Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential of Weight Scale Based Ballistocardiography for Identifying Orthostatic Intolerance: A Tilt Table Study

Autonomic cardiovascular control is critical in regulating blood pressure during postural transition, failure of which could lead to dizziness and fall (orthostatic intolerance). In this study, the feasibility of Ballistocardiography (BCG) for quantifying autonomic nervous system activity in relation to gold standard electrocardiogram (ECG) was tested. Simultaneous ECG, blood pressure, photoplethysmography (PPG), and BCG were continuously acquired during 5-minutes of stand tests (before and after tilt test up to 60°) from 10 participants. Heart period was derived from ECG and BCG represented as RR and JJ intervals, respectively. Spectral analysis of heart period (both RR and JJ) was performed by calculating power distributed in low-frequency (0.04–0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (0.15–0.4 Hz) bands. Strong correlation (r > 0.87 for Pre-tilt and r > 0.97 for Post-tilt, p < 0.001) between ECG and BCG derived LF, HF, and LF/HF was observed, except for LF/HF (r > 0.63 for Pre-tilt). The Wilcoxon rank sum test revealed no difference (p > 0.10) in BCG or ECG LF, HF, and LF/HF during the two stand tests. The findings of the study highlighted the feasibility of monitoring cardiovascular control via weight-scale BCG. Therefore, the developed system can gain utility as a portable and cost-effective system for early detection and mitigation of falls associated with autonomic dysfunction.
Continuous Processing in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Changing the Mind Set

The pharmaceutical industry is a highly regulated industry and all production must be carried out in accordance with good manufacturing practice. Traditionally, virtually all manufacturing operations have been carried out batch wise in spite of cost disadvantages and the fact that in many cases continuous processing could lead to the manufacture of purer products. The regulatory environment tends to stifle any attempts to change the process once the development stage is over and the product and process have been licensed. This has created a mind set amongst the industry's professionals that batch processes are the only acceptable way forward. However; the regulatory authorities, particularly the Food and Drug Administration in America, have recognized that continuous processing has the potential to improve product quality and are encouraging the industry to reconsider their ideas. This paper examines how chemical engineers can use the opportunity that arises from this changed regulatory environment to revisit their own ideas and drive a change of mind set within the industry.
The role of early nutrition on bone development in children

Popularvetenskaplig sammanfattningDen tidiga nutritionens roll for benutveckling hos barn I vastvarlden idag ar benskorhet och dess foljder ett vaxande halsoproblem. Maximal benmassa uppnas i ung vuxen alder och denna paverkas bl.a. av genetik, motion och kost. Den maximala benmassan har betydelse for utveckling av benskorhet senare i livet. For att optimera benmassan och motverka benskorhet ar det av storsta vikt att identifiera faktorer tidigt i livet som gynnar bentillvaxten. Faktum ar att forskare under de senaste decennierna har intresserat sig mer och mer for hur den tidiga nutritionen paverkar sjukdomsutfall langt senare. Djurstudier har visat att avkommans tillgang pa fettsyror under sen graviditet och forsta levnadsveckor paverkar benkvalitet i vuxenlivet. Detta tillraknas fettsyrors formaga att modifiera genuttryck som har med metabolism och tillvaxt att gora. Exempelvis spelar fleromattade fettsyror sasom omega-3 och omega-6 roll, dar omega-3 tros framja nybildning av ben medan omega-6 tros paverka nedbrytning av ben. Eftersom benskorhet ar ett resultat av en obalans mellan bennybildning och bennedbrytning ar kvoten mellan omega-6 och omega-3-fettsyror av betydelse. Denna studie syftar till att undersoka hur kostens sammansattning av fettsyror i spadbarnsaren paverkar benformationen under samma tidsperiod och aven bentathet senare i barndomen. Mellan ar 2008 och 2009 inkluderades 398 nyfodda barn pa Halmstads sjukhus till studien. Blodprover togs vid fodelse samt vid 4 manaders alder och fettsyror och benformations-markorerna osteocalcin och P1NP analyserades. Foraldrarna besvarade frageformular angaende amningsvanor och barnen delades in i tva grupper beroende pa om de blivit ammade eller fatt mjolkersattning (Nestle NAN) vid 4 manaders alder. Vid 8 ars alder genomfordes en matning av benmineraldensitet (BMD) av landryggen med dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) pa 167 av barnen fran ursprungspopulationen. DEXA innebar en lagdos-rontgen och passar sig val for barn. Resultaten visade att ammade barn hade hogre nivaer av omega-3- och lagre nivaer av omega-6-fettsyror vid 4 manaders alder jamfort med barn som fatt ersattningsmjolk. Ammade hade aven hogre nivaer av benmarkoren osteocalcin men inte P1NP. Ett antal fettsyror korrelerade med osteocalcin men sambanden forsvann efter att ha justerat for storande faktorer. Inte heller sags korrelationer mellan fettsyror, benmarkorer och BMD av landryggen vid 8 ars alder. Istallet var vikt och kvinnligt kon associerat till hogre BMD. Anneli Landgren Handledare: Jovanna Dahlgren Slutsatsen av denna studie ar darfor att amning, men inte specifikt fettsyror, paverkar benformationsmarkoren osteocalcin under spadbarnstiden men har troligen ingen bestaende effekt pa bentathet vid 8 ars alder. For att med sakerhet uttala sig i fragan behovs kompletterande studier.
Robustifying Forecast Performance Through Hybridized Arima-Garch-Type Modeling in a Discrete-Time Stochastic Series

The study is aimed at investigating the robustness of forecast performance of a hybridized (ARIMA-GARCH-type) model over each single component using different periods of horizon to display consistency over time. Daily closing share prices were explored from the Nigerian Stock Exchange for First City Monument Bank and Wema Bank Plc, spanning from January 3, 2006 to December 30, 2016, with a total of 2,713 observations. ARIMA model, GARCH-type, and hybridized ARIMA-GARCH-type were considered. The hybridized ARIMA-GARCH-type was found to produce the best forecast performance in terms of robustness over each single component model and the robustness was found to be consistent over different time horizons for the datasets. The implication is that, it provides an essential remedy to the problem associated with model instability when forecasting a discrete-time stochastic series.
Analysis of STEM-PBL based e-module needs to improve students’ critical-thinking skills

STEM is a learning approach that integrates the teaching of science and mathematics through scientific inquiry, technology and engineering, and mathematical analysis to develop 21st century skills. One of them is critical-thinking skills that are thinking skills involving cognitive, analytical, rational, and logical processes and inviting students to do reflective thinking to problems. The application of STEM which is integrated with problem-based learning and packaged in an e-module will produce creative individuals with critical thinking. The design of the research uses qualitative description. It aims to investigate the need for teaching materials in the form of STEM-PBL based e-Module and critical thinking profiles of students in senior high schools. The subjects of the research were 75 students and 1 chemistry teacher. The data were collected through several techniques such as interviews, questionnaires and critical-thinking essay tests. The results show that students cannot think critically in solving chemical problems and need teaching materials in the form of STEM-PBL-based e-Modules.
EFECTO INHIBITORIO DE UN EXTRACTO ACUOSO DE HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA LINN, EN LA OXIDACIÓN DE LIPOPROTEÍNAS DE BAJA DENSIDAD (LDL)

Introduction: Worldwide consumption Hibiscus sabdariffa, has been growing thanks to its high content rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and anthocyanins. Through its calyces it has been used to prevent and treat degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular abnormalities, and hyperlipidemia. Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant effect of an extract of H. sabdariffa, by means of the low-density lipoprotein oxidation (LDL) assay. Methods: Dehydrated chalices obtained from an own culture were used, obtaining an acuso extract under conditions similar to the usual consumption. The total phenol content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Characterized the extract, its antioxidant activity was evaluated by the LDL oxidation test, obtained from a blood sample from three patients without hyperlipidemia. Results: A statistically significant inhibition of LDL oxidation of the extract and its respective control was evidenced in each of the samples (p <0.05). Conclusions: these results demonstrate that H. sabdariffa is a real alternative in the control of hyperlipidemia and reduction of oxidation of LDL, responsible for the formation of atheroma plaque at the level of the arteries. However, the consumption of this plant must be done under controlled conditions and guided by specialists in order to obtain the desired results.
HOW CAN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT THE LINK BETWEEN CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT? – A REVIEW

Abstract Linear production is related to resource scarcity and negative environmental impacts. Circular Economy (CE) emerged for society transition towards sustainability, based on regenerative systems and multiple life cycle products. Product Life cycle Management (PLM) supports the whole life cycle with the aid of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). A literature review analyzed the role of ICT enabling CE based on PLM, identifying challenges and opportunities, active and passive PLM, system perspective, stakeholder's role, and sustainability. Concluding that ICT enables the CE transition.
The Level of Reactive Carbonyl Derivatives of Proteins, Methylglyoxal, and Malondialdehyde in Rats Experiencing Chronic Unpredictable Moderate Stress

BACKGROUND: Prolonged exposure to stress is known to change homeostasis and can lead to the development of psychopathological disorders, including depression. Exposure to stress factors contributes to the emergence of reactive oxygen species in the brain. The data characterizing changes of the oxidative metabolism under conditions of chronic stress are insufficient, which determine the relevance of the research in this direction. The determination of reactive carbonyl derivatives of proteins (RCDP), methylglyoxal (MG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels can be considered an informative method for studying the dynamics of oxidative metabolism. AIM: The aim of the study was to study the RCDP, MG, and MDA in red blood cells and blood plasma in rats experiencing chronic unpredictable moderate stress (CUMS). METHODS: A total of 20 male outbred rats weighing 450–500 g were used in the study. The animals were divided into two groups of ten rats each using randomized selection. The experimental group of animals was exposed to the impact of diverse stress factors, according to the CUMS model for 21 days. The control group of animals remained in standard conditions and did not undergo CUMS model. Blood sampling was performed twice for all rats the day before the experiment started and on 21st day to determine the level of RCDP, MG, and MDA in their erythrocytes and blood plasma. RESULTS: The study revealed a significant decrease of RCDP (p = 0.007) and MDA levels in erythrocytes (p = 0.013), and MDA level in blood plasma (p = 0.005) of rats of the main experimental group. The control group showed a significant increase of RCDP level in plasma (p = 0.008), a two-fold increase of MDA in erythrocytes (p = 0.05) with a decrease of MDA in plasma (p = 0.011). A tendency for MG increase was noted in erythrocytes of rats in both the main group and the control group. CONCLUSION: The early stages of CUMS were accompanied by the violation of oxidative metabolism with the emergence and accumulation of RCDP and MDA in the blood of animals. The decreased emergence of RCDP and MDA in the later stages can be associated with an excess of oxidized substrates in the blood of animals of the experimental group. The revealed trend toward MG growth in animals of both groups suggests its increased synthesis in erythrocytes, which, in our opinion, should be considered a negative factor affecting the deformability of red cells. In turn, a violation of the deformability of red blood cells leads to a violation of microcapillary blood flow, which contributes to the development of hypoxic damage in different tissues. Thus, the obtained data confirm the different directions of changes in RCDP and MDA levels in the blood of animals experiencing CUMS or acute stress. Our results prove the need for further research on changes in oxidative metabolism in chronic stress disorders.
Rhizoctonia root rot (Rhizoctoni solani K ü h n) of sugar beet in province Vojvodina

Sugar beet root rot appears regularly each year, but its intensity depends on agro ecological conditions. The predominant causers of root rot in Vojvodina are fungi from Fusarium genus and species Macrophomina phaseolina. Over the last couple of years, more intense occurrence of Rhizoctonia root rot has been observed. Rhizoctonia solani, the causal agent of root rot is present in sugar beet fields. During 2000—2005, on the territory of Vojvodina, the frequency of Rhizoctonia solani in phytopathological isolations from rotted sugar beet roots was between 0,0—18,2%. The intensity of the disease depends on localities, agro ecological conditions and genotypes. Symptoms of Rhizoctonia root rot were registered at some localities in all regions of Vojvodina: Srem, Banat and Baåka. The disease appearance is above all local. It occurs in small patches, on heavy, non-structured soil and on depressed, wet parts of plots. Individual diseased plants can be found during July. Brown rot appears on sugar beet roots, with dried tissue on surface, which is present on the tail as well as on the middle part and the head of root. Tissues with described symptoms are deeper regarding the healthy part of root. On vertical root section, the necrotic changes are clearly visible comparing to tissue section without symptoms. The heavily infected tissue forms fissures on roots in most cases. Besides the above-mentioned symptoms on roots, the plant wilting and leaf handle necrosis as well as leaf dying are also observed. When rot spreads to the whole root head, plants quickly die.
The residues of fruit and vegetable processing: from "waste" to "resource" of natural phytochemical compounds

The project of Sant’Anna School, in line with the Italian legislation on limiting waste and promoting the redistribution of surpluses and unused goods, aimed to study the potential healthy value of residues obtained from the transformation of fruit and vegetable products that represent a cost, as they must be handled, stored and disposed according to stringent actual regulations. Two “model” species (potato and apple) were considered to test the possibility of using industrial processing waste for food applications. The extracts, obtained with “green” methods from potato and apple peels, were evaluated as natural antioxidants in the preparation of minimally processed fresh-cut apple. Results suggest the possibility to use these novel byproduct extracts as valuable alternative treatments to traditional chemical additives employed for minimally processed apples.
Influence of myofascial release technique toward changes in pain level among non-specific low back pain patients

Non-specific low back pain is a condition causes pain in the lower back that cannot be found in a specific disorder included mechanical pain, joint pain, postural pain, muscle strain, ligament sprain and muscle spasm. This study aims to determine the effect of myofascial release technique toward changes in pain level in non-specific low back pain patients. The study was used quasi-experimental design using time-series experimental design. The study population were all non-specific low back pain patients seeking treatment at Physiotherapy Poli of Bontang Hospital. The samples were 20 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The data was analysed using Wilcoxon test with SPSS program. The result showed that highest number of non-specific low back pain patients were aged ≥45 years old. The study also showed changes in pain level on post-test 1 and post-test2 was high than pre-test. The pain level before and after given Myofascial Release Technique showed significant changes with pre-post 1 and pre-test 2 = 0.000 with 95% confidence level. Based on Wilcoxon test with pre-post 1 and pre-post 2=0.000<0.05 had shown there was an effect of Myofascial Release Technique on changes in the pain level with nonspecific low back pain.
Remediation of salt-affected soil by natural and chemical amendments to improve berseem clover yield and nutritive quality

Salinity is a major problem affecting crop production worldwide. The potential of different soil amendments (sulphur, gypsum, compost, and combination of gypsum, compost and sulphur) and two plant-growth stimulators (potassium silicate and calcium carbonate nanoparticles) to alleviate the harmful effects of saline soil on two cultivars of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), one salt tolerant (‘Serw-1’) and the other high yielding (‘Helaly’), was evaluated. Some soil properties were measured before and after treatments. Plant growth parameters, herbage yield, nutritive value and plant metabolites, including photosynthetic pigment and endogenous hormone contents, were also determined. The herbage yield of berseem clover cultivars substantially increased with the application of soil amendments in both years. The greatest yield increase was obtained with the compost application. The highest protein contents in herbage (16.4% in Helaly and 17.2% in Serw-1) were detected in response to composite (compost + gypsum + sulphur) and compost treatments, respectively. Carbohydrate content increased to 9.53% in Helaly and 5.1% in Serw-1 in response to the gypsum and compost treatments, respectively. The composite, compost and gypsum soil amendments were the most effective treatments resulting in the greatest herbage yield and quality values.
FRACTIONATION OF SULFUR ISOTOPES DURING REDUCTION

Barium sufaa labelled with sulfur-35 was reduced, and hydrogen sulfide evolved from the reactions was entrained with carben dioxide. The gas was led into two absorbing cells in series, the first of which contrined a known amount of aqueous zinc acetaa, for radioactivity measurement, and the second contained cadmium carbonate for sufide deaction. When sufficient zinc sulfide was obtained in each absorbing cell, the flow was diverted to a new cell series so that many small equal fractions were obtained. The counting raa of each sample was measured by the infinite thickness method. (J.R.D.)
Nitrate leaching from Japanese temperate forest ecosystems in response to elevated atmospheric N deposition

ABSTRACT The effects of elevated atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on N cycling in Japanese forest ecosystems are reviewed here to assess the sensitivity of nitrate (NO3−) leaching from forests to streams in response to this deposition. Long-term monitoring of atmospheric N deposition throughout Japan suggests that long-range transport of air pollutants from East Asia accounts for recent increases in atmospheric N deposition in Japan. A new conceptual model of N saturation proposes that kinetic N saturation can be related to unavoidable hydrological nitrate (NO3−) loss from Japanese forests having an Asian monsoon climate with warm and wet summers. Soil microbes, including fungi and ammonia-oxidizing archaea, are important players in these forest ecosystems, affecting nutrient cycling in response to increased atmospheric N deposition. Similarly, a new framework based on a mycorrhizal-associated nutrient economy provides an understanding of NO3− leaching in soils from temperate forests, suggesting that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)-dominated forests leach more NO3− in response to N deposition than ectomycorrhizal fungi-dominated forests. Because Japanese cedar and cypress are AM-associated trees, they are likely susceptible to NO3− leaching. Maturation and poor management of such plantations may accelerate NO3− leaching. Grazing by increasing deer populations also enhances NO3− leaching from the soil system. We argue that several factors, including long-range transport of air pollutants, an Asian monsoon climate setting, as well as maturation and poor management of AM-associated plantations, will make Japanese temperate forests more sensitive to increased atmospheric N deposition in East Asia over the next decades.
Suppression of Androgen Receptor (AR)-ACE2/TMPRSS2 Axis by AR Antagonists May Be Therapeutically Beneficial for Male COVID-19 Patients

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a worldwide pandemic named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The disease progression and mortality rates of patients with COVID-19 are higher in males than in females. Hence, we explored the potential mechanism of the COVID-19 gender disparity and searched for potential alternative therapeutic agents as unmet medical needs for male patients with COVID-19. Methods: We collected clinical data from 1339 COVID-19 patients and analyzed androgen receptor (AR) chromatin binding and expression patterns by ChIP-seq and scRNA-seq data. Moreover, we studied the androgen-induced expression of ACE-2 and TMPRSS2, two key proteins for SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry and infection and the blockage of these two key proteins with our AR antagonist Proxalutamide (GT0918) in normal lung cells, cancer cells derived from prostate and lung cancers. Furthermore, we examined the effect of GT0918 on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), the macrophage-activation markers, in mouse macrophage cells. Results: We demonstrated higher rates of disease progression and mortality of male COVID-19 patients. The mechanism of the gender disparity may result from the androgen-AR activation in male patients with COVID-19. We revealed that androgen-AR activation induced the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 under the androgen-dependent condition in cells derived from prostate and lung cancer, which was inhibited by the blockage of AR signaling with AR antagonist GT0918. Importantly, GT0918 also inhibited the expression of macrophage activation markers iNOS and TNF-α, the biomarkers for macrophage polarization. These results support the role of androgen-AR signaling in the disease progression and mortality in male patients with COVID-19.