Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid Acidification and Off-Flavor Reduction of Pea Protein by Fermentation with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeasts

Pea protein is widely used as an alternative protein source in plant-based products. In the current study, we fermented pea protein to reduce off-flavor compounds, such as hexanal, and to produce a suitable fermentate for further processing. Laboratory fermentations using 5% (w/v) pea protein suspension were carried out using four selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, investigating their growth and acidification capabilities in pea protein. Rapid acidification of pea protein was achieved with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis strain LTH 7123. Next, this strain was co-inoculated together with either the yeasts Kluyveromyces lactis LTH 7165, Yarrowia lipolytica LTH 6056, or Kluyveromyces marxianus LTH 6039. Fermentation products of the mixed starter cultures and of the single strains were further analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to quantify selected volatile flavor compounds. Fermentation with L. lactis LTH 7123 led to an increase in compounds associated with the “beany” off-flavors of peas, including hexanal. However, significant reduction in those compounds was achieved after fermentation with Y. lipolytica LTH 6056 with or without L. lactis LTH 7123. Thus, fermentation using co-cultures of LAB and yeasts strains could prove to be a valuable method for enhancing quality attributes of pea protein-based products.
The Immunomodulatory Effects of Fluorescein-Mediated Sonodynamic Treatment Lead to Systemic and Intratumoral Depletion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in a Preclinical Malignant Glioma Model

Simple Summary Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is emerging as a promising innovative technique for treating malignant gliomas in a noninvasive fashion. The use of fluorescein, instead of 5-aminolevulinic acid, could extend the application of sonodynamic therapy to intracranial tumors other than gliomas. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of sonodynamic therapy with fluorescein in an intracranial mouse model of malignant glioma, its efficacy, and its effects on the immune microenvironment. Abstract Fluorescein-mediated sonodynamic therapy (FL-SDT) is an extremely promising approach for glioma treatment, resulting from the combination of low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) with a sonosensitizer. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and immunomodulation of SDT with fluorescein as the sonosensitizer in immunocompetent GL261 glioma mice for the first time. In vitro studies demonstrated that the exposure of GL261 cells to FL-SDT induced immunogenic cell death and relevant upregulation of MHC class I, CD80 and CD86 expression. In vivo studies were then performed to treat GL261 glioma-bearing mice with FL-SDT, fluorescein alone, or FUS alone. Perturbation of the glioma-associated macrophage subset within the immune microenvironment was induced by all the treatments. Notably, a relevant depletion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and concomitant robust infiltration of CD8+ T cells were observed in the SDT-FL-treated mice, resulting in a significant radiological delay in glioma progression and a consequent improvement in survival. Tumor control and improved survival were also observed in mice treated with FL alone (median survival 41.5 days, p > 0.0001 compared to untreated mice), reflecting considerable modulation of the immune microenvironment. Interestingly, a high circulating lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and a very low proportion of MDSCs were predictive of better survival in FL- and FL-SDT-treated mice than in untreated and FUS-treated mice, in which elevated monocyte and MDSC frequencies correlated with worse survival. The immunostimulatory potential of FL-SDT treatment and the profound modulation of most immunosuppressive components within the microenvironment encouraged the exploration of the combination of FL-SDT with immunotherapeutic strategies.
Comparative evaluation of 24 reference evapotranspiration equations applied on an evergreen-broadleaved forest

Reference evapotranspiration (EΤ 0 ) is a major component of the hydrological cycle. Its use is essential both for the hydrological rainfall–runoff assessment models and determination of water requirements in agricultural and forest ecosystems. This study investigates the performance of 24 different methods, which produce ET 0 or potential evapotranspiration estimates above a grass-covered ground in a Mediterranean forest environment in Greece and compares the derived results with those of the presumed most accurate and scientifically acceptable Penman–Monteith method (ET P-M ). Their performance was evaluated on a daily basis for a period of 17 years, using 17 different statistical parameters of goodness of fit. The results showed that some empirical methods could serve as suitable alternatives. More specifically, Copais (ET COP ), Hargreaves original (ET HAR ), and Valiantzas2 (ET VA2 ) methods, exhibited very good values of the model efficiency index, EF (0.934, 0.932, and 0.917, respectively) and the index of agreement, d (0.984, 0.982, and 0.977, respectively). Additionally, the differences of the estimated mean daily value against the respective ET P-M value (rt index) for all methods had a range of −27.8% (Penman – ET PEN ) to +59.5% (Romanenko – ET ROM ), while Copais (ET COP ), Hargreaves–Samani modified1 (ET HS1 ), and STU (ET STU ) yielded the best values (−0.06%, +0.06%, and 0.22%, respectively).
Influence of the solar cycle on the Polar‐night Jet Oscillation in the Southern Hemisphere

The Polar‐night Jet Oscillation (PJO) is the dominant mode of stratospheric variability in the Southern Hemisphere and persists from midwinter to spring. The influence of the 11 year solar cycle on modulation of the PJO from late winter to spring is examined using observations and three 42 year simulations from a chemistry‐climate model. The only variation applied to model boundary conditions was the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This is set at 2 times larger than observations to enhance the strength of the solar signal. Simulations show a downward propagation of the stratospheric signal into the troposphere from late winter to spring, which tends to be enhanced as UV strength increases. This result is similar to observations but with a 1–2 month lag. The behavior of the PJO with respect to wave‐mean flow interactions is examined using a newly developed momentum budget analysis as well as wave energy analysis. We suggest that UV modulation of the interactions between planetary waves and zonal‐mean flow in the stratosphere, rather than direct diabatic processes as suggested in a previous study, is the source of solar cycle modulation of the PJO.
THE ASSESSMENT OF RISK TOLERANCE OF HUNGARIAN TRAVELLERS TOWARDS ABROAD TRIPS

This study identified and examined significant factors affecting the risk tolerance of Hungarian travellers towards abroad trips. Data for the empirical research was derived from an online survey. The final questionnaire included 45 statements describing aspects of travel safety and travel preferences. There was a total of 496 responses, which enabled them to be analyzed. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to develop the model of risk tolerance assessment. As a result of the study, physical security, price sensitivity, mood-driven factor, and destination's image in the media may be considered as substitutes for determining travellers' risk tolerance. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by supporting the proposition that inner personality traits and image factors may influence tourism preferences, suggesting future studies should use a multivariate approach to explain and predict tourism choices. Tourism managers and private companies operating in this sector can find the results of this study very helpful in planning and promoting tourism to risky destinations.
Analysis of the Uniformity of Mechanical Properties along the Length of Wire Rod Designed for Further Cold Plastic Working Processes for Selected Parameters of Thermoplastic Processing

This study presents the results of research, the aim of which was to analyze the uniformity of the distribution of selected mechanical properties along the length of a 5.5 mm diameter wire rod of 20MnB4 steel for specific thermoplastic processing parameters. The scope of the study included, inter alia, metallographic analyses, microhardness tests, thermovision investigations, and tests of the wire rod mechanical properties (yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation, relative reduction in area at fracture), along with their statistical analysis, for three technological variants of the rolling process differing by rolling temperature in the final stage of the rolling process (Reducing Sizing Mill rolling block [RSM]) and by cooling rate using STELMOR® cooling process. The obtained results led to the conclusion that the analyzed rolling process is characterized by a certain disparity of the analyzed mechanical properties along the length of the wire rod, which, however, retains a certain stability. This disparateness is caused by a number of factors. One of them, which ultimately determines the properties of the finished wire rod, is the process of controlled cooling in the STELMOR® line. Despite technological advances concerning technical solutions (among them, increasing the roller track speed in particular sections), it is currently not possible to completely eliminate the temperature difference along the length of the wire rod caused by the contact of individual coils with each other. From this point of view, for the analyzed thermoplastic processing parameters, there is no significant impact by the production process parameters on the quality of the finished steel product. Whereas, while comparing the mechanical properties and microstructure of the wire rod produced in the different technological combinations, it was found that the wire rod rolled in an RSM block at 850 °C and cooled after the rolling process on a roller conveyor at 10 °C/s had the best set of mechanical properties and the smallest microstructure variations. The wire rod produced in this way had the required level of plasticity reserve, which enables further deformation of the given type of steel in compression tests with a relative plastic strain of 75%. The uniformity of mechanical properties along the length of wire rods designed for further cold plastic working processes is an important problem. This is an important issue, given that wire rods made from 20MnB4 steel are an input material for further cold plastic working processes, e.g., for the drawing processes or the production of nails.
Application of Adipose Stem Cells in 3D Nerve Guidance Conduit Prevents Muscle Atrophy and Improves Distal Muscle Compliance in a Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Model

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) represent a significant clinical problem, and standard approaches to nerve repair have limitations. Recent breakthroughs in 3D printing and stem cell technologies offer a promising solution for nerve regeneration. The main purpose of this study was to examine the biomechanical characteristics in muscle tissue distal to a nerve defect in a murine model of peripheral nerve regeneration from physiological stress to failure. Methods: In this experimental study, we enrolled 18 Wistar rats in which we created a 10 mm sciatic nerve defect. Furthermore, we divided them into three groups as follows: in Group 1, we used 3D nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) and adipose stem cells (ASCs) in seven rats; in Group 2, we used only 3D NGCs for seven rats; and in Group 3, we created only the defect in four rats. We monitored the degree of atrophy at 4, 8, and 12 weeks by measuring the diameter of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. At the end of 12 weeks, we took the TA muscle and analyzed it uniaxially at 10% stretch until failure. Results: In the group of animals with 3D NGCs and ASCs, we recorded the lowest degree of atrophy at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after nerve reconstruction. At 10% stretch, the control group had the highest Cauchy stress values compared to the 3D NGC group (0.164 MPa vs. 0.141 MPa, p = 0.007) and the 3D NGC + ASC group (0.164 MPa vs. 0.123 MPa, p = 0.007). In addition, we found that the control group (1.763 MPa) had the highest TA muscle stiffness, followed by the 3D NGC group (1.412 MPa), with the best muscle elasticity showing in the group in which we used 3D NGC + ASC (1.147 MPa). At failure, TA muscle samples from the 3D NGC + ASC group demonstrated better compliance and a higher degree of elasticity compared to the other two groups (p = 0.002 and p = 0.008). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the combination of 3D NGC and ASC increases the process of nerve regeneration and significantly improves the compliance and mechanical characteristics of muscle tissue distal to the injury site in a PNI murine model.
Peer Effect of iPhone Adoptions on Social Networks

This paper studies the peer effect of iPhone adoptions in China. We use a unique data set of iPhone adoption records from a provincial capital city in China, in a span of over four years starting from iPhone's first introduction to mainland China. We construct a social network using six month's call transactions among iPhone adopters and all other users on the carrier's network, with strength of social ties measured by duration of calls. Based on the network structure, We test whether an individual's adoption decision is influenced by his friends' adoptions. A fixed-effect model shows that, on average, a friend's adoption increases an individual's adoption probability in next month by 0.89%, and the marginal effect decreases in the size of his current neighboring adopter-base. To further control for potential time-varying correlated unobservables, we instrument adoptions of one's friends by their birthdays, and the IV estimation shows a slightly bigger peer effect at 1.18%. We also investigate how network structures modulate the magnitude of peer influence. Our results show that peer effect is stronger when the influencer has a stronger relationship with the influencee or when he has less friends.
IMPROVING STUDENTS’ ENGLISH-SPEAKING SKILLS THROUGH BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION IN INDONESIAN ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOLS

A number of modern Islamic Boarding Schools (IBS) have long implemented a unique English Language Teaching (ELT) strategy in improving their students’ English-speaking skills. In IBS, for example, head of language department requires the students to communicate in English in daily activities, and punishment is imposed to those who do not speak English. However, there was no specifically academic term used to describe such strategy, nor was there a study to investigate the effectiveness of the strategy. This essay investigates what IBS-applied ELT strategy is, and to what extent it is effective in improving speaking skills of the students. It is found that IBS has made use of a behaviour modification as ELT strategy. The behaviour modification is able to encourage students to communicate in English in their daily activities. It also leads students to acquire accuracy, complexity and fluency in speaking.
Association of Alkaline Phosphatase with Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Dyslipidemia: A 6-Year Retrospective Study

Background and Aim: Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity has been associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We aimed to investigate the association of ALP with ASCVD in patients with dyslipidemia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including consecutive adults with dyslipidemia followed-up for ≥3 years (from 1999 to 2022) in the outpatient Lipid Clinic of Ioannina University General Hospital, Greece. The primary endpoint was the association between baseline ALP and incident ASCVD after adjusting for traditional risk factors (i.e., sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidemia), baseline ASCVD, and lipid-lowering treatment. ALP levels were stratified by tertiles as follows: low: <67 U/L, middle: 67–79 U/L, high: ≥79 U/L. Results: Overall, 1178 subjects were included; 44% were males, and their median age was 57 years (range: 49–65). During a 6-year median follow-up (interquartile range: IQR: 4–9), 78 new ASCVD events (6.6%) occurred. A statistically significant association between baseline ALP levels and incident ASCVD was demonstrated (Odds Ratio, OR: 6.99; 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 2.29–21.03, p = 0.001). Subjects in the highest ALP tertile had the highest odds for ASCVD when compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.24–4.41, p = 0.008). Conclusions: The present study indicates an association between ALP and the development of ASCVD in patients with dyslipidemia, which underscores the potential of ALP as a predictive tool or a therapeutic target in the realm of ASCVD prevention within this population.
Multistep severe plastic deformation to achieve non-rare earth bulk magnets with high α-MnBi phase content

The ferromagnetic {\alpha}-MnBi phase as non-rare earth magnetic material has gained increasing interest, but fabrication of large volumes containing a significant amount of {\alpha}-MnBi is still challenging. Targeting successful processing strategies, we apply multistep severe plastic deformation with intermediate magnetic field assisted annealing. The subsequent severe plastic deformation renewed the high amount of material defects and lead to microstructural refinement of the previously formed {\alpha}-MnBi phase. Thus, {\alpha}-MnBi phase content is enhanced during final annealing. Secondly, the magnetic coercivity increases. These results suggest that further optimization will pave the way towards non-rare-earth bulk magnetic materials with enhanced {\alpha}-MnBi phase content.
IMPACT OF MACROECONOMIC FACTORS ON FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN SELECTED SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Foreign direct investment has a significant role in Southeastern European countries. The aim of the paper is reflected in assessing the character and nature of the relationship between macroeconomic factors and foreign direct investment in Southeastern European countries. Further, the subject of paper includes the examination of the impact of selected macroeconomic variables on foreign direct investment in six countries for the period from 2000 to 2012. The selected countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. The research includes an examination impact of market size, national competitiveness and employment on foreign direct investment. By using the Hausman test, it was confirmed that the fixed effect model is an appropriate model in panel analysis. Based on the result, it determined the positive impact of market size, while the industry's share of GDP and employment have a negative impact on this variable. Also, the results confirmed that only the market size of the countries significantly affected on the flow of foreign direct investment in Southeastern European countries.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION OF DIATOM PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION IN LAKE ERIE BENTHOS: IMPLICATIONS FOR SEASONAL HYPOXIA

Rapid sedimentation of phytoplankton cells following surface blooms is common in the Great Lakes, yet the fate of these cells is uncertain, particularly in Lake Erie, where hypoxia occurs seasonally. I sampled benthic stations seasonally inside and outside of the hypoxic area for differences in chlorophyll-a concentrations, physiological condition (cell viability), and rejuvenation rates (from enclosure experiments). During summer stratification I expected the oxygen rich areas to support lower chlorophyll-a concentrations, faster diatom rejuvenation rates, and superior physiological capabilities, compared to hypoxic environments. Hypoxic areas did sustain higher chlorophyll-a concentrations, but diatom growth and physiological capability did not differ significantly. Hypoxic areas exhibited exponential growth rates as high as 0.56 d -1 (compared to oxic station at 0.53 d -1 ) and physiological conditions as high as 0.30 μg L -1 d -1 (compared to oxic station at 0.36 μg L -1 d -1 ). Therefore, sedimentation of phytoplankton cells may not only contribute to the seasonal hypoxia observed in Lake Erie, but sedimentation may also contribute to the seeding of subsequent spring diatom blooms, for those diatoms able to withstand low oxygen concentrations.
The effect of wrongdoer’s status on observer punishment recommendations: the mediating role of envy and the moderating role of belief in a just world

Our proposition postulates that the correlation between the wrongdoer’s status and the punishment suggestions of onlookers is primarily influenced by group-oriented envy rather than the ascription of intentionality and is moderated by the belief in a just world. In three separate studies, 389 university students were asked to read scenarios describing a hit-and-run crime committed by either a rich or a poor individual and then report their opinions on intentionality attribution (Study 1 and Study 2), envy emotions (Study 2), punishment recommendations (all three studies), and belief in a just world (Study 3). Consistently, the findings indicated that those observing recommended harsher penalties to be imposed upon high-status perpetrators engaging in the same wrongdoing (such as hit-and-run) as their low-status equivalents. The effect of the rich receiving more severe punishment was predicted more strongly by envious emotions than by intentionality attributions to high-status wrongdoers and was only present for those observers who endorsed a lower belief in a just world.
Effect of combination magnetic technology and encapsulated probiotics in the drinking water on blood profile and immunity of laying hens

This study aimed to determine the health status of laying hens using a combination of magnetic technology and probiotics in drinking water. A total of two hundred and eighty-eight (288), 57-week-old ISA Brown laying hens were assigned to six treatments with nine replicates in drinking water. Statistical data analysis followed a completely randomized design with treatments including water as control, magnetic technology (MT), 0.6% probiotic (PRO), 0.6% probiotic and magnetic technology (PRO+MT), 0.6% encapsulated probiotic (EPRO), and 0.6% encapsulated probiotic and magnetic technology (EPRO+MT). The laying hens received treatments for six weeks (42 d). The encapsulated probiotic was used to improve probiotic durability from intestinal damage. The health status consisted of blood and immunity profiles, including leukocytes, erythrocytes, haemoglobin, and haematocrit, CD8+, CD4+, malondialdehyde, and B cells. The water quality was improved by the use of magnetic technology. Magnetic technology effectively decreased the CD8+ , CD4+ , malondialdehyde, and B cells in the blood of laying hens compared to treatments without magnetic technology. The combination of magnetic and encapsulation technology showed maximum results in improving blood profile and immune response.