimates derived from the L3JRC product to estimate the CO2 emissions from forests. The results suggested that an average of 2,414 sq.kms. is burnt annually. Of the different years, 2000-2001 recorded the greatest area burnt followed by 2003-2004, with the least during 2002-2003. Spatial patterns in the burnt area maps clearly revealed the greatest burnt areas were located in the Himalayan region. Over a period of seven years, closed needleleaf evergreen forest recorded the largest burnt areas (1087 sq.kms.) of the different forest types, followed by closed broadleaf deciduous forests (937 sq.kms.) and others. The total CO2 emissions averaged across seven years were ~6.34 CO2 Tg/yr from biomass burning of forests. Spatial variation in CO2 emissions ranged from 2.37 to 3.85Gg CO2/m with a mean of 3.10 Gg CO2/m.
Friction and Wear Mechanisms of Cu/ta-C Coatings Under PAO-4 and PAO-4 with MoDTC Lubrication

The tribological behavior of various types of DLC coatings in formulated and non-formulated lubricants are needed for proper usage of these coatings. In this research, the friction and wear mechanism of four different DLC coatings in poly-alpha-olefin type 4 (PAO-4) with and without MoDTC were investigated using ball-on-disc tribometer. One ta-C (tetrahedral amorphous carbon) and three Cu/ta-C (copper doped ta-C) with different sputter power of 50 W, 150 W, and 200 W coatings were deposited on silicon wafers by using FCVA (filtered cathodic vacuum arc) technique for this research. The results indicate that ta-C coating on silicon wafer has the lowest average friction coefficient (CoF) and better wear resistance than Cu/ta-C coating when lubricated under PAO-4 oil with MoDTC. Cu/ta-C with sputter powers of 150 W and 200 W exhibited the highest average friction coefficient under PAO-4 oil with MoDTC. Meanwhile, the average CoF for all samples were similar under PAO-4 base oil. In terms of wear, ta-C coating showed the highest wear rate under PAO-4 base oil then followed by Cu/ta-C with sputter power of 50 W. Nonetheless, Cu/ta-C with sputter powers of 150 W and 200 W exhibited significantly low wear rate under PAO-4 base oil compared to PAO-4 oil with MoDTC.
Efficiency of nucleating additives in polypropylene

Investigation of the nucleating ability of selected nucleating agents in various commercial types of isolactic polypropylene revealed that the efficiency of individual additives is not equal for all types of polypropylene. As to the nucleation mechanism, it can be supposed that in most cases the added nucleating agents act mainly secondarily, activating the heterogeneities originally present in the polymer.
Erosão hídrica influenciada por condições físicas de superfície e subsuperfície do solo resultantes do seu manejo, na ausência de cobertura vegetal

Praticas diferenciadas de manejo resultam em condicoes fisicas de superficie e subsuperficie do solo distintas, as quais, por sua vez, resultam em niveis de erosao hidrica variados. Com isto em mente, realizou-se um estudo a campo com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de formas de preparo e cultivo do solo e de manejo dos residuos culturais em algumas de suas condicoes fisicas de superficie e subsuperficie, em relacao a erosao hidrica, durante 5,5 anos. Para tal, utilizou-se chuva simulada sobre um Argissolo Vermelho distrofico tipico, bastante degradado pelo manejo anterior, com declividade de 0,08 m m-1. Os tratamentos consistiram dos cultivos de milho e aveia preta, em semeadura direta e em preparo convencional de solo (este com incorporacao e com remocao dos residuos culturais), e do sem cultivo, em preparo convencional de solo (testemunha). Tais tratamentos encontravam-se na condicao de solo recem-mobilizado, ou consolidado, e desprovido de cobertura vegetal por ocasiao dos testes de erosao com chuva simulada. Estes, em numero de dez, foram realizados com o simulador de chuva de bracos rotativos, na intensidade de 64 mm h-1 e duracao de 90 min, logo apos a colheita de uma cultura e o preparo do solo, ou nao, para o estabelecimento da cultura seguinte. A incorporacao sistematica dos residuos culturais ao solo recuperou sua estrutura e diminuiu a perda de solo praticamente em 3/4, comparada a sua remocao, resultando tambem na menor perda de solo no estudo. Devido a recem-criada rugosidade superficial do solo, os tratamentos com preparo convencional apresentaram as maiores capacidades de retencao e infiltracao de agua, resultando em retardamento da enxurrada e, logo, baixa perda de agua, comparados a semeadura direta, independentemente do cultivo e da incorporacao ou remocao dos residuos culturais. O preparo convencional sem cultivo, apesar de apresentar rugosidade superficial similar ao com cultivo, mostrou a maior perda de solo no estudo. A semeadura direta, apesar de tambem ter recuperado a estrutura do solo pelo cultivo, apresentou a maior perda de agua, ficando a perda de solo proxima a do preparo convencional com residuo cultural removido e intermediaria entre o preparo convencional com residuo cultural incorporado e o sem cultivo. A perda de solo apos o cultivo do milho foi praticamente o dobro da observada apos o cultivo da aveia preta, independentemente do preparo do solo e da incorporacao ou remocao dos residuos culturais, enquanto a perda de agua foi apenas ligeiramente maior. Os resultados confirmaram que as condicoes fisicas de superficie e subsuperficie do solo resultantes do seu manejo que governam as perdas de solo por erosao hidrica sao distintas das que governam as perdas de agua pelo mesmo fenomeno.
Size dimorphism and directional selection in forest millipedes

Sexual Size Dimorphism (SSD) in the diplopod genus Centrobolus has a positive correlation with body size. Length, width and rings are the main components of interspecific variation in diplopod species. Interspecific variation in size was calculated in 6 species and data sets tested for normality. All data observed and tested were normal. Intersexual variation (coefficients of variation) in length and width was compared in 9 species using MEDCALC®. In C. digrammus, C. inscriptus, and C. silvanus there was significant directional selection for slender males.
The Fallacy of the Fat Anemic Child

Background: Studies suggest the presence of iron deficiency among obese children, which would lead to a higher incidence of anemia in this group. Aim: To assess the prevalence of anemia among overweight and obese children from two socioeconomic levels and two different regions in Brazil. Methods: Hemoglobin and anthropometric data on 598 overweight and obese children and adolescents were obtained from two services specialized in the care of these children. Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 5.8% and mean hemoglobin level was 13.2 mg/dL, with no statistical difference for the two indicators according to overweight or obesity and age group. However, the mean hemoglobin was higher among boys and, in the service with care provided to a population of lower socioeconomic status, the prevalence of anemia was higher. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia found among overweight and obese children and adolescents was quite low, being higher in the poorest population. For overweight children and adolescents, anemia seems to be more related to socioeconomic status than to the presence of excess weight.
EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS AND TRACE ELEMENT STATUS IN NIGERIAN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS WITH PLASMODIUM PARASITAEMIA

Homozygous sickle cell disease (genotype HbSS) confers a certain degree of protection to human (especially Africans) Plasmodium falciparum malaria, yet the precise mechanism remains unknown. Recent observations suggest that the mechanism might also involve immune and non-immune components. In this study, the plasma levels of trace elements (Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd and Se) and antioxidants (urea, albumin and total antioxidants) were determined in Nigerians with sickle cell disease with (HbSS+M), or without (HbSS-M) Plasmodium parasitaemia, haemoglobin AA with Plasmodium parasitaemia (HbAA+M) compared with those having haemoglobin AA without Plasmodium parasitaemia (HbAA-M) using spectrophotometric method. The mean level of urea was significantly higher while the total antioxidants (TAS), Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Se and albumin were not significantly different in HbAA+M subjects when compared with HbAA-M subjects. In HbSS-M subjects, the levels of Fe, Zn, Mn and TAS were significantly lower while the level of urea was significantly higher when compared with HbSS+M subjects. There were no significant differences in the values of Mg, Cu, Cd, Se and albumin in HbSS-M subjects when compared with HbAA-M. In HbSS+M subjects, significantly lower levels of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Se, total antioxidants, but significantly higher level of urea were observed when compared with the HbAA-M subjects. The result of this study revealed an aggravating effect of Plasmodium parasitaemia on deranged levels of trace elements in Nigerians with sickle cell disease.
Direct and indirect effects between individualism, institutions and the homicide rate

The present paper evaluates whether people in highly individualistic cultures have a lower propensity to commit violent crimes in a cross-section of 74 countries. Several previous papers report a significant negative correlation between these two variables, but it is not well established whether the effect of culture on crime is direct or indirect. Including data from the World Justice Project, we find that the relation is only indirect because the quality of institutions has a moderating effect on crime. The data also show that individualistic nations generate a more effective juridical system which is mainly responsible for the variation in homicide rates across countries. These findings remain robust when we control for several confounding factors, such as income, inequality, the use of guns or alcohol, and even when we use instrumental variables for the individualism index.