Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Status, Selected Nutrients Intake, and Metabolic Disorders in Bariatric Surgery Patients

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity and its complications. However, failure to adhere to dietary recommendations can result in both unsatisfactory weight loss and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bariatric surgery on the anthropometric parameters and selected nutrient intake. A total of 12 months postoperatively, percent excess weight loss (%EWL) was significantly higher after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) than laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) (93.78% vs. 56.13% and 55.65%, p < 0.001). The same was true for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p = 0.017) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) changes (p = 0.022). There was a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels after RYGB. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in daily intake was found for energy (4278.4 kcal vs. 1355.17 kcal), sucrose (122.23 g vs. 38.22 g), dietary fiber (30.90 g vs. 14.20 g), eicosapentaenoic fatty acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA+DHA) (142.46 mg vs. 52.90 mg) and % energy from fats (42.43% vs. 35.17%), saturated fatty acids (SAFAs) (19.96% vs. 14.11%) and alpha-linolenic fatty acid (ALA) (0.87% vs. 0.69%). Energy intake and energy % from fats positively correlated with body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), WHR, and WHtR, and negatively with %EWL. The percentage of unsaturated fatty acids positively correlated with WC and WHR. Energy intake correlated positively with serum triglycerides (TGs) and energy % from fats and carbohydrates. Despite significant weight loss, the patient’s diet deviated from recommendations and may have contributed to metabolic disorders.
Workability and productivity among CTL machine operators – associations with sleep, fitness, and shift work

ABSTRACT Operational performance of fully mechanized cut-to-length (CTL) harvesting varies greatly due to the human factor i.e. the machine operator. This study investigated how CTL machine operators’ workability index (WAI), personal lifestyle choices, seasons, and shift work affected operational performance. Research evaluated 14 volunteer CTL machine operators for a longitudinal study with continuous data collection of productivity, activity level, sleep, and follow-up on a workability index questionnaire and fitness test every three months over a year. The study analyzed the production of 152 745.5 m3 of timber combined with self-tracking data. Operators’ relative productivity (Pr) had an increasing trend whilst WAI increased, thus WAI seems to work well also for forestry applications. Physical fitness (VO2max) didn’t seem to connect with Pr and WAI had only a slightly increasing trend when VO2max increased. The participants slept longer in the evening shift than in the morning shift (p < 0.000) consequently catching up on their sleep deficit from the morning shift period. Furthermore, operators’ higher sleep value (SV) in the evening shift increased Pr in the final fellings. The results should be of interest to both practitioners and researchers interested in the productivity of harvesting operations.
Identification in Bivariate binary-choice Models with elliptical innovations

In this note it is shown that the index coefficients and location parameters in the standard triangular binary-choice model are identifed under an assumption of symmetry on the joint density of the latent disturbances. Identifcation of average effects follows. The implied restrictions suggest semiparametric rank estimators that are consistent and asymptotically normal under standard conditions.
Advances in Understanding the Human Gut Microbiota and Its Implication in Pediatric Celiac Disease—A Narrative Review

Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial disorder, defined by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Both genetic predisposition and dietary exposure to gluten are essential factors in triggering CD. However, there is proof that their presence is necessary, but not sufficient, for disease development. Through gut microbiota modulation, several additional environmental factors have shown their potential role as co-factors in CD pathogenesis. The aim of this review is to illustrate the possible mechanisms that stand behind the gut microbiota’s involvement in CD pathogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss microbiota manipulation’s potential role as both a preventative and therapeutic option. The available literature provides evidence that even before CD onset, factors including cesarean birth and formula feeding, as well as intestinal infection exposure, amplify the risk of CD in genetically predisposed individuals, due to their influence on the intestinal microbiome composition. Active CD was associated with elevated levels of several Gram-negative bacterial genera, including Bacteroides, Escherichia, and Prevotella, while beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were less abundant. Viral and fungal dysbiosis has also been described in CD, evidencing specific taxa alteration. A gluten-free diet (GFD) may improve the clinical symptoms and duodenal histopathology, but the persistence of intestinal dysbiosis in CD children under a GFD urges the need for additional therapy. Probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbial transplant have demonstrated their efficacy in restoring gut microbiota eubiosis in adult CD patients; however, their efficacy and safety as adjunctive therapies to a GFD in pediatric patients needs further investigation.
Effect of TiO2 filler on mechanical and tribological properties of Owen bamboo fiber reinforced epoxy composite

Purpose This paper aims to report the effect of titanium oxide (TiO2) particles on the physical, mechanical, tribological and water resistance properties of 5% NaOH-treated bamboo fiber–reinforced composites. Design/methodology/approach In this research, the epoxy/bamboo/TiO2 hybrid composite filled with 0–8 Wt. % TiO2 particles has been fabricated using simple hand layup techniques, and testing of the developed composite was done in accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard. Findings The results of this study indicate that the addition of TiO2 particles improved the mechanical properties of the developed epoxy/bamboo composites. Tensile properties were found to be maximum for 6 Wt. %, and impact strength was found to be maximum for 8 Wt. % TiO2 particles-filled composite. The highest flexural properties were found at a lower TiO2 fraction of 2 Wt. %. Adding TiO2 filler helped to reduce the water absorption rate. The studies related to the wear and friction behavior of the composite under dry and abrasive wear conditions reveal that TiO2 filler was beneficial in improving the wear performance of the composite. Originality/value This research paper attempts to include both TiO2 filler and bamboo fibers to develop a novel composite material. TiO2 micro and nanoparticles are promising filler materials; it helps to enhance the mechanical and tribological properties of the epoxy composites and in literature, there is not much work reported, where TiO2 is used as a filler material with bamboo fiber–reinforced epoxy composites.
Models of degenerate Fourier integral operators and Radon transforms

Fourier integral operators whose Lagrangians project with singularities arise frequently in many areas of analysis and geometry [3], [5], [9], [10], [18], [20]. However, there are as yet few analytic tools available for their study, and even their simplest regularity properties with respect to the singularities of the Lagrangian are still obscure [4], [5], [13], [16]. In this paper we study a class of oscillatory integrals TA and Fourier integral operators R which can be expected to model the higher order singularities of the Lagrangian. They have homogeneous polynomial phases in two variables of order n, and indeed the case n = 3 is the model for Lagrangians which project with Whitney folds [3], [10], [11]. The main difficulty which sets the higher order degeneracy cases n > 4 apart from the the lower ones n = 2, 3 is that the critical varieties which arise there are usually not smooth manifolds. A systematic study of these oscillatory integrals was begun in [14]. The main idea in that work was to treat the critical varieties as smooth manifolds away from a lower-dimensional subvariety, and to keep track of the distance to this lower-dimensional subvariety. To achieve this we introduced a method of stationary phase which exhibited clearly the dependence on the distance between critical points. The method gave sharp bounds on the size of the kernel K(x, y) of TAT*, but no information on its phase and the resulting cancellations. It does not seem possible to refine this approach to the phase level, and this suggests looking instead for decompositions of the operators TA which can incorporate indirectly the required cancellations. The main goal of this paper is to introduce such decompositions. These decompositions, which we will try to describe momentarily, reflect the singular nature of the critical points, and are powerful enough to yield sharp bounds for the above oscillatory integrals and Radon transforms. Although the models under consideration are very
The Effect Of Continuously Dutasteride Monotherapy on The Expression Of Protein Kinase C-Alpha Enzyme In BPH Model Of Wistar Strain Rattus Novergicus Rat

Background: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is frequently found in the elderly and significantly impacts the quality of life. One of the risk factors that induce BPH is the androgen hormone. One of the effective medications in reducing the severity of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms caused by BPH is the α-adrenergic receptor 5α-reductase inhibitor. Objective: The study aims to see the effect of long-term dutasteride on the expression of the PKC-α enzyme in prostatic stromal tissue in the BPH Model of Wistar strain Rattus norvegicus rats. Method: This study was an experimental, post-test-only, control group design that used randomization in sample selection. The objective is to measure the expression of PKC-α enzyme from prostate tissue of an adult male Wistar Strain of Rattus Novergicus rat that was given testosterone to induce BPH and given dutasteride in 1,3 and 6 days continuously. Data is shown in mean±SD, and all of the data were analyzed using the software SPSS 21st version with the One Way ANOVA Statistical method after fulfilling the normality test and variant homogeneity test. Data analysis with confidence rate 95% and a=0,05. Results: There was a decrease of PKC-α enzyme and prostate weight in dutasteride monotherapy in 1,3,6 days compared to the positive control, and the lowest value was on the sixth day (SD ± 2876.8). There was a constant decrease of PKC-α enzyme from the first day until the sixth day. Conclusion : In conclusion, long-term dutasteride monotherapy could significantly decrease the level of PKC-α enzyme. There was no upregulation of the PKC-α enzyme in the long term of dutasteride monotherapy.
Path analysis of yield components in cotton

Twenty families from the F4 generation of a double cross, (H. 14 × K. 3814) × (S. 41 × Sealand 7), were studied for genetic variances, covariances and correlations of all possible combinations of yield and yield components, viz., plant height, monopodia, sympodia, boiling potential, boll number, boll weight and boll setting percentage. In general, the correlation coefficients between various characters were in conformity with those reported by earlier workers. Path coefficient analysis revealed that among all the characters studied, sympodia and boll weight contributed the most, both directly and indirectly through each other, towards yield.
The interdependence of determinants for the strength and direction of social desirability in racial attitude surveys

Empirical evidence suggests that the respondents' approval motive, their desirability beliefs and the privacy of the response situation affects respondents' susceptibility to social desirability bias. Previous research has analyzed the explanatory power of these factors separately and has not taken their possible interdependence as determinants for social desirability bias into account. This article tests the prediction from rational-choice theory that a strong approval motive, clear differences in the perceived desirability of response options and a lack of privacy are all necessary but not sufficient conditions for social desirability bias. According to the empirical results from our first study a three-way interaction between the analyzed factors predicts respondents' racial attitude reports. However, since attitude answers and desirability beliefs were collected in the same interview, the observed associations may be an artifact due to subjects' sensitization for social desirability concerns. This possibility is tested in a second study, where only racial attitude answers were collected under conditions of varying response privacy. Aggregated response differences between the utilized attitude items and respondents' social group affiliation were matched with equivalent differences in the desirability beliefs found in the first study. The results from the main study were replicated with this independent sample of respondents.
Ultrasonographic kidney length-to-abdominal aortic diameter for the diagnosis of feline chronic kidney disease: A preliminary study

Background and Aim: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important diseases in cats. This study aimed to compare the ultrasonographic kidney length-to-abdominal aortic diameter (K/AO) ratio between healthy and CKD cats and investigate the correlation between K/AO and blood results. Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy cats and 15 CKD cats were included in this clinically prospective study. All cats were evaluated for radiographic and ultrasonographic K, radiographic K-to-second lumbar length ratio (K/L2), and K/AO, indirect systolic blood pressure and plasma creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA). Results: The radiographic and ultrasonographic kidney lengths of CKD were significantly shorter than those of healthy cats (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). The average K/L2 and K/AO were significantly lower in CKD than in healthy cats (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). The K/AO had a strong negative correlation with plasma Cr (r = −0.7682, p < 0.0001), BUN (r = −0.6175, p < 0.001), and SDMA (r = −0.589, p < 0.001). However, K/L2 had a moderate negative correlation with plasma Cr (r = −0.5866, p < 0.001), BUN (r = −0.4884, p < 0.01), and SDMA (r = −0.5404, p < 0.01). The optimal cutoff value of K/AO (<10.71) had higher sensitivity and specificity than K/L2 for identifying feline CKD. Conclusion: Kidney length-to-abdominal aortic diameter could be a better and more promising parameter than the K/L2 ratio for evaluating kidney size in cats with CKD.
A Mousepad Triboelectric-Piezoelectric Hybrid Nanogenerator (TPHNG) for Self-Powered Computer User Behavior Monitoring Sensors and Biomechanical Energy Harvesting

Hybrid nanogenerators based on the principle of surface charging of functional films are significant in self-powering sensing and energy conversion devices due to their multiple functions and high conversion efficiency, although applications remain limited due to a lack of suitable materials and structures. Here, we investigate a triboelectric-piezoelectric hybrid nanogenerator (TPHNG) in the form of a mousepad for computer user behavior monitoring and energy harvesting. Triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators with different functional films and structures work independently to detect sliding and pressing movements, and the profitable coupling between the two nanogenerators leads to enhanced device outputs/sensitivity. Different mouse operations such as clicking, scrolling, taking-up/putting-down, sliding, moving rate, and pathing can be detected by the device via distinguishable patterns of voltage ranging from 0.6 to 36 V. Based on operation recognition, human behavior monitoring is realized, with monitoring of tasks such as browsing a document and playing a computer game being successfully demonstrated. Energy harvesting from mouse sliding, patting, and bending of the device is realized with output voltages up to 37 V and power up to 48 μW while exhibiting good durability up to 20,000 cycles. This work presents a TPHNG utilizing surface charging for self-powered human behavior sensing and biomechanical energy harvesting.
Large scale dynamics in a turbulent compressible rotor/stator cavity flow at high Reynolds number

This paper reports an experimental investigation of a turbulent flow confined within a rotor/stator cavity of aspect ratio close to unity at high Reynolds number. The experiments have been driven by changing both the rotation rate of the disk and the thermodynamical properties of the working fluid. This fluid is sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) whose physical properties are adjusted by imposing the operating temperature and the absolute pressure in a pressurized vessel, especially near the critical point of SF6 reached for Tc = 45.58 ◦C, Pc = 37.55 bar. This original set-up allows to obtain Reynolds numbers as high as 2 × 107 together with compressibility effects as the Mach number can reach 0.5. Pressure measurements reveal that the resulting fully turbulent flow shows both a direct and an inverse cascade as observed in rotating turbulence and in accordance with Kraichnan conjecture for 2D-turbulence. The spectra are however dominated by low-frequency peaks, which are subharmonics of the rotating disk frequency, involving large scale structures at small azimuthal wavenumbers. These modes appear for a Reynolds number around 105 and experience a transition at a critical Reynolds number Rec ≈ 106. Moreover they show an unexpected nonlinear behavior that we understand with the help of a low dimensional amplitude equations.
An Inverse Method to Determine Mechanical Parameters of Porcine Vitreous Bodies Based on the Indentation Test

The vitreous body keeps the lens and retina in place and protects these tissues from physical insults. Existing studies have reported that the mechanical properties of vitreous body varied after liquefaction, suggesting mechanical properties could be effective parameters to identify vitreous liquefaction process. Thus, in this work, we aimed to propose a method to determine the mechanical properties of vitreous bodies. Fresh porcine eyes were divided into three groups, including the untreated group, the 24 h liquefaction group and the 48 h liquefaction group, which was injected collagenase and then kept for 24 h or 48 h. The indentation tests were carried out on the vitreous body in its natural location while the posterior segment of the eye was fixed in the container. A finite element model of a specimen undertaking indentation was constructed to simulate the indentation test with surface tension of vitreous body considered. Using the inverse method, the mechanical parameters of the vitreous body and the surface tension coefficient were determined. For the same parameter, values were highest in the untreated group, followed by the 24 h liquefaction group and the lowest in the 48 h liquefaction group. For C10 in the neo-Hookean model, the significant differences were found between the untreated group and liquefaction groups. This work quantified vitreous body mechanical properties successfully using inverse method, which provides a new method for identifying vitreous liquefactions related studies.
The Impact of Copper Chlorophyllin on the Growth, Yield, and Physiological Characteristics of Spinach Plants under Drought Stress

O NE of the major factors significantly modifying plant physiology and ultimately causing a loss in crop productivity is water deficiency stress. Plant-based pigments are highly effective in enhancing growth and reducing the consequences of water stress. The present study aimed to identify the effects of copper chlorophyllin (Cu-Chl) at rates of 0, 1, and 2% on the growth, yield, and physiological traits of spinach plants of the variety Viroflay grown under three irrigation levels of 100%, 75%, and 50% crop evapotranspiration rates (ETc) in the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons. In comparison with full irrigation (100% ETc), deficit irrigation with 50% ETc drastically reduced plant growth parameters (height, leaf number, leaf area, and fresh and dry weight), yield, relative water content (RWC), leaf membrane stability index (MSI), electrolyte leakage (EL), chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, Fe, and Cu content. However, the nitrate and oxalate content increased in the plants. All studied values were significantly higher except nitrate and oxalate content which were lower with Cu-Chl application, in comparison with those without Cu-Chl application. The present work demonstrated that the adverse effects of water deficit on growth, yield, plant water status, and photosynthetic pigments of spinach plants could be alleviated when using Cu-Chl application.
Hypolipidemic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcuma longa-Derived Bisacurone in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) contains various compounds that potentially improve health. Bisacurone is a turmeric-derived compound but has been less studied compared to other compounds, such as curcumin. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects of bisacurone in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Mice were fed HFD to induce lipidemia and orally administered bisacurone daily for two weeks. Bisacurone reduced liver weight, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and blood viscosity in mice. Splenocytes from bisacurone-treated mice produced lower levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α upon stimulation with a toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 ligand, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and TLR1/2 ligand, Pam3CSK4, than those from untreated mice. Bisacurone also inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF-α production in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. Western blot analysis revealed that bisacurone inhibited the phosphorylation of IKKα/β and NF-κB p65 subunit, but not of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, p38 kinase and p42/44 kinases, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in the cells. Collectively, these results suggest that bisacurone has the potential to reduce serum lipid levels and blood viscosity in mice with high-fat diet-induced lipidemia and modulate inflammation via inhibition of NF-κB-mediated pathways.
Sanguisorba minor Scop.: An Overview of Its Phytochemistry and Biological Effects

Since ancient times, many plants have been cultivated for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The genus Sanguisorba has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 2000 years. These species are distributed in temperate, arctic, or alpine areas in the Northern Hemisphere. Elongated, imparipinnate leaves and densely clustered flower heads are characteristics of the genus Sanguisorba. While Sanguisorba officinalis L. is mainly known for its significant medicinal applications, Sanguisorba minor Scop. is beginning to attract greater interest for its chemical composition and biological effects. Our research collected extensive information on Sanguisorba minor, including its history, taxonomy, habitat, and distribution, as well as its bioactive components and biological activities. In addition to electron microscopy of plant parts (root, stems, and leaves), which is described for the first time in the literature in the case of S. minor, the study also provides information on potential pests or beneficial insects that may be present. Our goal was to provide important information that will serve as a solid foundation for upcoming research on Sanguisorba minor Scop.