Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspartame Consumption Increases Glutathione Peroxidase Level and Depression- Like Behavior in Rats

Aspartame is a worldwide used artificial sweetener and is consumed by millions of adults and children as part of their diet. The connection between aspartame ingestion and depression has been studied with contradictory results. We hypothesized that this correlation might be explained by high levels of oxidative stress. We wanted to examine the biochemical effects of consuming higher or lower doses of aspartame on the antioxidant enzymeglutathione peroxidase (GPX) and on the depression-like behaviors of rats in the forced swim test model. 40 lab rats were divided into 4 groups; two groups were treated by gavage with either 75 mg/kg/day of aspartame or 125 mg/kg/day of aspartame. The control group received a gavage with vehicle (water). The naive group received no experimental intervention. Our statistical analysis revealed that the rats from the control group and the naïve group presented a significantly lower level of GPX compared to the groups that received 75mg/kg/day or the group that received the maximum dosage of 125mg/kg/day aspartame. Furthermore, a shorter duration of the immobility was reported in the control and the naïve groups when compared to the groups which received any of the two dosages of aspartame. Therefore, the results presented by our study suggest that aspartame consumption (in both high and low dosages) increases both the oxidative stress and the depression-like symptoms in the forced swim model. In addition, an aspartame dose-response was not found for either of our two variables: oxidative stress or depression. In conclusion, the daily consumption of aspartame for 4 weeks, in both high dosage and low dosage, had a negative impact on both oxidative stress level and the frequency of depressionlike behaviors of the animals in the forced swim test. These results suggest that the correlation between aspartame ingestion and depression might be explained by oxidative stress levels.
Nutrient Composition and Microbiological Evaluation of Vended Street Foods in Parts of Lagos State, Nigeria

The presence of microbiological pathogens and proximate composition of vended street foods (VSF) in parts of Lagos State were investigated. The experiment was conducted along 3 local government areas of Lagos State (Marina, Apapa and Yaba) using two factorial design. Eight VSF products investigated were roasted (plantain, fish, yam, corn), suya, meat pie, egg roll and doughnuts, purchased from parts of Lagos State. The result for proximate analysis of VSF sourced from Marina, Yaba and Apapa showed that moisture content ranged from 4.81% to 28.56% for Suya from Yaba and roasted plantain from Apapa. Moisture content of roasted plantain from Apapa was significantly different (P<0.05) and higher than those from Yaba and Marina. Moisture content of roasted plantain, roasted fish, suya, meat pie and doughnut from the three different stations (Marina, Yaba and Apapa) were significantly different (P<0.05) with respect to food type. Ash, fat, protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate content ranged from 1.15% – 4.66%, 0.40% – 24.54%, 0.08 – 54.45%, 0.10 – 6.85% and 47.60 – 88.99%, respectively. Significantly higher Original Research Article Israel and Samuel; AFSJ, 17(1): 1-14, 2020; Article no.AFSJ. 58931 2 protein value of 54.45% was seen in suya from Yaba. Suya samples from Apapa (SMA) gave high crude fibre of 6.85% while significantly (P<0.05) high carbohydrate of 88.99%, 87.85% and 87.51% were seen in roasted yam samples from Marina, Apapa and Yaba. Total bacteria count ranged from 3.05 log10CFU/g as seen in egg roll from Apapa to 3.83 log10CFU/g as noticed in roasted fish from Yaba. Total Fungi count ranged from 2.00 log10CFU/g – 2.60 log10CFU/g. Fungi load in roasted (plantain, fish and yam) sourced from Apapa were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those from Marina and Yaba. The energy value ranged from 255.27kcal/100g to 456.90kcal/100g, with suya sourced from Marina and Yaba were significantly different (P<0.05). The presence of high Bacteria and Fungi load in vended foods requires the attention of public health officers.
Commitment to the profession of ELT and an organization: A profile of expat faculty in South Korea

Despite its attention in the field of education, occupational commitment has received little attention in language teaching research. To address this gap, the study generates an occupational commitment profile of expatriate English language teachers and investigates how commitment relates to their age, sex, teaching experience, and qualifications. Eighty-two native English-speaking teachers at a private university in South Korea participated in the study by completing a survey measuring their affective, continuance, and normative commitment to the profession of English language teaching (ELT) and to their workplace. The descriptive results indicated that the sample had high affective commitment to the profession of ELT but low overall commitment to their organization. Results from MANCOVA, which controlled for the covariates of age and sex, indicated that respondents with teacher qualifications from their home countries tended to have higher levels of affective and normative commitment to the profession of ELT and to their workplace than respondents without teacher qualifications. However, no differences in commitment were found between respondents with ELT qualifications and respondents without ELT qualifications, nor were any differences found in commitment associated with ELT experience. Because affective-normative dominant profiles are associated with better workplace outcomes, such as effort given to an organization and lower turnover intentions, further consideration of this finding should be of high priority in language teacher commitment research.
Clinical value of perilesional perfusion deficit measured by Technetium-99m-ECD single-photon emission computed tomography in hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

Pathological and experimental studies indicate the existence of a “penumbra” of progressive tissue damage and edema in regions immediately surrounding a hematoma in patients of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This zone of oligemia surrounding ICH has a potential for perfusion recovery. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of perilesional blood flow changes and brain injury after ICH may result in improved treatment strategies. The aim was to study perilesional blood flow changes in ICH by perfusion deficit (PD) measured by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and to correlate it with the severity of ICH and outcome. Forty-four patients of computed tomography (CT) documented nonlobar deep ICH suggestive of hypertensive hematoma of <7 days duration were subjected to 99mTc-ethylene diacetate SPECT scans of the brain. Patients with significant midline shift (0.5 cm) or global blood flow reduction were excluded from the analysis. SPECT scan of the brain was analyzed by segmental analysis, a semi-quantitative method of cerebral blood flow. A difference of radiotracer uptake of >10% between the region of interest of ICH cases and the ratio between the two ROI below 0.9 was taken as a significant PD. A correlation of PD was analyzed with that of various parameters such as the severity of stroke, duration from onset of ictus, and imaging including CT scan of the brain and SPECT scan. A statistically significant difference in the percentage of radiotracer uptake on comparison of ipsilateral and contralateral to ICH (P < 0.001) was observed, suggesting a significant hypoperfusion in the perilesional area in patients with ICH. A statistically significant correlation was noted between the severity of stroke and PD indicated by various parameters such as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission (r = 0.328, P = 0.016), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission (r = −0.388, P = 0.005), and ICH score at admission (r = 0.314, P = 0.020). This study demonstrated more severe hypoperfusion in clinically severe ICH which is a possible explanation of poor outcomes in severe ICH cases. We observed hypoperfusion on SPECT study in 25 of 34 (73.5%) patients with subacute ICH and 5 of 10 patients (50%) with acute ICH. The mean time from the onset of ictus to SPECT scan done was 5.04 ± 1.75 days with a range of 1–7 days, suggesting the persistence of hypoperfusion in subacute stages too. This finding may be of clinical importance for identifying the salvageable area surrounding ICH for any possible intervention in future to improve the outcome. This study demonstrates that perilesional PD occurs in acute and subacute cases of ICH. This hypoperfusion is possibly time related and appears to be more severe in patients having major ICH with poor clinical and imaging parameters. This area of hypoperfusion or ischemic penumbra is a potential site for perfusion recovery to improve clinical outcomes and to reduce long-term neurological deficits.
Flexible Working Practices: Urgency or Future?

With the prevalence of COVID-19, flexible working practices have gained wider appliance ever before. This paper has three objectives. First, it seeks to develop a theoretical framework that encompasses the roots of gaining popularity of FWAs, its essence and aims, and range of practical approaches to flexibility. Second, it sheds light on the outcomes of practical use of flexibility into workplaces. Third, it introduces challenges of FW on managers and supervisors.
Ageing, Comorbidity and Frailty-Synergistic Risk Factors for Covid-19 Adverse Outcomes

With life-expectancy rising globally, the prevalence of ageing, comorbidity and frailty is likely to increase especially in the low and middle income countries. The emergence of the new COVID-19 pandemic has been concentrated in this group of patients and has led to worse outcomes compared to younger and less comorbid populations. This group of patients is at an increased risk of multi-organ consequences of systemic disease. Therefore, systemic assessment of these patients from the outset and optimisation of their pre-existing conditions in addition to the treatment of COVID-19, is required to reduce the risk of multi-organ failure. Decisions regarding escalation of treatment should include frailty assessment along with the overall comorbid condition and function. The expected projection of the ageing population will mean the population is
The Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic on Socio-Economic Mobility in Indonesia

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on social and economic mobility occurring in Indonesia. The research illustrates that the effects of the pandemic are strongly felt in mobility in the socio-economic sectors. Design/Methodology/Approach: To give answer to the research question whether COVID-19 pandemic has impact on socio-economic mobility in Indonesia, firstly, we review the literature to find out what different scholars have found in recent researches concerning this subject as well as the current issue and the methods and models used in collecting, processing, and analyzing data. The processing of the data of the above-mentioned reports has been done by SPSS software program, specifically using regression. Findings: The possible impacts caused a decrease in socio-economic activities and reduced community income. The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was a strong relationship between a pandemic tested positive for COVID-19 and mortality rates with socio-economic conditions with an average correlation coefficient above 0.80. Practical Implications: This paper will provide a detail analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on socio-economic mobility, with this impact, government policies relating to human life, economic policies to increase state expenditure (government expenditure), and tax incentives must be made. Furthermore, monetary policy that can accelerate the increase in production by reducing the cost of production through the cost of capital and reduce energy prices becomes an essential choice. Originality/Value: This research paper highlights an empirical analysis based on real data of socio economy mobility in Indonesia.
The Role of Self-Construal and Competitiveness in Consumers’ Self-Brand Connection with Domestic vs. Foreign Brands

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of self-construal (independence vs. interdependence) traits on consumer self and communal brand connection for domestic local and foreign global brands. The results showed that, while interdependent consumers report a higher self and communal brand connection for domestic local (and not for foreign global) brands, trait competitiveness has a favorable impact on self (and not communal) brand connection. The results also showed that independence did not have an impact on brand connection for either domestic local or foreign global brands. From our findings, we propose a new trait taxonomy of interaction-based traits including independence, interdependence, and competitiveness.
Assessment of difficult Laparoscopic cholecystectomy based on clinical and radiological findings

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is common procedure done in minimal invasive procedures. It is the treatment of choice for symptomatic gall stone disease all around the world. Methodology: This is case control study done in 198 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients randomly divided as case and controls based on preoperative clinical criteria and radiological features. Results: 198 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Their mean age was 46.19 ± 13.03 years. There was female preponderance with 143 (72.2%) females as compared to 55 (27.8%) males. Difficult cholecystectomy was labelled in 55 (27.8%) cases based on intra-operative criteria mentioned in methodology. 13 (6.6%%) required conversion to open cholecystectomy. Easy cholecystectomies scored 0.81 as compared to 8.18 in the difficult group. The sensitivity of the preoperative score in predicting difficult cases was 98.2% with the specificity of 95.8%; positive predictive value of 90.0% and the negative predictive value of 99.3%%. The accuracy of the pre-operative scoring system was 96.56%. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for Preoperative Score predicting Surgery Difficulty: Difficult vs Surgery Difficulty: Easy was 0.992 (95% CI: 0.983 - 1), thus demonstrating excellent diagnostic performance. Conclusion: The preoperative score has high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in predicting difficult cases and can be used for identifying difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomies.
One Size Fits All? The Differential Impact of Online Reviews and Coupons

Using a unique data set that includes individually identifiable consumer online browsing and purchase data in the restaurant industry, this paper examines how individual consumer shopping characteristics and product characteristics moderate the effect of online reviews on individual consumer choice based on information search theory and signaling theory. We find that different dimensions of reviews have distinctive impacts on consumers with different information search needs and behaviors based on their shopping experience, inertia tendency and proneness to coupon promotions. Online reviews also influence consumers’ purchase decisions differently depending on the available information and signals indicated by the product’s ongoing coupon promotions and other signaling characteristics such as the overall price level. Specifically, the valence of reviews primarily affects the consumers who have more shopping experience, who demonstrate less inertia, or who are less prone to coupons, whereas the volume of reviews more significantly affects the highly coupon prone consumers or consumers with high inertia tendency. When the product is of low price or the seller offers a coupon for the product, the number of reviews plays a more important role in affecting consumers’ decision. This research not only enriches the online review literature by highlighting the differential effects of online reviews but also offers practical guidelines to sellers and platforms that wish to use online reviews together with coupon promotions to stimulate sales. Our research also highlights how companies can take advantage of the powerful combination of consumers’ shopping behavior data with online review browsing data to design timely and innovative marketing activities.
Social instability is an effective chronic stress paradigm for both male and female mice

Despite stress-associated disorders having a higher incidence rate in females, preclinical research mainly focuses on males. Chronic stress paradigms, such as chronic social defeat and chronic corticosterone administration, were mainly designed and validated in males and subsequent attempts to use these paradigms in females has demonstrated sex differences in the behavioral and HPA axis response to stress. Here, we developed a social stress paradigm, social instability stress (SIS), which exposes adult mice to unstable social hierarchies for 7 weeks. SIS effectively induces negative valence behaviors and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation in both males and females. Importantly, while there were effects of estrous cycle on behavior, this variability did not impact the overall effects of SIS on behavior, suggesting estrous does not need to be tracked while utilizing SIS. Furthermore, the effects of SIS on negative valence behaviors were also reversed following chronic antidepressant treatment with fluoxetine (FLX) in both males and females. SIS also reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in female mice, while chronic FLX treatment increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis in both males and females. Overall, these data demonstrate that the SIS paradigm is an ethologically valid approach that effectively induces chronic stress in both adult male and adult female mice.
Modelling a tropical-like cyclone in the Mediterranean Sea under present and warmer climate

Abstract. This study focuses on a single Mediterranean hurricane (hereafter medicane), to investigate its response to global warming during the middle of the 21st century and assesses the effects of a warmer ocean and a warmer atmosphere on its development. Our investigation uses the state-of-the-art regional climate model WRF to produce the six-member, multi-physics ensembles. Results show that our model setup simulates a realistic cyclone track and the transition from an initial disturbance to a tropical-like cyclone with a deep warm core. However, the simulated transition occurs earlier than for the observed medicane. The response of the medicane to future climate change is investigated with a pseudo global warming (PGW) approach. This is the first application of the PGW framework to medicanes. The PGW approach adds a climate change delta (defined as difference between future and present climate) to WRF's boundary conditions which is obtained for all prognostic variables using the mean change in an ensemble of CMIP5 simulations. A PGW simulation where the climate change delta is added to all prognostic variables (PGWALL) shows that most of the medicane characteristics moderately intensify, e.g. surface wind speed, uptake of water vapour, and precipitation. However, the minimum sea level pressure (SLP) is almost identical to that under present climate conditions. Two additional PGW simulations were undertaken; One simulation adds the projected change in sea surface and skin temperature only (PGWSST) while the second simulation adds the PGW changes to only atmospheric variables (PGWATMS); i.e. we use present-day sea surface temperatures. These simulations show opposing responses of the medicane. In PGWSST, the medicane is more intense than PGWALL as indicated by lower SLP values, the stronger surface wind, and the more intense evaporation and precipitation. In contrast, the medicane in PGWATMS still transitions into a tropical-like cyclone with a deep warm core, but the PGWATMS medicane weakens considerably (SLP, surface wind, and rainfall decrease). This difference can be explained by an increase in water vapour driven by the warmer ocean surface (favourable for cumulus convection). The warmer and drier atmosphere in PGWATMS tends to inhibit condensation (unfavourable for cumulus convection). The warmer ocean and warmer atmosphere have counteracting effects which leads to only a modest enhancement of the medicane by global warming. The novel approach in this study provides new insights into the different roles of warming of the ocean and atmosphere in medicane development.
Digital Adaptability: A New Measure for Digital Inequality Research

Past research suggests the ability to adapt to technological change by learning new technologies is a core feature of technological competence and consequential for inequality. Yet there exists no definition or measure of what people do to learn technologies that are new to them and empirically link this to inequality. To address this gap, I conducted studies involving over 2,000 adolescents to develop and validate a measure of what I call “digital adaptability,” the use of five habits that help individuals learn technologies that are new to them. The studies included observation and cognitive interviews to describe adaptability and develop an initial item pool, a pilot to narrow items using structural equation modeling, a full test with 897 eighth-grade students in Chicago with analysis of convergent and discriminant validity, and a replication study with 1,285 high school students near Boston. Finally, using Chicago and Boston area data, I find adaptability correlates with students’ educational plans and career aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics —linking digital adaptability to students’ futures. Overall, the digital adaptability measure provides a critical theoretical and empirical tool for digital inequality research, practice, and policy.
The mechanisms of cardiac myopathies, a kinetics approach: Leading review

The normal adult heart is a well maintained machine that has a mechanism for growth replacement of the sarcomere that is lost by natural degeneration. This process ensures the heart has the strength of contraction to function correctly giving blood supply to the whole body. Some of the force of contraction of the sarcomere is transmitted to its major protein titin where its strength results in unfolding of a lexible section and release of a growth stimulant. The origin of all the cardiomyopathies can be traced to errors in this system resulting from mutations in a wide variety of the sarcomeric proteins. Too much or chronic tension transfer to titin giving increased growth resulting in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and too little leading to muscle wastage, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). HCM can ultimately lead to sudden cardiac death and DCM to heart failure. In this paper I show (1) a collection of the tension/ATPase calcium dependencies of cardiac myo ibrils that de ine the mechanism of Ca2+ cooperativity. (2) I then reintroduce the stress/ strain relationship to cardiomyopathies. (3) I then review the cardiomyopathy literature that contains similar Ca2+ dependency data to throw light on the mechanisms involved in generation of the types of myopathies from the mutations involved. In the review of cardiomyopathy there are two sections on mutations, the irst dealing with those disrupting the Ca2+ cooperativity, i.e. the Hill coef icient of activation, leading to incomplete relaxation in diastole, chronic tension, and increased growth. Secondly dealing with those where the Ca2+ cooperativity is not affected giving either increased or decreased tension transfer to titin and changes in sarcomere growth.