Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the chemical nature of laccase-modified alkyl gallates

Abstract In the first part of the present work, relevant findings concerning the laccase (Lacc) activation of alkyl gallates, and its implementation in developing hydrophobic properties on cellulose-based substrates are reported. Surface state energy by water contact angle (CA), absorption tests, and Cobb60 measurements were used to assess the hydrophobic behavior of treated substrates. SEM images of paper samples treated with functionalization solutions (FS) revealed the presence of lauryl gallate (LG, dodecyl 3,4,5,-trihydroxybenzoate) particles attached to fiber surfaces. Secondly, the chemical structure of the enzyme-oxidized LG and several gallates of variable chain length was elucidated by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and a plausible oxidation mechanism was developed. Based on them, the hydrocarbon chain of LG remains unaltered after enzyme oxidation, while the aromatic ring is significantly altered to form acidic adducts undergoing strong hydrogen bonding. Possible routes for the grafting of enzyme-modified LG to cellulose are proposed.
The effect of application of biopreparations and fungicides on the yield and selected parameters of seed value of seed potatoes

EM (Effective Microorganisms) and herbal extracts on the yield and on the quality parameters of seed potatoes. The protection variant with the use of fungicides contributed significantly to a decrease in the yield of seed potatoes, relative to the control treatment. All plant protection variants caused a significant increase in the numbers and multiplication factor of seed potatoes, relative to the control treatment. The genetic traits of the cultivars had a significant impact on the yield and number of seed potatoes, but they did not differentiate the average mass of seed potatoes and the values of the multiplication factor. The weather and soil conditions in the years of the study significantly determined the evaluated parameters. K e y w o r d s: effective microorganisms, plant extracts, fungicides, cultivars, yield, seed value P. PSZCZÓŁKOWSKI, B. SAWICKA 240
INPP4B exerts a dual role in gastric cancer progression and prognosis

Inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase type II (INPP4B) negatively regulates PI3K-Akt signalling and plays diverse roles in different types of cancer, but its role in gastric cancer (GC) is still unknown. Our study aimed to investigate the function and clinical relevance of INPP4B in GC. INPP4B expression was detected in GC tissues and nontumour tissues. The effect of INPP4B on the phenotypic changes of AGS and BGC-823 cells was investigated in vitro. The activation of serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 3 (SGK3) and AKT were used to evaluate the specific mechanistic function of INPP4B in GC cells. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels of INPP4B were decreased in GC tissues compared with nontumour tissues. INPP4B expression was associated with tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and histopathological differentiation. In addition, high INPP4B expression in GC patients with large tumour size/low-undifferentiated/TNM's III-IV stage was correlated with a poor prognosis but it was correlated with a better prognosis in patients with small tumour size/high-moderate differentiated/TNM's I-II stage patients. In addition, INPP4B knockdown inhibited proliferation, clonal formation and migration and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro, while INPP4B overexpression led to the opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found that INPP4B overexpression enhanced the phosphorylation of SGK3 (p-SGK3) in AGS cells, whereas INPP4B knockdown enhanced the p-Akt level in BGC823 cells. These findings suggested that the expression of INPP4B in GC is lower than that in normal tissues. Based on stratification survival analysis and in vitro cell experiments, INPP4B may play dual roles as an oncogene and tumour suppressor gene in different tissue grades and clinical stages.
Dietary effect of Moringa oleifera on native laying hens’ egg quality, cholesterol and fatty-acid profile

Abstract This study examined the effects of dietary incorporation of Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) meal in the diet of native laying chickens on the quality, yolk cholesterol and fatty-acid profile of eggs. One hundred twenty-eight birds were split into four dietary groups, with 32 birds in each group, comprising four replications with eight birds per replication. The experiment lasted 16 weeks and was conducted at the open houses shed in the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute. The four dietary treatments were formulated using basal feed as follows: control (T 1), MOL 0.5% (T 2), MOL 1.0% (T 3) and MOL 1.5% (T 4). The quality, weight, length and width of eggs were not altered by the addition of MOL to the diet. Yolk colour and eggshell breaking strength were significantly higher in the additive groups. The results showed that dietary addition of MOL meal significantly reduced serum, total cholesterol and triglyceride content compared to the control. Feeding MOL at 1 and 1.5% increased ɷ-3 fatty-acid levels by 1.35 and 1.46%, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that the addition of 1.5% MOL to layer feed could be an effective way to improve egg quality and fatty-acid profile and reduce cholesterol in egg yolk. HIGHLIGHTS Addition of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) in native laying hens basal diet improves egg quality. ɷ–3 fatty-acid composition in yolk was enriched. Serum and yolk cholesterol levels in hens were significantly reduced (p < .05) in all additive groups.
Bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation for non-COPD acute hypercapnic respiratory failure patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The effectiveness of bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) in patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) due to etiologies other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear. To systematically review the evidence regarding the effectiveness of BiPAP in non-COPD patients with AHRF. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL Plus were searched according to prespecified criteria (PROSPERO-CRD42018089875). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of BiPAP versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), invasive mechanical ventilation, or O2 therapy in adults with non-COPD AHRF were included. The primary outcomes of interest were the rate of endotracheal intubation (ETI) and mortality. Risk-of-bias assessment was performed, and data were synthesized and meta-analyzed where appropriate. Two thousand four hundred and eighty-five records were identified after removing duplicates. Eighty-eight articles were identified for full-text assessment, of which 82 articles were excluded. Six studies, of generally low or uncertain risk-of-bias, were included involving 320 participants with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPO) and solid tumors. No significant differences were seen between BiPAP ventilation and CPAP with regard to the rate of progression to ETI (risk ratio [RR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–3.62, P = 0.37) and in-hospital mortality rate (RR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.25–1.99, P = 0.51) in patients with AHRF due to ACPO. The efficacy of BiPAP appears similar to CPAP in reducing the rates of ETI and mortality in patients with AHRF due to ACPO. Further research on other non-COPD conditions which commonly cause AHRF such as obesity hypoventilation syndrome is needed.
The Impact of Climate Change on Select Agricultural Production in a Water Scarce Country

The impact of rainfall and temperature on agriculture production has become increasingly pertinent due to mounting concerns regarding food security and the impact of climate change. The study uses both linear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag models to simulate the impact that that climate variability has on agriculture production. Data on rainfall and temperature patterns are regressed on the disaggregated agricultural output, focusing on vegetable, root crop and milk production. Significant asymmetric effects were not evident with respect to the climatic impact of rain and temperature on total crop or root crop production. However, when rainfall is below its seasonal average, milk production is negatively impacted. The positive long-run influence of temperature is slightly smaller on vegetable production, in periods when temperature levels are above the seasonal average. Root crop production was found to be comparatively resistant to climate change.
Effects of xanthan gum and corn flour on the quality of sponge cake using response surface methodology

Effects of partial replacement of wheat flour with corn flour (2.93–17.07%) blended with xanthan gum (0.1172–0.6828%) on physical properties, textural and sensory characteristics of sponge cakes were evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). The significant regression models (P ≤ 0.05) were established to explain the influence of corn flour and xanthan (Xan) on the dependent variables and optimize the formulation. Xanthan significantly increased moisture content, hardness and chewiness, but it decreased specific volume and springiness (P ≤ 0.001). Corn flour had significant positive effects on specific volume, hardness, springiness, colour and overall acceptability (P ≤ 0.05). Hence corn flour and xanthan significantly improved the baking quality of sponge cakes (P ≤ 0.05) and thereby augmented the potential for using wheat-corn blend flours in cake baking. Based on RSM optimisation, a balance between amounts of corn flour (12.7%) and xanthan (0.416%) led to products with desired physical properties and acceptable sensory quality.
Prostate Cancer Survival by Risk and Other Prognostic Factors in Mallorca, Spain

Studies about the survival of patients with prostate cancer by stage or risk of progression are scarce. The aims of this study were (1) to determine the cause-specific survival by risk in prostate cancer patients in Mallorca diagnosed in the period 2006–2011; (2) to identify the factors that explain and predict the likelihood of survival and the risk of dying from this type of cancer; and (3) to determine the distribution of prostate cancer by risk in the patients in Mallorca diagnosed in the period 2006–2011. Incident prostate cancer cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2011 were identified through the Mallorca Cancer Registry. We collected age; date and method of diagnosis; date of follow-up or death; T, N, M and stage according to the TNM 7th edition; Gleason score; prostate-specific antigen (PSA); histology according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) 3rd edition, comorbidities and treatments. We calculated risk in four categories: low, medium, high and very high. The end point of follow-up was 31 December 2014. Multiple imputation (MI) was performed to estimate cases with unknown risk. We identified 2921 cases. Five years after diagnosis, survival after MI was 89% globally, and was 100% for low-risk cases, 96% for medium risk, 93% for high risk and 69% for very-high-risk cases. Cases with histology other than adenocarcinoma, with high (and especially very high) risk, as well as with systemic, mixed and observation/unspecified treatments had worse prognoses.
Excited-State Dynamics of Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Trapped-Hole Diffusion and Electron-Transfer Kinetics in CdS and CdSe Nanorods

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals have many remarkable properties—such as exceptionally tunable excited states and surface chemistry—that have led to an enthusiastic interest in using them for optoelectronic applications such as solar-energy conversion. Such technologies require control over the generation, separation, and extraction of photoexcited electrons and holes. However, the interpretation of experimentally measured excited-state decay curves is challenging because they typically exhibit complicated shapes that are elusive to simple kinetic models. To understand the principles that govern electron and hole relaxation dynamics in these complex systems, models rooted in fundamental physical phenomena are needed. This dissertation describes efforts to understand the dynamics of recombination, charge carrier trapping, trapped holes, and charge transfer in photoexcited Cd-chalcogenide nanocrystals using a combination of ultrafast spectroscopy and kinetic modeling. The first part of this dissertation focuses on studying the spatial dynamics of trapped holes. In CdS and CdSe nanocrystals, photoexcited holes rapidly and efficiently trap to localized states on the surface. We demonstrate evidence that trapped holes are mobile in CdS nanorods, CdSe nanorods, and CdSe/CdS and ZnSe/CdS dot-in-rod heterostructures, and that they likely undergo a diffusive random walk between trap sites on the nanocrystal surface. The second part of the dissertation focuses on modeling charge-transfer kinetics in heterogeneous ensembles of donor–acceptor complexes. In complexes of CdS nanorods and [FeFe] hydrogenase, electron transfer is the key step for photochemical H2 production. By accounting for the distributions in the numbers of electron traps and enzymes adsorbed, we determine the rate constants and quantum efficiencies for electron transfer. The relatively simple analytical models developed here establish a detailed conceptual and quantitative picture of the rich carrier dynamics in these systems, providing important insights for the design of semiconductor nanocrystals for light-driven applications.
Gendered patterns in candidates’ campaign fundraising: The case of Italy

The lack of financial resources is an often-cited hurdle for women pursuing political careers. However, empirical analysis of the dynamics of the private funding of women candidates and its potential implications for their political careers is still scant, particularly for countries outside the anglophone regions. This paper contributes to the scholarly debate by focusing on the gendered patterns in campaign fundraising in Italy, where radical changes to the party funding regime and multiple reforms to the electoral laws may have changed the structure of opportunity for fundraising by women candidates. We analyse patterns of private funding for men and women candidates in four national elections between 1996 and 2018. Our analysis, triangulated with semi-structured interviews with women candidates, shows that differences exist in fundraising patterns between male and female candidates in Italy. It reveals differences in the quality of candidates’ fundraising networks and confirms that political affiliation (to right-wing parties) and incumbency have an effect on the amount of donations received, thus granting women candidates greater access to private donations.
Artificial Neural Network-Derived Cerebral Metabolic Rate of Oxygen for Differentiating Glioblastoma and Brain Metastasis in MRI: A Feasibility Study

Glioblastoma may appear similar to cerebral metastasis on conventional MRI in some cases, but their therapies differ significantly. This prospective feasibility study was aimed at differentiating them by applying the quantitative susceptibility mapping and quantitative blood-oxygen-level-dependent (QSM + qBOLD) model to these entities for the first time. We prospectively included 15 untreated patients with glioblastoma (n = 7, median age: 68 years, range: 54–84 years) or brain metastasis (n = 8, median age 66 years, range: 50–78 years) who underwent preoperative MRI including multi-gradient echo and arterial spin labeling sequences. Oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) were calculated in the contrast-enhancing tumor (CET) and peritumoral non-enhancing T2 hyperintense region (NET2), using an artificial neural network. We demonstrated that OEF in CET was significantly lower (p = 0.03) for glioblastomas than metastases, all features were significantly higher (p = 0.01) in CET than in NET2 for metastasis patients only, and the ratios of CET/NET2 for CBF (p = 0.04) and CMRO2 (p = 0.01) were significantly higher in metastasis patients than in glioblastoma patients. Discriminative power of a support-vector machine classifier was highest with a combination of two features, yielding an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.94 with 93% diagnostic accuracy. QSM + qBOLD allows for robust differentiation of glioblastoma and cerebral metastasis while yielding insights into tumor oxygenation.
Kinetic mass-transfer calculation of water isotope fractionation due to cloud microphysics in a regional meteorological model

Abstract. In conventional atmospheric models, isotope exchange between liquid, gas, and solid phases is usually assumed to be in equilibrium, and the highly kinetic phase transformation processes inferred in clouds are yet to be fully investigated. In this study, a two-moment microphysical scheme in the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was modified to allow kinetic calculation of isotope fractionation due to various cloud microphysical phase-change processes. A case of a moving cold front is selected for quantifying the effect of different factors controlling isotopic composition, including water vapor sources, atmospheric transport, phase transition pathways of water in clouds, and kinetic-versus-equilibrium mass transfer. A base-run simulation was able to reproduce the ∼ 50 ‰ decrease in δD that was observed during the frontal passage. Sensitivity tests suggest that all the above factors contributed significantly to the variations in isotope composition. The thermal equilibrium assumption commonly used in earlier studies may cause an overestimate of mean vapor-phase δD by 11 ‰, and the maximum difference can be more than 20 ‰. Using initial vertical distribution and lower boundary conditions of water stable isotopes from satellite data is critical to obtain successful isotope simulations, without which the δD in water vapor can be off by about 34 ‰ and 28 ‰, respectively. Without microphysical fractionation, the δD in water vapor can be off by about 25 ‰.
The Role of Procalcitonin as a Prognostic Variable in Ovarian Cancer Patients at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a pro-hormone calcitonin that is strongly associated with bacterial infections, especially bacteremia. High serum PCT levels have been correlated with Lung cancer, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, and tumors of neuroendocrine. Studies on the role of PCT in ovarian tumors are still limited. This study aims to evaluate the role of PCT as a prognostic variable to determine the effectiveness of diagnostics in predicting ovarian cancer progression and metastasis.Methods: This was a descriptive analytic study with a cross sectional design, conducted in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya from July until October 2019. The subject selection used total quota sampling with inclusion criteria of female aged >12 or already menstruating, undergoing surgical removal of ovarian tumors either cystic or solid, with risk malignancy index (RMI) of >200, and with imaging results of suggestive ovarian malignancy. The data were analyzed descriptively using Chi-square test (α <0.05) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results: There were 36 study subjects; 38.9% of them are 40-49 years old; 77.8% have malignant tumors; and 22.2% of them have benign tumors with epithelial histopathology of 78.5% and nonepithelial of 21.4%. The optimal cut-off for PCT levels in ovarian tumors is 0.07 ng/ml with a 57.1% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity. There was a significant correlation between levels of PCT and ovarian tumors based on tumor types, postoperative tumor residues, and stages (p <0.05). There was no significant correlation between PCT levels and histopathological types and tumor grade.Conclusions: Procalcitonin can be used as a prognostic variable to determine disease progression in ovarian tumors, especially in ovarian cancer.
Self-Care practices for anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK in adults

Abstract Introduction. The National Health Service cannot chronically sustain the overwhelming demands being placed on it due to financial cuts, staff numbers and presence of Covid-19. As a result, anxiety levels are on the rise thus increasing the need for effective self-care behaviors. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to comprehend and acknowledge the profound influence Covid-19 has had on anxiety levels and explore what behaviors people engage in to manage their perceived stress levels themselves. Methodology: This study was an exploratory mixed-methods design consisting of 110 self-referred adults aged 18-65 with anxiety completed an online survey guided by the “Harvard Anxiety and Depression Scale”. Data collected from the free-text questions were analyzed using the thematic analyses method to evoke the most relevant themes and generate an evidence-based narrative. Results and Discussion: Self-care behaviors used for anxiety self-management pre and during lockdown were walks, virtual family/social peer support, cooking and aerobic exercise. Additionally, it was apparent that a lack of ongoing family/social support was a key predictor for the proclivity of anxiety-inducing thoughts to be experienced. Interestingly, individuals who continually engaged in activity experienced positive mood states irrespective of the current lockdown environment. Conclusion: This study adds to novel literature on the current anxiety levels of adults living in the UK under the Covid-19 pandemic and what self-care behaviors people implement to self-manage their anxiety levels. This study stresses the significance of ongoing peer support as a self-care behavior that can act as a positive meditator for healthy cognitive processes to ensue. Therefore, future self-care programs advocating this strategy may, if not prevent, slow down the rising cases of anxiety and ill mental health due to the uncertain environment of Covid-19
The Influence of Social Capital on Youths’ Anti-Epidemic Action in the Field of Epidemic-Preventative Social Distancing in China

Social distancing restrictions for COVID-19 epidemic prevention have substantially changed the field of youths’ social activities. Many studies have focused on the impact of epidemic-preventative social distancing on individual physical and mental health. However, in the field of social distancing for epidemic prevention, what are the changes in youth anti-epidemic action and states caused by their interpersonal resources and interactions? Responding to this question by studying the impact of the elements of social capital in youths’ anti-epidemic actions and anti-epidemic states could help identify an effective mechanism for balancing social distancing for effective epidemic prevention and sustainable social-participation development among youth. Bourdieu’s field theory holds that the elements of social capital change with a change in the field. Therefore, we introduced the specific elements of social capital as independent variables and used a multinomal logistic model to analyze and predict the levels of youth anti-epidemic action through an empirical investigation of 1043 young people in Guangdong Province, China. The results show that, first, level of social distancing for epidemic prevention shows differences by occupation status and income level and correlates with social support. Second, social support and social norms play positive roles in promoting youth participation in anti-epidemic activities when social distance is certain. Third, social capital has a significant positive effect on youth social satisfaction and core relationships; however, social trust has a significant negative effect on youth physical and mental health. This study emphasized that social distancing for epidemic prevention is a special social situational state, which is a field where social capital has an impact on the differential changes in the public-participating actions and habitus of youth.