Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous n-Alkanes in Vegetable Oils: Validation of a Rapid Offline SPE-GC-FID Method, Comparison with Online LC-GC-FID and Potential for Olive Oil Quality Control

The potential of endogenous n-alkane profiling for the assessment of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) adulteration (blends with cheaper vegetable oils) has been studied by relatively few authors. Analytical methods used for this purpose often involve tedious and solvent-intensive sample preparation prior to analytical determination, making them unattractive. A rapid and solvent-sparing offline solid phase extraction (SPE) gas chromatography (GC) flame ionization detection (FID) method for the determination of endogenous n-alkanes in vegetable oils was, therefore, optimized and validated. The optimized method demonstrated good performance characteristics in terms of linearity (R2 > 0.999), recovery (on average 94%), and repeatability (residual standard deviation, RSD < 11.9%). The results were comparable to those obtained with online high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-GC- FID ( RSD < 5.1%). As an example of an application to prove the potentiality of endogenous n-alkanes in revealing frauds, the data set obtained from 16 EVOO, 9 avocado oils (AVO), and 13 sunflower oils (SFO), purchased from the market, was subjected to statistical analysis and principal component analysis. Two powerful indices, namely (n-C29 + n-C31)/(n-C25 + n-C26) and n-C29/n-C25, were found to reveal the addition of 2% SFO in EVOO and 5% AVO in EVOO, respectively. Further studies are needed to confirm the validity of these promising indices.
Environmental Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity among Urban African-American Youth

Abstract:The purpose of this study is to qualitatively identify environmental characteristics that act as barriers and facilitators of physical activity among urban African-American adolescents—a population with disproportionately low levels of physical activity. The study used concept mapping, a participatory research methodology, with 50 adolescents in Baltimore, Maryland to identify the strongest environmental barriers and facilitators. Young women identified social environmental factors (e.g., crime, violence, drugs) as their strongest barriers to physical activity. For young men, other barriers (e.g., transportation, finances, and parental influences) were equally as strong as social environmental factors. Social support and neighborhood locations for physical activity were identified as facilitators of physical activity, with social support being the strongest facilitator for male and female participants. This study identifies age and culturally relevant environmental characteristics that should be examined in quantitative studies and considered in future interventions addressing physical activity in a high-risk population.
Outcomes in Dogs with Multiple Sites of Cervical Intervertebral Disc Disease Treated with Single Ventral Slot Decompression

Simple Summary The typical clinical manifestation of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in dogs is an acute disc extrusion leading to spinal cord injury. However, imaging investigations occasionally reveal spinal cord compression associated with multiple sites of IVDD in dogs with an acute presentation. In this scenario, one acute disc extrusion is likely accompanied by previously extruded or protruded discs. Currently, its most appropriate management remains unclear. Here we described the outcomes and investigated prognostic factors in 40 dogs with an acute clinical presentation but diagnosed with multiple sites of spinal cord compression from cervical disc extrusion or protrusion on MRI who underwent surgical decompression for the single acute disc. The overall recovery rate was 97.5%. The median recovery time was seven days. Compared to 23 dogs with single disc extrusion treated surgically, the recovery outcomes were similar between dogs with multiple-site IVDD and single disc extrusion. Moreover, the total number of IVDDs with concomitant spinal compression did not influence the recovery time or outcomes. If an acute disc site could be identified, the described management strategy could be a practical approach for dogs with an acute presentation but diagnosed with multiple sites of spinal cord compression from IVDD. Abstract In dogs with acute myelopathy but showing multiple sites of spinal compression from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) on imaging, one approach is surgical decompression of the single acute disc extrusion while ignoring other previously extruded or protruded discs. However, little is known regarding the outcomes of this approach. This study described the outcomes and investigated prognostic factors in 40 dogs with multiple sites of cervical disc extrusion or protrusion on MRI who underwent ventral slot decompression for the single acute disc. The overall recovery rate was 97.5%. The median recovery time was seven days. The number of affected discs (including disc extrusion and protrusion) and the presence and number of the affected discs causing severe spinal compression did not influence the 30-day outcome. Compared with 23 dogs with single disc extrusion treated surgically, the recovery time and outcomes were similar between the two groups. The total number of affected discs was not associated with recovery time or outcomes. In conclusion, if an acute disc could be identified, ventral slot decompression targeting the single acute disc is a viable management approach for dogs with an acute presentation but diagnosed with multiple sites of spinal cord compression from IVDD.
Increased Risk of the 2014 Australian May Heatwave Due to Anthropogenic Activity

An evaluation on the ability of the Community Earth System Model (CESM) model to simulate heatwave-relevant synoptic patterns over Australia was performed. The method of self-organizing maps was used (Kohonen 2001), which has been shown to be a powerful tool for evaluating model simulated synoptic variability in other studies (Cassano et al. 2006; Uotila et al. 2007; Gibson et al. 2015, manuscript submitted to Climate Dyn.). Each historical realization of the CESM ensemble was compared to ERAinterim over 1979–2004 in terms of the frequency of each synoptic pattern (node). A total of 20 nodes were computed, as shown in Fig. S31.1. Many of the nodes resemble the development of the observed synoptic system associated with the 19-day 2014 May heatwave (see Fig. S31.2 for snapshots of the observed system). In particular, node c4 was most relevant to the event occurring for 8 of the heatwave days, including 6 consecutive days (Fig. S31.2). Other similar nodes, also characterized by anticyclonic conditions over the Tasman Sea, occurred during the heat wave including nodes b4, c3, d3, d4. Overall, all realizations of CESM produced similar frequencies of each self-organizing map (SOM) node. Encouragingly, the frequency of node c4 (that most relevant to the heatwave in this study) in CESM was very similar to that of ERA-interim, while some of the other less relevant nodes were either slightly underestimated (nodes c3, d3, d4) or overestimated (b4) by the model (Fig. S31.3). The biggest deficiency in the model is its tendency to overstimulate the frequency of zonally elongated patterns (i.e., nodes a2 and b2), however, this is less of a concern as these patterns are not relevant to the heat event.
Lower Limb Unilateral and Bilateral Strength Asymmetry in High-Level Male Senior and Professional Football Players

This study sought to assess the relationship between different jumping asymmetries and associated performance variables in high-level male senior and professional football players. Nineteen football players with at least 12 years of training experience (23.2 ± 3.1 years of age; 75.2 ± 4.8 kg of body mass and 181 ± 0.06 cm of height) participated in this study performing countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), single-leg CMJ and drop jump (DJ), associated performance variable eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), bilateral deficit (BLD), and limb symmetry index (LSI) were determined. High correlations were observed between different methodologies of jump tests and associated performance indicators (SSC, BLD, EUR), except LSI. Moreover, CMJ and SJ results were different (p < 0.05), but no differences were found between interlimb in CMJ (p = 0.19) and DJ (p = 0.14). Between the same limbs and different jumps differences were detected in CMJ and DJ (p < 0.01), and it has also been found that the laterality effect size on strength was small in CMJ (ES = 0.30) and DJ (ES = 0.35). LSI between CMJ and DJ was not different despite higher mean values in CMJ, and although mean BLD was positive (>100%), the results highlight the need for individual evaluation since eight players scored negatively. An in-depth and accurate analysis of performance in preseason screening jump tests should be considered, aiming to detect injury risk, specifically evaluating different jumping test methodologies, and determining jumping associated performance variables for each test, namely EUR, SSC, BLD, and LSI. Specific muscle-strengthening exercises could be implemented based on this study results and outcomes, aiming to reduce injury risks and lower extremity asymmetries and to enhance individual football performance in high-level male senior and professional football players. Sports institutions should pay special attention regarding potential health problems in athletes exposed to daily high training loads.
Nonlinear Quantum Optics in Artificially Structured Media

Nonlinear Quantum Optics in Artificially Structured Media Lukas Gordon Helt Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Physics University of Toronto 2013 This thesis presents an analysis of photon pairs generated via either spontaneous parametric downconversion or spontaneous four-wave mixing in channel waveguides as well as in microring resonators side-coupled to channel waveguides. The state of photons exiting a particular device is calculated within a general Hamiltonian formalism that simplifies the link between quantum nonlinear optics experiments and classical nonlinear optics experiments. This state contains information regarding photon pair production efficiency as well as modal and spectral correlations between the two photons, characterized by a two-dimensional spectral distribution function called the biphoton wave function. In the limit of a low probability of pair production, photon pair production efficiencies are cast into forms resembling corresponding well-known classical nonlinear optical frequency conversion efficiencies, making it easy to see what plays the role of a classical “seed” field in an un-seeded (quantum) process. This also allows photon pair production efficiencies to be calculated based on the results of classical nonlinear optical experiments. It is further calculated that, unless generated photons are collected over a very narrow frequency range, their generation efficiency does not scale the same way with device length in a channel waveguide, or resonance quality factor in a microring resonator, as might be expected from the corresponding classical frequency conversion efficiency. Although calculations do not include selfor cross-phase modulation, nor two-photon absorption or free-carrier absorption, it is calculated that their neglect is justified in the low pair production probability limit. Linear (scattering) loss is also neglected, though partially addressed in the final chapter of this thesis.
Role of Financial Performance of Global Islamic and Conventional Microfinance Institutions in Sustainable Development Goals Achievement

The achievement of sustainable development goals is a challenge for United Nations Development Programme member countries. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore and compare the role that the financial performance of global Islamic and conventional microfinance institutions playing achieving sustainable development goals by using non-traditional indexes. Further, the study also checked the moderating role of institution size in this relationship. Results indicate that the financial performance of both Islamic and conventional microfinance institutions is important to achieving sustainable development goals. Institution size as a moderator has a negative impact on the financial performance of conventional microfinance institutions in achieving sustainable development due to the possibility of commercialization. In terms of policy recommendations, the results of this study present several policy directions for both Islamic and conventional institution managers for both developed and developing countries. Both Islamic and conventional MFIs managers should focus on financial performance to achieve sustainable development goals. The managers should realize that in the case of increasing the institution's size, financial performance can be improved, but it also creates commercialization, making the main objective of serving the poorest customers difficult. This study also gives directions to the government, central bodies, and other regulatory authorities to develop policies for improving the financial performance of both Islamic and conventional microfinance institutions to achieve sustainable development goals. This study has taken two indicators of financial performance that are extensively discussed in the literature. For future studies, other financial performance indicators can be included in the study.
Comparison of Grip Strength, Forearm Muscle Activity, and Shock Transmission between the Forehand Stroke Technique of Experienced and Recreational Tennis Players Using a Novel Wearable Device

Upper limb tennis injuries are primarily chronic, resulting from repetitive overuse. We developed a wearable device which simultaneously measures risk factors (grip strength, forearm muscle activity, and vibrational data) associated with elbow tendinopathy development resulting from tennis players’ technique. We tested the device on experienced (n = 18) and recreational (n = 22) tennis players hitting forehand cross-court at both flat and topspin spin levels under realistic playing conditions. Using statistical parametric mapping analysis, our results showed that all players showed a similar level of grip strength at impact, regardless of spin level, and the grip strength at impact did not influence the percentage of impact shock transfer to the wrist and elbow. Experienced players hitting with topspin exhibited the highest ball spin rotation, low-to-high swing path brushing action, and shock transfer to the wrist and elbow compared to the results obtained while hitting the ball flat, or when compared to the results obtained from recreational players. Recreational players exhibited significantly higher extensor activity during most of the follow through phase compared to the experienced players for both spin levels, potentially putting them at greater risk for developing lateral elbow tendinopathy. We successfully demonstrated that wearable technologies can be used to measure risk factors associated with elbow injury development in tennis players under realistic playing conditions.
Angular dependence of Jc for YBCO coated conductors at low temperature and very high magnetic fields

We present very high field angle dependent critical current density (Jc) data for three recently obtained YBa2Cu3O7−x (YBCO) coated conductors used in the construction of high field solenoids. We find that strongly correlated pins, such as BaZrO3 (BZO) nanorods, while yielding strong c-axis peaks at 77 K, produce almost no measurable contribution at 4 K. Raising the field from <5 to 30 T at 4 K causes a marked transition from a Ginzburg–Landau-like Jc(θ) at low fields to a marked cusp-like behavior at high fields. Transmission electron micrographs show that all samples contain a high density of stacking faults which strengthen the plane correlated pinning parallel to the ab planes produced by the intrinsic ab-plane pinning of the Cu–O charge reservoir layers.
On decoding of multidimensional single parity turbo product codes

The paper deals with an iterative decoding algorithm for two or more dimensional turbo product codes, built using single parity block codes. Decoding is based on soft-input/soft-output (SISO) decoders for decoding component codes. The soft inputs of the decoder include two values, the soft channel value and an a priori value. The soft output of the component's decoder is an extrinsic value, which is an estimation of the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) of binary decisions given by the decoding algorithm. The extrinsic values are used in feedback as a priori information. Simulations show that simple parity block codes used as the component codes gives quite good results, although a very simple decoding algorithm is used.
Bisphenol-A Neurotoxic Effects on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons In Vitro and In Vivo

Simple Summary Environmental pollutants have been suggested to be among the possible causes that play a role in the generation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Included in these environmental pollutants, we find the highly used plasticizer bisphenol-A, which produces neurodegeneration and cognitive disorders similar to those induced in AD. However, the mechanisms through which this and other environmental pollutants produce these effects are unknown. In AD, as well as in other neurodegenerative diseases that produce cognitive disorders, a selective cholinergic neuronal loss is induced in the brain region of the basal forebrain, which in turn leads to the denervation of the hippocampus and cortex, producing neurodegeneration in these regions and, eventually, cognitive disorders. Our results show the alteration of some mechanisms that could mediate bisphenol-A disruption of synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration induction in this specific type of basal forebrain neurons. These results may assist to elucidate the processes that mediate the cognition alterations produced by bisphenol-A and other environmental pollutants, which it shares mechanisms with, and could lead to the development of preventive and therapeutic tools to avoid and treat these effects in the population. Abstract The widely used plasticizer bisphenol-A (BPA) is well-known for producing neurodegeneration and cognitive disorders, following acute and long-term exposure. Although some of the BPA actions involved in these effects have been unraveled, they are still incompletely known. Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) regulate memory and learning processes and their selective loss, as observed in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, leads to cognitive decline. In order to study the BPA neurotoxic effects on BFCN and the mechanisms through which they are induced, 60-day old Wistar rats were used, and a neuroblastoma cholinergic cell line from the basal forebrain (SN56) was used as a basal forebrain cholinergic neuron model. Acute treatment of rats with BPA (40 µg/kg) induced a more pronounced basal forebrain cholinergic neuronal loss. Exposure to BPA, following 1- or 14-days, produced postsynaptic-density-protein-95 (PSD95), synaptophysin, spinophilin, and N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor-subunit-1 (NMDAR1) synaptic proteins downregulation, an increase in glutamate content through an increase in glutaminase activity, a downregulation in the vesicular-glutamate-transporter-2 (VGLUT2) and in the WNT/β-Catenin pathway, and cell death in SN56 cells. These toxic effects observed in SN56 cells were mediated by overexpression of histone-deacetylase-2 (HDAC2). These results may help to explain the synaptic plasticity, cognitive dysfunction, and neurodegeneration induced by the plasticizer BPA, which could contribute to their prevention.
Young People's Perspectives on Creating a “Participation-Friendly” Culture

Abstract:Youth-serving organizations are increasingly interested in the participation of youth as partners in addressing issues relevant to young people. This paper adds new insights by sharing young people's perspectives on how to enhance youth participation in organizational settings. We conducted in-depth focus group interviews with 31 young people and seven adults from six youth development programs in California where youth collaborate with adults to take on leadership and decision-making roles. Findings suggest that organizations need to incorporate peer processes into their change strategies, discuss the role of relationships in the program and organizational sphere, and embrace mutual learning and meaningful community impact.
The School as a Source of Support for Katrina-Evacuated Youth

Abstract:When Hurricane Katrina hit, families were disrupted, and many children were left without the steady support of parents or immediate household relatives. This article describes a component of a comprehensive study of the structural, cultural and social conditions that allow youth to adjust to life after a catastrophic event. The purpose of this component of the research is to examine the success of adolescents in coping with the strains of post-Katrina relocation and to discover the sources of support on which they relied to facilitate the transition. In May 2006, 73 middle and high school students who had been evacuated to the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area completed a survey asking about their emotional and physical well-being as well as their new support networks. A comparison sample of non-Katrina students completed a similar survey. The findings indicate that many youth turned to school personnel and other significant adults to help them cope with this catastrophic event. Although the evacuated youth did not differ in many ways from their peers, they exhibited some negative symptoms. More importantly, those youths who built a positive relationship with their new school, and those who had garnered positive support from an adult—especially with their teachers—were managing better than those without a positive resource. The article concludes with implications for school-based policies to help distressed children.
Children's Independent Mobility: A Review of Recent Italian Literature

Abstract:The aim of this paper is to present a synthesis of the Italian research on children's independent mobility. The aspects taken into consideration include methodological issues related to measuring children's independent mobility, the level of independent mobility, and the factors that foster or constrain it. In synthesis, the importance of demographic, environmental and cultural factors are confirmed, as well as parents' and children's fears. On examining the research in detail, however, elements emerge that are useful for a deeper analysis of the phenomenon. Italian research shows itself to be original in studies about the consequences of children's reduced autonomy outdoors. This work concludes with a discussion of the indications that can be drawn from the Italian research for environmental child-friendliness.