Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of sea tangle extract on the quality characteristics of reduced-salt, low-fat sausages using pre-rigor muscle during refrigerated storage

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate quality characteristics of reduced-salt, low-fat pork sausage (PS) using pre-rigor muscle and sea tangle extract (STE) to reduce salt level of sausages during refrigerated storage. Methods Pork ham was prepared with pre-rigor and post-rigor muscle from the local market. Sausages using post-rigor muscle were manufactured with the 1.5% of salt content, and samples with pre-rigor muscle were processed by different salt concentrations (0.8%). Accordingly, PSs were prepared in 4 treatments (REF, PS with 1.5% of salt using post-rigor muscle; CTL, PS with 0.8% of salt using pre-rigor muscle; TRT1, PS with 0.8% of salt and 5% of STE using pre-rigor muscle; TRT2, PS with 0.8% of salt and 10% of STE using pre-rigor muscle). For the evaluation of quality characteristics and shelf-life of reduced-salt PS, pH and color values, cooking loss (%), expressible moisture (%), textural properties, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances), protein denaturation (volatile basic nitrogen), and microbiological analysis (total plate counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts) were determined. Results The pH and temperature of pre-rigor raw pork ham were higher than those of post-rigor pork ham. Hardness of TRT2 was higher than that of REF or CTL. TRT2 had higher gumminess and chewiness than CTL. TRT1 and TRT2 had lower volatile basic nitrogen than CTL. Total plate counts of TRT2 were lower than those of CTL. Expressible moisture values of TRT1 and TRT2 were similar to those of REF. The addition of STE into PS improved functional properties and shelf-life of PS. Conclusion Reduced-salt PS containing pre-rigor muscle and STE had similar functional properties to those of regular-salt ones, while containing approximately 47% less salt compared to regular-salt level.
La serie du lom : etude geologique et geochronologique d'un bassin volcano-sedimentaire de la chaine panafricaine a l'est du cameroun

La region du lom comprend: des metasediments epi- a masozonaux constitues de schistes volcano-sedimentaires et graphiteux, des quartzites plus ou moins conglomeratiques et micaschistes; des orthogneiss pre- a syntectoniques ayant la composition des granites de type s; des granites syn a post-tectoniques qui presentent des compositions allant des monzonites a des granites alcalins. Les metasediments et leurs encaissants ont ete affectes par deux phases de deformation d1 et d2. Le protholithe des schistes provient de melanges entre le produit du demantellement d'une croute ancienne et celui d'un volcanisme plus jeune. L'evolution du bassin est domine par la presence d'une croute continentale que l'on retrouve aussi bien dans le chimisme des granitoides que dans la serie schisteuse sous forme d'heritage sedimentaire
Comparison of sperm freezability and fertility among Hmong Black-Bone, Barred Plymouth Rock and Thai Native (Pradu Hang Dam) chickens

Semen cryopreservation is the most useful method for the long - term storage of chicken genetic resources . The objective of this study was to compare post - thaw semen quality of Hmong Black - Bone to Barred Plymouth Rock and Thai native ( Pradu Hang Dam ) chickens in terms of sperm motility, viability and fertility . A total of 9 males of each breed were used; semen collected from each cock was subsequently evaluated under a microscope . Semen samples were diluted with Schramm diluent, cooled down from 20 – 25 o C to 5 o C and diluent plus DMF ( dimethylformamide ) was added ( 6 % DMF of final volume when the sperm concentration was 1,200 × 10 6 / mL ). Semen was loaded into 0 . 5 mL straws, frozen at -35 o C for 12 mins and at -135 o C for 5 min in nitrogen vapor, and then plunged into liquid nitrogen . After thawing the straws in cold water ( 5 o C ) , sperm motility characteristics were analyzed by computer - assisted sperm analysis and viability was assessed by staining with SYBR - 14 and propidium iodide and observing under a fluorescent microscope ( 400× ). Fertility tests of frozen semen were carried out by artificial insemination of layer hens . There was no significant difference in motility and viability between breeds . The fertility rates for frozen semen of Hmong Black Bone, Barred Plymouth Rock and Thai native ( Pradu Hang Dam ) chickens were 74.96, 69.75 and 80.59%, respectively, which showed no significant difference between breeds ( P>0 . 05 ) . The results show that semen cryopreservation in Hmong Black - Bone chickens achieved acceptable freezing ability and fertility for use in ex situ conservation .
Impact of green brand authenticity on warm glow, green satisfaction, and willingness to pay more

ABSTRACT This study explored the concept of green brand authenticity in tourism and its relationships with relevant variables by using a mixed method. Firstly, the content analysis of interview revealed four dimensions of green brand authenticity: green practice, green servicescape, green support for locals, and green customer engagement. Then, the analysis of a total of 352 survey responses collected through an online research panel uncovered brand-self congruence as the most significant antecedent of green brand authenticity and green customer engagement as the most impactful dimension on the outcome variables. Brand commercialization significantly moderated the relationships among the study variables.
Apparently Resistant Hypertension in Polish Hemodialyzed Population: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and determinants of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH) in an unselected large population of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treated with hemodialysis (HD) throughout the country. Methods: A database of 5879 patients (mean age 65.2 ± 14.2 years, 60% of males receiving hemodialysis) was obtained from the biggest provider of hemodialysis in the country. Hypertension and aTRH were defined using pre- or/and post-dialysis BP values. Patients with and without aTRH (non-aTRH) were compared. Results: Using pre- and post-dialysis criteria, hypertension was diagnosed in 90.7% and 89.1% of subjects, respectively. According to pre- and post-dialysis blood pressure criteria, aTRH incidences were 40.9% and 38.4%, respectively. The hypertensive patients with aTRH versus non-aTRH were younger, had a higher rate of cardiovascular disease, lower dialysis vintage, shorter time on dialysis, higher eKt/V, higher ultrafiltration, higher pre- and post-dialysis BP and HR, and higher use of antihypertensive drugs. Factors that increase the risk of aTRH according to both pre- and post-dialysis BP criteria were age—OR 0.99 [0.98–0.99] and 0.99 [0.98–0.99], the history of CVD 1.26 [1.08–1.46] and 1.30 [1.12–1.51], and diabetes 1.26 [1.08–1.47] and 1.28 [1.09–1.49], adjusted OR with 95% CI. Conclusions: In the real-life world, as much as 40% of HD patients may have aTRH. In ESKD HD patients, aTRH seems to be multifactorial, influenced by patient-related rather than dialysis-related factors. Various definitions of aTRH preclude easy comparisons between studies.
Public Employees as Elected Politicians: Assessing Direct and Indirect Substantive Effects of Passive Representation

In many countries, public sector employees are eligible to hold political offices during their employment as civil servants. This often triggers conflict-of-interest concerns that elected public employees might sway policies to their professional benefit. In this article, we build on representation scholarship in political science and public administration to assess such substantive effects of public employees’ political representation using detailed Norwegian administrative register and survey data (2003–19). Our main results indicate that public employees differ little from other members within their party in terms of ideology and policy preferences. They do, however, appear to move their party slightly toward the left of the political spectrum, consistent with preference spillover effects induced by heightened public sector representation. Finally, using an instrumental variable approach exploiting close elections, we find that political representation of public employees is associated with at best modest public spending, employment, and wage effects at the local level.
Interaction between Antarctic sea ice and synoptic activity in the circumpolar trough: implications for ice-core interpretation

Abstract Interactions between Antarctic sea ice and synoptic activity in the circumpolar trough have been investigated using meteorological data from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Re-analysis and sea-ice data from passive-microwave measurements. Total Antarctic sea-ice extent does not show large interannual variations. However, large differences are observed on a regional/monthly scale, depending on prevailing winds and currents, and thus on the prevailing synoptic situations. the sea-ice edge is also a preferred region for cyclogenesis due to the strong meridional temperature gradient (high baroclinicity) in that area. the motivation for this study was to gain a better understanding of the interaction between sea-ice extent and the general atmospheric flow, particularly the frequency of warm-air intrusions into the interior of the Antarctic continent, since this influences precipitation seasonality and must be taken into account for a correct climatic interpretation of ice cores. Two case studies of extraordinary sea-ice concentration anomalies in relation to the prevailing atmospheric conditions are presented. However, both strong positive and negative anomalies can be related to warm biases in ice cores (indicated by stable-isotope ratios), especially in connection with the negative phase of the Southern Annular Mode.
Effects and Mechanisms of Cage versus Floor Rearing System on Goose Growth Performance and Immune Status

Simple Summary The rearing system is one of the significant non-genetic factors that influence growth performance and immune status in goose husbandry. Therefore, it is of great significance to understand the effects of two major dryland systems on goose growth performance and immune status. The current study revealed that the floor rearing system (FRS) improved growth performance, but the immune function of geese was promoted to some extent in the cage-rearing system (CRS). Moreover, we found the phenylalanine metabolism pathway could exert positive effects on the immune function of geese under CRS. These findings can provide a reliable reference for selecting a dryland rearing system in geese. Abstract Currently, FRS and CRS are the two predominant dryland rearing systems in the goose industry. However, the effects of these two systems on goose growth performance and health, as well as the underlying mechanisms, have not been fully clarified. Thus, this study aimed to compare growth performance and immune status, as well as investigate the genome-wide transcriptomic profiles of spleen in geese, between CRS and FRS at 270 d of age. Phenotypically, the body weight and body size traits were higher in geese under FRS, while the weight and organ index of spleen were higher in geese under CRS (p < 0.05). Noticeably, the bursa of Fabricius of geese under FRS was degenerated, while that under CRS was retained. At the serum level, the immune globulin-G (IgG) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were higher in geese under CRS (p < 0.05). At the transcriptomic level, we identified 251 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the spleen between CRS and FRS, which were mainly enriched in scavenger receptor activity, inflammatory response, immune response, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, phenylalanine metabolism, ECM receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and MAPK signaling pathways. Furthermore, through protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, ten candidate genes were identified, namely, VEGFA, FGF2, NGF, GPC1, NKX2-5, FGFR1, FGF1, MEIS1, CD36, and PAH. Further analysis demonstrated that geese in CRS could improve their immune ability through the “phenylalanine metabolism” pathway. Our results revealed that the FRS improved growth performance, whereas the CRS improved goose immune function by increasing levels of IL-6 and IgG in serum. Moreover, the phenylalanine metabolism pathway could exert positive effects on immune function of geese under CRS. These results can provide reliable references for understanding how floor and cage rearing systems affect goose growth performance and immune capacity.
Influence of Audit Committee Meetings on the Quality of Audit Reports of Saccos in Homabay County, Kenya

Every operating organization keeps tabs on its development by producing accurate financial statements at the conclusion of each fiscal year, which are subsequently distributed to various individual users who are concerned with the organization's development. The audit procedure then confirms the accuracy of the financial accounts, and the audit committee then provides the specific business with a transparent audit report to seal the deal. The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of audit committee meetings on the quality of audit reports at Sacco’s in Homabay County, Kenya. This was supported by the fact that there are numerous Sacco’s in Homabay County, many of which had apparently experienced audit problems in the past. The institutional theory served as the study's compass. This study adopted a descriptive causal research design; the target population was 104 audit committee members of deposit taking Sacco’s in Homabay County as of December 2021. Out of the target population determined using the Krejcie and Morgan formula, 82 members of the audit committee provided responses for the study. Primary data was collected using a research questionnaire that involved the drop-and-pick method. Descriptive statistics, including a frequency table, mean, and standard deviation, were used for data analysis, while inferential statistics included Pearson’s correlation analysis. The study found that audit committee meetings in Homabay County, Kenya, had a positive and significant impact on the caliber of audit reports on Sacco’s (r = 0.568, p<0.05). The study recommends that Sacco’s audit committee members should conduct the maximum number of meetings as much as they can. In extension, those meetings should be objectively aimed at attaining quality audits.
Identifying Atrial Fibrillation With Sinus Rhythm Electrocardiogram in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: A Validation Study With Insertable Cardiac Monitors

Author's summary Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is a potential cause of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Because oral anticoagulation therapy can reduce the risk of recurrent stroke, identifying hidden AF is essential. This is the first study that validated a deep learning algorithm (DLA) identifying paroxysmal AF using implantable cardiac monitors, which is accepted as a gold standard for diagnosing paroxysmal AF in patients with ESUS. Furthermore, we provide a useful AF prediction model by combining clinical factors, including burden of atrial ectopy, left atrial diameter and the DLA. This model might be clinically useful in management of ESUS patients.
Momordica charantia-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Provide Antioxidant Protection in Ulcerative Colitis

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles are functional nanovesicles that have significant applications in both disease prevention and treatment, as well as for use as drug carriers. Momordica charantia is a widely consumed food that has both medicinal and nutritional properties and has shown intervention in diabetes and inflammation caused by oxidative damage. In this study, Momordica charantia-derived extracellular vesicles (MCEVs) were extracted and demonstrated to have excellent antioxidant activity by characterization, lipid composition analysis, protein domain analysis, and in vitro antioxidant measurement. In addition, in vivo studies indicated that the MCEVs could restore ulcerative colitis by regulating oxidation and inflammatory factors. Therefore, the antioxidant properties of MCEVs may be important in protecting the colon from inflammation, which provides new insights into the application of MCEVs as drugs or vectors for intervention in ulcerative colitis.
cRGD-Conjugated GdIO Nanoclusters for the Theranostics of Pancreatic Cancer through the Combination of T1–T2 Dual-Modal MRI and DTX Delivery

Clinically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often uses contrast agents (CAs) to improve image contrast, but single-signal MRI CAs are often susceptible to calcification, hemorrhage, and magnetic sensitivity. Herein, iron acetylacetone and gadolinium acetylacetone were used as raw materials to synthesize a T1–T2 dual-mode imaging gadolinium-doped iron oxide (GdIO) nanocluster. Moreover, to endow the nanoclusters with targeting properties and achieve antitumor effects, the cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (cRGD) peptide and docetaxel (DTX) were attached to the nanocluster surface, and the efficacy of the decorated nanoclusters against pancreatic cancer was evaluated. The final synthesized material cRGD-GdIO-DTX actively targeted αvβ3 on the surface of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells. Compared with conventional passive targeting, the enrichment of cRGD-GdIO-DTX in tumor tissues improved, and the diagnostic accuracy was significantly enhanced. Moreover, the acidic tumor microenvironment triggered the release of DTX from cRGD-GdIO-DTX, thus achieving tumor treatment. The inhibition of the proliferation of SW1990 and Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells by cRGD-GdIO-DTX was much stronger than that by the untargeted GdIO-DTX and free DTX in vitro. In addition, in a human pancreatic cancer xenograft model, cRGD-GdIO-DTX considerably slowed tumor development and demonstrated excellent magnetic resonance enhancement. Our results suggest that cRGD-GdIO-DTX has potential applications for the precise diagnosis and efficient treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The impact of financial development and technological innovations on renewable energy consumption: Do the roles of economic openness and financial stability matter in BRICS economies?

There is a significant gap in comprehensively probing the determinants of renewable energy consumption (REN) in developing markets. Extant literature suggests the beneficial role of using renewable energy in diminishing carbon emissions and increasing environmental quality. This work addresses this gap and contributes by investigating the factors which significantly affect the REN in emerging economies. More specifically, the present study attempts to contribute by probing the effects of economic openness and financial stability on REN while considering the roles of financial development, technological innovations, and economic growth. To achieve this purpose, this study focuses on BRICS emerging countries, which are five massive and outstanding emerging economies of the globe, and uses both the fixed effects and quantile panel data approaches for yearly data between 2000 and 2021. Remarkably, the results reveal that economic openness and financial stability positively impact REN, implying that rising them helps achieve environmental sustainability. Moreover, the findings indicate the positive and significant role of financial development and technological innovations in increasing REN, whereas economic growth impacts adversely. The findings have essential recommendations for governments, policymakers, and regulatory bodies especially by focusing on the drivers of REN and attempting to maintain banking sector stability to increase REN and promote environmental sustainability.
The Important Role of Interleukin-2 in COVID-19

There is controversial literature about the effects of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) cytokine family in COVID-19 pathogenesis and immunity. So we aimed to identify the potential in the role of the IL-2 family in COVID-19. A narrative review search was done through online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search deadline was up to December 2022. We applied no time limits for the searching strategy. After retrieving articles from the databases, the authors summarized the data into two data extraction tables. The first data extraction table described the changes in the IL-2 cytokine family in COVID-19 and the second table described the therapeutic interventions targeting IL-2 family cytokines. The results of the literature on the role of the IL-2 cytokine family do not show a singular rule. IL-2 cytokine family can change during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Some studies suggest that IL-2 cytokine family rise during the infection and cause severe inflammatory response and cytokine storm. These cytokines are shown to be increased in immunocompromised patients and worsen their prognosis. In individuals without underlying disease, the upregulation of the IL-2 family shows the clinical outcome of the disease and rises with disease severity. However, some other studies show that these cytokines do not significantly change. IL-2 cytokine family is mostly upregulated in healthy individuals who had vaccination, but immunocompromised patients did not show significant changes after a single dose of vaccines, which shows that these patients need booster doses for efficient immunity. IL-2 cytokine family can also be used as immunotherapy agents in COVID-19.
Remote and Ground Truth Spectral Measurement Comparisons of FORMOSAT III

FORMOSAT III are a set of six research satellites from Taiwan that were launched in April 2006. The satellites are in 800 km, 71 degree inclination orbits and separated by 24 degrees in ascending node. Laboratory spectral measurements were taken of outer surface materials on FORMOSAT III. From those measurements, a computer model was built to predict the spectral reflectance accounting for both solar phase angle and orientation of the spacecraft relative to the observer. However, materials exposed to the space environment have exhibited spectral changes including a darkening and a "reddening" of the spectra. This "reddening" is characterized by an increase in slope of the reflectance as the wavelength increases. Therefore, the model of pre-flight materials was augmented to include the presumed causative agent: space weathering effects. Remote data were collected on two of the six FORMOSAT satellites using the 1.6 meter telescope at the AMOS (Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing) site with the Spica spectrometer. Due to the separation in ascending node, observations were acquired of whichever one of the six satellites was visible on that specific night. Three nights of data were collected using the red (6000 - 9500 angstroms) filter and five nights of data were collected using the blue (3200 - 6600 angstroms) filter. A comparison of the data showed a good match to the pre-flight models for the blue filter region. The absorption feature near 5500 angstroms due to the copper colored Kapton multi-layer insulation (MLI) was very apparent in the remote samples and a good fit to the data was seen in all satellites observed. The features in the red filter regime agreed with the pre-flight model up through 7000 angstroms where the reddening begins and the slope of the remote sample increases. A comparison of the satellites showed similar features in the red and blue filter regions, i.e. the satellite surfaces were aging at the same rate. A comparison of the pre-flight model to the first month of remote measurements showed the amount by which the satellite had reddened. The second month of data observed a satellite at a higher altitude and was therefore, not compared to the first month. A third month of data was collected but of satellites at the lower altitude regime and can only be compared to the first month. One cause of the reddening that was ruled out in early papers was a possible calibration issue.