Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Physicochemical Properties and Volatile Compounds of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Calyx during Different Drying Methods

Fresh roselle are high in moisture and deteriorate easily, which makes drying important for extending shelf-life and increasing availability. This study investigated the influence of different drying methods (oven-drying, freeze-drying, vacuum-drying, and sun-drying) on the quality of roselle calyx expressed as physicochemical properties (moisture content, water activity, soluble solids, color), volatile compounds, and microstructure. Oven-drying and freeze-drying reduced moisture content most while vacuum-drying and sun-drying were not as efficient. All drying methods except sun-drying resulted in water activities low enough to ensure safety and quality. Vacuum-drying had no impact on color of the dry calyx and only small impact on color of water extract of calyx. Drying reduced terpenes, aldehydes, and esters but increased furans. This is expected to reduce fruity, floral, spicy, and green odors and increase caramel-like aroma. Sun-drying produced more ketones, alcohols, and esters. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that freeze-drying preserved the cell structure better, and freeze-dried samples resembled fresh samples most compared to other drying techniques. The study concludes that freeze-drying should be considered as a suitable drying method, especially with respect to preservation of structure.
Epiphyseal Fusion of Iliac Crests in Male and Female Adolescents: An Age Estimation Criterion

Background: Determination of age depends upon physical examination, dental assessment, and skeletal evaluation. The radiological examination of bone for appearance and fusion of ossification centers helps in the assessment of skeletal maturity as the process occurs in a particular sequence which is almost constant for that particular bone. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the age of fusion of iliac crest by radiological examination of subjects of age bracket 17-25 years coming to Shalamar Hospital Lahore Methods: In this cross-sectional study, radiological examinations (Digital X-Rays) were performed to evaluate the fusion of Iliac Crest in 200 subjects of both genders of 17 – 25 years. Data analysis was done using SPSS Version 23. Conclusions were drawn and compared with available results of previous work done in this field. Results: Out of 200 subjects, there were 132 males (66 %) and 68 females (34%). The mean ± SD age of both genders was 20.41± 2.55. There were 93 cases (70.45%) of complete fusion among males, showing 100 % union in the age groups of 21-25 years, while 40 cases (58.83%) of complete union among females were observed during 20-25 year of age groups. The mean ± SD age of complete union for males was 20.67± 2.61 years and for females 19.90 ± 2.38 years, with a significant p value of <0.05. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was observed among people of different socio-economic statuses. No difference was observed among different ethnic groups. Conclusions: The fusion of the iliac crest is not affected by ethnicity. Factors like diet and nutrition directly affect bone growth and hence bone age. More studies should be conducted across the country to formulate a standard in setting up a uniform criterion for assessing the age of adolescents
Laser-driven shocks to explore the effects of aging on the adhesion of silver sintered on copper substrate

Abstract The adhesion of thin silver joints sintered on metallic substrates is a major issue for their potential use in power electronics modules. Here, we explore how laser shock-induced spallation can provide a way to study this adhesion. Due to wave interactions inside the shock-loaded assembly, dynamic tensile stresses are induced near the copper-silver interface, resulting in partial or full removal of the silver layer. In order to investigate the effects of aging on the interface strength, experiments are performed on both as-sintered and aged samples. Time-resolved measurements of the free surface velocity provide information on wave dynamics and interface failure, but finite-element simulations show that inferring a quantitative value of the bonding strength from these data is still challenging. Nevertheless, post-recovery observations provide original insight into the debonding process, including some complex effects of aging, consistent with trends reported in the literature.
Unconventional Well Test Analysis for Assessing Individual Fracture Stages through Post-Treatment Pressure Falloffs: Case Study

Researchers and operators have recently become interested in the individual stage optimization of unconventional reservoir hydraulic fracture. These professionals aim to maximize well performance during an unconventional well’s early-stage and potential Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) lifespan. Although there have been advances in hydraulic fracturing technology that allow for the creation of large stimulated reservoir volumes (SRVs), it may not be optimal to use the same treatment design for all stages of a well or many wells in an area. We present a comprehensive review of the main approaches used to discuss applicability, pros and cons, and a detailed comparison between different methodologies. Our research outlines a combination of the Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test (DFIT) and falloff pressure analysis, which can help to design intelligent production and improve well performance. Our field study presents an unconventional well to explain the objective optimization workflow. The analysis indicates that most of the fracturing fluid was leaked off through natural fracture surface area and resulted in the estimation of larger values compared to the hydraulic fracture calculated area. These phenomena might represent a secondary fracture set with a high fracture closure stress activated in neighbor stages that was not well-developed in other sections. The falloff pressure analysis provides significant and vital information, assisting operators in fully understanding models for fracture network characterization.
Gun Victimization in the Line of Duty: Fatal and Non-Fatal Firearm Assaults on Police Officers in the United States, 2014-2019

Using open-source data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), we analyze national-and state-level trends in fatal and non-fatal firearm assaults of U.S. police officers from 2014 to 2019 (N = 1,467). Results show (1) the majority of firearm assaults are non-fatal, (2) there is no compelling evidence that the national rate of firearm assault on police has substantially increased over the last six years, and (3) there is substantial state-level variation in rates of firearm assault on police officers.
Nonenzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Detection Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Gold–Silver Core–Shell-Assembled Silica Nanostructures

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays important roles in cellular signaling and in industry. Thus, the accurate detection of H2O2 is critical for its application. Unfortunately, the direct detection of H2O2 by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is not possible because of its low Raman cross section. Therefore, the detection of H2O2 via the presence of an intermediary such as 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) has recently been developed. In this study, the peroxidase-mimicking activity of gold–silver core–shell-assembled silica nanostructures (SiO2@Au@Ag alloy NPs) in the presence of TMB was investigated using SERS for detecting H2O2. In the presence of H2O2, the SiO2@Au@Ag alloy catalyzed the conversion of TMB to oxidized TMB, which was absorbed onto the surface of the SiO2@Au@Ag alloy. The SERS characteristics of the alloy in the TMB–H2O2 mixture were investigated. The evaluation of the SERS band to determine the H2O2 level utilized the SERS intensity of oxidized TMB bands. Moreover, the optimal conditions for H2O2 detection using SiO2@Au@Ag alloy included incubating 20 µg/mL SiO2@Au@Ag alloy NPs with 0.8 mM TMB for 15 min and measuring the Raman signal at 400 µg/mL SiO2@Au@Ag alloy NPs.
Testing the Performance of Some Competition Indices against Experimental Data and Outputs of Spatially Explicit Simulation Models

Three competition indices were tested against experimental data on the growth of individual trees in mapped forest stands and outputs of spatially explicit, process-based models of competition. The comparison showed the fundamental importance of taking into account the spatial structure of stands and, particularly, the relative spatial locations of individual trees (spatial asymmetry) when calculating the competition between trees. Although none of the competition indices are able to take into account the specific processes affecting the development of individual trees, these indices can be used in forest dynamics modeling as a simplified representation of competition between trees for resources.
“We All Play Pretty Much the Same, Except. . .”: Gender-Integrated Quidditch and the Persistence of Essentialist Ideology

We use the case of a recreational college Quidditch class to examine the consequences of gender-integrated sport for gender essentialist ideology. Data include ethnographic observations and course journal data from 23 first-year undergraduates playing Quidditch over four months. While a gender-integrated sport provided numerous opportunities for participants to witness similarities in performance among men and women, we found only limited challenge to gender essentialist ideas. Despite rules intended to reduce competitiveness and physical contact, play became increasingly aggressive over time, particularly among men, and an emergent positional segregation located women in less central defensive positions. Students frequently understood these trends as the “natural” result of gender difference. Ultimately, participants’ experiences in Quidditch often drew on and solidified ideas about women’s athletic inferiority to men.
Enhanced biodegradation of chlortetracycline via a microalgae-bacteria consortium.

Microbial removal of Chlortetracycline (CTC) at low CTC concentrations (in the order of 10-20 mg/L) has been reported. In this study, a novel microalgae-bacteria consortium was developed for effective CTC biodegradation at higher concentrations (up to 80 mg/L). The microalgae-bacteria consortium is resistant to up to 80 mg/L CTC, while the pure microalgal culture could only tolerate 60 mg/L CTC. CTC removal in the initial 12 h was primarily via biosorption by the microalgae-bacteria consortium and the adsorption capacity increased from 61.71 to 102.53 mg/g biomass in 12 h. Further, CTC biodegradation by the microalgae-bacteria consortium was catalyzed by extracellular enzymes secreted under antibiotic stress. The symbiotic bacterial diversity was analyzed by high throughput sequencing. The aerobic bacteria Porphyrobacter and Devosia were the dominant genera in the consortium. In the presence of CTC, a microbial community shift occurred with Chloroptast, Spingopyxis, and Brevundimonas being the dominant genera.
Reef Larval Recruitment in Response to Seascape Dynamics in the SW Atlantic

Advances in satellite observation have improved our capacity to track changes in the ocean and seascapes with numerous ecological and conservation applications, but yet under explored for coastal ecology. In this study, we assessed dynamics in the Seascape Pelagic Habitat Classification, a satellite remote-sensing product developed by NOAA to monitor biodiversity globally, and invertebrate larval recruitment in order to identify and predict changes in coastal benthic assemblages at tropical reefs in the SW Atlantic. Our results revealed that pelagic Seascapes correlated with monthly and seasonal variations in recruitment rates and assemblage composition. Recruitment was strongly influenced by subtropical Seascapes and was reduced during warm, blooms, and high-nutrient waters, likely to affect reef communities in the long term. Modeling indicate that Seascapes may be more efficient than temperature in predicting benthic larval dynamics. Based on historical Seascape patterns, we identified seven events that may have impacted benthic recruitment in this region in the last decades, which not surprisingly, coincided with consistent global heatwaves. These findings provide new insights into the application of novel satellite remote-sensing Seascape categorizations in benthic ecology and evidenced how reef larval supply in the SW Atlantic could be impacted by recent and future ocean changes.
Outcomes of EUS-guided transluminal gallbladder drainage in patients without cholecystitis

Background and Objectives: Cholecystectomy is the gold standard for most gallbladder-related disease. However, many patients with gallbladder disease are poor surgical candidates. Current nonsurgical gallbladder drainage (GBD) methods include percutaneous cholecystostomy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided transluminal GBD (EUS-GBD). Outcomes for EUS-GBD for the treatment of noncholecystitis (NC) gallbladder disease have not been defined. Materials and Methods: Cases were identified using procedural data from a quaternary academic hospital for endoscopic procedures from 2015 to 2020. Patients who underwent EUS-GBD for acute cholecystitis, biliary colic, gallstone pancreatitis, and secondary prevention of gallstone disease were included. Results: Fifty-five cases of EUS-GBD were identified over the 5-year study period. Forty-one cases were performed for acute cholecystitis, and 15 were performed for other NC indications. Indications for NC drainage included primary treatment of symptomatic biliary colic and secondary prevention of gallstone pancreatitis and choledocholithiasis. There was no statistically significant difference in complications, mortality, or reintervention requirements. There was a 13.3% rate of immediate complications in the NC group, which were all medically managed. Conclusions: EUS-GBD appears to be a safe and effective way to manage gallstone disease in nonsurgical candidates with NC gallbladder-related disease. Overall complications and readmissions were infrequent. Complication rates were similar to those published in patients who underwent EUS-GBD for acute cholecystitis.
Evaluation of the validity and reliability of A-scan ultrasound biometry with a single use disposable cover

Background: The UK Medical Devices Agency has suggested that ophthalmic practitioners should, where practicable and not compromising clinical outcome, restrict corneal contact devices to single patient use to minimise a remote theoretical risk of transmission of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). This study reports on a modified technique of ultrasound A-scan biometry that complies with the MDA recommendations. Methods: The right eyes of 37 consecutive hospital patients had a series of biometry readings taken with a Humphrey 820 A-scan instrument with a plane wave transducer use d conventionally and with the addition of a disposable latex cover. Results: Intrasessional repeatability of axial length measurements was similar for conventional readings—mean difference 0.027 mm, 95% confidence intervals (CI) ± 0.44 mm and those taken with a disposable cover (0.028 mm, CI ± 0.38). Intersessional repeatability was equivalent with (0.002 mm, CI ± 0.51) and without a cover (0.03 mm, CI ± 0.51). Readings with a cover were not significantly different from those without (paired t test; p >0.05), but tended to be greater (mean difference 0.085 mm, CI ± 0.60). Conclusions: These findings suggest that corneal contact biometry with a disposable cover is a viable and theoretically safer alternative to the conventional technique.
Preparedness of Primary Health Care Leaders During COVID-19 Outbreak, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study

Purpose Our study aims to explore the preparedness of the frontline leaders of the primary health care (PHC) centres in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand their experiences in implementing preventive interventions necessary to routinise health care service delivery. Methods A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using in-depth interviews with the participants in English. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and inductive coding followed by thematic analysis was performed using NVivo version 12. Participants Six participants in charge of managing their respective primary health care settings were included in the study. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants until saturation was reached. After agreement, the interviews were scheduled as per availability. Results The results were grouped into three major themes and nine subthemes. Most leaders reported that they were trained in pandemic preparedness, but there was a lack of focused readiness to handle a massive-scale, infectious disease outbreak or pandemic. The initial lack of guidelines specific to COVID-19 was a barrier in making decisions related to staff and patient care. Services were interrupted initially and there was lack of staff since many acquired COVID-19 and were isolated. The shortage of the staff was delt by repurposing staff from other departments to the essential care services. Fears related to pandemic was one of the main concerns reported among staff and patients. Several initiatives were taken to ensure staff safety and uninterrupted service delivery to patients. The use of technology was an effective mechanism in preparing for the pandemic. Conclusion This qualitative study helped in understanding the experiences of primary health care leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The facilities lacked overall preparedness at the beginning of the pandemic; however, many initiatives were taken in course of time to ensure smooth operations and continued service delivery to the patients.
Clozapine and Constipation: A Review of Clinical Considerations and Treatment Options

Psychosis, a break in reality which is manifested as hallucinations, delusions or the disruption in thought process, is the hallmark of schizophrenia. Despite novel pharmacotherapy advancements of antipsychotic medications that have resulted in some patients having the ability to return to social settings and thereby decreasing psychotic symptoms and reducing hospital admissions, there is still a sub-population of patients who remain symptomatic. Treatment-resistant schizophrenia is defined as failure of treatment with at least two different antipsychotics with the proper length of treatment and titration. Clozapine has been heralded as a drug to resolve the puzzle of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Clozapine has one side effect that is well known, being the development of agranulocytosis. However, there is another side effect that can limit clozapine’s use and can also be life-threatening. Recently, at the end of January 2020, the FDA issued a communications statement which “[strengthened] an existing warning that constipation caused by the schizophrenia medicine clozapine can, uncommonly, progress to serious bowel complications. ” After identifying ten cases of constipation from between 2006 to 2016 that progressed to hospitalization, surgery, and even death, the FDA focused their attention on this often overlooked, common side effect, especially when considering the strong anticholinergic effects of clozapine. Although patients are screened by their physicians for agranulocytosis by weekly lab monitoring, constipation is also a complication that needs to be identified and treated. Much like opioid-induced constipation, constipation can also be reduced with the use of laxatives and reduction in the co-prescribing of anticholinergic therapies with clozapine.
Adoption Behavior in Sustaining the Mobile Banking Services

The usage of M-banking adoption has received substantial attention in recent years. However, there is limited study investigating the m-banking adoption in Malaysia, specifically among the young adults in Sarawak. This study attempts to determine the relationship between attitude towards banking, compatibility, customer-trust, and perceived benefits towards intention to adopt m-banking. Besides, the present study also aims to investigate the moderating impact of trustworthiness on selected exogenous variables and intention to adopt m-banking. A self-administrated questionnaire containing 37 closed-ended questions was developed. Data were collected from 500 respondents and analysed using the SmartPLS. The results depicted that compatibility and trustworthiness were found to have a significant relationship with m-banking adoption. Interestingly, trustworthiness was found moderating the relationship among positive attitudes towards banking on m-banking adoption. Both theoretical and managerial implications were presented.
Predictors of Citation Rates in High Impact Glioblastoma Trials

Background Clinical trials are at the top of research study designs and tend to attract high citation numbers. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a multidisciplinary disease that continues to be the subject of peak research interest. The literature relating to predictors of citation rates in clinical trials in general remains limited. We aim to identify the factors that influence citation numbers in high impact GBM trials. Methods The 100 most cited published GBM trials were identified and reviewed. The primary analysis was correlating articles citation numbers with various trial and publication-related predictors using Pearson correlation coefficient. The secondary analysis was comparing the mean citation numbers for the different subgroups using mean difference test. Results The median (range) citation numbers for the selected 100 trials were 349 (135- 16384). The primary analysis showed significant correlation between articles citation numbers and study population (P=0.024), trial phase (P=0.0427) and journal’s IF (P<0.0001). The secondary analysis demonstrated significantly higher mean citation numbers in trials with the following features: study population ≥ 115 (P=0.0208), phase III (P=0.0372), treatment protocol that included radiotherapy (RT) (P=0.0189) and temozolomide (TMZ) (P=0.0343), journal’s IF ≥ 14.9 (P=0.02) and general medical journals (P=0.28). Conclusions The most significant predictors of citation rates in high impact GBM trials were study population, trial phase, and journal IF. The treatment protocol was a positive predictor when it included the currently widely accepted treatment modalities (RT and TZM). Randomization, age of publication as well as the numbers of arms, authors, centres, countries, and references were not significant predictors. Increasing awareness of the factors that could affect citations may be useful to researchers undertaking clinical trials.